What to pack?
Posted by Kaylee K on Friday, September 16, 2011 Under: Italy
How do you prepare for a vision from God? As
John and I get the details worked out for our trip to Italy where we will spend
time with 5 ministries in 4 cities learning how they help refugees and
discovering the needs and challenges of the refugees in that country, I feel
something is missing. I can pack the clothes, remember the bible, take the
camera, include the journal, but what do I pack that will set us up well to
receive a vision from God of how He wants us to serve in Italy long term? After
all, that is our goal for our trip -- to understand the call He put on our
heart 4 years ago; to know what is next; to realize His vision so that we may
act on it.
So, what if it doesn't come? What if we get there and interact with amazing people, help where we can, and feel totally jazzed, overwhelmed, loved and challenged -- all the great things about mission work -- but we still don't know what's next? What if we wrap up the last 3 days of the trip with time alone, together, with God, to process as we've planned and we don't know the vision? Is there anything I can pack that will ensure the outcome is what we want: Vision?
And, if the vision doesn't come, how do we face our supporters? If we can't say, "Here are the next steps.... See, it really was worth sending us!", then what?
Wow, it is so much easier once good work has been achieved to look backwards and see the path taken and acknowledge the value of the steps filled with "what ifs?" and the actions that were inspired by faith not certainty. But looking at the path ahead when starting a new work is so intimidating.
I know that God is the one who makes the plans. And, I truly believe His plans and His timing are perfect (Jer 29:11-14). I just don't know how to prepare to receive a vision or to not receive a vision that is anticipated. My prayer is that God prepare our hearts for whatever He will do in Italy and, in His timing, we will understand the value of this current step in His bigger picture.
Hmmm....I think I will need to pack patience, hope and faith.
So, what if it doesn't come? What if we get there and interact with amazing people, help where we can, and feel totally jazzed, overwhelmed, loved and challenged -- all the great things about mission work -- but we still don't know what's next? What if we wrap up the last 3 days of the trip with time alone, together, with God, to process as we've planned and we don't know the vision? Is there anything I can pack that will ensure the outcome is what we want: Vision?
And, if the vision doesn't come, how do we face our supporters? If we can't say, "Here are the next steps.... See, it really was worth sending us!", then what?
Wow, it is so much easier once good work has been achieved to look backwards and see the path taken and acknowledge the value of the steps filled with "what ifs?" and the actions that were inspired by faith not certainty. But looking at the path ahead when starting a new work is so intimidating.
I know that God is the one who makes the plans. And, I truly believe His plans and His timing are perfect (Jer 29:11-14). I just don't know how to prepare to receive a vision or to not receive a vision that is anticipated. My prayer is that God prepare our hearts for whatever He will do in Italy and, in His timing, we will understand the value of this current step in His bigger picture.
Hmmm....I think I will need to pack patience, hope and faith.
In : Italy
Tags: italy faith prayer ministry refugees
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Kaylee founded Refugee Connect in 2008. John joined the work in 2011 as we investigated the refugee situation in Europe. But our faith and cross-cultural journeys have been a work-in-progress for many years. Much of this blog reflects that. ************************************************ We met in Austin, TX, while volunteering at a serving event at Gateway Church and have been married since 2002. Marriage, parenting and ministry all require a great deal of intentionality, humility and true reliance on God for strength, wisdom, and grace. It is a journey we are grateful to be on together. Ultimately, what matters to us is building into meaningful relationships in ways that, to the best of our ability and by God's grace, demonstrate the love and hope Jesus freely offers to us all. ************************************************ We bring both business and ministry backgrounds into our current work. John started a business in his 20's and helped build several other businesses. He has also served with churches in a variety of roles including as an assistant pastor, director of community development, and missions board member. Kaylee left her marketing career to become the global missions director for our home church in Austin, TX, then founded a local refugee ministry, and became TEFL certified (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) in order to prepare for our work overseas. We have led short-term teams domestically and internationally, and served with a variety of cross-cultural ministries. In 2008, we sensed a call to build into the church in Europe, which was also around the time when God broke Kaylee’s heart for refugees. Since then, God has continued to weave together this heart for refugees, desire to serve alongside the church, and focus on His call to Europe.