So what does one do when preparing to fly transatlantic to Croatia driving on to Livno, Bosnia? Pray. Check and recheck packing. Purchase requested items to take, bringing some comforts from home to some special people who have no access to them where they are. Pray some more. Try and finish a whole host of reading material so I can finish a paper for my next class before I leave, sending it to my 'professor' (my pastor). And pray even more.
I have to pinch myself that I, this guy, this person, gets the opportunity to go on this trip to work with and spend time with some people whom I admire greatly. My faith, my walk with my God, continues leading me into adventures of incredible proportions for His glory. I suppose if I were the best of the best of teachers, I'd get all puffed up and become 'untouchable' or out of touch with reality, but the reality is that I am just doing what I feel called to; to love people, all people, wherever they are even if I don't speak their language.
Ah, but what I learned from my grandma as I grew up, is that even though we could not 'talk' (she only spoke Okinawan Japanese mixed with Hawaiian), we could communicate and what we communicated best, being present together was love. We did it by just sitting together laughing. She did it best by pinching my cheek and rattling off something that made me feel like she was proud and deeply loved me. She also did it by shoving $20 bills in my pockets (just another of her generosities). And I did it by hugging her and smiling with all the love a growing grandson could muster. I would not miss one moment together for anything. Even though she is long gone, I can still hear her laugh and feel her love...and, I miss her.
I go only for a week. I go to invest. I go because I feel called...and I wonder if I too will be missed when I depart. The only way that will happen is if I don't go just to share some lessons and help guide them to integrated, hands-on learning. When I leave, I want the spirit of Jesus residing in me to be that which they miss. It is nice that a man, this guy, would care for them. But it is more important they feel the God who cares for them. If I get it right, they will miss me. Not because of the greatness of Bob, but because of the greatness of God. He has led me to be the teacher I am transforming this heart into one more like His.
My plane leaves Saturday at 6:40am and I arrive in Croatia at 11:40am Sunday (Sunday 2:40am our time). We'll eat lunch and then travel a bit over an hour (as best I remember) across the border and into Livno. They may have an introductory meeting with my interpreters and I, mushbrained as I will be, will muddle through it, or it may occur on Monday. I will have a day to reset my clock back 9 hours and then press forward into the activities and festivities planned for us. I will be teaching in classrooms with Jr. Highers and potentially in a high school. I will also teach in conference with teachers of many grade levels.
Are you with me? Will you join me with your prayers? Will you pray that my connections with the teachers and missional servants there be refreshing and sweet? Would you pray that a people steeped in mistrust and strife would connect with the sincerity and honesty of my heart in response to God's call? Would you pray that the students would be responsive and respectful as I (one without relationship to them) contribute to their learning? And, would you pray for my health as I try to recover from this 'cold' I currently have before I leave and function with a messed up body clock? Maybe working at Lowe's with all the irregular scheduling has prepared me for what may happen there?
Thanks for reading and especially, thanks for your prayers. This is kingdom work as together we stand together in covenant with our King! I want to be faithful not missing one moment. Not missing the reason I am sent, and is so doing as I leave, being missed because of the good accomplished by God, while present together.
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