Two years ago I visited Baja and left thinking, I’ll never go back. But yet I was drawn to return and I did. I volunteered to help cook the meals for the mission group. Three meals a day for 75 for 5 days.

I recall the day I decided to go.

The thought had not entered my mind and I was writing a card to Diana, our youth ministry secretary. She was retiring after many many years. I was reflecting on how much she has done for our kids and how even though I had known and worked with her throughout our years with teens, I hadn’t really served with her and I wanted to. So, I called right then and there and put my name on the list.

I was blessed to be with Diana. She is an amazing lady and as Chad said recently, Diana has a servant heart. She goes to bed with a prayer and rises early. Each morning I awoke to see her bible opened on her bed.

And so we planned and shopped and cooked. Long days with tired feet. Diana reminded me many years ago and I haven’t forgotten that God provides the energy you need. And He has proven this to me time and time again.

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31

It’s easy after a long tiring mission trip to question your impact. To wonder if it was worth the effort, the time and the money. As someone recently said, what’s the balance?

Doubts creep, judgments rain, purpose questioned

Disappointments with a few that didn’t take to heart the opportunities laid before them.

I’ve been chewing on these thoughts.

Then I see these images.

I distinctively remember leaning against the fence at the church and these thoughts stirring up in my mind. The teens starting pouring out of the door way with huge smiles across their faces. And I felt that was God’s answer to me. It stings my eyes to remember His timing.

My purpose was His.

I was there to allow His children to serve His children… not to judge.

Like our VBS story of the farmer sowing the seeds, the seeds are scattered on all kinds of ground. It’s our charge to sow them and God will do the rest. The seeds have been sown on the hopeful as well as the selfish, the seeking as well as the ignorant.

I have found peace in realizing my purpose being there and it’s my prayer the others will as well.

Katey