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Wednesday, January 25, 2006

To go or not to go, that is the question

Well, I have a prayer request for you. As you all know, Missions Fest was this last weekend and conveniently Passports (the info about my church's summer missions teams) came out a few weeks ago. This means that missions are at the forfront of everyone's mind these days. I find myself surrounded by people talking about where they want to go or where they are going and so on. I was not one of these people. You could say I was in my own category of people that were talking about where they would go if they could go but weren't planning on going anywhere (did that make sense?). Two things were keeping me from seriously thinking about a summer missions teams: vacation time and the HS California trip. I am already going to Kuaui in September for a week so that only leaves me with one week of paid vacation left to play around with and since most of the teams are 2 weeks that could pose a slight problem. Also, I've been kicking around the idea of going to Cali with the high schoolers being as I am a mentor and it would be fun to hang out with the kids for a week in sunny SoCal.

However, lately I feel like I've been hearing more about summer mission teams, specifically the Slovenia team. Let me tell you why. First, my roommate Annie went on the team last year so I've heard all about her trip and how great it was and the fun she had. Before Christmas I went with her to hear a guy (David maybe?) that was working with the Josiah Venture team in Slovenia share what he had been up to for the last year and a half. That was fun, I was able to see what they do over there and find out just what kind of ministry they have. It looked very interesting. A few weeks ago she asked me if I was thinking of going on a team this summer and I told her "not really" (for the above mentioned reasons) and she told me that I should think about the Slovenia team because it seemed like it would be right up my alley. I also hang out a lot with Kristin Gibb who not only works with Global Outreach but is also helping lead the Slovenia team this summer along with Brandon Gentry who just happens to be the leader of my high school team (GO BLUE TEAM!). So, when I think about it, I am totally surrounded right now with people who are excited about the Slovenia team. I should add that I know some of the other people that are going and they would be super fun to be on a team with.

Anyway, I sure don't want to presume anything but I wonder if the Lord is trying to tell me something by putting these various people, events and experiences in my life right now. I love working with kids and I REALLY love doing camps so maybe Annie was right about this particular mission being right up my alley. Oh, and did I mention I love Europe? I know that shouldn't be a deciding factor, but it can't it play a role? Even a small one? :) And I just love being on a team and building that commraderie with each other and all the fun and growing experiences that come with it.

I don't know how well I've done at getting all the thoughts in my head out to you but I tried and I hope it all makes sense. So I would just like to ask that you pray for this decision that is weighing on my mind right now. It's a pretty big decision and I don't want to treat it lightly. I want to totally surrender to God and do what He wants me to, be it going to Slovenia, somewhere else, or staying home and supporting those that go. And I know if He wants me to go He will provide a way for it to work out, He's pretty amazing like that.

So, thank you for your prayers! I love you all!

Tabs

5 comments:

Sean said...

I totally get what you're saying Tabitha...for me it's kind of tough when I'm making a decision like that because it's hard to tell sometimes if the fact that I'm drawn to the mission is a "sean thing" or a "God thing" Anyway, you bet I'll keep it in prayer. God Bless.

Alison said...

Brandon and I have been talking this week about how great it would be to have you on the team, as you already know. We'll keep praying about it for you. Oh yeah, did you know that camp is going to be in a castle? On a lake? :)

Tabs said...

Haha, thanks for making this easier Alison. Your the best! ;) Seriously, though, you both really are great and I appreciate that you thought of me for this team and for keeping this in your prayers. I turned in my passport, thought I could at least get my name on the list. Now we'll just have to wait and see where God leads (and Lenny says). :)

Anonymous said...

T-Babe, you are going to be sooooooo proud of me.... I went running 3 times this week!!! Woo hoo!!! Isn't that, like, a miracle? I think it would qualify as an act of God on an insuarance form, seriously... Plus, David, who worked in Slovenia, I got to meet him when I spent my fall vacation with the Jacksons. (Its kind of funny, that I needed a vacation condidereing where I was, ahahaha... but still...) Say hi to him if you or your oh so fabulous roommate see him. Love you girl. You never called me back!!! :( Kisses. Slovenia rocks my world. And it will rock yours too.

Unknown said...

:-) A castle on a lake in Austria that I also love... you would be a mere 8 hours from me... I was already excited about seeing Kristin... hint hint hint.. .not to pressure you... but I will be praying for you. :)