Daily Devotion: 3 Days til Guatemala

Daily Devotion from Terry:

May 31 - Setting an Example

Proverbs 22:6 "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

I said in a couple of devotionals that people often ask me why I do this, but that is not the question I am asked the most. I am most often asked why I do this to my family. Why do I leave my son to travel around the world doing missions work? Why do I sometimes expose him to the potential dangers of the mission field by taking him with me? Why do I leave my husband for this? Those are questions that I wrestled with for a long time, even before our son came to our family.

What kind of parent do I want to be? Do I want to be one that tells my child to follow the Lord, but not follow hard after Him with my own life? Do I want to be the kind of parent that tells him how important it is to love and serve others, but not live it myself? Do I want to be the kind of parent that tells him about the saving grace of Jesus and how others need to hear, but not be bold enough to proclaim it here and around the world? Do I want to tell him to "Go," but not go myself?

If you are leaving your children and/or your to take this trip, I know what you may be feeling. Guilt. Fear. Sadness. I know because I have felt that way too often when leaving one or both of them. The enemy goes to great lengths to make us doubt the path the Lord has set for us.

If you are bringing your children with you, I also know what you may be feeling. Fear. Uncertainty. Are they ready for a trip like this? I know because I have felt the same things. The first time I brought our son back to Guatemala after his adoption, I was terrified. I was afraid for his safety and didn't know how he would handle all that he was going to see and experience.

Over time and with much prayer, I have come to believe that it does not matter what others think about our decision to go to the missions field with or without our children. What matters is the story that is being written with our lives and the example we are setting for them. I live the life I want my son to one day live. It doesn't matter if he never leaves the U.S. as an adult or if he becomes a full time missionary in the most dangerous place on earth. What I want is for him to grow into a Godly man that loves and serves and shares all he can. I am not just telling him the way he should act and what he should do in life. I am actively living it out for him to see and often bring him with me now so that he can experience it first hand. I am not using someone else as an example for him to follow. I am setting the example myself.

Whether you are leaving your children and spouse in the U.S. or they will be with you in Guatemala, you are teaching them one of the greatest lessons of their lives. You are teaching them to follow the Lord. They are watching how we live, so let's live with purpose.

Father, thank you for the precious children you have entrusted to us. You brought them into our lives and have given us the responsibility to be an example of the people you want them to grow up to be. Whether they are with us during this trip or not, use this time to speak into their lives about how to love and serve others well as you continue to teach us how to best parent them. Guard their hearts and minds as they grow and draw them close to you, revealing the path you would have them take in this life.

Terry Carr Bracey
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Across All Borders

Daily Devotion: 4 Days til Guatemala

I have been reading Terry's devotions quite faithfully this past month.  And when I typed "4 days til Guatemala, I felt butterflies in my stomach."  I said to a friend today, that maybe I'm making too big of a deal about preparing for this trip and the anxiety I feel.  I just finished reading the book titled "Re-entry" about how to emotionally "return" to life after mission work.  And then, I started reading "A Hole in the Gospel" written by Richard Stearns, who is the former CEO of Lenox China, a luxury goods company and now the CEO of World Vision, focused on eradicating hunger, aids, and orphans worldwide.  Four years ago I experienced an event in the life of my family that has changed me forever.  It's made me into a new person that I'm still trying to understand!  And I know, based on this post from Terry that this experience is already at work changing me in similar ways.  It IS a big deal....and if you read "A Hole in the Gospel", you will see why!!!

Thank you, Terry, for sharing your wisdom, experience, and vulnerability.  This devotion brought tears to my eyes and made me realize what a "big deal" this trip really is...because of its significance to the people we will serve.

With Gratitude,
Sondra

Terry's Devotion for today:

May 30 - What's in a Name?

Isaiah 9:6 "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Until now, most of your daily devotionals haven't been too personal about our ministry and what we have experienced over the last few years, but I want to dig a little deeper into our ministry and your hearts as we walk through the final days of preparation. As your team leader, you should know a little of my heart before you join me in Guatemala and you should know that sometimes, even leaders on the mission field have too little faith and don't know what to do. We are not any more spiritual than most that will travel and we certainly aren't super Christians. We are human, too. Sometimes we have doubts that we wish we didn't have and we make plenty of mistakes along the way. Here is just one example of my lack of faith and how big our God is.

-------------------------------------------------------------

I love names. During our time in Guatemala, you will see that it is very important for me to learn names of those we serve quickly and use their names frequently when speaking to them. For so many, "the poor" and "the orphan" is just part of a statistic, but to me, each one is a child of God that is deserving of all that we have to give. To me, each is deserving of all that I am. I try to steer clear of statistics and bring real lives to light. The same goes for Jesus. I love His name(s) and I certainly call on Him often. This is just one of the times in our ministry that the Lord came through in an unbelievable way:

During a mission trip to Guatemala several years ago, my small team had prepared for months for a Christmas outreach in the village. After spending a few days working on several things with families, we hosted a Christmas party for the children. All of the children in the village were invited. While we still did not know the exact number of children in the village, we knew that no more than 80 had ever attended any thing the children's ministry had ever hosted. We prepared for 100 children, just in case. It was believed that there were hundreds in the village (now we know there are about 400), but most never participated in anything. We prepared all day for the Christmas party. The tiny tin church was decorated with green and red balloons and streamers and table cloths were draped over tables that could not be cleaned well. Feliz Navidad signs hung every where. The pinata was high overhead. Craft supplies were sorted and waiting for tiny hands to begin their work. The food was prepared. The time had finally come to open the gate and let the children in. When we opened the gate, a flood of children poured through and overfilled the area. Instantly I was overwhelmed knowing that we had not prepared for enough. A quick count revealed that more than 240 children were crowded into every part of the church and the small area outside. 140 children more than we had prepared for. And many of them also brought their parents.

Craft time was canceled. There simply was no room to move or enough supplies to go around. Cut the sandwiches and split the chips in half. It wouldn't be enough, but what else were we to do? There is no where else to buy more food there and not enough time to go all the way back to Antigua for more. As the team worked to divide the food, I walked outside the gate and half way down the road and knelt in the dirt. Could I trust that my prayer was heard by the One whose name I love? Could I trust that He would handle what I could not? That these children would not go home hungry? That their parents would not be disappointed in our ministry because we failed to do what we said we were going to do....feed their children and have a fun afternoon? Would this be the beginning of the end of our work their? If we lost their trust now, before fully gaining it, our ministry could harm the effectiveness of our local church partners.

The Bible is full of names for God. Elohim means that He is total power and might. El El-yon means Most High God. Adonai means Sovereign Lord. El Roi - the God who sees. El Shaddai - He is all sufficient. Surely He was seeing this. But would He meet the need? I knew that if He wanted, He could, but would He, according to my desire, sufficiently meet this need? There was nothing that I could do. Nothing. I got up, brushed the dirt off of my knees and walked back through the gate just in time to hear the pastor beginning the Christmas story.

So many children and adults were there that had never heard. And many others had heard, but did not yet believe. They did know of the hope that Jesus brings. At the end of the story and a good explanation of what it means to accept Christ, I watched as more than 100 children gave their hearts to Jesus and I cried as I prayed for them knowing that it did not matter what else did or did not happen that day. That moment, when more than 100 eternities were changed, was all that mattered.

Still, God saw the need and in a way that I will never be able to explain because it does not make sense, every child ate that evening and we had enough left over to feed the adults that had come with them. Somehow, 100 split in half (that's 200 halves) fed more than 240 children AND many of their parents. No, we did not miscount and not one person turned down food. We just kept handing it out and did not run out. Fish and loaves on a much smaller scale...it still happens. I wouldn't believe it myself if I had not seen it with my own eyes. God is so, so good. Lives of people in Guatemala were changed that day, but so were the lives of every one on our team. Not one of us returned to the U.S. the same as when we left and each one still talks about the amazing way God revealed Himself in a small, unknown village in Guatemala.

