this week's "thing"

So the "next thing" we are working on this week is thinking through ideas and resources for us to do in the next 7-8 months to become better equipped for our move and work in and to Africa. We are meeting with our Pastor and Missions Board Chair (and who knows who else) next week to map out a plan for what our church calls "Transition to Ministry". We and they are thinking through some things to look at covering. We have our ideas of course!
Once a plan is in place, it gets presented to the elder officers, who will either approve it themselves, or send it to the full elder board for approval. They will deny or accept.
Not only are we trying to get this ready, but we did talk to the director of Gospelink for a few hours on Wednesday, so we are also trying to put together a timeline for raising support, building the house, and a target date to leave for Zambia.
So, since i don't know who all reads the site, any suggestions of resources or training? Books? Do you support missionaries and have ideas based on what you have heard in newsletters from them? Have you done short or long term missions yourself? Our main work will of course be farming, but i am sure other things will be involved, such as discipleship; but we will not be doing church planting. Throw some ideas our way, we'd appreciate it!
And a little clarification...
Yes, we know we are on the "fast track". Yes, we have heard it can take up to two years to raise support. We also know someone who raised his support in 2 months! We are going to trust GOD for His timing, that He will be the one to raise up His people; it's not us, it's Him. We are setting a target, and will shoot for it. If we don't make it, we'll adjust. We just don't want to set a target of longer than we need-because that's how long everyone thinks it should take. We have a goal, and it's optimistic, yes. But our God is BIG, our God is sovereign, and God will do it. If we are suppose to be there by such and such a date, and we are obedient, then we will be there.