Travel
Monday, November 2, 1 p.m.
I’m sitting in the San Francisco Airport, remembering why I find international travel such a challenge! We just got off of a grueling 14-hour flight with screaming babies who didn’t have a clue how annoying they were being, a loud hateful woman who surely had a clue how annoying she was being (but obviously didn’t care), and the most fierce turbulence I’ve ever experienced on a plane. I actually grabbed my 17-year old daughter’s hand (who was turning green from the mid-air roller coaster ride) and said, “Let’s pray!” What I really meant was, “Oh my gosh, this might be our last prayer ever so let’s make it a good one!” We wanted to kiss the ground when we landed. And here we sit, exhausted, emotionally fragile, and have another 4-hour flight to look forward to before seeing our special guys at DFW Airport — husband Greg, son Matthew, & boyfriend Brian (obviously Erin’s boyfriend, not mine!)
I’ve occasionally wondered if the intense international flight experiences are really worth all the effort & energy required. But once I arrive at my destination and God begins working in us and through us, I’m reminded why I love what I do.
Some of the highlights from Sydney include seeing hundreds of new bras hanging on a clothesline in front of Christian City Church in “support” of their African women’s mission: Operation Uplift (clever, huh?) and watching over 1,500 women of all ages wave white flags (Kleenex) in surrender of all of their sexual and emotional baggage – Wow!
Yeah, it’s worth having the 300 lb. man in front of me press his seat firmly into my kneecaps for hours at a time when I eventually get to see hundreds of women fall to their kneecaps in worship of the God I so love to talk about from stage. The multiple hours of sleeplessness are a small price to pay to see women inspired to go home and make love to their husbands with reckless abandon. And the bland airplane cuisine is a frequent reminder of what Jesus said: “I have food that no one knows about – doing my Father’s will!” (SEV – Shannon Ethridge version)
Am I satisfied with the traveler’s life? You bet. What a posh calling compared to some pastors & missionaries! I may be miserable in the moment, sitting here in the airport, but once I have a steamy shower… and a homemade meal… and a nice long nap to relieve the jet lag, I’ll be ready to go again, ready for the privilege of wearing God’s nametag once again.
Next stop? Sugarland (Houston), Texas for the Girls Reflecting Glory Conference Nov. 13th and 14th — which thankfully will NOT require an international flight! 
Pressing on with gratitude,
Shannon
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Thank you for your sacrifice. On behalf of the girls down under – we were so blessed to have you share (with details), minister and teach us from the word of God. May you be strengthened and refreshed for your next, much shorter trip.
Hi Shannon, as one of the women waving that little white flag, I say thank you for coming all the way to Australia. I was really inspired by your talks and excited to go home and spice up my marriage
and get intimate with Jesus again.
I was also totally inspired by your BLAST mentoring thing and am thinking of signing up…
Bless you Shannon!
And the babies were probably screaming because grown-ups have no idea how annoying international travel is for them!
(I’ve done international travel with my own crying babies lots and lots of times. The last time I blogged it here: http://gombojav.blogspot.com/2009/04/thoughts-from-woman-travelling-alone.html)
Operation Uplift….very cool! It’s not every pastor or church that is confident enough to string bras outside the church!
Hi Shannon,
So happy to hear about your trip wish I was therE, sorry about the flight. I especially was delighted to hear that Erin took the plunge, many women dream of seeing their daughter take the mike and minister to her generation. It is a testament of the effectiveness of your ministry. My prayer is that God will continue to bless you and strengthen you as you passionately go from city to city and around the world speaking the truth that sets women free. I also pray for Greg, like Joseph he understands his role in releasing you to do what you are called to do. We thank Greg for being a modern day Joseph, because if he had not supported you in your ministry to travel many of us would still be tied up in past issues. Thanks Mr. Ethridge and Family, God bless you.