For almost a month you have read about what is important on the mission field and what is not. You have read about the importance of team unity and embracing the culture and fighting spiritual warfare and trusting that God is with us, but there have not been many examples of His awesome power revealed. I do not know what your trip holds, but I do know that El Shaddai, our God that is all sufficient, is moving in Guatemala. He is making His presence known in amazing ways. You get to be a part of that in just a few days. Trust Him for things that are bigger than us because when there is nothing we can do, He comes through in miraculous ways.

God, thank you for all that you are and for all that we will experience during our time in Guatemala. We long to see an outpouring of yourself in ways that we have never experienced before. May you use us to reach the lost and hurting, to shine light into darkness, to bring hope to those that have no hope. Help us to trust you in every situation and to surrender every moment into your hands.

Terry Carr Bracey
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Across All Borders

Daily Devotion: 5 Days til Guatemala

Terry's Daily Devotion:  (Interestingly, I just attended a church service in Des Moines last weekend, and the pastor spoke about this exact passage and the issue of being "stuck" in life.


May 29 - Walk in the Light

1 John 1:7 "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."

Mark 2: 5 "When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

By now you have probably realized how important I believe team unity is. It does not matter what the mission of your trip is. If you are going to be spending days in the village working with families, spending all of your time doing children's ministry there, providing medical care, training leaders, working in one of the orphanages all week or filling in wherever is needed, being united as a team is crucial for a successful trip. Trusting your team members is an important part of creating or maintaining that unity. If you need them, you should be free to turn to them for anything, without fear of being judged. And if one of your team members turns to you in confidence, you should be careful with how you handle their heart and their trust.

In Mark 2, a group of friends carried a lame man to Jesus and let him down through the roof. The Bible says that Jesus saw THEIR faith and healed the paralytic. It doesn't say the paralytic could do anything for himself or that he was healed because of his own faith. Your fellow team members can serve just like the friends of the man in this story.

We all have some area of life where we can become paralyzed and we need someone's help.

Are you struggling with a pattern of thinking, be it impurity, anger, depression, despair, anxiety or some other manifestation of darkness? Have you tried to break out of it but can not? Do you feel as if your prayers are bouncing off a brick wall?

There is not enough time on a short term mission to let days go by in this state and ruin your trip. If you are battling something now or if something like this begins during your trip, ask a trusted confidant to pray with you. Know that I am always happy to pray with you and for you for any reason, day or night, any time...and I truly mean that. If you need prayer and are comfortable enough with me to ask for it, please do! I say that because even I have been on trips and become so overwhelmed with anxiety or some other issue for no reason and needed to turn to someone for prayer. Team leaders often get hit the hardest by the enemy, so we certainly need to be covered in prayer. I take my own advice...my personal prayer team never gets a break. We are a team for this reason. God never meant for us to do this alone. His cleansing grace and a victorious breakthrough await when you bring your burdens to light.

I continue to tell you that I am praying for each of you and I want you to know that it isn't a quick daily, "bless our team and help us have a good trip," kind of prayer. I am fervently praying for each of you and will continue throughout your trip and after we return. It is an honor for me to part of your team and I truly look forward to serving with you.

Father, you have chosen me together with each team member because we need each other. I humble myself before you and them, opening my heart and praying that in me there should be no hidden areas of darkness, no foothold for the enemy to take. Help us strengthen one another and to carry each other to you in prayer.

Terry Carr Bracey
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Across All Borders

You Can't Handle the Truth

A week from today we'll be headed for Guatemala.  I have really taken the time to reflect and prepare for this trip in a way that is different than just preparing to go on a vacation.  I've been to Mexico (Cancun, Cozumel, Acapulco, Cabo) several times, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, even the island of Haiti (even though we were only on the private Royal Carribbean beach).  We've driven through rural areas where there are bars in lean-to buildings.  And people living in poverty (as we would define it).  I've walked through villages and market areas. But, honestly I haven't been there to serve the people of the community.

As I reviewed Terry's blogs about the water situation in Guatemala, I was really shocked to think that clean, running water is such a scarcity.  I just washed my car today with the help of the girls, which meant a lot of spraying the hose and playing.  Over the weekend, we visiting family and had water balloon and water gun fights.  We were throwing water away, literally.   As I was driving home today, I realized some of the anxiety and even a little "fear" that I'm feeling, is really about having to face the reality of what I suspect my eyes will see.  And a fear that emotionally I won't be able to handle the truth.  Or that the thought of the adorable little children we will visit in the orphanage might spend their entire childhood living there (if they are lucky), might be too much to bear.

I know that God has led me here to this journey.  And I'm embracing it with open arms and committing to be transparent about what I feel, and see, and hear.  And accepting that I cannot change everything, but I can make a little ripple in the ocean.  And that might be enough for one person!

And if you thought of Jack Nicholson saying "You can't handle the truth", so did I!

With Gratitude,
Sondra

Daily Devotion: 6 Days Til Guatemala

Daily Devotion from Terry at Across All Borders

May 28 - Friendships Tested

Proverbs 10:12 "Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs."

Matthew 18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over."

Your humility and patience will be tested on this trip, most intensely by the day in and day out presence of your teammates...some of whom may be your closest friends or even family. The most common testing is just the little things in each of us that annoy one other. The quirks of your teammates will bug you and yours will bug them, but don't let walls divide. Purpose now to love.

If you begin to feel awkward or impatient around another team member, ask yourself this: "Is it just me being irritated by her personality or have I really been hurt by something she said or did?"

If it is just a matter of personality then the responsibility rests on you and the key will be to come before God in brokenness. Daily devotional times with Him, now and during your trip, are essential in drawing from His grace. Ask him to disconnect the buttons that Satan likes to push in you. Repent of all selfish thinking and embrace God's love you and your teammates. Pray for the other team members and remember that they are truly gifts from the Lord. Ask Him to show you ways that you can demonstrate His love by living your life for their benefit while you spend this time with them in Guatemala.

Every problem is not always just a personality clash, however. Sometimes a person will actually hurt or sin against you. For the sake of yourself and the team do not let these things simmer for days, allowing unforgivness or a bad attitude to prevail in your thinking. If someone hurts you, speak to that person alone and ask if hurting you is what they really meant to do.

This is the first step in Jesus' instructions of Matthew 18 and usually a conversation like this is all it takes to restore unity. Most people do not intend to hurt others and, usually, Christians will welcome being told if something they did offended or hurt you. When they respond in sorrow, be quick with your forgiveness. If this approach does not work, please come to me for another perspective and let's work out a resolution. Don't let the spirit of our team be harmed or the group divided.

Lord, thank you for the opportunity to grow in love and patience while being used by you on the mission field. Let me have your perspective and unconditional love for my teammates, just as you love each of us unconditionally. You have chosen us together for such a time as this. May all that we do and think be pleasing to you as we walk together in unity.

Terry Carr Bracey
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Across All Borders

Daily Devotion: 7 Days til Guatemala

Daily Devotion from Terry at Across All Borders:

May 27 - Embracing A Culture: Mangy Dogs and Litter

Psalm 141:3 "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.

In Guatemala, you will see a lot of things that you consider to be "different", but be careful when speaking to Guatemalans that speak English in the questions that you ask because they may feel as if what you are saying is that they are not good enough and that their country is not good enough.

