There are a lot of things to be excited about such as living out of a backpack, experiencing a few new countries, getting to see God's workings across the world, good laughs and tears, weird food, interesting encounters, and living out our faith hard for a few weeks.
There's also fears too- such as will God show up? Will the students like us? Fear of being vulnerable with our teammates when our crap hits the fan and fear of sharing our faith boldly. There also are a lot of health concerns for many on our trip and thus far it has been a huge step of faith to go.
Thru out these few weeks I was feeling overwhelmed by a lot of questions concerning -Why go overseas when it costs so much money and there is just as much need here. I'm thankful for such hard questions because it causes us to hash out our true motives and also what is true. I'm learning that demand doesn't equal the call. Just cuz there is a need doesn't mean we are called to go there. If that were the case then we all would be screwed cuz we be spent helping every person around us and following every cause imaginable. Short term trips are great cuz it helps people figure out if they have a call or heart for the mission field. I personally feel the call of going overseas and I'm headed towards seeing if doors open up for me in that direction long term. But in the meantime I'm excited to help lead a team that gets a taste of what its like to give your whole life away for the gospel. And even in the last few weeks It has been eye opening and faith building to realize how much Coram Deo has supported us thru their money and support. Thru fundraiser and offering we raised over 10,000 dolllars as a body!!! And at the end of the day I rest assured not in money but that God has something he is doing with our little church in gresham and how he wants it to impact the world and for now that is slovenia and serbia!!!
The mormances came to our homegroup this week and for those of you who don't know them they are our Missionaries who are going to serve for 3-5 years in Slovenia. As they talked about Slovenia and that only 1% of the people are protestant and who knows frankly if even that percentage is even truly believing - it makes your heart sink. He also talked about how the churches over in Europe are beautiful and adorned to the hilt yet are empty. From traveling a bit it's truly a way different feel . Everyone doesn't claim to believe in God or is a "christian"as it is in the states. Religion is stale and void of depth as a whole and you can feel that while being in country. I am so stoked to be apart of a movement God is doing in Slovenia, even if its only for a month pray God would use it in many campers lives to bring them true life in a spiritually dead climate.
