As I sat in a hotel
in Palm Springs a few days ago, many expectations came to mind when thinking of
the year ahead:
I expect
to be wonderfully challenged with our $5/day food budget and the very fact Dave
and I will be living in a tent together for a year!
I
expect to be in a learner’s paradise as I come into contact with so many
unknown cultures…I always wondered about places like Bosnia after seeing
“Beyond Borders” with Angelina Jolie.
I expect
to use my strengths and develop new passions as I am exposed to the variety of
ministries we will take part in.
I
expect to come back an expert camper with a vast knowledge of
“budget” travel and a basic knowledge of emergency aid kits.
I expect
to be totally reliant on the Lord for my strength & prayer to be the key to
our success.
I
expect my marriage to grow spiritually as we learn to pray, serve & love
others together in tough environments.
I expect
to learn how to basic greetings such as hello, goodbye and thank you in up to
eleven different languages.
I
expect to meet new friends and invest in each other’s in a way unique to the
bonding mechanism of “adversity & joy”
I expect to be a
resource for friends and family back at home~to encourage, pray for and challenge
with opportunities to invest a small part of their lives and resources.
I
expect to read God’s word with new fresh perspective as I see it from the
standpoint of different cultures and persons~whether farmers, servants or
slaves.
I expect
to see hearts surrendered to Jesus’ love and transformed by His healing power.
I
expect my heart to break for the poor, the orphans, the widows and the
injustices I will see first hand and I expect to take action to fight for them,
share their stories with you and become invested in their lives.
I expect
to be spiritually attacked, persecuted & inadequate on my own and then
equally expect the power of the name Jesus Christ to combat all my fears and
weaknesses (much like the scenes from the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and
eventually Prince Caspian).
I
expect to be a voice for the voiceless, a hug for the lonely and a smile for
the outcast.
In general, I expect to be Jesus’ hands
and feet!
