Preparing...

As I write this morning, it dawned on me that in exactly 7 days I will be on my way to Honduras. Both excitement and anticipation fill me and I do wonder what exactly God has in store for this trip. Over the past 2 years, I have been blessed to make two trips to Honduras for short-term missions projects. This trip is a bit different, however, because there is no real 'plan' or agenda for me to follow. I offered to travel back with my friend Sarah, who has been in Honduras since mid-May. What began as a casual suggestion and developed into a a trip I am so desperately awaiting, it's difficult for me to describe.

The US News is filled with reports of unrest and political uprising. While not to make light of the recent shooting and loss of life at the airport, the local news reports from Honduras itself are actually quite different. The 'reality' imposed upon us by the news media suggestions thousands of demonstrators. In speaking to my friends living there, there are a few hundred 'paid' groups who move from place to place, seeking to grab national attention from the news media. Perhaps news media isn't even an appropriate term. It's more like sensationalistic reporting and distortion of truth. Then again, that is in which the world we live, isn't it? I must wonder, however, how much we reporting we are exposed to as 'truth' and it being every bit as much twisted and construed into whatever can grab a headline. One must wonder...

So, I approach this trip with no plan, no thoughts as to what I must 'do' while I am there. I do sense this will be a trip of discovery and revelation from the Lord and for that, I am so grateful. So, to prepare for the unexpected is really quite foreign. I was talking to my friend Sarah the other day and we likened it the scripture where Jesus was commissioning His disciples.

"Don't think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start. You don't need a lot of equipment. You are the equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three meals a day. Travel light. " Matthew 10:9-10 (The Message)

Bare necessities - not a lot of equipment, travel light. OK, so I will live out my carry-on luggage for seven days. If there is one thing I am for sure, it is to take a guitar on this trip. I began playing the acoustic about 6 months ago so I am still very much a beginner. My starter guitar has the hard shell case, a new set of strings and will be my checked luggage (at the gate, of course) but of taking it, that is the only thing of which I am certain. I know a little Spanish, stressing the word little here, but I have learned to sing Jesus loves me in Spanish. I got to translate a few other verses of other songs so who knows what will transpire.

There are a few things I would like to do while I am in Honduras. One is to visit the feeding center and to meet my sponsor son, Josue. Another is to go to the city dump for food ministry there, possibly also go to the orphanage. But, if the Lord wills that none of that happen, I must be OK with that and just simply trust Him. It would be nice to visit the Valley of the Angels too and see the giant Jesus statue there. I have always wanted to be Honduras at Christmas, hopefully with my husband. I think renewing our wedding vows there, standing at the feet of Jesus would be awesome. Lord willing.....

Preparation is defined as "the action or process of making something ready for use or service or of getting ready for some occasion, test, or duty". Just thinking about that is mind boggling! How does one prepare without planning? It's a very foreign thought process indeed. But, maybe that is the point: I'm not supposed to be thinking anyway. I'm supposed to be trusting Him for all things, great and small. So I prepare by making myself ready for service, not by making plans for things to do. That is as close as I can come to understanding what I am to do between now and next week.

Lord Jesus, grant me wisdom and discernment in this time of preparation. Help me not to get caught up in getting things ready but by readying my own heart for whatever it is You have willed. Teach me Lord, Your ways, Your thoughts Your intentions and help me to lose sight of self-interest and self-preservation. Oh Jesus, I need You so much!