in the flesh

"How are you?," our pastor asked.

"I'm beside myself!," I replied.

Today--finally--after months of prayer, I got to meet Michael--in the flesh. Michael is my friend's fiance--from Uganda. He is a handsome man with a brilliant smile. He loves God--and he loves Sharon. So this week,

• He got on a plane--for the first time.
• He left Africa--for the first time.
• He changed planes in Amsterdam--for the first time.
• He arrived in the United States--for the first time.

This morning, I was able to hug him--for the first time. Ugandans are good huggers.

So while it is hard to let go of a friend and see her move to Uganda, there is comfort in knowing that this man will love, honor, and protect her with those strong arms.