Speaking the very words of God in an unfamiliar place

"If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:11

Today is May 6. It is hard to believe that in one month our Guatemala team will be there. There are so many positive things that God has already done among our team. As I reflect on being a leader going on her 9th trip with Students International, I have seen God's hand at work shaping the life of these students. One student, Ariana Sytsma, has gone on to serve with Students International as an intern in the Dominican Republic. Another student, Kylee Rogers, will be serving as a summer intern for two sessions in Guatemala while we are there! Two students have gone on to join YWAM, one couple has gotten married and are now parents after having met on a Guatemala team, another couple met on opposite teams and are still dating, many have gone on to Christian college, one is studying abroad in Chile, and God's hand is upon them all. Some stories I am not even aware of, but will find out later or even in heaven, but God knows, and is faithful. What I do know is God is opening the eyes of these kids to living in another culture, serving The Lord with other Christians, in an unfamiliar, not alas the most comfortable of circumstances. Father, my prayer to you is that you will help to prepare our hearts for your service to noe impose our culture on them, but learn from them through their love of YOU. 

Words cannot describe what an emotional time of year this is for me. I have a son graduating high school, a daughter graduating 8th grade, a feeling of emptiness and rejection when it comes to my workplace, and an uncertainty of where God is able to use me the most. All of my life I have strived to serve Him through the life of kids,  my love of teaching, and in serving. As some of that has and is changing, God will continue to hold me and keep my feet planted in Him. When circumstances change He NEVER changes. May we always feel His love for us at every moment. As I prepare to go to Guatemala, where I have begun to feel where my "comfortable" is, my prayer is that this trip, these kids, will feel and know without a doubt that God goes with them. You see, my "comfortable", is not the same as theirs. They will miss so much about HOME, I pray for an understanding heart that will see things as they see them while at the same time showing them a new "comfortable" that broadens their world. 

1 Peter 4:11 says, when we speak, to speak the very words of God. When we serve, serve as one who serves God, and not men.    Father, USE us for your service! Only 26 more days to go! Wow!