2/29 (Friday)
5:30 Meet at Scott’s house
6:00 Arrive at Airport in Indy
2:37 Arrival in San Jose
4:30 Welcome to Mission of Hope (Villa Esperanza)
Unpack and get settled in
5:00 Dinner and Dishes
7:00 Orientation meeting
8:00 Schedules and plans
Snacks and Showers
9:00 Lights Out
The thrill of the trip fails to shine through a schedule, but that shouldn’t surprise you, because God loves surprises.
Riding from Scott’s house to the airport with his wife, we talked about their son Noah, his quiet character, their desire and the kind of hopes that parents have for their children. The love this family has for each other filled the car. Courtney missed Scott already, but knew he had to go. In just a few days he would have many stories to share with his family and others for many years.
After dragging hundreds of pounds of school supplies and electrical wire through the airport, we landed in the food court as we waited for the plane. Though we had met several times as a team, we hadn’t built close relationships. That was about to change.
In the first of many such moments, Katy offered to share a word of insight for each of us. That word transported us immediately from a group of individuals into a team, as we realized the unique gift and contribution that each member would bring, and the opportunity to share in the work of God ---if we would believe and expect God to show up.
Anita pointed back to John 17:20-23, how we would be brought together as we experience and shared the Father’s immense love.
5:30 Meet at Scott’s house
6:00 Arrive at Airport in Indy
2:37 Arrival in San Jose
4:30 Welcome to Mission of Hope (Villa Esperanza)
Unpack and get settled in
5:00 Dinner and Dishes
7:00 Orientation meeting
8:00 Schedules and plans
Snacks and Showers
9:00 Lights Out
The thrill of the trip fails to shine through a schedule, but that shouldn’t surprise you, because God loves surprises.
Riding from Scott’s house to the airport with his wife, we talked about their son Noah, his quiet character, their desire and the kind of hopes that parents have for their children. The love this family has for each other filled the car. Courtney missed Scott already, but knew he had to go. In just a few days he would have many stories to share with his family and others for many years.
After dragging hundreds of pounds of school supplies and electrical wire through the airport, we landed in the food court as we waited for the plane. Though we had met several times as a team, we hadn’t built close relationships. That was about to change.
In the first of many such moments, Katy offered to share a word of insight for each of us. That word transported us immediately from a group of individuals into a team, as we realized the unique gift and contribution that each member would bring, and the opportunity to share in the work of God ---if we would believe and expect God to show up.
Anita pointed back to John 17:20-23, how we would be brought together as we experience and shared the Father’s immense love.
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Scott called the opportunity ahead Acts of Discovery: Gifts we never knew before, from the power of the Holy Spirit that lives inside of us. Lisa quipped: “Expect it, believe it.” Part of that belief for me was seeing God in real people, and looking back I’ve learned to appreciate God’s expression much more diversely than ever before, in people I might have not appreciated 10 years ago. Seeing the Father’s love can only happen completely when we are looking, expecting and surrendering our expectations of what that should look like. Bill G. said he hoped that “Everyone would be touched by the heart and soul and essence of God. It’s overwhelming, and when you surrender all…it will ruin you when it happens.”
Later that day, Bill lost an Apple IPhone and DJ’s bag with gifts for the children was lost. We began to loose our sense of control, and began to regain the sense of wonder where one can find God.
After a warm reception by the customs officials who loved our Team shirts, we sailed up the mountain until our ears poped at about 4,000 feet. Dan’s wife Cindy and daughter Holley brought the first of many fabulous and healthy meals at Villa Esperanza (Hope). We talked about the days ahead of us, and by the time lights out came, we were all ready for bed. DJ and I had the first of many precious discussions, as we got to know each other as only brothers can.
It was only day one.
Later that day, Bill lost an Apple IPhone and DJ’s bag with gifts for the children was lost. We began to loose our sense of control, and began to regain the sense of wonder where one can find God.
After a warm reception by the customs officials who loved our Team shirts, we sailed up the mountain until our ears poped at about 4,000 feet. Dan’s wife Cindy and daughter Holley brought the first of many fabulous and healthy meals at Villa Esperanza (Hope). We talked about the days ahead of us, and by the time lights out came, we were all ready for bed. DJ and I had the first of many precious discussions, as we got to know each other as only brothers can.
It was only day one.
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