Trusting God to Go
We simply needed to have willing hands and surrendered hearts.
By: Tracy Allen, Elementary School Principal
Twenty years ago, Dr. Alb, founder and leader of Medical Missions Ministries in Guatemala, was a guest pastor at Perimeter Church. Dr. Alb passionately shared about his ministry and implored the congregation to share the Good News with the nations. In Dr. Alb’s closing prayer, he asked if anyone would stand and commit to visiting Guatemala. My husband and I were newlyweds and had not discussed a mission trip to Guatemala, yet the Lord instantly stirred in our hearts. Without hesitation, we both stood.
Within a year, I was pregnant with twins and life as a young family took over. For years, our desire to go on a mission trip was pushed to the back burner. There always seemed to be a reason or season that kept us from our commitment. It was not until we experienced the incredible blessing of the Medical Missions Trip that we realized we were held back for the wrong reasons.
My children are too young to go on a mission trip.
That is certainly true for some. However, a large group of fourth - eighth graders joined our trip, and they were a fantastic age to contribute. Students as young as nine years old served as dental assistants and pharmacy runners. The children in Guatemala flocked to our students while their parents received medical care. Our older students joined counseling stations and prayed for the needs of His people. What a life-shaping experience for our children to listen and watch their parents share the gospel!
Our summer is already so full.
If so, would you consider a mission trip in place of your yearly beach trip? Rally your Perimeter friends and grow in relationship as you serve together. After a morning in the villages, your late afternoons/evening are free for debriefing, playing, and dinner. There is even a day for hiking a volcano on horseback! We found our mission trip to be far more fulfilling and even more relaxing than our beach vacation weeks earlier. The Lord immensely blessed our time together, and we thoroughly enjoyed connecting with other Perimeter families. Together, experience the incredible joy of serving the nations!
We will not be able to raise that much support.
This is a valid hesitation. But God. As a family of five, our support goal seemed practically impossible. We would surely need to pay a large portion ourselves. Through generous donors, scholarships, and creative fundraising, the Lord provided abundantly. Raising support is a wonderful way to engage your child in the process. As a family, you have the exciting opportunity to pray, trust, and celebrate as the Lord works.
This is out of my comfort zone.
You will be in good company. Each morning of the trip, Dr. Alb shared a powerful devotional before we left for the villages. Again and again, he reminded our teams that it was the power of the Holy Spirit doing the work. We simply needed to have willing hands and surrendered hearts. If we allow our weaknesses to paralyze us, the enemy wins. We could easily miss out on experiencing the mighty work of the Lord unless we step forward and trust. And that mighty work may be in us!
What may be holding you back? While in Guatemala, my husband and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. After experiencing the impact it had on our family and the people served, we quickly regretted that we waited so long. I highly encourage you to take a step by praying if this is your time to serve the Lord in Guatemala.
Visit Perimeter Church’s GO Journeys page for more information about upcoming mission trips. And stay tuned for more information about specific Perimeter School trips.