One thing that always disturbs at least a few animal lovers on any team is the amount of stray, mangy, hungry, diseased dogs that are all over villages in Guatemala (not to mention extremely thin cows, horses, mules, goats, chickens and pigs). The way animals are treated in Guatemala is much different than the way they are treated here. In Guatemala, dogs are more for protection, not pets, and most have to find food on their own. People are struggling to feed their children; they consider it a waste to spend their limited resources on a dog's health. Here, so many dogs are beloved parts of our families that receive careful and expensive treatment when needed. Many pet owners spend more on their dogs than they give to the poor. Which perspective is better? The truth is, we could argue about which is more moral, but each perspective is simply different.

Another thing you will see in Guatemala is litter. While many Guatemalans take great pride in what little they do have, littering does not appear to be an issue for them. The basic need to survive outweighs giving any priority to cleaning up rural roadsides. Air pollution is another difference that you will quickly see (and smell) as fumes from chicken buses (public transportation) always hangs heavy in the air.

It is tempting when you meet a Guatemalan that speaks your language (our driver, translator, national pastors, etc.) to let your guard down and begin asking them questions that come to mind about the "differences" you've noticed. Be VERY careful in those moments. Offending someone is not worth the small exchange of information. And remember that "different" does not mean "better" or "worse".

Lord, I confess my need of your help in setting watch over the door of my lips. In any careless moment, I pray that you will look to this prayer and answer me in that moment of conversation. Help me not to speak of my observations in any way that would hurt someone in Guatemala. I endeavor, by your grace, to consider other people more important than myself, their thoughts more important than mine, their lives more important than mine, every moment I am there. I choose to embrace the culture of Guatemala with no concern for the differences but only a heart to love them and declare only the words you give me to speak.

Terry Carr Bracey
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Across All Borders

Water Filters For Pueblo Nuevo

We are still accepting donations to purchase water filters for the village of Pueblo Nuevo. 

Here a couple of links to my Terry's blog that you may find interesting.

You can read about the water situation in Pueblo Nuevo here. If a family does not have a water filter, this is what they deal with. http://www.whereverhemaylead.blogspot.com/2010/09/water-in-pueblo-nuevo.html

And here is a link with pictures for our first filter distribution last year. More filters have been distributed, but this was the first time anyone was given access to clean water in Pueblo Nuevo. First time ever! http://www.whereverhemaylead.blogspot.com/2011/04/clean-water-arrives-in-pueblo-nuevo.html

Once again, filters are $50 each. Any amount helps though, so even if people want to contribute $5 or $10, it goes a long way. Just thought I would share a little information about and pictures of what you will see and do in Pueblo Nuevo. It's getting so close!! :)

With Gratitude,

Sondra

One Person Can Make a Difference

It is easy to think "how can I make a difference as one person".....Well this is how!  As an individual, I joined a team of 14 others to go to Guatemala.  We each talked to our families and friends and network of contacts about our trip.  We sent emails, posted messages on Facebook, hosted events to create awareness ....and this is what we've produced so far according to Valerie Edwards who had the idea to do this trip....  

We were able to raise enough money to have 24 pairs of custom made shoes made for the kids at Hogar Luz De Maria, we have had toddler shoes donated for the little ones just getting ready to walk, we have received about 10 jars of multi-vitamins, about 60 cans of baby formula, crafts for the kids on the 4 days we will be working with kids at the orphanages, monies to take the kids at the orphanage to the zoo as well as buy them lunch that day and a van rental to take them there, money to go towards the pizza, ice cream, and juice we are buying for the kids at the orphanage the day that we arrive, money to give our helpers in Guatemala that helped us get everything ready to get there, & goodie bags for the nannies and all of the kids!!!!  As you can see it takes TEAMWORK to make the DREAM WORK!!! And because of so many Arbonne Angels we were able to do all of the above so far! It has been a financial commitment as well as a time commitment.

 There will be 15 of us going to Guatemala on June 4^th-June 10^th, please keep all of us in your prayers! I am truly amazed at the generosity of the people connected to our team going to Guatemala.  

And the amazing part is that we haven't even gone yet...which I know will be the greatest impact of all!!!

With Gratitude,

Sondra

Daily Devotion: 8 Days til Guatemala

Daily Devotion from Terry at Across All Borders

May 26 - Bartering and Souls

Luke 10: 7 "...for the worker deserves his wages."

2 Timothy 2: 24 "The Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful."

Time has been worked into your trip for souvenir shopping. I enjoy taking teams to local markets to purchase items made and sold by local artisans because I know that their lives and the lives of their families depend on the purchases made. But I also dread our free time in the markets, as well, because I have seen local artisans be hurt by team members in the past. And when they hurt, I hurt.

Bartering is expected in Guatemala. Typically, the seller will see you and start with a price much higher than he is willing to accept. I would even suggest that you not pay the initial asking price. Do not be taken advantage of by seasoned sellers. But the market is not a battlefield. Our goal is not to defeat or conquer the seller, nor should we find any personal satisfaction in leaving a seller frustrated and with too little profit just so you can tell others how you "talked him down". If you find what you want for a good price, buy it. If it costs too much, go on to the next seller.

Personally, I have found that if you wait a moment to convert the initial asking price into dollars in your head, they will come down at least once before you even say anything. By that time, I know the price is more reasonable. Compare the prices at a couple of other stands if you need to and feel free to ask me if their price is fair for you and your price is fair for them.

A trip to the market is not time off from being a representative of Christ and a carrier of His presence. Our true enemies are spiritual, and the inheritance we seek and have been praying for is eternal salvation of souls, not a bag of cheap trinkets. Remember that market and street vendors are just like those you will work with in the village. This is their livelihood. Don't work to help people lift themselves out of poverty in one part of Guatemala and be part of the reason they stay in it in another.

God, I desire to not get caught up in strife for any reason. Let me not be contentious with others for the sake of my own personal gain. You are a God of patience and goodness. Let your kindness increase in my heart and mind and flow from my life always.

Daily Devotion: 9 Days til Guatemala

I am really enjoying Terry's devotions, and I'm finding that her messages have so many parallels to my daily life.  Lessons to keep things in perspective.  I had a setback this week on a project, which eventually came together.  But I had that moment where I felt I wanted to give up.  And now I know that it I cannot quit.  Because it's what God is calling me to do.

May 25 - Don't Quit!

Hebrews 10:36 "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."

I cannot imagine the many ways your life has been tested to this point. If you are like me, there have been surprises and difficulties and unexpectedly long trials that you have faced so far. Yet here you are today, by the grace of God who brought you through those trials. You can look back on those difficulties now as past tense. Now you are on the brink of a mission trip to serve the Lord in a new environment. Surely this exciting opportunity will be all thrills and happiness and one awesome experience after another, right? It might not be that simple.

As much as those past trials were not what you planned on, there are some new ones waiting for you that you have not even thought of yet. When they come, you will be tested and tempted to look for a way to escape...for an easier option. But as you surrender your fleshly desires for an easier way and lean on God, He will sustain you and carry you to the fulfillment of every purpose He has for you on this mission. As the day for you to leave for Guatemala gets closer, you may be tempted to cancel your trip altogether for one reason or another. You may doubt your decision to go or be overwhelmed with anxiety. Instead of being excited as so many of your teammates are, you may be filled with dread. One day in the future, you will look back on these days as past tense if you don't quit. Pray through whatever it is that is bothering you and don't give up on what you know God has called you to.

Our ministry continues to grow, but it has not been easy. It has been difficult and tedious and at times even troubling. There have been times when I was tempted to quit, but just when I think I cannot stand to face the difficulties that ministry brings anymore, a person that is hungry to know about Jesus, someone that is seeking the Truth, opens her heart and draws out of me that which God sent me to give and I know...I cannot quit. Our ministry is more fruitful because of the hardships we have faced and that are, undoubtedly, still to come.

The journey may be more difficult than you expected, but as you endure, the Lord works something in your life that is greatly pleasing to Him.

