MISSIONS TRIP #4 - Reflections as we go - Part 1

Very early tomorrow morning, 18 senior high students of our church will leave for a week long missions trip to West Virginia and I, and three other chaperones, will go with them.  Our task will be to work together, with the staff of Next Step Ministries, to build foundations for new housing, build a handicapped ramp, and install siding on existing homes.   It will be an exciting new adventure for all of us, the seasoned and the novice,and their are quite a few of them, because this is the first time we’ve been to this work site in West Virginia.  This time around we’ll also be working alongside other groups, totaling somewhere around 80 people!  Another first for us.

I wish I were better prepared!  

Oh, I’ve packed the work clothes, and the sweat bands, and the shower gear, the sun block and the bug spray.  I think in that way I’m thoroughly prepared.  But I don’t feel the least bit spiritually prepared.  

How can I minister to others – teens, other leaders, the residents of the area where we’ll be working, when I have not been praying and waiting on the Lord myself?   I’ve been too busy with other good, and some downright useless things, too.

I try not to have any expectations for a trip like this because I want to allow the Lord to write His agenda for me, to bring across my path those to whom He has planned for me to minister, whoever they are. But after a busy week of VBS, I’m tired and feel the need for a rest myself.  

My dear friend, and sister in Christ Jeannine, posted these wonderful verses from Isaiah on her Facebook page this morning.

Isaiah 40:31:

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

There are many unknowns ahead – the practical ones that make me anxious – like sleeping arrangements for 80, enough showers for all the girls to finish in time for dinner, stamina for working in the heat and humidity (some of you KNOW how cranky I get when it’s humid!), and what the work sites will be like.  

And then there are the ministry unknowns, those situations where I want to be "Jesus with skin on" for others, but have no idea what opportunities the Lord will give me.  Those are the ones for which I have not prepared and I would hate to miss a single one because I'm too tired to notice.  If I’m going to bless the Lord and others this week, I will need to have my strength renewed because I WILL want to soar!  I WILL want to keep up and not grow weary!  I WILL want to walk, and keep on walking, and not faint.  

So help me this week Lord to draw close to You.  Help me to remember that you would have me be YOUR representative this week – with teens, with leaders, with other groups, with the staff of Next Step, and with the people of West Virginia.  Help me to walk with confidence that as I hope in YOU, you WILL be faithful to pour out Your strength for whatever ministry You have in mind.

More later. . . . .