Trust in God

My name is Marci Crawford, and just in case we are in the same boat... I wanted to share my story with you. Maybe it will help give you some encouragement...

A part of my heart will always remain in Guatemala. Some may say that going to a country twice is not spreading the Gospel, but I disagree... you see... once you have been captured by the extreme poverty and literal trash that encompasses little Julio's and Patty's lives... your heart will weep with desire to help in any way you can. That is where my story begins...

I was coming up on what I hoped was my second trip to Guatemala. I remembered the previous year and could recall all of the sweet faces so clearly. The work we had done while we were there was still fresh in my mind. Work that was SO challenging (probably the hardest work I had ever done) and yet by far... the most gratifying! I just HAD to go back. I knew in the depths of my heart that I was supposed to go back!

But... unfortunately as the trip approached, I didn't have the money and my life at home had suffered some changes and turmoil that left me wondering if I really should even try and go. So... I prayed about it and after a few day, I decided to send out two Support Letters to two people that I felt definitely had the means to assist me financially. To simplify the story - I will just say that in the end - I received very little monies from these people. It came to the deadline where the tickets were being purchased and I still hadn't met the financial goal that I needed. What else could I do? I prayed... and prayed. I couldn't understand why I felt deep in my heart that I was intended to go, yet my financial needs hadn't been met.The day came when the tickets were purchased and I was not a ticket holder. I was so thrown off by this. WHY?? I prayed that God would let me be ok with this... that He would give me peace about it. "I will go next year" I told myself. But as I prayed - no peace came. And then... when I prayed I still found myself questioning why I was in such turmoil over this. I remember going to one of the last meetings ( about 2 or 3 weeks prior to leaving) and I asked the team leader if I could go to the airport to see the team off. Was I crazy? I was trying to hold on with ever ounce of energy! I really need to STOP! ... accept things and move on! I needed to pray harder... and I did. I prayed and prayed.

Within a few days I got a phone call from the team leader. He explained to me that one of the team members had something come up and they couldn't make the trip. He said there was an open spot on the team and he proceeded to ask if I would fill the spot. You can't imagine how I felt at that very moment! Tears spilled out of my eyes as I listened to him explain everything to me. As I felt the awful pang of hearing that one of the team members was out and not able to make it, I couldn't help but feel as though everything in my world started making sense.

God knew I was going all along. He had plenty of opportunities to let me know a lot earlier that I was going, but as I looked back over the preparation for the trip - I believe that He was teaching me something very important... IN HIS TIME.

If we feel something deep inside us telling us to do something, or nudging us to "go"... I can tell you that it very well could be The Holy Spirit (God). I know it was for me! Don't ignore it or try and manipulate it to suit your logic or needs, just trust in it. Trust in God.

We all want to hear from God and if we listen closely enough... we will. :)

Serving Him...

X Change Cost Rica Trip

So...at some point - our leadership team decided to change the trip from Guatemala to Costa Rica. What an amazing trip it was.

July 6-11 - drove to Orlando in a bus rented from Dana's limo and flew into San Jose, CR

21 (yep twenty one) people went on the trip. We flew into San Jose, Costa Rica, rented two trucks and a van; driving to Jaco, Costa Rica. Most of the trip and our Mission field, was in Jaco - however, we stayed in Hermosa. Our stay in Hermosa was in two separate houses; one for the girls...and one for the guys.

The trip was definitely one that was lead by God. We went with no agenda and prayed daily for God's guidance. Each team member had some part to do with a developing "street ministry". The team performed in areas of music, dance, and drama.

X Change - 3rd Meeting

Today was the 3rd Meeting for X-Change Leadership and the Team going to Guatemala on July 5th. That's right....we changed the date slightly and have a tentative departure schedule:

Lv: Journey Church, July 5th, 11pm

*travel overnight, arriving in Ft. Lauderdale airport at 5:30a

Lv: Ft. Lauderdale 7:30a

Ar: Guatemala City, Guatemala - 9:30a

Return Trip:

Lv: Guatemala City, Guatemala - 12:20p

Ar: Ft. Lauderdale, FL - 2:30p

Ar: Fernandina Beach, FL - 8:30p

NEXT X-CHANGE MEETING

When: Sunday, April 25th at 9:15
Where: The Journey Church in the Conference Room

Please plan on attending the next meeting for the young adults traveling to Guatemala in July this year. Items to be discussed will be vaccinations, deposits, trip finalizations, and many more items that you need to know! You don't want to miss this meeting!!!

2nd Meeting for X-Change Trip!

Becky DeBerry (X-Change Leader) and Rick Lee (Missions Director) will be hosting our 2nd X-Change Leadership meeting this Sunday during the 9:15a.m. service. Here are some details:

When: 9:15a - Sunday, 28 Feb

Where: Journey Church; ask Becky which meeting room

Why: Confirm Deposit monies, Confirm Passports, Confirm Vaccinations, Question and Answer Period.

Doug Lane (Guatemala Team Leader) spoke to Robert on Monday. Robert and Tharsis are headed to Haiti for 2 weeks - but can't wait to get back to Guatemala to begin preparations for our team. With the last count of 30 X-change Group Leaders going on the trip...this will obviously be a LARGE group to travel with. You know what they say...."safety in numbers!"

We are really looking forward to blessing the people in the villages of El Chilar, Puente Blanco, and Pie de la Ques ta. We are sure they will want to show us their version of X-Change Leadership as well!

Haiti Relief Update

A huge thank you to everyone who has given to the relief effort in Haiti. We have currently collected $3,211 to send to the relief effort in Haiti.

If you wish to give simply indicate on the memo line of your check or on your giving envelope that the gift is for "Haiti". It is also possible to give on-line at www.thejourneyfamily.com. There is an option to designate your gift for the Haiti Relief Fund. The Journey plans to continue sending resources through established organizations who work with local churches in Haiti. The process of rebuilding and recovery will be a long-term, on-going endeavor and we want to continue giving to the effort. If you have questions please contact Rick Lee, Missions Pastor at rick@thejourneyfamily.com.

Staff Meeting

Had a meeting today with Rick and Robert B to discuss Missions in general