Lord, thank you that you called me and that you are faithful to carry this mission to completion. Fulfill every purpose you have for me through this trip. As your Word declares, I have need of endurance. As we are challenged, as our faith is stretch, through any difficulties we may face and if I feel like giving up, I thank you that your grace will be there for me. By that grace, I will be one you can take pleasure in. I will not pull back or cast away my confidence in you.

Terry Carr Bracey
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Across All Borders

Daily Devotion: 10 Days til Guatemala

This devotion from Terry really spoke to me..."Complaining is a poor reflection on the condition of your heart and the sound of it is poison to others around you."  

May 24 - Complaints = Poison

Proverbs 18: 21 "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."

"Gross! That is the most disgusting thing I have ever smelled!" "Look at all of this cow manure! How can they play here?" "I'm not eating that." "Look at his feet. I've never seen anything so disgusting." "I'm hot...I'm tired...I'm hungry..."

And those just scratch the surface of things I've heard team members say on mission trips.

I think I have said enough now that a mission trip can throw a lot of unexpected curves your way and the challenges can be more complicated than walking through a foul smelling market, a field filled with cow manure and spending hours in the heat.

Faith and praise are what you need to take with you. The enemy attempts to use every difficulty and inconvenience to deceive you into complaining. A complaint is really a statement that somehow God has failed you. Such statements influence everyone around you and weaken the team. That is why God dislikes complaining so much. Every inconvenience you face is an opportunity to grow, be changed, get stronger and see God in a way you've never seen Him before.

Complaining is a poor reflection on the condition of your heart and the sound of it is poison to others around you. Whatever you will face during your trip, keep your focus on the Lord. Be careful what you let roll off your tongue.

Father, I choose to approach this trip with praise on my lips, for you are a great God and you are in charge. Thank you for all that you will have me encounter on this trip, both pleasant and unpleasant. I know that all things will work together for the good of my teammates and myself because we love you and we are called according to your purpose. Let my heart not embrace any temptation to complain because I know how displeasing that is to you, how it will infect my team and dull the effectiveness of this ministry.

Terry Carr Bracey
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Across All Borders

Daily Devotion: 11 Days til Guatemala

May 23 - Serving Those That Lead

Matthew 20: 26-28 "...Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

On your short term mission trip, you might find yourself relating to a variety of Christian leaders: your team leader, national pastors, elders in the village, our ministry representatives and long term missionaries. They are actually perfect instruments God has fashioned for this time and place.

Leaders on the mission field have qualities that help to open your heart to them and others. On the other hand, they sometimes make decisions that you might question.

This trip will not be the opportune time to point out their shortcomings, how they might do things differently, how you would run the ministry programs or the national church if you were in charge. Some decisions that leaders make on the mission may sound silly to you and there is no doubt that you will see things you think you would do differently if you were them. Short term teams often fall prey to this and speak their opinions pridefully in the intensity of the mission experience. It is one thing to offer a helpful, constructive idea directly to me; it is another to have an attitude of superiority or to make suggestions to national leadership when you do not have personal long term relationships with them.

As a team member, you should work to serve your leaders and fellow team members with humility and embrace what the Lord wants to do in your life through them. Some of you might think of yourself as God's gift to your team instead of realizing that they are God's gift to you.

The heart of a servant will always add strength to a leader and a team and if you will make it your goal to do so, God will bless and honor you. He loves the attitude of a faithful servant. You can bless your team in many practical ways. See a need? Take initiative. Offer help. Look for how you can help get supplies and equipment ready or loaded before an outreach. Be ready to go each day on time. Respond and follow directions quickly and eagerly so that your leaders may lead and care for you with joy.

A servant's heart is a mark of maturity that is not dependent on a person's actual age. It took me a while to learn that. I have seen adult teams who were full of bad attitudes towards their leaders and groups of teenagers who looked for every opportunity to take initiative and strengthen their leaders. It is a choice you have to make and choosing a good attitude is one well worth making.

You should know that the leaders you will spend time with in Guatemala have your best interest at heart. From me to the national leaders you will meet and work with, we care about you, have been praying for you since you first committed to this trip, are working to make sure you stay well and safe and are working harder than you know to make sure your trip goes well. As you continue to prepare, please take time to pray for us, as well.

Terry Carr Bracey
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Across All Borders

Daily Devotion: 12 Days til Guatemala

Daily Devotion from Terry at Across All Borders

May 22 - Flesh v. Spirit

Galatians 5: 17, 22 "For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want...But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

Encountering spiritual opposition on a mission trip is common. That is why spiritual warfare training through devotionals and/or meetings has been a part of your team's preparation. Your enemy is not happy that you have responded to God's command to take the gospel into all the world. But often in team ministry, the most difficult warfare you will encounter is internal.

It never fails. There is always someone on a mission team that "bugs" another. Sometimes it starts before we even leave the states. Guess what. That thing they do that gets under your skin now will bother you even more when you are with them 24/7 for a week on the mission field. It may be easy to overlook those issues here. Not so much there.

So what should you do? Start praying that they change quickly since the trip is fast approaching? No.

The issue is not THEIR need to change. It is YOU and your flesh.

If you are focusing more on another person's weaknesses, faults and personality quirks than wanting to seek God's help in walking in love towards them, you have some serious internal warfare going on. Instead of letting yourself be a vulnerable target for the enemy while the things other team members do push your buttons, disconnect the buttons from your life by going to the Lord in brokenness and confession.

Depend on Him for an outpouring of His love in your heart. Cry out to God for more of the love He has for your teammates. Be aggressive and fervent in prayer. If you must, confess to a trusted leader, mentor, etc. that you need him or her to pray for you about this .

You do not want your flesh getting in the way of victory.

Lord, I confess my need of you. Every good gift comes from you, so I make a willful decision to embrace with thanksgiving the circumstances of this mission. I humble myself before you and surrender my independence to you. Thank you for every member of this team. I ask that you fill me with love for each of them. If anyone has irritated me in any way, I ask your forgiveness for seeing them only in the flesh. It is my heart that needs your touch. Help me put away my selfish thinking. I choose to embrace my teammates as you see them. They are gifts chosen for this mission to advance your Kingdom.

With Gratitude,
Sondra

What my Children Think?

Two weeks from today, our team will be leaving for Guatemala.  I hope you've been reading the daily devotions I've been posting from Terry at Across All Borders.  She is our guide for this trip and has been on many trips to Guatemala and Uganda, among other places.  Reading her blogs has given me a chance to mentally prepare on a daily basis and think about the meaning behind why I'm going.  It also makes me a little nervous.  I'm not necessarily nervous about our safety.  In fact I really never even thought about that in the beginning until others started expressing concern.  I was drawn to the idea of helping humanity, making a difference of global proportion, and experiencing a spiritual journey.

However, my mind is also racing with all the "to-do's" and preparations in these two weeks before I go.  Making plans for the girls while I'm gone, paying bills, taking care of business and clients, need to train new team members, making plans for when I return, buttoning things up at UCP and Heart Heroes, (did I mention I'm starting my book project?), my wedding anniversary is this week, Ashley birthday is coming up when I return, what should I pack, do I have the right clothing?, how much money do I need to take, I still need to raise more money, should I buy some items for the orphanage, I was planning to take some bi-lingual books, school is getting out so my schedule is changing, how will I find time to do all these things, gotta pack bags for the week for the girls to go to Grandma's farm, oh yea and I need to keep practicing my Spanish, and make a Spanish cheat sheet to take.  Ahhhhh!!!!

My mind is racing, and at the same time I'm trying to tell myself Slow Down!  or Mas Despacio! in Spanish.  I've been really focusing on the prayer each day with Terry's devotions and going to church each Sunday this month.  Ashley and I went together yesterday and it was a nice little thing for us to do together just the two of us and I was honored that she offered to go with me, while Tim and Nicole slept in!  We'll have one more Sunday to all go together before I leave.

