How Was Your Trip?

How was your tip? That's the question everyone is asking and I wish I had a simple answer. I wish I could speak as well as I can (occasionally) write. I can just never seem to come up with the words to describe the trip. So I end up just saying it was GREAT or something similar. Maybe the problem is there just aren't really words to describe the trip. It feels almost overwhelming to even try.

My mind starts racing about where to start. How can I even begin to explain the opportunity God gives us. He sends us out to meet some physical needs of the people of Belize never to pat ourselves on on the back, but always to point people to Him.

So, should I tell people all of the factual events that happened?

Should I tell them about the orphanage with 76 children who are getting many of their physical needs met but are starving emotionally? The nursing home with one volunteer nurse for all of the residents and lacking a lot of basic supplies? VBS and the 90 children and a handful of moms that came and heard the gospel? The construction project for a mom who serves selflessly week after week cooking Sunday lunch for Faith Tabernacle, the church we partner with? The new church building Faith Tabernacle is moving into that we were able to paint? Or maybe the families we were able to distribute food to?

Should I tell them about the people?

People like the Armstrong's and their huge hearts turned toward serving God every single day? Or the children who get a chance to go to school... and hear the gospel? Maybe the people who cooked for us and invited us into their homes for meals? Or maybe people would like to hear about my teammates, a group handpicked by God for this incredible journey.

Should I tell them about how I see God working in the community of Santa Elena, in my teammates or even in myself? Seriously where do I begin, and how much time do you have?

In short, I absolutely LOVED my time in Belize this year! I have truly come home forever changed. I pray other lives were forever changed as well.

Ever since returning I have been drawn to the book of Colossians. I've read through it, all 4 chapters, several times. I am reminded that every word I speak, action I take or even thought I think should glorify God. That I need to thank God for every opportunity He gives me to share about Him and be more confident in doing so.

I want to thank every person who prayed for our trip, those prayers were definitely heard and answered, but please don't stop now. The people of Santa Elena- those who are spreading the gospel and those who have yet to hear the gospel need your prayers. Continue to pray for the team, as we share about the trip, as God molds our lives from our experiences and as we all move forward towards future trips. I thank God for every person he placed in our path while we were there, whether we were sharing the gospel for the first time, watering a seed that was already planted or encouraging those who are strong in their faith but needed a reminder why they can never quit. I thank God for reminding me that absolutely everything that happened thousands of miles away can and should be happening right here at home. I thank God for reminding me to slow down, to stop being so rigid and learn to take in life as it's happening all around me. I thank him for rekindling that fire for sharing His word, and encouraging others around me.

So if this wasn't enough and you would really like to know how my trip was I'd recommend asking me when you have plenty of time. ;) We should probably meet up and and I'd be happy to share about some (or all!) of these amazing experiences God allowed.