For the past week or so leading up to our Global Village trip to Guatemala, I have posted prayers for myself and my team on my social media channels. I've received as many positive engagements from friends that are standing with us in prayer as I have lost connections with those who may have been offended by my prayer posts.
Yesterday I said I would explain why my daily prayer posts are so important. Each prayer is tailored the way they are because there are genuine concerns and needs.
Traveling outside of the U.S. carries risks, even when you are an experienced traveler.
We take as many necessary precautions as we can and we equip our teams with resources to help make their trip as rewarding and safe as possible, however, no matter how much you plan, sometimes things happen. Our prayers for safety aren't just random posts to flood social news feeds to make us look holy and righteous or earn us sympathy points.
During my first visit to Guatemala back in 2013, I was walking into our hotel lobby in Quetzaltenango when a gentleman I did not know or recognize called me by name. I was curious about how he knew me and of course, I was shocked. He explained that he knew my name and recognized my face because his cousin in Guatemala City emailed him my picture and said I would be in Quetzaltenango building houses. Keep in mind that I don't know anyone who lives in Guatemala City. This total stranger knew my name, my business in the country and had received my photo by his relative - someone I've never seen or heard of in my life.
That incident really showed how small social media makes the world. As a Global Village team leader, my recruiting efforts for volunteers for my teams span five continents as we try to diversify our group and connect with as many people as possible who are interested in helping us build homes, community and hope.
This guy wasn't a threat to us that day but he did give me something to think about. We never know what the intentions of others are, but we plan for the worst and pray for the best. (Disney got it right with "It's a small world after all.")
I believe in the power of prayer and that it goes before us, gives us wisdom and discernment and is the invisible shield that covers us from dangers and threats seen and unseen. It's like our spiritual passport, giving us access to protection, provision and positioning as we serve in the mission field.
Serving on a missions trip transforms the heart.
Over the years, my Global Village teams have been comprised of volunteers who know and serve God and even those who do not. On our trips, we do not evangelize or proselytize, but I want to be sensitive to the beliefs and spiritual needs of my teammates.
Also, we set aside time during our trip to share in Devotions as a team. My desire is to always say and do what brings glory to God while communicating our mission of helping build a better world.
Every prayer matters and is appreciated. Thank you to all who prayed and continue to lift up our mission in prayer.
Yesterday I said I would explain why my daily prayer posts are so important. Each prayer is tailored the way they are because there are genuine concerns and needs.
Traveling outside of the U.S. carries risks, even when you are an experienced traveler.
We take as many necessary precautions as we can and we equip our teams with resources to help make their trip as rewarding and safe as possible, however, no matter how much you plan, sometimes things happen. Our prayers for safety aren't just random posts to flood social news feeds to make us look holy and righteous or earn us sympathy points.
During my first visit to Guatemala back in 2013, I was walking into our hotel lobby in Quetzaltenango when a gentleman I did not know or recognize called me by name. I was curious about how he knew me and of course, I was shocked. He explained that he knew my name and recognized my face because his cousin in Guatemala City emailed him my picture and said I would be in Quetzaltenango building houses. Keep in mind that I don't know anyone who lives in Guatemala City. This total stranger knew my name, my business in the country and had received my photo by his relative - someone I've never seen or heard of in my life.
That incident really showed how small social media makes the world. As a Global Village team leader, my recruiting efforts for volunteers for my teams span five continents as we try to diversify our group and connect with as many people as possible who are interested in helping us build homes, community and hope.
This guy wasn't a threat to us that day but he did give me something to think about. We never know what the intentions of others are, but we plan for the worst and pray for the best. (Disney got it right with "It's a small world after all.")
I believe in the power of prayer and that it goes before us, gives us wisdom and discernment and is the invisible shield that covers us from dangers and threats seen and unseen. It's like our spiritual passport, giving us access to protection, provision and positioning as we serve in the mission field.
Serving on a missions trip transforms the heart.
Over the years, my Global Village teams have been comprised of volunteers who know and serve God and even those who do not. On our trips, we do not evangelize or proselytize, but I want to be sensitive to the beliefs and spiritual needs of my teammates.
Also, we set aside time during our trip to share in Devotions as a team. My desire is to always say and do what brings glory to God while communicating our mission of helping build a better world.
Every prayer matters and is appreciated. Thank you to all who prayed and continue to lift up our mission in prayer.
I believe in the power of prayer and that it goes before us, gives us wisdom and discernment and is the invisible shield that covers us from dangers and threats seen and unseen.
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