"It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door. You step into the Road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off too.” The Fellowship of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien
This quote, spoken by Gandalf the Gray, is how I often feel about our annual summer trek. Most years the trip is about connecting with ministry partners and sharing with new people the ministry of TECH. Our goal is always that they would be encouraged by what God is doing through TECH Team and that God would be glorified. We almost always have a solid plan of where we will be and with whom we will meet. Most years things pan out pretty close to schedule. This year was not one of those years.
Some years the process is easy but this year it seemed to be a struggle. Plans just were not coming together. But we also knew we needed to take the trip. As planning progressed, we had meetings confirmed for the beginning and the end of the trip, but the middle never really came together. Due to cancelations and summer travel conflicts, we had about two weeks where there was nothing planned. We were able to relax and enjoy one another's company and Eric was able to work remotely. And with the funeral in the middle, even most of the ones at the end of the trip were canceled due to travel constraints.
I struggled as the trip unfolded with the effectiveness of the ministry. But I believe God calls us to be faithful, not effective. Looking back, I see that the meetings we did have were fruitful. The pastors, people, and project we were able to spend time with were encouraged as we were able to speak into their lives and ministry. The fellowship was sweet, and the conversation was genuine. In between we had a lot of down time.
This year as we were planning, I just kept getting this sense that we just needed to enjoy the time together. Coming out of a hectic spring and with Katie starting a new job this fall, we were feeling pulled in several directions. Often this trip is about seeing God minister to others. This year, I think He was leading is to take a Sabbath of sorts, to take a respite. While the down time is not what we intended, I believe He used the time for soul care and for Him to minister to us.
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