A Gift

There are two things in life that terrify me.

Well.  That's not true.  

Really there are more than two.  (Anybody watch Monk?)

It would be more accurate to say that there are two really huge things that (currently) scare me more than the other less huge (though not insignificant) things.

They are:

1.  Flying

2.  Leaving the country

(Not necessarily in that order.  It depends upon the day.)

Though I have vowed to never leave the country.

Not ever.

For any reason.

So that might trump the flying.

Well. Guess what God has orchestrated...

I'm flying to Guatemala.

I almost threw up when I typed that.

I've been wanting to tell you about it, but I kind of kept hoping it would go away.

But today is the deadline and I'm officially signed up.

Oh.  The King and The Princess are signed up, too.

But this is about me.

Some friends of ours have been called to move their family of six to Guatemala to live at an orphanage.

Did I mention that there are six of them?

Four kids, all boys--ages 10, 7, 6 and 2.

They are laying aside their regular, normal lives to move to a third world country and run a dorm for orphaned babies.

Is there a higher calling?

The King is on their board. Our family is 100% behind their ministry.

I just kind of hoped to be 100% behind their ministry from the comfort of my own home.

We will be traveling to Guatemala in March.  For eight days.

I can't recall... Have I mentioned that I'm a little bit afraid of flying and leaving the country?

I do not exaggerate when I tell you that I covet your prayers.

COVET THEM.

I hope that I don't overwhelm you with posts about it (think about the cats, y'all) but I do want to share this with you as I prepare.

I want you to feel as if you are going with me.

Because I am pretending that you are.

I'd like to give you some information on this family and their ministry so that you can begin lifting this sweet family in prayer.

Only Grace is the ministry of the Carney family.  

This would have been a really great place to put their photo, don't you think? But that would have required planning ahead.  And lately I've been spending most of my time trying to figure out how to get out of flying to a third-world country.

The Only Grace website should be completed in the next few days.  I hope to have a button for my blog, too.  I'm also hoping to have them do a guest post...I'd like for you to hear of their journey directly from them.  The Carney's will be living in and overseeing the baby dorm.  "Babies" are children from birth to age 5.  There are anywhere from 60 to 100 children in this dorm and they have three Guatemalan assistants.  

The orphanage is Casa Para Niños Aleluya.  Its website tells the story better than I could.  Go read it.

The Carney's are so excited to be used as the living hands of God.  I am amazed at their willingness.  They must raise 100% of their funding...a task that seems overwhelming, but they know that God will provide every penny.  I am learning from the example of their faith.

I plan on blogging in preparation for the trip and during the trip.  Who knows?  Maybe we'll take a group of you down there on another trip...

Did I just say that?

I will say that I am very excited about the opportunity to be involved with this ministry.  

I will share how God forced moved me to be a part of this trip in another post.  For now, I just ask for your prayers for my family, their family and (most importantly) these precious children in Guatemala.

What an amazing gift.

Comments

[Abigail]

I believe that the King will really reward you for this

[Joan]

Prayers going up now! What an amazing opportunity to be part of something heavenly.

Blessings

[SHerri Murphy]

Wow!

Talk about obedience AND sacrifice!

I share your same two fears so I know where you're coming from.

Kudos for putting others before your fears-I know you'll be glad you did.

Looking forward to hearing about your adventures.

[Diane]

You have warmed my heart with your fear and willingness to hand it over to God.
This is good, and it is right. It's just so amazing when we see people so willing to live out like they actually believe what they say they do.
Your description of this family (what? shouldn't they be signing the boys up for baseball instead?) makes me admire them and draws me to pray for them. Not just today, but on going.
Also, I'll look forward to the Only Grace blogs as much as the kitty blogs.
Way to go, B.

[Bethany Ellis]

My mother will identify GREATLY as she reads this! She HATES flying. She's doesn't get just scared... no, she passes into the anger stage pretty quick. Its a wee bit stressful for my dad and me ;).

Praying and hoping you have a great trip. :)

[Amy @ By His Grace]

Prayers...most definetly. I can't believe this is the first I'm hearing of this!

[Tonggu Momma]

Something tells me that you know how much this means to me. This trip will change your life forever.

[Lindsay]

What an amazing gift. The prayers will be flowing for your family and theirs! You can do it Queen B :-)

[Capri Kel]

I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me, I can do all things........
You go Girl!

