Tomorrow, 24 high school kids and 5 adults leave on a mission’s trip. Destination: Nicaragua.
I have the privilege of tagging along again. We were newbies last year, arriving in Managua, Nicaragua with only our charitable wit stowed visibly in our carry-ons, ostentatiously ready to “help.”
We were shuttled into various villages where the inhabitants wanted nothing more than to share time, love, and laughter. Their faces lit up when we arrived merely because we were there, neither expecting nor desiring additionally anything. These people live in a country known for its corrupt government, broken relationships, and spiritual poverty – thank goodness we know nothing about any of that – yet have an overwhelming appreciation for total strangers who naively think they are the ones helping.
This morning, I am thankful last year’s visit confirmed the cliché “you will never be the same” is categorically true. I am thankful that experience is the best teacher in all areas of life. I am thankful God allows for head-shaking disbelief to wake us up when we need it most.
Speaking of, as I was mightily trying to wake up this morning with trough of coffee in hand, I read today’s Proverb:
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel. –Proverbs 27:9
The book of Proverbs is a collection of pithy sayings. Yeah, I am also thankful for pithy.
