Explore. Dream. Discover.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. "
~Mark Twain

Being involved with a mission trip to a little country I knew nothing about has opened my eyes to a whole new world. It has helped me to embrace uncertainty and overcome fears. It has increased my vision for the poor. It has allowed me to praise God for all we have in this country. It has reshaped the way I look at our responsibilities in this world. In short, it has been life-changing.
I am amazed at the lessons the four teens that went with us came back with. We shared our last night, and even the shy one in the bunch was able to express what the experience meant to him. Each teen was profoundly moved by what they saw. Drew said, "An education means so much to these kids, and they don't even have a place to study!" Stephanie said, "Think of all we opened on Christmas morning and have tossed aside. Here, they use everything they have; and they have next to nothing."
I am so proud of the parents who brought their teens on this trip. I wish I would have made one less trip to Disney World with my kids and spent the time and resources on a missions trip. Perhaps one day I will take a trip like this with one of my grandchildren. (not that I have any yet....but Mark Twain said to dream!)
So, I have dipped my toes into the waters of a new venture. Like I said in an earlier post, by the grace of God, I will go back. There is still so much more to do, and God has blessed me with so much to give.