Equiping Me With Everything Good

"May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."   

Hebrews 13:20-21

As my trip to Haiti approaches, I find myself claiming this verse - praying this verse - over and over.  

"Equip you with everything good for doing His will." 

Everything.

Good.

Have I mentioned that I have NEVER been out of the country before?  Well - I don't feel like Canada and the Bahama's (on a cruise ship) count.  I didn't need a passport for either and I was with Russell.

Did I mention that I am going alone?  No group - just me. 

I am actually okay with that.  Oddly enough.  Not exactly sure why - but I am.

As the trip gets closer, I think about things like the language difference.  The cultural differences.  I think about Shelley and her family and my wanting to be a help and not a hindrance to them.  I think about all that I will see, smell, hear.  How will I react?

Will I wind up in a fetal position in the corner somewhere sobbing my eyes out?  I am a big crier you know.  I'm sure that at some point - or maybe even several times - this will happen.

Will I be angry at the poverty and the injustice?  Most likely.  

I am already excited about meeting everyone and learning more about the details of The ApParent Project and how it all works.

Goodness - I'm an emotional roller coaster and I haven't even left yet.

I know that all of these things will be a factor - but in it all - through it all - I do want to see, experience, learn ALL that God has for me.

This is HIS trip.  He has brought me to this point.  He has flung the doors wide open for me to go.  I am only stepping through those doors in obedience.  With that brings fear, apprehension, and excitement all in one.  I know, that I know, that I know, that this is my next step.  I also know, that I know, that I know, that this is His plan and He has EVERYTHING under control. 

Faith is walking into the unknown and knowing it's okay. 

Russell pointed out to me that most people walk into a trip like this with absolutely no connections with anyone.  They are going to a strange place and have no one.  I may not be going with Russ or a group of anyone I know - but I have a connection there in Shelley and her family.  I'm just walking into unknown experiences.  God is good.  Maybe that's why I am okay with going alone.  I won't really be once I am there.

Still - the unknown experiences are proving to make me a bit nervous.  I don't want to miss anything God has for me.  I don't want to make any crazy mistakes or come home wishing I would have done things differently.  I want to be able to walk in each moment, filled with the Holy Spirit, and be and do exactly what I'm supposed to.  This is my sole purpose - my sole job for Feb. 6 - 13, 2012 and I want to get it right. So I continue to trust that God is going to "equip me with everything good for doing his will" while I am there.

Won't you pray for me - with me - concerning this?

Thank you for your prayers you have prayed for me already.  I know that this trip wouldn't be possible without all of you.  I am excited in that Russ and I purchased a laptop (for many reasons other than my trip) but I will take it with me and am hoping to blog while I am there.  So you will be able to keep up with me and know how to pray all week.

 God is good.

Until next time....