Many of you have questions about my latest mission trip coming up so this is my way of keeping all of you involved all at once. I cannot write breathtaking poetry, or humorous blogs for that matter so bear with me on this. I also do not use clever catchphrases or large words. Bummer, I know but hey, this isn't about me trying to entertain the world. This is about me telling those I love about how God is working in my life. Simple as that. So stay simple with me.
After last year's trip to Haiti, I decided that missions work is where my heart lies. In September, my friends Buzz and Clifann called me with the proposal of going to Trinidad for a missions trip this June. Knowing that missions was something I felt called to do, I was on board. My only hesitance was deciding how long to stay: a week, for the summer, or maybe for even longer.
As most of you know I am currently student teaching and will be graduating in May with a degree in Elementary Education. WooWoo. I figure this is a good time of my life to take a chunk out of it and do what I am passionate about. Whether that chunk is a month or two or maybe even six, what better way to spend it than glorifying my Father? Who knows, this could be the door to a whole new world of wonder. After much prayer and sleepless nights of possibilities creeping into my head; I decided to book a one way ticket. Ta-Da.
So as I sit here, exactly twelve weeks before take off, I realize I have a lot left on my "to-do" list. For instance, when I initially shared my news with my family and close friends it suddenly became apparent that I did not have the answers they needed. This is me "winging it" as my dad would say. However I like to chime in that yes, this is me winging it...but winging it based on Faith, which makes all of the difference. This is much more than Katie Kemp, the spontaneous 21 year old (which is also true of me). No, this is something different indeed. I'm not sure in what way other than this is God, and God's way.
So here are some answers for my fellow friends: June 14th, 2012 I hop on a plane in Wichita, KS and hop off a plane in Port of Spain, Trinidad. For the first week of my stay, I will be accompanied by other lovely people from my congregation and we will be doing some labors of love; rebuilding an old school, loving on orphans, swatting mosquitoes etc. After their week has been filled with all kinds of wonderful goodness from God, they hop on a plane back to Kansas and I will shed a tear as I wave them off (or so I imagine). While down there I will be staying in Cliffann's parents' home. I will have internet access and a phone to call home whenever I need. The rest is a blank page, or maybe chapter, or book. This being my whole purpose of booking a one way ticket: having options. So maybe when I look back in 5 years I'll be sharing with someone about "...that time when I did missions work in Trinidad for four weeks" or "six months" or "three days" but regardless, I will be sharing my story...however short or long that story may be.
Twelve weeks. So much to do. I am so busy with student teaching and working a part time job that I often don't have time to go through my "to-do" list until I lay down at night. Most recently I have noticed my sleep being substituted with a long check list of things I need to do, things I have done or haven't done in order to begin this wonderful adventure. Bible: check. Passport: check. Immunizations: check. Emergency Q-Tip Supply: check. Cat: well.... Finances: ummmm.... and this is when sleep refuses to come my way. When I realize that no, I do not have a home for my cat or my beautiful angel fish. No, I do not have my finances figured out. As my stomach starts to turn with the realization that I have no idea what I'm doing, that I have no idea how to be a missionary, that I don't have any of this figured out, I switch on my nifty little smartphone and open up my bible app. And then my heart finds peace with Philippians 4:19 "My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." My heart finds peace because my God will provide.
This doesn't mean I can sit on the fence and watch the game play out. No, it means that I must be an active player and a hard worker, and then my God will provide as he sees fit. So I find peace, and sleep, knowing that my calico cat and angel fish will have a home come June 14th. I find peace, and sleep, knowing that finances will fall into place as He sees fit. I find peace in knowing that I, thankfully, am not in charge. Thankfully.
One last thing I want to leave with you. Matthew 5:16 has been seeping from my pores most recently and it seems to be my theme these last few weeks. "...Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Love it. Love it. Love it. We all come from different walks of life and are all called to do different works of God. I feel that mine is missions work. But your work may be with children. Your work may be with elders, criminals, hungry, sick, or wealthy. It may be with poor people or it may be people with poor personalities. I truly believe that no matter what our job title is; whether it be a bank teller, police officer, cashier, janitor, school teacher, nurse, or coach, we are given everyday the opportunity to be a blessing and let our light shine before others. Regardless what season of life we are in, we can all shine. I could throw you all kinds of scripture that relates to missions work and makes me feel secure in my decision but I want all of you; you that I love, to ponder on your light and whether or not it is shining on others in your life. I encourage you to focus on this as I focus on this very same thing. I encourage you to shine on. Super cheesy, I know, but I will stand by it. Shine On.
So now that I have typed your ear off, I do apologize. I understand that you are all very busy people and I thank you for not falling asleep on me (Ryan) as I bore you with my latest jibber jabber. I plan on creating some kind of t-shirt to sell in order to raise funds and I will keep you all posted with updates.
Xoxo,
Kate
