In just five short days Ryan and I will board a plane for Central America.
In only four, we will be kissing our tow-headed babes goodbye for yet another week with their grandparents in Michigan.
Ryan and I are traveling to Guatemala with Food for the Hungry August 4-9, and I just keep asking myself:
WHY?
Is it because the precious people of Guatemala need us to be there next week? Maybe. Though I worry about what good, life-changing, Kingdom-building work we can possibly accomplish in just one week and a few, brief exchanges?
Is it because we’ve got a wanderlust that only a trip to a developing country can satisfy? Not really. International travel is brand new to us. And if I’m being very honest, it’s a little scary to us, too!
Is it because we hope that looking on the “misfortune” of others firsthand will make us more grateful for what we have at home? It truly isn’t that either. While we know this trip will absolutely change the way we see things when we return, we aren’t traveling simply to benefit from looking upon the suffering or poverty of others.
I’ve given it a lot of thought, I really have.
When I’ve explained the trip to others – particularly the part about traveling as a blogger to see and then to write – I’ve spouted: “it’s not really a work and witness trip”.
But then, as a Christian, isn’t all of life a work and witness trip?
The more Ryan and I consider the why of our trip, the more we have simply concluded that it is something we have been called to – something to which we cannot say “no”.
We don’t know what The Lord has in store.
We don’t know what we will see or hear or say.
We don’t know how we can be the “aroma of Christ” to a village of hungry people.
Ryan reminded me, though, that in life we are called to point to Christ. And THAT, we have realized, is exactly WHY we are traveling to Guatemala next week.
Whether we are pointing each other, our fellow team members, the amazing people of Guatemala, or any of you sweet friends who follow our trip updates to the One Who created the Earth and everything in it, our simple prayer is that this be “Kingdom come” work, for the glory of Him who died to save every one of us.
Pray for us as we go, friends!
That we would be safe.
That we would see what we need to see,
hear what we need to hear,
and when the timing is right,
that words would flow and that we would say what we need to say.
I so look forward to sharing this journey with you all! Sarah and I will be blogging (and vlogging!) every day while we’re there, both here on the SheReadsTruth blog, and on our personal blogs. We will have the amazing opportunity to meet our sponsor children (who are, believe it or not, both named Olga!) face to face, and we will be sharing with you what benefits sponsoring a child can bring to an entire village – “Kingdom come” work in action!
Our team of bloggers will also be participating in a Twitter Party Tuesday, August 6th at 8p EST with the hashtag #FHBloggers. It will be an opportunity to live-chat with us about what we’re experiencing, what is surprising us and exciting us and even scaring and changing us. I hope you’ll hop in and say hello!
“Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.”
Psalm 72:23-26
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33 thoughts on "why on earth?"
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Thanks for sharing
Great blog.
Is it possible to travel with you?
Great blog. Thanks for sharing
I just found this blog and have high hopes for it to continue. Keep up the great work, its hard to find good ones. I have added to my favorites.
Three of my children have gone on missions trips. The children there are so happy! Blessings on you as you go. Looking forward to reading about your experience
My husband, little girl & I moved to Guatemala as missionaries last March- we love this country & its people as I'm sure you will too! Praying for opportunities for you to shine His light! –
I am really excited for you Raechel!! You are in my prayers! I cannot wait for your stories of how God is moving!!
Can't wait to travel with you!
I am praying that God’s Glory, the shekinah of God, will prepare your way and lead you all as you walk in his path. Amen.
And I am excited to hear how your monthly sponsor dollars are helping, as I too,have a sponsor child in Mexico. Exciting times for Christ!!
(woops, I mean Raechel!)
Rachael, I pray that as you step aboard the plane with Ryan and your team, God would be preparing your Heart consistently for what is next in Guatemala. I pray that as you work with these people in poverty, you'd realize that they are helping to form and reshape your heart as much as you are helping to reshape theirs- and all of it through Christ. Lord, give the team ears that yearn to hear, eyes that desire to truly see, and hearts that want to be vulnerable as they walk through such a different culture. Be close to them and bless them with security and safety. Thank you, Father! In Christ's name, Amen!