So...in my mind I'm processing all this stuff (note to self...make a list!) and I'm thinking about all the things "I" need to do to prepare.  And then Nicole said something to me yesterday that really caught my attention and stuck with me.  We were talking about why mommy wanted to go to church and how I'm praying about my trip.  And she said, "yes, we need to pray for mommy so she doesn't get killed in Guatemala."  I was shocked that she said that!  And I was kind of creeped out by it, because I always say "what you think about, you bring about"!  So I asked her why she would say that?  She didn't really have an answer.  It really left me thinking a lot the rest of the day.  It made me think about how one of the reasons initially for me to take this trip was for me to use it as a teaching opportunity with my kids.  And now I'm thinking about the "perception" they are forming, and perhaps it's not a good one.  I want them to think of this as a wonderful experience for us to help other people on God's precious planet!  Not a scary, dangerous trip where mommy's helping poor, sad children.  I realize that little ears are ALWAYS listening.  And I know I've been telling a lot of people about how I'm nervous to go in some ways.  And perhaps they've interpreted that as bad, dangerous, scary, fearful.  The nervousness is really more about not knowing what to expect and what to do, and will I be able to really make a big enough difference?

I'm now thinking that the most important part of my preparations is about helping my children understand why this trip is happening, what it means, and how they can help mommy prepare.  It's about getting my mind out of "I" mode and into "they" mode...which is what it's all about!!!

I'd love to hear any ideas about ways I could get the girls involved...maybe a little project to make artwork for the Guatemalan children, or a little fundraising project (selling lemonade for Guatemala!), praying together.  If you have ideas, please email me at tsdubie@cox.net or post comments hear on the blog!

With Gratitude,
Sondra

Daily Devotion: 13 Days til Guatemala

Daily Devotion from Terry at Across All Borders:

May 21 - Ambassadors for Christ, Not Ugly Americans

2 Corinthians 5: 20 "We are, therefore, Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us..."

People from around the world are stereotyped. If you hear that someone from another country will be visiting, certain characteristics probably come to mind. It's really unfortunate when Christians go abroad and act in a way more fitting of some of their stereotypes than of followers of Christ.

North Americans are often stereotyped as "Ugly Americans". In Guatemala, we are often believed to be "tacky" or "sloppy". We, in general, evoke unpleasant images in many parts of the world. We are thought to be loud, flamboyant, arrogant, insensitive. People often think we exploit the poor for a photo op, we voice our every displeasure and discomfort on mission trips and we flippantly toss money around, even in charity. And truth be known, sometimes that is exactly what we do. These are just a few ways that our cultural behavior might offend those we go to serve. Try as we might, even seasoned short and long term missionaries have blown it. God knows I have and there is no doubt I will do it again. Unintentionally, of course.

The Bible is sprinkled with many sayings about our true spiritual identity, who we are in Christ. Being a child of God, the righteousness of God and more than conquerors are just a few. One of challenges on any mission trip is to walk in a manner that is worthy of that true identity we have as the Lord's representatives.

If I attend a public meeting in my community to state my opinions, I can say what I want. But if I attend that public meeting as a representative of my employer, I am no longer free to say what I want if it will in any way harm my employer. I must speak from the perspective of my company's best interests.

The key to being an ambassador for Christ is to keep His interests our priority. Reflect His nature, stay focused on Christ in conversation and minister with a spirit of humility. We must consider others more important than ourselves, remembering His interest being the souls for whom He died. Offense usually happens when we start to get a little too comfortable with the national Christians who are hosting us, or our translator, or our driver, or someone we are ministering to, and we forget the One we represent. Our calling, as an ambassador, is to walk in a manner worthy of the One who called us. His life is one of humility, compassion, understanding, mercy, holiness, gratitude, meekness, service, and honor. Let's reflect THAT life, not the stereotype we have been given.

Lord, I am going on this trip because you are sending me. Thank you for allowing me to carry your message and presence and love to the people of Guatemala. By your grace, I will consider others more important than myself. Let my life represent you, reflect your truth and compassion, for I go as your ambassador.

With Gratitude,

Sondra

Daily Devotion: 14 Days til Guatemala

Daily Devotion from Terry at Across All Borders

May 19 - Stretched

Luke 17: 5 "The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"

Every short term mission trip should stretch your faith. It is not life as usual. It's being part of something bigger than yourself. Its a move from the familiar to the unfamiliar and to the unknown.

What happens when life consists of the same routine every day? If you are like me, you can get careless and lethargic in your relationship with God.

But when the routine is broken, as it is about to be when you leave on this trip, there is an interesting dynamic that kicks into gear. There is a new urgency to rely on God. You are embarking on a journey that is more than a change in geography. You have no choice but to trust in God moment by moment in ways you would never have to if all was familiar. When you step out of your normal routine, your faith is forced to grow more active. And because God responds to faith you experience Him in new ways in your life.

Our prayer can sometimes be as simple as "Lord, increase our faith!" That is my prayer for you and for this team today. That as we step into the unfamiliar with Him, that our faith may be increased and strengthened beyond what we could ever imagine.

With Gratitude,

Sondra

Daily Devotion: 15 Days til Guatemala

Daily Devotion from Terry at Across All Borders

May 18 - He Leads...As You Are Going

Acts 16: 6-10 "Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phyrgia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them."

God speaks in many ways, so the manner in which you ended up a part of this team could differ greatly from the ways the others found themselves on it with you. Sometimes God directs you in dramatic ways. Other times it's a gentle nudging in your heart. And sometimes you don't have sense that God is "speaking" to you, but you have such a strong desire to go so you walk through the open door.

One of the most dramatic ways God gave direction to a missionary in the Bible is when he called Paul to Macedonia. After trying and being prevented to enter other areas, Paul had a vision in the night and knew he had to go to Macedonia.

Notice that Paul wasn't sitting at home when the direction came to him. He was in the middle of obeying God's general command to "go into all the world," which is the Great Commission given to us all. Paul was so dedicated to that mission that even without any specific direction from the Lord, he set out to go into Asia. As he was going, God said, "No," but Paul didn't stop. He tried Bithynia. The Lord said no again. Paul still did not stop, but kept going to Troas. By this time, I'm sure Paul was doing some serious praying. I know because without having the boldness of Paul, I have been in similar situations, knowing that I had to "go", but not knowing exactly where and the door has been closed to me a time or two. Then he received the dramatic vision and call and was turned in the direction of Europe and the West. This was not his first missionary endeavor, nor was it his last.

There is something important for you to know as a short term missionary. You are responding to the will of God in your efforts to take the gospel to other parts of the world. If you need a dramatic intervention to direct you as you go, God knows who you are and can speak to you in a way that you will know He's talking to you. But in the meantime, God is pleased with your faithful obedience to his general commission spoken to all believers.

Be open to the possibility that, as you go on this mission, God may open more doors for missions in the future. This may be a stepping stone to other places and nations that still haven't crossed your mind. It may even be possible that as your team pursues the current plan, God may adjust that in surprising ways....as you go. So keep going!

Father, I join my heart to the words of your command. I hear your heart that beats for the nations and respond with a desire to go. As I go, I know that this is only one step on a lifelong journey of obedience and ask for your direction every step and at every turn. Help me always hear. I lean upon you to guide, direct, open doors and even close them if need be, so that I may fulfill my part of the Great Commission.

With Gratitude,

Sondra

Daily Devotion: 16 Days til Guatemala

Daily Devotion from Terry at Across All Borders:
May 17 - Team Unity

Philippians 2: 2-5 "...make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."

Ephesians 4:16 "From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."

