Pastor's Place - July 2002

Going Into Unfamiliar Territory

Dear Friends,

By the time you are reading this, I will be in Guatemala.

In preparation for my journey, I have done a little bit of reading, a little bit of looking at pictures, some packing, and a lot of trusting. I have a passport, and (to the best of my knowledge) my vaccines are up to date. But I have left the bulk of the preparations to others.

Carol C. has planned the work we will do and has sent at least one person in advance to begin certain facets of the construction. She has ten years of experience as leader of the Guatemala Mission Project. Pat M. has made the travel and hotel arrangements. She is a retired travel agent very familiar with every aspect of our trip. Andy has taken responsibility for gathering tools and 'first aid' supplies for our family. So, that leaves me to just show up.

Hopefully, showing up with me will be some patience and fortitude. I expect the travel days to be fatiguing. I expect not to sleep well (I usually don't when I'm away from my own bed!). I expect to be unfamiliar with the food and the customs. I expect I will not be able to understand the language, and that I will have a low skill level at whatever task I am asked to do. And yet I am trusting that, in spite of all of the above, God will find a way to make my journey meaningful.

When Jesus sent the disciples out, two by two, to minister in his name, he told them to take nothing for their journey (Luke 9:3): "no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money--not even an extra tunic." According to Luther E. Smith, Jr., Jesus gave these instructions so that the disciples could learn that "being dependent and vulnerable are not just cause for anxiety; these are the very hallmarks of a faithful journey. Being dependent and vulnerable is how disciples come to experience God's sustenance through community."

We ARE taking money and bags (the idea being that nearly all of what we take will be given away) but because we are going to such (to me) unfamiliar territory, "dependent and vulnerable" are exactly the feelings I have. Thankfully, so far I have also felt more faith than anxiety, and I am trusting God to continue to sustain me with the ability to be flexible, calm, and open to new experiences.

You all can help support me, Andy, Elizabeth, Christina, Ellen, Dale, Al, Laurie and Mary and the 30 others on this journey in the following ways:

Do some reading about Guatemala, its history and its people. Visit the photo exhibit about Guatemala and Mayan culture at Christ Lutheran Church (4761 Cass St. in Pacific Beach).
Pray for us daily.
Attend worship. Matt Herbst, the Rev. Harry Pak, and our usual array of talented musicians are preparing to lead you in meaningful service to God. I will be happy if I can think of you all gathering together as the body of Christ, even while I am far away.

My time in Guatemala extends from June 28 to July 14. It will be followed by a few days of extended family gathering on Catalina Island. I will be back in church on July 21.

God be with you 'til we meet again!

Pastor April