Let that psalm be all of our anthems today.
Rachel, God be wit you as you go on this mission. I pray that he gives you wisdom and strength as you fulfill his work for the children in Guatemala. You will be richly blessed and come home sharing that in the midst of poverty the Lords face is in these children. God Bless!
Thanks so much, Cecile! Blessings!
There is no greater privilege in the world than to share Jesus. May God go with you and equip you to minister. I pray that he will be with your family as well. God Bless!
Amen!!! And thank you!
I dont know you but I love you! I admire how you are not afraid to admit your fears and your excitement for this trip. I pray for your safety. God is already moving and you will be greatly blessed.
Thanks so much for this, Sharon! Your prayers and support are an encouragement to me!
Racheal, i have tears as i read your piece, . I so admire mission work., esp, the travel to another culture, out of the comfort zone, to experience something totally unknown to you type. . I would call you heroes. .
I believe my tears were because i know already that God has this trip in hand, his hand is over it all, from your going to your coming home,. Psalm 121 says…..
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let you fall… Your protector is awake……. The Lord will guide you, He is by your side to protect you……He will keep you safe…..now and forever….
God go with you….and if Our God is for us who,what where can be against us…..
Go be blessings and tell of the wonderful things he has done, does, and continues to do.
I will prayer Kingdom moments for you all. With love you and blessings. Tina x x x x
Tina, this was such an encouragement to read this morning. Thank you for taking time to love me and to bless our trip! Lookin forward to keeping you abreast of our travels! Xoxo
I find it's often the times that we have no idea how God could be planning to use us that we begin to see it! I know it will be wonderful. Be safe!
Thank you so much, sister! You’re exactly right!
God be with you Raechel. Shine your light!!
:) Thank you, Julia!
As I read your blog this morning it reminds me of my first mission trip to Jamaica. I had some of the same thoughts about seeing the poverty and how can I make a difference in a week. I ended up learning so much! One I realized that despite the poverty and other issues, the people were so full of joy and determination. In my opinion at times more than most Americans. It taught me that material things and comfort does not dictate happiness, you do. As years went by and I kept going (I went 10 times over 11 years and can’t wait to join the team again hopefully next year) I was able to see how one encounter or a weeks encounter touched people’s lives. It is amazing and humbling. One of my prayers as I would prepare has always been that God prepares the heart and mind of the people I will come in contact with so they are at a place to hear what He would have them hear. I pray that prayer this morning for the people that you and your team will encounter from the airport going until your return. I pray that your eyes and heart will also be open to what God will teach you through your service in His name. Amen.
Thank you for this sweet encouragement – I love hearing how God uses even short-term missions work to shape our lives!
God be with you, Raechel!
Thank you, sweet Ibukun!
I went to Guatemala a few years ago.. Our 6 day trip turned into a 10 day trip b/c a volcano erupted a few hours after we landed.. Not to mention a tropical storm came through later that night. Needless to say, our plans were changed, but it was the best thing that could ever happen!! We got a chance to truly serve some of the ppl in Guatemala City. God provided us with several opportunities to serve, show his love, & share our testimonies.
Even the tropical storm was a blessing b/c it washed the volcanic ash out of the sky. Had it not rained, the ash would have stayed in the air where it could be easy inhaled which could have made us very sick. Going on a mission trip (regardless of the # of days) will change your life & the life of those that you are helping. I pray that you have a safe trip & that God reveals himself like never before :)
P.S. make sure you take an antibiotic w/ you.. You will want to have it on hand incase you or someone in your party gets travelers diarrhea :)
Haha – an excellent tip!
It's absolutely crazy that y'all had a volcano erupt AND a tropical storm… and that it was all completely not a surprise to God! thanks for sharing your story, Alda.
I moved to Costa Rica this January to live and teach here for a year. It is very cool how your entire lens of how you view the world can be changed just by stepping into another culture for a short period of time. God has made such incredibly beautiful and unique cultures- it is magnificent! Enjoy your time being the hands and feet of Jesus to the nations!
Thanks so much Lauren! Blessings on your time in Costa Rica! xoxo