Mixed emotions

There is just one week left until I leave for Mexico. This will be my second trip to the orphanage that our church supports. I am so excited to go back and see the kids and the sights. I am also excited for the food. But lately my afacebook has been flooded with pictures and memories from my first trip 4 years ago. And these posts are bringing back some sadness. I think just because I know how it will feel coming back to the states. I know it will hurt to leave the kids again. There is also a lot of nervousness as the trip gets closer. I’m nervous to leave my wife and kids for a week, I’m nervous to leave work for a week, and I’m nervous that I won’t be able to help to my full potential while I am there. I know most of my concerns aren’t something I need to be scared about. I know my family will be fine without me for a week, I know I don’t have anything to worry about with work, and I know that once I am down there my heart will want to give everything I have and then some.

Getting excited!

As I look at the calendar  I realize that there are just three short weeks left until our team of nine board a jet and head to Mexico to serve at Niños de Mexico!  Wasn't it just January?!?

This will be my third trip to Niños in the past six years.  In some aspects, I know what to expect.  The travel, the food, the cultural  differences, the work we will be doing, etc. In others, I will not.  How will I interact with the children, how will they interact with me?  How will we be blessed by the trip, and what blessings  will we bring? How will we interact and work as a team.  Such a different team than I've been a part of in the past.  How will this experience change us? Grow us?

My last trip I was part of a team with Sammy Goss and Kimberly Perry.  This time, it will be their  husband's,  Nich and Alex.  Of my prior trips, there were teenagers as part of the team.  This team is made up entirely of adults.  How will we be...too serious and all work, since we are a mature group! I hope not!   Luckily,  we have Colby along to help us lighten up a bit! 🙂 Calli was a part of the last team, this year, she's  already at Niños as an intern.  I look forward  to seeing her and the work she is doing.

I also look forward to working together  with Scott, Darrell,  Rose, Cami and Stacy.  I look forward to getting to know the women on this team better, as I have never spent a great amount of time with any of them.  At the end of the week, after sharing a room and bathroom  together, we ladies may be bonded  bit closer than we may want!!  Lol!

I also worry.  I worry about leaving my mom for a week.  I worry about the parents leaving their littles for a week. I worry about the spouses left at home dealing with said littles! I worry about things that I just need to leave at the Lord's feet and let Him do what He does.  REIGN!

I apologize  for the randomness  of this and my thoughts  drifting  in various  directions.  So I  will sign off with a request  that you would pray.  Pray for our team, pray for our families, pray for our trip, pray for the children and pray for the Niños ministry.

God bless you.

Joanna

Team #5 - Trip #4

It is less than a month away - another trip to Niños de Mexico! It is hard to believe that it has been 11 years since Sandy and I first talked about leading our first team. At the time it seemed like such a crazy idea because we had no idea what we were doing, but it was one of the best steps of faith we have ever taken and now here we are with team number five! God has used this trip time and time again to teach us about our own weaknesses and how he can use them for his glory. He has taught us countless lessons about grace, trust, faith, life, compassion, the things we take for granted, and so much more. He has softened my heart and opened my mind. He has twisted my gut, frayed my nerves and put me on my knees. And I love it.

Every trip is different and every team that we lead is unique. Despite my inadequacies as a leader, every team seems to find a way to come together and serve with grace. I have no doubt that he will do the same with the group this year. I can already see things happening in this team - I see them thinking, processing, wondering, wanting to be the best that they can be for each other - and I am learning to appreciate what each individual is bringing to the team. Some are doing that from the perspective of past experience (three others have been to Niños de Mexico before) and some are working through the nervousness of a first trip. Watching the individuals on the team come together is one of the most satisfying things to watch as the team leader, and I am anxious to see how it will all play out on the trip.

As happens with every trip, my anticipation begins to increase exponentially as the school year comes to an end (even more so this year knowing that I will see Calli while we are there!). With less than a week of school left, I find more and more of my focus shifted to the trip, to the team, and the last things that still need to be done in preparation. As much as I look forward to the trip, I still get nervous about details - less than I did at first, but the nervousness is there nonetheless. Past experience, however, helps immensely, because I know, one way or another, things will work out the way God wants it to. Having a great group to work alongside, also helps ease my mind!

So... less than a month...
It still energizes me knowing it is getting close!