Last week of preparation!

In one week we will be stepping off the plane and getting our first impressions of Bogota.  I have watched year after year the faces of these kids as they take everything in around them....excitement, joy, and yes - sometimes fear.  

Since September we have been preparing for these 10 short days.  English lessons have been carefully planned, games organized, facepainting and balloon tying practiced and dances rehearsed.  We have a schedule ....but God holds the ultimate plan, which may or may not always fit into our schedule.  

We have been praying that God will be glorified, that His love will be seen in us wherever we go.  Early in the year, one of our team members gave a devotional on Philippians 4 and these words jumped out.

"Stand firm in the Lord".  

That has become our theme - prayer - desire as a team.  We have had it stitched on the back of our jackets in Spanish as a testament of that.  

The verses following this are ways that we can accomplish it.

"Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  REJOICE!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable

If anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you!"

Philippians 4:4-9

Thank you for your prayers as we make our final preparations this week. Please pray that more than lessons, games and crafts - that God would prepare our hearts for HIS schedule - whatever that might be!