I leave for Ecuador in 9 days.
My head is spinning, I'm overwhelmed by all I have to do, all I have to get and all the unknowns. And my arms ache, thanks to the shots I got this morning to prep my body for anything I might get into while on mission (namely, Yellow Fever, Typhoid and two different forms of Hepatitis). Now with my "Yellow Card" tucked into my passport, I'm another step closer to "ready."
Following my appointment at the travel clinic, it was time for some shopping. I got some of the items and have more to cross off the list. All of this needs to be completed Sunday night so we can pack and load the bus.
The list of items needed for this trip is lengthy. Here's a sampling.
- rubber boots
- water proof jacket
- quick drying coat
- quick drying pants (it rains all the time!)
- work gloves
- more work gloves
- Pepto Bismal
So based on the list, I can expect rain, work and gastro issues. I can deal with that.
There's so much to do, so much to get done, so many nerves to quelch.
It's so strange to me that this mission has me anxious. I've taken groups on mission for 7 years. I've been on all over the country, as well as Mexico and Canada. I've been responsible for the health and well-being of 30+ teens, had to figure out all the details, make the plans, get us there and back alive. A breeze compared to what lies ahead.
Some of it lies in the unknown. I'm going along for the ride. Much like my first trip to Mexico in 2008, I'm not sure of what's to come.
Still other anxieties come from the flight. I don't like to fly and I really don't want to have a panic attack.
Maybe I'm unsure of why I'm going. I have an idea. I feel comfortable with the why behind the what, but really... like, what am I doing on a medical mission?
Perhaps I'm worried about Jeff and how he's going to balance it all while I'm gone. Yes. There's that.
Or that anxiousness may be the realization that while I easily say I trust the Lord, I'm getting a full on, in-your-face, gut-punch reminder of what it actually means to open the hand to full surrender.
That part, that gut-punch? That has the been most amazing, grueling, freeing and exciting part of the process. I recall what we read in Ephesians 3:
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." ----
I'm most anxious about, most anticipating the immeasurably more. Every mission I've led and completed, God has done immeasurably more in the lives of the kids who travelled. He's done immeasurably more in the lives of the chaperones. He's done immeasurably more in the communities we've served. Immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine.
That is some crazy power, God. That you go before us, behind us and with us, working and doing more than we can ask, more than we can fathom.
So for every thought I have about this mission, he is able to do more.
For every hope I have, he is able to do more.
For every expectation, he far outpaces anything I could consider.
For every fear, he meets me there with immeasurably more comfort and assurance.
And it's all for his glory. It's all for him. My job on this mission: Obedience. His promise for this mission: outcome.
Would you join me in praying for our team? Pray for the community we will serve in Shell. Pray for our travels! Pray for the hearts of the team and those we will serve, that we will all be open to the immeasurably more. And, please consider joining us on this mission, through financial support. Any amount will help us do good work in the community and for the kingdom.
Learn more here:
http://www.gofundme.com/apaulsoncasadefe
My head is spinning, I'm overwhelmed by all I have to do, all I have to get and all the unknowns. And my arms ache, thanks to the shots I got this morning to prep my body for anything I might get into while on mission (namely, Yellow Fever, Typhoid and two different forms of Hepatitis). Now with my "Yellow Card" tucked into my passport, I'm another step closer to "ready."
Following my appointment at the travel clinic, it was time for some shopping. I got some of the items and have more to cross off the list. All of this needs to be completed Sunday night so we can pack and load the bus.
The list of items needed for this trip is lengthy. Here's a sampling.
- rubber boots
- water proof jacket
- quick drying coat
- quick drying pants (it rains all the time!)
- work gloves
- more work gloves
- Pepto Bismal
So based on the list, I can expect rain, work and gastro issues. I can deal with that.
There's so much to do, so much to get done, so many nerves to quelch.
It's so strange to me that this mission has me anxious. I've taken groups on mission for 7 years. I've been on all over the country, as well as Mexico and Canada. I've been responsible for the health and well-being of 30+ teens, had to figure out all the details, make the plans, get us there and back alive. A breeze compared to what lies ahead.
Some of it lies in the unknown. I'm going along for the ride. Much like my first trip to Mexico in 2008, I'm not sure of what's to come.
Still other anxieties come from the flight. I don't like to fly and I really don't want to have a panic attack.
Maybe I'm unsure of why I'm going. I have an idea. I feel comfortable with the why behind the what, but really... like, what am I doing on a medical mission?
Perhaps I'm worried about Jeff and how he's going to balance it all while I'm gone. Yes. There's that.
Or that anxiousness may be the realization that while I easily say I trust the Lord, I'm getting a full on, in-your-face, gut-punch reminder of what it actually means to open the hand to full surrender.
That part, that gut-punch? That has the been most amazing, grueling, freeing and exciting part of the process. I recall what we read in Ephesians 3:
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." ----
I'm most anxious about, most anticipating the immeasurably more. Every mission I've led and completed, God has done immeasurably more in the lives of the kids who travelled. He's done immeasurably more in the lives of the chaperones. He's done immeasurably more in the communities we've served. Immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine.
That is some crazy power, God. That you go before us, behind us and with us, working and doing more than we can ask, more than we can fathom.
So for every thought I have about this mission, he is able to do more.
For every hope I have, he is able to do more.
For every expectation, he far outpaces anything I could consider.
For every fear, he meets me there with immeasurably more comfort and assurance.
And it's all for his glory. It's all for him. My job on this mission: Obedience. His promise for this mission: outcome.
Would you join me in praying for our team? Pray for the community we will serve in Shell. Pray for our travels! Pray for the hearts of the team and those we will serve, that we will all be open to the immeasurably more. And, please consider joining us on this mission, through financial support. Any amount will help us do good work in the community and for the kingdom.
Learn more here:
http://www.gofundme.com/apaulsoncasadefe
