Countdown Continues
Trip Start
Feb 07, 2009
1
6
12
Trip End
Feb 21, 2009
Covington,
Georgia,
United States
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
2009. New faces will be my travel buddies. I'll be meeting
them Saturday night as we have a "reunion" dinner to welcome back the
first Pilgrimage and hear about their adventures, and as the next crew
of Pilgrims prepare for their journey. To explain the confusion
to my congregation, I wrote the following article to explain the new
plan of action and seeking to find God in all of this chaos and plan
changing. Here is goes...
God works in mysterious ways. There are so many things happening around
our world that don't seem to make a lot of sense, and the more we try to figure
them out, the more confused we often become. My first year in seminary, when talking
about the complex and immeasurable nature of God, our professors taught us that
sometimes the only appropriate answer is, "It's a mystery!" I
have been wading through several mysteries over the past few months,
several directly related to India, mission trips, and fear. As
many of you know, there has been a lot of confusion and change of plans
regarding several members of our congregation participating
in a mission trip to Mungeli, India. Originally Courtney and Lindsey were signed up
and ready to go, and then Courtney had a change of plans when she found out she
was expecting her first child. Then I signed up to join Lindsey, and both of us were extremely
disappointed when we were unable to attain a visa in time for the December
trip. Our visa applications had us tagged as "missionaries", which
we quickly learned was not a good thing. After five weeks of not being
approved, we pulled our applications and canceled our flights. Several
people had explanations for why we had to cancel our trip...it wasn't meant to be, God had
a different plan for us, something would happen in GA we would be needed for,
it wasn't safe, etc. The remainder of the first pilgrimage went ahead
without us, had some amazing experiences, and returned home safely. Why Lindsey and I could
not be a part of that, we'll never truly know. It's a mystery.
A few days later, I filled out a new visa application, emphasizing my
interest in entering the country as a "tourist". Two days later,
I was approved for a visa. Simple as that. It's amazing
what one little word can do, and what a significant difference it can
make. So my new plan is to join the second pilgrimage in the same
itinerary during the weeks of February 7th through 20th.
Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts, Lindsey cannot join
me. It would have been easy to forget the whole thing after the
difficulties thus far, but something within me kept the desire strong
and the call to "come and see" just as clear. Some people say
"nothing worth doing is ever easy". So I imagine this trip, after
all the emotion, planning, re-planning, and work, will be well worth
it. I cannot truly say what makes the pull so strong to continue
with these plans. After a short time of learning about these
people and the ministry that is taking place in Mungeli, I find myself
already connected, and wanting to experience firsthand the story they
have to tell. I want to go and witness how God is at work in that
place. I cannot explain the draw. It must be a mystery.
Along this journey I have had several people express to me their fears and
concerns about the trip, at every stage of the way. Many feared for my
safety when they first heard I was going. It was very unfortunate timing
that tragedy struck Mumbai only a week after I decided to go on this
trip. It was very unfortunate that tragedy struck Mumbai at any
time. Several expressed relief when they heard my first
trip was canceled. I cannot say how much that care and concern is appreciated. To feel so loved that
so many would worry and fear for me, it speaks volumes. However, I must
say that fear and worry without action do not do any good. God tells us
not to worry, for if God will care for the lilies of the field and the birds of
the air, how much more God will care for us (Matt. 6:25-34). God is with us to keep fire from burning
us, to keep water from overwhelming us (Isaiah 43:1-3). I do not want you
to fear. I do not want you to worry. I do want you to pray. I
personally do not have any fear for my safety while I travel. I expect
there to be exhaustion and frustration, I expect a few minor things to go
wrong. But overall, I do not worry, I do not fear. I cannot say
where this assurance comes from. It must be a mystery. It must be God.
So over the next month or so, as I prepare yet again
for this trip, and as I travel to the other side of the globe to experience
great mysteries and serve where I have been called, join me in allowing the
mystery to wash over us and envelop us in its greatness. Join me in
allowing God to be God, and allowing God to reveal what we need to know, and to
veil what we do not. After all, life is filled with mystery. And life
is filled with God.
