Journaling Will Do

It's a spectacular July 4th morning and I'm itching to bring my decaf coffee to my deck and look for my song birds while I read for a bit. But if I don't share with you now, I won't have another moment today. After church and maybe some parade watching Don and I are off to Michigan to join friends for an overnight!

I got my answer about my hope to be able to blog while in the D.R. And the answer really goes back to the trip meeting we had last week at church.

We learned about what is expected of us as a team and what we can expect culturally in Batey Nueve.

Let me start with something that was said in the very first informational meeting that really set the tone for this adventure, in my mind at least.

Kirby, a veteran leader for our church mission trips, stood up and said,

'I want to tell you that if you have any fears about doing this, don't let that stop you. If there is a financial worry, put that out of your mind...the money will somehow be taken care of. But let me be perfectly clear about this...when we're there, we must put ourselves last. You have to be willing to be a servant. That is our role there. Everyone else's needs, including those of the team, are above our own. And this will be a life changing experience for you.'

He spoke to my heart with every one of those statements and I know he was speaking truth! I've already seen it happening! I've been praying for my fears to stay at bay and even more importantly, for a servant's heart. What? Not tell people a better way to do things? Me? Uh...I don't think that's going to be so easy for this strong headed woman! But I'm looking forward to...could it be?...another challenge?

But back to the second meeting. Expected of us? Plenty! And one of the main points about how we are to support each other as a team is stay engaged with the group. This is not a trip to use as a retreat for self. We can't go off in a corner with music in our ears or a good book (and as our leader said...even if it's THE Good Book!) too often or for too long or we'll be asked to come back into the activity or group.

Add to that the fact that this small village may or may not have the power needed to use a laptop and there is my answer.

I will only be journal writing on the trip and put my thoughts to my blog after returning. But I'm okay with that. I've been journaling all my life, every since I received my first diary somewhere around the age of 12. I always say, 'My life is an open book' and I can say that literally now!

Happy 4th, friends! God bless this wonderful country we live in.