The Countdown is on

In Five Days, myself and 15 other members of Graveston Baptist church will embark on a journey of a lifetime. We are the first mission group from Graveston to go on a foreign mission. WOW, that alone brings tears to my eyes, and chill bumps!!! I have been looking forward to this trip since since Mike Parker came and talked with our church.
So this is a first for me, I have never been "truely" out of the country. I got my first passport, my first "big girl" hiking backpack, a survival kit (WITH my VERY OWN knife) not sure what I'm gonna need it for, but it sounds offical..maybe I will need to kill a snake or cut a tree down....haha probably just cut my finger instead....BUT either way I am excited!!!
The mission team spent last Saturday packing 16 suitcases filled with 120 pillowcase dresses, underwear and socks for boys and girls, sillybands, medical supplies, and enough supplies for a bible school with 500 kids!!!! Even in those times of everyone running around I feel the 16 of us are in a time of bonding. I can't imagine how close we will all feel after our return. We have spent time praying about our fears, excitements, unknowns, but mostly for God to protect us, our families left in the states and for the people of Guatemala, may they been receptive to hear the word!!!
We are meeting up with Union Baptist church and there are 8 of them, I look forward to making new friends and sharing this experience with them. They are bringing 3 nine year olds with them and we also have a child coming with us! How exciting for a child to be able to experience this....
Through all the excitement, I have never once been scared or fearful. There was a time about a month ago that we were unsure whether we would be going. There had been an increase in crimes and murders. We found out that those acts of violence were approx 8 hours away, with that being said, we have still been warned to be careful. We will have 5 armed guards surround our compound at all times and whenever we leave the compound we will surrounded by police....(like a police escort). I have felt this whole time that we would be perfectly fine. Today it hit me....I am leaving the country....with 15 other members of my church...Some I don't know real well and some are like family....So 16 members are going, and 16 families are being left behind, I think I added all the people with children...but 14 children are in the states while their parents, are in Guatemala. So not only is this trip affecting the 16 that are going, but it affects their entire family...Whether it is actual tears missing their mom or dad, or grandparents watching their grandchildren so that their own child can go.
And today it hit me, WHAT IF? What if something happens? I have thought all along that this is where God is going to reveal to me how much he really is in control, he is going to remind me of patience, and teach me to put my trust completely in him. Don't get me wrong...I am still making sure that some areas are covered....Writing letters to my family and putting them in a special spot, making sure everything is in order, and that all the important insurance papers are somewhere to be found by family members!!! Part of that is my natural personality, I'm a planner, and I feel sure that once again, God will remind me of HIS PLAN, and that no matter how much I plan, he has already mapped everything out. He already knows the children I am going to meet, the sweet babies I will hold, that special child that will steal my heart, that new pair of shoes I am going to put on that childs feet, the nail I will hammer into the side of a families new home, and the lives that will be affected. All I have to do is be obedient. WOW...How awesome....I serve an awesome God!!!
So here is a run down....
THURSDAY July 21st- Our last planning meeting before we go
FRIDAY July 22nd- try to contain myself.....and sleep...I MUST sleep...adrenaline is going to be in high gear
SATURDAY JULY 23rd- Meet at the church at 10:30, say our Goodbyes, load up on a bus, and drive to Atlanta, and our flight leaves at 7:20... It is approx 3 1/2 hours to Guatemala. I will have access to internet, and my goal is to update this as much as possible so that everyone back home can see what we are doing and how God is shining in Guatemala. Right now....its prayers that we need....for God's will to be done!!!!