[Heather]

We have good friends who go to Guatemala often on mission trips (1-2 times a year). They love, love, love it there and miss the people and kids terribly when they're back home. I will pray for you to sense God's peace and for you to fall in love with Guatemala just as my friends have.

[Sara Bowyer]

I am SO excited for you!!! Not only will you see God work through your fears but I know without a doubt it will be life changing for you and your family!

btw, ambien is great for that long flight......just knock yourself out and you won't worry a bit! ha!

[Shannon]

How amazing! I can't wait to hear more about this. Don't worry, we will all be praying for you when you are flying.

[Dana Jones]

Finnu how He works that way. At forst I thought you meant they were giving their six kids to an orphanage in Guatamala and you were going down there to bring back their kids. hee hee! Better read the whole thing....

[Fuschia]

Effectual, fervant prayers on the way!!

I am so excited for you, and your family, and the Carney family, and the orphans, and...well, everyone else involved!

Way to go putting the devil in his place! (that's under your feet, of course) You go in power and love and with a sound mind, leaving the fear behind!!!

[rrmama]

I will be praying for you and for them. What an amazing call from God. I know He will do great things through them.

[Sandy]

I do believe that Monk went to Mexico a few seasons back, so no excuses. I've been out of the country a few times, it's not such a big deal. OK, so I was in Europe and not a third world country, but the 'not in America' part isn't anything to be concerned about. And you have a much better reason for going than I did. Honestly, I'm completely jealous. I'll be praying for you, I want you to have a wonderful time and be completely free from fear. Look what God is doing!

[Sandy]

Oh, and Monk has flown on an airplane, too. So there you have it.

[Erin K.]

I am so excited for you! So! Excited! Do you know what God can do when we lay aside our fears on his behalf? I'm seriously almost giddy to think about it. You will be so blessed through this trip, and you will be such a blessing to others. And I know that you will see the fruit of this in so many areas of your life. Yay God!

This is also a big challenge to me right now, because I think God has been trying to tell me a few things about fears in my own life, so all the encouragement that I just typed for you is a reminder to me. (Funny how that works...)

I can't wait to read more about this!

[jean]

You and everyone involved will be in my prayers. It seems as if God is calling you to stretch your wings and that's a good thing. Scary. Very scary, but good.

[Rebeckah]

God is so amazing, isn't He? I am so thankful for this family's willingness to go and serve. How special. I will pray for them as they begin to raise support.

[Lisa@take90west]

I know that God trusts that you can handle this better than you think you can. You will be better for doing this and I'm so proud of the three of you for taking this leap of faith.
I know I've told you before that children in South America are something I feel so passionately about so I hope one day I too get the chance to make a difference. Because that is exactly what you guys are doing, when you sit and play with those children, shower them with attention or comfort a crying baby, you will be making a difference.
I'm off to read the orphanage's site now!

[Tammy]

What a blessing and a great opportunity to be in the middle of God's presence! You definitely can count on me to be a Palace Prayer Warrior.

I have the same two fears as you (and throw in the ol' snake phobia). Last year, I flew to Japan for my brother's wedding. I am still here. :-)

Blessings.

[CoftheU]

I'm sitting on the beach in Grand Cayman (your mom would be SO jealous!) catching up on blogs I've missed and I'M BAWLING now! Good thing I've been caking on the waterproof mascara this week.

What a wonderful family to do this. I'm envious of their dedication. Very inspirational. BABIES! I cannot think of a more rewarding or CUTE way to serve God, but that's just me.

Lots of prayers and good thoughts to you and the Carney's. It will be a wonderful experience for you all.

Thank you for sharing about this and keep us updated.

[Kara @ Me-Moddy]

Wow. You are definitely being stretched on this one. I can hear that LOUD AND CLEAR from your post. :-) HA! I remember when my hubby asked me to go to Ireland with him for a missions trip and I had very similar aversions to leaving the country and kindly said No thank you. I don't have a fear of flying - I just had no desire to leave the country and be THAT far away from home....EVER. Long story short - I went. I will never be the same. I relished every moment. I would go back in a heartbeat. I will lift you up in prayer! :-) God knows what you need.

[Shannon]

B! I'm so proud of you! (MERCIFUL HEAVENS you know I understand the anxiety. Been there, done that. But your reward will be great.)