I am headed to Romania on a mission trip in July - I signed up without knowing much about what I would be doing there, where I would be going, or what the conditions would be. Frankly, none of that mattered to me, because I knew God was calling me to do something bigger than myself or my family. The more I learn about the trip, the more excited I get, but also many things that I am learning are starting to scare me. I have never been out of the country, so travelling to a foreign country where I don't know the language is daunting to say the least. I am not going to list all of the things I am worried about, because that won't really help anything.
Instead, I am going to focus on WHY I am going. I am thrilled to visit Germany and Romania, so that I can learn about the cultures and customs. I have always loved history, so it will be very interesting to see some of the places that I have only read about. I am looking forward to being removed from the demands of technology, although I am sure this is one of Kevin's worries, because I won't be able to talk to him very often. Most importantly, I know that I will learn so much from the people that we will be working with, and hopefully I will be able to impact their lives in some small way. The team that I am going with from church is also going to teach me a lot about travelling, mission trips, their strong faith, and I am so happy to have them. I am looking forward to growing with them!
The point of all of this is for me to remind myself daily to give my worries to God, focus on the reasons I am going, and so that I can ask you all to pray for me as I prepare to embark on this journey. I am also extremely grateful and humbled by all of the generous people who have donated to my mission trip. In my efforts to raise the money, I have learned that sometimes the most unexpected people will support you, which is truly God working his magic. I am about half way to my required amount. As I can already tell, the journey started back in December when I decided to go, and God is working on me every moment, so that I will be as prepared as He wants me to be.
As I type I am reminded about Matthew 6: 28-34 --
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
So, for right now, I will focus on this --
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