I am a college football fan. No, I am an LSU Tigers fan. We are die hards here in south Louisiana. No team is better than our Tigers. It was a shock a few years ago when the not even ranked Ole Miss Rebels came into our territory and beat us, causing us to fall in the rankings. How could a less skilled team beat such a highly skilled one? Usually that which puts the less skilled team over the top is their team spirit. The successful coach builds the group together in such a way that they are able to more as a unit than another group of more skilled athletes if they play as a bunch of ego-driven individuals.

The same is true for your mission team. Don't underestimate the value of pre-trip training and meetings. Take every opportunity to be together as a group before the short term mission starts. Share your heart, your emotions, your prayer requests, your financial needs, your spiritual battles. Pray for one another, get to know one another, build each other up and practice being together.

You need them and they need you. The Bible says in Ephesians 4 that the Body of Christ is joined and knit together by that which every person supplies. Eternity is at stake for someone you will minister to and the team will be less effective and less fruitful if any one person fails to fulfill their role on the mission.

Going from the familiarity of normal life to the less familiar experience of a mission trip is an opportunity for each person to trust God in a deeper way. This is especially true if each team member has come to know and trust the love of each person on the team. Knowing the love, acceptance and support of the group frees individuals to move in their personal gifting without fear of being judged by another. Yet such trust and love takes time to develop. Building unity during team preparation is also important because the enemy of our souls will often attack team unity on the mission.

Its seems like a squeeze in our already busy schedules to add team meetings to the calendar as if it is a necessary evil of the mission experience. For your group, there may or may not be more than two meetings. Regardless of how many is required, reject having a negative attitude and recognize that ministry has already begun and part of that ministry is building together as a unit.

God, thank you for that which each team member brings to this group. I purpose to walk in love with each person on this team. Father, build us together, unite us in purpose, and draw out of us the unique quality and gifting you put in us for the benefit of the group.


With Gratitude,
Sondra

Daily Devotion: 17 Days til Guatemala

Devotion from Terry at Across All Borders:

May 16 - Protection and Traveling Mercy

Proverbs 3: 23-26 "Then you will go on your way safely, and your foot will not stumble; when you lie down you will not be afraid; when you lie down your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared."

Psalm 27: 1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is my stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?

Anxiety and fear often come when we say "yes" to the Lord and step into the unfamiliar. Even when things become familiar, the slightest change in the new norm can swing your comfort in a situation to panic. It has happened to me and it happens at some point, before, during or both, to team members on every trip I have ever led or been on. Where you are does not matter. Mission trips can be scary. That's just the way it is.

Over the years while on mission trips (not just in Guatemala), I have been in earthquakes, hurricanes, devastating floods, protests, run-ins with corrupt law enforcement, scary situations with the locals, needed medical attention in a place there was none and the list goes on. It isn't always easy and there have been (and will be, I'm sure) times when I become overwhelmed with fear to the point of panic. Before and during a trip. (Personal side note: I am TERRIFIED of flying. Even after all of these trip. I dread it!)

The point is, we have no reason to fear. It is easy to say and hard to hear when you are in the middle of it, but you have to believe it is true. Present the issue of your safety and protection to your prayer partners and always keep the need before the Lord in your own prayers as well.

Lord, unless you guard our team, we have no protection, but with your protection we are completely safe from any attack of the evil one. We confess our need for your divine, complete protection on this trip and commit every facet of it to your shield of protection. Keep us, guide us, and guard us from all harm.

With Gratitude,
Sondra

Daily Devotion: 18 Days til Guatemala

Devotion from Terry at Across All Borders:
May 15 - Sent to Many, but Don't Miss the One

I love the story of Jesus and the woman at the well. It's a story we all know, but read it again with fresh eyes. John 4:3-42.

Jesus was traveling, not ministering to any crowds, just passing through Samaria, when his disciples went into town for food. He was tired, so he sat down to rest. He wasn't purposing to touch a crowd that day, but when a woman came by the well, He ministered to her at her point of need.

God has us on a mission every step of the way. Not just when we are in Guatemala or on a mission trip in another part of the world. Our mission is now, while we travel, while we are there, on our way home and even after. Never say, "When I get there, I will..." or, "Now that we are on a plane heading home, the mission is done." You are the Lord's servant every day and every moment of your life.

Because Jesus ministered to one, an entire village was reached. You may be sent to multitudes on this trip, but don't miss the one along the way for whom Jesus also died.

Lord, thank you for sending me to the precious people of Guatemala, but help me, as I prepare and travel, to notice the ones here and there that you bring across my path every day. Don't let me miss what you are doing every moment of my life because I am focused on what I think is "the mission". My time is in your hands and I surrender to your agenda.

With Gratitude,

Sondra

Daily Devotion: 19 Days til Guatemala

Daily Devotion from Terry at Across All Borders
May 14 - Why Going is a Good Idea

2 Corinthians 10: 4-5 "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

In Guatemala there are spiritual forces of darkness that have been at work in the lives of people who live there. They are not the same evil spirits and forces that are at work where you live. You have not been beaten down for years by those spiritual forces that have afflicted the people you are going to meet on the mission field. The people who live there have become so familiar and accustomed to life with the influence of these powers of darkness that they might not even recognize the way it is influencing their thoughts, life styles and community.

When Christian guests come to minister at your church from other parts of the world, they recognize strongholds in our culture that you and I see as normal and seem powerless to change (materialism comes to mind). They are able to speak into the situation with a clear vision, power and strength, having not been weakened by it themselves their whole lives.

God knew what He was doing when he said, "Go." Because you do not reside in the place which you are being sent, you will sometimes sense certain things about the spiritual atmosphere. If you have ever been on a mission trip before, you may know what I am talking about. When evil is present, you can sense it. Long before I knew all of the details about the village we work in, I sensed a darkness I could not explain. It wasn't long before I understood what I was feeling. It was the presence of evil. Many families in the village practice witch craft, what they call "black magic". You truly can feel evil when you are standing in the middle of it. You may recognize that some people are griped with spirits of fear, despair and impurity and you may be the one that is able to bring a clear word of faith and hope to them.

You may sometimes even feel that you or your team are coming under some spiritual attack when in reality the devil's forces (which have a stronghold on many parts of Guatemala) are trying to put you under such chains. Instead of thinking you have to fight off these uncommon and strange patterns of thinking, recognize and rejoice that the devil played his hand. The Holy Spirit is allowing you to see the strong forces of darkness which are at work on the mission field. With God's help, you can help set people free from those chains. You can be used by God to set captives free!

Father, give us a sensitivity in our hearts and to your voice, that we may discover the spiritual forces at work in the lives of those we will work with in Guatemala. Thank you that your weapons (your truth, your Holy Spirit, your name and your armor) are not feeble, but mighty for pulling down strongholds. Use us to minister to others by setting them free from the enemy's lies and oppression.

With Gratitude,

Sondra

Daily Devotion: 20 Days til Guatemala

May 13 - Leaving Things Behind

Proverbs 3: 5-7 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil."

During most trips, some team members feel a great desire to leave things behind. They believe that it will be a blessing to others to leave behind clothes, shoes, medications, even financial gifts. What some do not realize is that our good intentions are often harmful. Sometimes helping actually hurts.

In Guatemala, you may be asked to leave behind things. I have been asked for everything from the shoes off of my feet to paying rent for people.

Today's devotional is not intended to curb your generosity, but I do want to caution you to make sure you listen carefully to the Lord and be aware that the manner in which you give can affect whole groups of people and the future of our ministry. The simplest of gifts can send a message that could leave our ministry dealing with issues for a long time.

Excessive fanfare while giving something to one person in front of others also causes a problem. It elicits jealousy from others that lingers long after you are gone. In most cases, gifts left by one team motivates people to see future teams as opportunities for personal gain.

