Thoughts Before Leaving for Guatemala

My last post didn't say much even though there is a lot going on in my mind and around me right now to prepare for the trip. My sister gave me the idea of turning my blog into a mission blog for a week or so because she thinks it would be interesting to see what goes into getting ready for the trip in every way whether spiritually, emtionally, and what to pack. I’ve always wanted to do a mission blog and this could be a start of one and see how many responses I get to it. Start with a week and then if in the future I get to go for the summer or 6 months, I’ll know how to keep a blog and what to say in it. It is crazy to think that I could actually do one if I wanted to do because I know things that other people don’t. She opened up my eyes to seeing that. It’s strange to think that even. I take things for granted a lot when really people don’t know and would love to know. This is my 2nd year back to Guatemala so I have a lot of different plans to do with the children down there and it will all be for them. I am excited and blessed to get to go again but scared at the same time and that is a new feeling this year for me.  I’m scare because my eyes have been opened to these kinds of children more. The abandoned, abused, and necgetled children because I have worked with them for 4 months now. I want to get the real feel for orphanage life. I want to rock those babies to sleep, paint the little girls’ fingernails, and just spend time and show God’s Love to those children. That is my mission to them. We are also teaching the children about missions and how they can help in their own country so that will be neat to see the reaction and just to see if they really get it. Guatemala really needs those Christian leaders to step up. Their home is really a mission field just like the States are to us that live here. Anywhere is a mission field if people don’t know Christ. Something I am really passionate about and I’ve taught the lessons in Sunday School at my church so I know them already so seeing the different responses will be neat. Who cares about going shopping or sightseeing if I can help it? The verses that God has put on my heart to look at on this trip are Luke 22:39-46 where Jesus is in the Garden and He is saying to God, “Not my Will, but Your Will be done.” Another chapter is Psalm 139 and that is about how wonderfully I am made and the Plans God has for me if I just follow Him. I’m praying too that my kiddos will remember and just run up to me. That would be an experience I would never forget and a neat one. This is the first mission trip where I know some of the children still there. I pray that my two special boys are still there and will come straight to me or even if I go to them they will remember me. I was honestly not excited but scared to go at first when things were coming together and when I wasn’t helping get ready as much because of my job but now I helped some and am so excited again. It has been a year for me since the last time I was there and I know it was all in the Hands of God because my life has turned around since then totally and still is. I never thought I would be where I am today but because of that one trip I am. Another trip and things on my mind that I want to happen and they will once I get back. I need it to sort my mind out after this year and just to have fun and really rest in the Lord because for some reason it seems when I’m out of the states and with children that is the only time I get to rest and think spiritually which is strange. Do you think God is trying to tell me something there?