Writings

Transformación 2004

In just a few days, I'll be in El Salvador starting my fifth summer missions trip. Every year my church has a missions trip; past destinations have been Mexico, Alaska, and Trinidad. We've been preparing for months, having meetings, and doing lots of fund raising. Now it's just around the corner. All that's left is to pack, and some final preparations. Here are some reasons for going on this trip and what expectations I have for the trip.

Regardless of the destination, these yearly missions trips appeal to me. They are a wonderful experience and an opportunity to serve in ways I can't the rest of the year here at home. They stretch you in different ways and give you a different perspective on things. I remember how glad I was to return to the states after two trips to Mexico. I'm hoping to have a similar experience in El Salvador, to gain more perspective on how people in other cultures live and how they practice their faith. In addition to experiencing the food and the culture, it's interesting to see how their churches compare to ours. I remember in Mexico where the pastor played an accordian, and his children played guitar as I recall; and there was one lady in the congregation who always brought a tambourine. In Trinidad, the congregation was very energetic, and it was a blessing to be a part of one of their services. It'll be interesting to see what the people are like in El Salvador.

I hope that I am able to serve fully and the best I can once in El Salvador. I aspire to work with the team to reach our goals, and to help wherever I can. Though it's been awhile, hopefully I'll be able to use some Spanish while there as I had in trips to Mexico a few years ago. I will do my best to help the AIM team to work together and to do our best to be a blessing to the people of El Salvador.

Each year, in the first few months the question arises about participation in the upcoming missions trip. It's always hard to say now, but it's likewise important to consider ones reason for going, what role I will fill; also the viability of participating also has to be considered. I like to be used to be a blessing to other people. I was excited about this trip from the beginning because I was ready for another trip like the two to Mexico. It was nice having two years where we didn't have to worry about drinking the water. Not only do we need to be careful about water, we all had to have some vaccinations and will be taking pills to prevent against Malaria while there. We'll be sleeping in the church and won't have hot showers. I hope to gain some humility and meekness through this trip. I like trips like this in which we are challenged in different ways. I like trips in which we are kept busy throughout. It makes one feel like you've done something meaningful. After these trips I like to consider Galations 6:9 which reads "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (NIV). I believe we will make a great impact in El Salvador, and I am blessed to be a part of it.

I'm a bit aprehensive as the hours go by. You never know exactly what to expect, but you just have to take things as they come. I pray that we have no major problems while down there. I hope that we are able to be a blessing and are encouraged by the work we're going to be doing there. I pray that we are spiritually ready for this trip, ready for the obstacles that will come in our way to bring us down and to tear the team apart. Last year we had a great team, I believe, and I am certain we have a strong team again this year, a team that will work together throughout the trip. I am confident that we are going to be doing great things, and be the catalyst of many changes only to be seen after we leave. It's going to be great.