Hopes & Fears

Only a week to go!  It's amazing how far away the trip seemed for so long and now it's a reality that is hurdling towards us with ever increasing speed.  During the 11:00am service this Sunday, we were commissioned and prayed over by Chris Z. and the rest of the congregation.  Then in the evening we had our final group meeting with the students, leaders and parents.  We lived out John: 1-15, in which Jesus washes his Apostles feet before the Passover meal.  In verses 14 and 15 Jesus says, "¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."  We encouraged everyone going on the trip to have their feel washed by someone who loves them.  It was a wonderful display of the Gospel being lived out in our modern world.  There were fathers washing sons, brothers washing sisters, and even a toddler washing her mother's feet.  I think I speak for the group when I say it was a very powerful and moving experience. 

We also had large sheets of paper on the wall with a different word on each sheet.  This was for the students, leaders, and parents to write down their thoughts and feelings about each word.  Here is what was written by the end of the night:

Hopes

• To learn from the people in Bolivia
• To come back a changed person
• That the memories last
• Learn to see people through God’s eyes
• Learn how much I have by living where I do
• To have the children and people touch my heart and teach me life lessons
• Spiritual renewal
• To leave a mark
• The journey of mission outweighs the distractions
• To discover a new part of myself and my faith
• Grow deeper in my faith and discover something new every dayTo grow closer as a group and to God (this was repeated many times)
• Minister to the fellow Bolivians and form new friendships
• To be broken!
• Renewal
• To rebuild my relationship with God in a new and exciting way
• Spiritual growth for all involved.
• That the team feels the Holy Spirit to his Ultimate Glory,  to feel opened up with no fears, and to bless everyone the group comes in contact with. Let all feel the glory of God!

Fears

• Not being able to communicate with the children/lack of Spanish skills (this was repeated several times)
• Not growing closer as a group
• Holding back and not opening up
• The unknowns and difficulties that could come with traveling (this was repeated several times)
• Physical safety
• To be blinded by my own selfish desires and not see God’s plan
• Not being able to connect and not learning what God wants me to
• Not being the leader God wants me to be

Expectations

• To grow as a person
• To learn more about the gifts God has given me and how to use them
• Great group chemistry and attitudes throughout the trip
• To have a great time and to grow closer to God
• To grow closer to God and strengthen our faith
• That “mission” begins with “submission”
• That each person is EMPOWERED to be used by God!
• Change
• Love unconditionally
• That each person comes back changed
• Growth
• Be surprised at what God wants to show and teach me to grow in my relationship with God and with others on this trip

Prayer Requests

• For everyone to stay healthy, strong, and safe
• Energy throughout the trip safe travel and for all to go well at Customs
• For the group to not get on each other’s nerves to much
• Clear and focused mind
• That ALL the luggage arrives with us
• To get there and back safely to be willing servants in all we are asked to do
• To give the group the Full Amour (Ephesians 6)
• To grow during this time
• Being willing to open up and do whatever God has in store for us
• God’s Will be done with all the group and those already in Bolivia
• To leave our fears behind and to dive whole heartedly into God’s plans
• Appreciation for a different culture
• Openness to learning from others