(Peter’s part)

Leaning into servant-hood. 

I love doing missions work. Many times I find myself in situations and circumstances that I don’t usually get into in my “normal” job. I can remember one time all I did for 6 hours was move sand from the front yard pile to the back yard (scattered) at a Habitat House in Tallahassee. I have spent hours checking the dates on donated canned goods during a Postal Worker drive to stamp out hunger. Normally, I try to be effective and efficient in my tasks so that I can maximize my impact at work. But I try to do an attitude adjustment before I put on my missions hat. When I am in the mission field, it is not about productivity, it is about presence and love. Whatever they need, that is why I am there.

We are in the final stages of packing. We have our shots and our packing list. Just the packing and the list checking remain. My hope and prayer is to become small so that it is all about God and about love. Simple love your neighbor. That will be enough. This trip I am not a tourist. This trip I am not a pilgrim. This trip I am a missionary.

Carla’s two cents….

On Sunday we leave for the mission field – the Mayan people live in a beautiful country full of resources provided by our God. I want to drink it all in. I want to see and name the blessing God gives to them, and to me, and to you. I want to come back with a fresh appreciation of creation and of love and of the power of relationships. I want to serve. I am filled with awe at the beautiful opportunity we have to bless and to be blessed by the presence of each other. I covet your prayers for me, for our team, and for those to whom we will offer service. 

On Sunday we leave for the mission field…oh, wait, we are already there! Let us each take an attitude of servanthood into each day…Guatemala and New Smyrna have more in common than you might think.

Blessings to you all!

Carla and Peter