If you love the Lord and He is at work in you, then you are a generous person who will want to help when you see genuine need. You will be served well by national Christians and community leaders will help make your experience awesome. So many want to reward them for their faithfulness. Or maybe you will connect with certain people and be tempted to give them something, but again, you must be very careful.

If you feel strongly about leaving any kind of gift, be it financial or any other kind, please come to me and we will talk about it. Please do not give gifts of money or items to anyone in the village or directly to the pastor or his wife. We have been in the village for several years and know the people well. We also have a perspective on true need that differs from what you can possibly see in just a few days. We will be dealing with the aftermath there long after you are gone. If you want to leave any type of gift, trust us with it and we will make distributions based on what we believe is best in the long term.

By doing this you lose control of how your items or donation is distributed. This is why it takes trust to give. You can trust that we constantly seek the the Lord's wisdom and guidance in our ministry and He leads us in carrying out the responsibility of wise distribution.

If you have money or a gift you want to give to a particular person you meet, please express that desire to me. On a rare occasion it is acceptable to give a gift to an individual, but that gift should never come directly from a team member. It should, instead, be given through the ministry so that future teams are not expected to deliver the same type of gift.

Father, I am open to being used by you in any way you lead me, including sharing the blessings you've given me with others. All I have is yours; do with it as you want. I know that my unfamiliarity along with the personal dynamics in the newness of Guatemala may make me vulnerable to misconceptions that could cause problems so I ask for your wisdom and grace in giving. Protect the people you send us to. I submit my preferences to you and those that have you have planted in ministry there. In anything I share, may it give you honor and advance your purposes.

With Gratitude,

Sondra

Daily Devotion: 21 Days til Guatemala

May 12 - Is it Worth the Money to Go?

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 "For God, who said, "Let your light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."

The thought has probably crossed your mind that mission trips cost a lot of money. In fact, in some circles, it is believed that we should send our money to the nations, and not send people. Their logic declares that nationals can do much more with the amount of money we spend on trips than we can. You will learn a lot about poverty, poverty alleviation and global justice issues during your time in Guatemala and your opinion of short term missions may change. That is often the case during a trip like this. It is true that short term missions NEED to change in order to become more effective in the long run, but that does not mean that people need to stop going.

There are several major problems with the "logical" view of sending only money and not people. One of them is that nowhere in the Bible does it say that God inhabits money. God dwells in people! He said, "Go." "Go...to the ends of the earth." He is sending you and has promised to be with you. God has placed something in you that can never dwell in a currency and that is Himself.

The reason that Jesus said "Go" is because one person has the strength from God that another person needs. We need the strength that God has given Christians in Guatemala and around the world and vice versa.

You are being sent to places where you are going to pray, preach, sing, testify, build or train leaders like only you can do. No dollar bill can do it. You are going to meet people and form relationships that no amount of money can accomplish.

Economic markets rise and fall, but God has no shortage of dollar bills and quetzals (Guatemalan money) or any other currencies. The Bible says that the earth is His. It ALL belongs to Him. What He does sometimes have a shortage of is obedient servants who will go into all the world.

Don't let the logic of human reasoning overstep the clear command of Scripture and GO with joy!

God, you have shone your light into my life and you are taking me to places where that light can shine, dispelling all darkness. Let my life always be a carrier of your light. During this trip, I pray that there will be an exchange between cultures that brings life both to mine and the lives of the people we encounter.

With Gratitude,

Sondra

Devotion: 22 days til Guatemala

May 11 - All Things are Possible

Mark 10:27 "Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

Many of these devotionals sound like warnings to expect difficulty and you should certainly go on your trip ready to endure hardships. That is an important part of your armor. But you should also go in the confidence that you have been sent by a great God. A miracle working God. A powerful God. One who has promised to go with you. Today's devotional is short because instead of spending more time reading today, I encourage you to spend some extra time in prayer for yourself, your team and your trip. Despite any hardships you or the team may face during your time in Guatemala, do not lose sight of the fact that with God all things are possible.

Lord, forgive me if I have made you small in my sight. Thank you for going with us on this mission trip. You are a great God and you still perform miracles. Thank you for meeting all of our needs and for the grace to endure hardships. We love you and trust you.

Daily Devotion: 23 Days til Guatemala

Daily Devotion from Terry at Across all Borders:
May 10 - Don't Panic!

Matthew 28:20 "....And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

In 2007, after traveling to Guatemala twice and spending time with our son in a luxury hotel for a couple of weeks, I left my husband and went alone to Guatemala for the first time at what we thought was the end of our adoption process. I went believing that the Lord was with me and thinking that I would be home, with our new son, in a week or less. But within hours of landing I found out that something in our case had gone wrong and I would be there for much longer than we anticipated. I was thrown into culture shock when I left the comforts of a hotel and went to what I thought was the real Guatemala (Antigua...that isn't what the majority of Guatemala is like...now I know). I was in a home with people I did not know, with a baby that did know I was his mother and in a country where I did not know the language and, at the time, feared for my life and the life of our son as rumors of kidnappings swirled. I panicked. For a while I thought that I had made a terrible mistake and in a moment of weakness became convinced that perhaps I had been abandoned by the One that promises never to abandon us. In reality, God was doing something much bigger in my life than I could have imagined and it turned out that the two months I was "stuck" in Guatemala was just the right amount of time needed for Him to change my life. He pulled my attention away from ministry in Southeast Asia for a moment and brought me to a place that I had never even considered for ministry. Guatemala. He broke my heart and I fell in love with Guatemala. With the people. With the country. With all that Guatemala is and could be.

Jesus once said, "Let's cross over to the other side." The disciples obeyed, with Jesus along in the boat. Then the wind rocked the boat and the 12 men of strong faith and power panicked. They were filled with doubt over two thoughts:

1. "Lord, don't you care?" - When God has the power to do something about the difficult circumstances you are facing, will you trust Him? When He can make it all better and the going is still tough, will you doubt His concern for you? It's the core truth that Satan wants to undermine in your mind...the fact that God loves you.

2. "We are going to die!" - When it begins to feel like your ship is going to sink or you are not going to make it, it's easy to hit the panic button.

The Lord was with me every moment that I was "stuck" in Guatemala. He continues to be by my side every moment of every day, whether I am home doing laundry and washing dishes or on the other side of the world training leaders and feeding the hungry.

You are going on this trip with the King of the universe beside you, just as He promised. He is not afraid of trouble along the way. While God has a ministry purpose for you on this trip, He is also interested in conforming you to His image along the way. He will continue to do so even when circumstances threaten to strike fear in your emotions. If you find yourself encountering conditions that seem like they are going to turn your trip into a disaster, remember that God intends for you to have an awesome experience. Don't panic! Trust Him. He is still in the boat. He cares about you and you are going to make it.

Lord, I know that you desire to work through me, as well as in me, during this trip. For every detail that has already been planned, there are still unexpected experiences waiting, some that might seem to threaten harm. So even now, when all is calm, I pray for the times on this trip when things are not as calm. Thank you for your promise to be with me. Lead us past each obstacle with our eyes open to your great power. Help us to not be overcome by fear, but rather by faith and love.

With Gratitude,

Sondra

Daily Devotion: 24 Days til Guatemala

May 9 - Photo Ops and Treasures

Matthew 7:12 "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you...."

Luke 2:19 "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."

Seeing people live in abject poverty. It is unlike anything you will ever see. No matter where I go and how many times I see it, I still ride through countries and walk through villages around the world choking back tears. Other than seeing lives changed for Christ and helping those living in poverty to overcome it, it is one of my heart's greatest desires to see the poor maintain, regain or for the first time ever in their lives, achieve dignity. And it doesn't happen when large teams of North Americans walk around snapping photo after photo of their every day lives, especially without permission.

