PACKING & PRAYING

With our trip only a little over 24 hours away, we are currently working our way through the packing process. We are attempting to squeeze all 4 big boxes of school supplies that Kids Avenue donated into suitcases without surpassing the weight limit. As a result, we are going to pack less clothing for ourselves and do some laundry at Lauren's house during the week to create more space for the supplies.

The Mom and Dad in us are beginning to worry about our two little ones that we are leaving behind in NJ for an entire week. That is probably the most difficult part of the trip. They'll be in good hands (Grandmom, Aunt Julie, Nana & Pop-Pop) but not seeing their little faces for an entire week is a bit rough, especially on Mommy!

God has provided the finances for the trip (praise Him!) We are looking forward to using this blog to updating our friends, family and supporters back in NJ about our trip. The plan at this moment is to try to blog each night with updates and some of Jaci's pictures.

Just wanted to share one verse God brought to my attention as we prepare to leave:

"For He will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence for precious is their blood in his sight." Psalm 72:12-14

It has been such a blessing of ours over the years to see how God has continued to deliver us from seemingly hopeless situations. It is such a precious promise to know that Jesus came to rescue us all. He didn't see differing values on people based on social standing, ability, accomplishment, wealth, appearance, race, etc. He saw the inherent value and dignity of each life and the Bible reassures us here in the Psalm that the blood of the afflicted, needy and weak is precious in His sight.

He loves the poorest of the poor in Guatemala with the same powerful, all-encompassing love that He has for those of us lucky enough to live in the United States.

It's our hope to be able to be God's hands and feet in sharing this precious universal truth with the people of Guatemala. I can hear God saying to each of us in the words of the song by Tenth Avenue North:

"My love is over. It's underneath. It's inside. It's in between.
The times you doubt Me, when you can't feel.
The times that you question, 'Is this for real?'
The times you're broken. The times that you mend.
The times that you hate Me, and the times that you bend.
Well, My love is over, it's underneath.It's inside, it's in between.
These times you're healing, and when your heart breaks.
The times that you feel like you're falling from grace.
The times you're hurting. The times that you heal.
The times you go hungry, and are tempted to steal.
The times of confusion, in chaos and pain. I'm there in your sorrow, under the weight of your shame.
I'm there through your heartache. I'm there in the storm.
My love I will keep you, by My pow'r alone. I don't care where you fall, where you have been.
I'll never forsake you, My love never ends. It never ends."

What a friend, king, redeemer, and Savior we have in Jesus!