on His business

In less than 48 hours I am going to on a plane heading to Guatemala once again. I am both excited and a bit anxious. I will not be returning to the USA for three months, so this will be the longest time Dennie and I have been separated. I have left instructions with the sons on maintaining the yard and the pool and I am under no illusions that they will comply with those instructions. Many have asked what they should pray for and praying for Dennie and the house has to be high on the prayer list.

I am used to traveling on Intel business by myself but it was always to a nice hotel to meet colleagues that I was familiar with to perform business that I was competent to perform. This time I am first departing for a month of language school to a location that I have not been to in Guatemala and to reside with a family who I have never met. But this time I am on His business, not Intel business, so I need to step back and have faith that all will work according to plan; maybe not my plan, but His plan. It will be marvelous, of course.

Packing! I have spent the last three days packing and I really am packing light this time (yeah, right). I am NOT bringing my computer with me. Instead, being the geek that I am, I am bringing an iPad, an iPod, two still cameras, one video camera, one of my GPS's, my unlocked phone, a variety of chargers, electric shaver, a few clothes and underwear and vitamins. Yeah, packing light, I did not bring my tripod though or my long lenses, so I did cut a few corners. And on my iPad, I have loaded the Jesus film in three languages so I should be prepared for any situation.

Dennie and I took a trip to Nevada and Arizona just before this trip and now I am finding I do not have enough time to get all of my shots, but I am not too worried. Except too many people have asked me, "Did you get your shingles shot?" I am told that those of us over 60 years old should get a shingles shot. I should not worry about it unless I get stressed ... but I continue to get asked so now I am stressing about it. I hope I am not blogging in the future about shingles in Guatemala, stay tuned.

My first month in Guatemala will be in language school in Antigua, and then I proceed to San Miguel and vicinity for the mission with the young adults. There is still less clarity around that part of the mission than I would like, but that is good. God has always revealed more of His plan when we are in the field, and one of my primary prayers has been for more of the presence of God to be revealed to me. So instead of being anxious because I see myself as a steward of the young adults that have been entrusted to my leadership, instead I should just relax and look forward to what He has in store for us.