Guatemalans of all ages are beautiful people and I understand the desire to capture their faces and lives in photographs. But for a moment, put yourself in the shoes of a woman that is exactly like one you will meet there.

She steps out of her tiny tin shack. She is wearing a worn, dirty dress. A broom in her hand, she has been working all day to keep the mud from overtaking her dirt floor. She is weary. And she has no idea who you are or why you are there. A photo of her would make a great newsletter piece for a missionary or for your scrapbook. Having a photo of her will make you happy and it will be great to show your friends back home so you take it. But how did taking the photo make HER feel?

Guatemalans, like the rest of us, want dignity. If you would have asked her if you could take her picture, she probably would have said yes. First she would have liked to change her clothes and brush her hair. She would have wanted to look her best so that when you showed others her picture, they would have seen her at her best. Aren't we all the same?

Obviously on a mission trip most team members, if not all, want to get video and photos. I understand and please, take as many photos as you can and enjoy them later. Be respectful, but by all means, take pictures!

However, there are some experiences that you will have and some things you are going to see that are going to be so astonishing, scenes that you are going to be itching to record which you will need to let go of. Out of love for the people of Guatemala, you are going to have to simply treasure the memories in your heart (journal them, too!) and keep them between you and the Lord.

In Biblical times, there were no cameras. Mary didn't have a scrapbook. She treasured some of the world's most important events in her heart. You can do the same so that those we serve do not feel like they are on display and in turn, gain a little more dignity.

God, thank you for allowing me to go to Guatemala and for all of the new people and experiences and sights that you will bring my way. Help me to record as much as I can. But Lord, in addition to that, help me to choose to treasure in my heart the memories of what you do, the places you take me and what you bring my way. I reject any selfish action that would be hurtful to another human being because I know that would hinder your kingdom. Help me to walk in your love at all times.

With Gratitude,

Sondra

Daily Devotion: 25 Days til Guatemala

This is post from May 8th from Terry at Across All Borders.  Oh, boy!  Now this is a topic that is a little scary to think about.  We've all been faced with the dilemna that "when you gotta go, you gotta go!"  I know that from having young kids, and the times that we've had to race to a gas station or use a porta-potty!  So, I'm glad that Terry is equipping us with information that we will all have on our mind but maybe too shy to ask about!  I was also just chatting with my Dad this morning about what it was like when he grew up, not having a TV, cell phones, etc.  And I think this experience will be an incredible reminder of how fortunate we really are and how grateful we should be!

May 8 - Embracing the Culture: Bathrooms

1 Peter 2:17 "Show proper respect to everyone..."

We cannot have a month's worth of daily devotionals without eventually getting to a few culture topics and there are several to be shared in the coming days. Let's go ahead and get this one out of the way. I wish I did not have to address this, but it has been an issue in the past, so here we go...

A short term mission trip is no time to influence a culture in any way other than by our message of the gospel.

I have been to several countries on mission trips and have been in public restrooms cleaner than the ones in my own home and been in the most disgusting latrines in the world. And yes, there are many times on mission trips when there is no bathroom, not even a latrine, for hours and the side of the road is the only option. Fortunately, Guatemala has toilets and most Guatemalans, even the most poor, have them (though some do not). Some of them are shockingly clean, especially those in tourist areas. Even the church in the village has a toilet. It may not be the cleanest, but it serves its purpose. But there will be times when we may be far from what we consider decent restrooms. The villagers will offer you their best. How upsetting it is when they begin to hear team members giggling to each other and making rude comments and noises while holding their noses. And we expect them to be welcoming and want to hear our message after that? No. The opportunity will be gone.

I know it sounds funny and you probably think it isn't necessary to go over this, but it happens all the time. Short term missionaries offend national hosts over trivial differences in lifestyle and that closes the door to effective ministry. I say this with as much love as I can muster, for you and especially our partners and families in Guatemala....You can handle whatever bathroom (or lack of) you are faced with. Be tough and please, don't make any comments about it.

You will not often be uncomfortable in Guatemala. Your trip has been arranged to be as comfortable as possible and is not one of those trips that will bring a lot of inconvenience or discomfort. Where you stay, most of the places you eat, your transportation is all good and comfortable. In comparison to many mission trips, this one is luxurious. But there will be some inconvenience and it can be endured. You may or may not enjoy the food you eat (most people love it). No matter what, it will be different than what you are used to, but you will make it through the week. You may not be happy about the fact that you have been asked not to wear shorts or sleeveless shirts, but we do this for a reason. Because it isn't cultural to wear shorts in Guatemala (unless you are a child) and sleeveless shirts are often seen as "tacky". You can handle dressing the way that is culturally appropriate for a week without complaint.

This is not time to stretch Guatemala by doing things the way you want to do them (wearing clothes you want to wear in the name of freedom, expressing your desire for "real food", discussing with Guatemalans where WE live or how OUR church operates). Your home church and our culture is NOT better than the one we are visiting. It is simply different.

Going back to the bathroom illustration: The fact is that even if the person that may show you to their bathroom that is not up to your standards had more money, she probably would not spend it on a new bathroom anyway. It's just not a priority. Is that wrong? No. The culture is different than what we are used to and remember, when we are in Guatemala, the people of Guatemala are not the ones that are different; we are.

Smile through the unpleasant differences you notice. Keep your (negative) thoughts to yourself. Embrace the culture. Enjoy the journey.

Father, I know that you will care for me on this trip where so much will be unfamiliar. You have placed qualities within this culture and I pray you help me embrace them. Make me a pure and humble channel of your truth and love. Give me eyes to see the treasure you have put in Guatemala and help me to honor the people of this beautiful country. By your grace I will humble myself and look out for their needs rather than focus on my own.

With Gratitude,

Sondra

Your support is appreciated!

Hello Everyone,

This is a trip that I never expected to make. It's a group of 13 Arbonne-connected friends and when asked to join the group, I felt a calling! I cannot believe that we are less than a month away from going! My goal has been to raise 100% of the trip expense, so as to not burden my own family with this "calling". And also because I believe that the time and resources I commit to this endeavor will bring to me and my family much more that we contribute!! Being able to do this with the people I work with is truly a blessing!

Guatemala is a beautiful country and I'm excited about what's planned when we get there! We will be spending our first day there in the orphanage, hosting a party with the kids including crafts for the kids, lunch, & a piñata’ . Then we will be coming back the next day to pick the kids up and we get to take them to the zoo and then go purchase all of them new shoes! This is a big deal, as many of these kids have never had their own new pair of shoes!! We also get to spend a day and ½ working in some of the rural areas to install water filters, a few stoves, and do some work in the communities. This is going to be such an amazing week and I am so blessed to be experiencing this with my Arbonne family!!

I know many have expressed interest in donating towards our trip. We leave on June 4th and will be gone until the 10^th of June. We will be purchasing shoes for all of the kids in the orphanage that little Mateo grew up in (the child who inspired this trip), as well as buying water filters, and a few stoves.

If you would be willing to donate anything towards this I have the ability to accept payments through paypal for this. Any amount you are able to contribute is meaningful and appreciated.

You can go to: www.paypal.com, then click on send money, then you will need to enter the amount you wish to donate, and then make sure you enter my email address at: tsdubie@cox.net and go through the rest of the process. We want to purchase the shoes in Guatemala so we can support their country's economy. We will also be having a party for the kids at the orphanage as well as coming another day to take them to the zoo and then shoe shopping!! If you can help in anyway, it would be greatly appreciated!! The money goes directly into an account that I am using specifically for the Guatemala trip.

And of course, I'll accept ALL your prayers for a safe trip and return home! Follow my journey by reading my Blog daily. I'm posting daily devotions from now until we leave and will write about the trip so that everyone can share the experience. So continue to follow the blog.

Thank you!! Blessings!! 

With Gratitude,

Sondra