David,

You are Right ON!

Relationships, Fellowship, that's what mission is about. sharing our joys, our grief, our downs, our ups, our food, our thoughts, our prayers, standing back and letting ours take the lemonlight.

At the beginning of a trip I try to write down my thoughts, my expectations, my dreams, not to see if any are achieved, but so when i write day by day in my journal what actually happens I am reminded God is in charge.

During our final group time together on the last night on a mission trip we all reflect on what did we gain. For many it is a revelation. how God has entered our lives and been with each one separately and together during our journey whether in Nicaragua or Mississippi. We all talk about how different cultures are transcended by Christ. How relationships are built, reinforced, challenged and interceded by God. We come lost thinking we are found and we leave found thinking we were lost.

Every trip I always feel like a thief in the night for I have gained more than i ever give. It's like the parable of the talents. On mission trips we are not afforded the option to bury our talent. Just getting on a plane or into a vehicle removes us from our creature comforts. We are God's risk takers, we lay it all out for him, we are vulnerable, but we go even kicking and screaming, questioning, crying and wondering "why me?" But my observation after nine years and close to 20 trips that the one who protest most is the one who falls first, hardest, longest and becomes our best witness.

Please keep in touch.

Peace, prayers and Love

Paul (Pablo) Jones
First Pres DeLand, Flordia