We were asked to write a blog about how we felt before leaving on this mission trip. Here is what I’m expecting…..
I am starting to learn that what I expect out of my life and my vision for how things will play out , rarely aligns with God’s vision for me. He continues to surprise me daily. I write this blog today knowing that the things I might be expecting to happen on this trip are purely a mix of my thoughts, hopes, goals and assumptions….not really knowing if my expectations align with God’s plan.
I guess we will find out!
Below are some of the phases I expect to go through:
Preparation Phase
I expect times of excitment and joy mixed with worry and self doubt. In this phase I know God will be preparing me spriritually and emotionally to fully trust and rely on Him. I expect this to come in the form of challenges, such as fundraising such a large support goal, moving out of my home, balancing relationships and life demands before I go. I expect that when I give things up to God fully, it will come with great reward. As I begin to fully turn to Him, I think I will begin to see Him working through my family, friends, and perfect strangers in ways I could have never imagined. I expect this to bring me closer to Him and build momentum and excitment for my trip!
Training Camp Phase
I expect to be broken, molded, cleansed, and meet some amazing people. In this phase I expect God to put just the right combination of people in my path to fullfill His plan for our trip. I expect to meet individuals who will be known as some of my best friends and be amazed by their stories of how God called them here. I expect to be challenged and uneasy at times with the purpose of growing stronger as an individual. I expect to have rediculous ammount of fun!
Launching Phase
January 2010 will be an amazing time of mixed emotions. I will be at my height of excitment for the trip, but emotionally preparing to leave the people I love the most. I expect that I will get homesick at times, and long to communicate with people back home. I expect that I will be thrilled about the adventures of the unkown and already be closer in my relationship to the Lord. I expect a few sleepless nights in anticipation of seeing my teammates again and officially launching!
The Unknown Phase
Throughout my 11 months in the nations, I expect to fall in love with the people and cultures we are submersed in. I know that I will not want to leave some of the children, families, and church bodies we work with. I will learn about and whitness God in ways I never knew where possible. I expect to learn what it is to truly trust in Him. My perspective and foundation will be rocked and rebuilt, I will become a new person.
Each phase of this trip will be a journey of challenge, joy, and transformation. Each journey will all be apart of His plan for us. I can’t express how excited I am to experience the unexpected!!
