In Preparation!

Well, our preparation has resulted in an interesting turn of events.  With MVNU being canceled yesterday and today, we have missed a whopping sixteen hours of seminar preparation!  While meeting for lunch today, the anticipation was definitely high as I think this trip is starting to feel a bit surreal to all going, and with a temperature difference of 118 degrees from Ohio to Belize, I also don't think we could leave any sooner!

One thing that was mentioned today during our meeting was the necessity to listen.  Our supervisors told us there are absolutely some things that we should have learned in seminar that we did not learn (YIKES!), and all we have now to prepare us for the first few days is the three chapters of the textbook we should have already read, each other and our own understanding of ourselves, the situations, the people, and the experiences.  This means we need to be extra cautious about what we see and perceive, what we say and - most importantly - how we respond.  As educators, I think it's safe to say that most of us on this trip don't fear being in front of a crowd or being outgoing (and if you know any of us, I'm sure you can attest!), so I think (and I know this is true for me personally) it will a difficult transition to be a little more reserved, leaning toward an observational approach rather than a teaching approach.  While we 'believe' we are going on this experience to teach, it's interesting to see that we are actually learning - from the natives, from our peers, from our supervisors, from our experiences and from our challenges.  This will be no small feat, but I think we are all eager to see what The Lord has in store for us throughout the adventure!

While reading I came across a quote from our textbook that states, "Perhaps one of the hallmarks of an abiding passion is that is always provokes new thinking and learning."  My prayer for our team as we begin our journey is that we begin to reflect on the passions that we are cultivating throughout this trip, and that we truly begin to see how these passions bring forth new thinking and learning that we can apply not only to our teachings, but also to our lives and to our walks with Christ.  I hope that you join us in this prayer.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares The Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Please be praying for safe travels and good weather conditions.  Also, say an extra prayer for Julia; she's never flown before!

Stay tuned as we meet at 2:45 AM to depart for three weeks of Belizean Bliss!

For those wishing to track our flights, below you will find flight details.  For those of you who may be picking up a loved one from the airport upon arrival back into the United States, please do note the new arrival time in Columbus!

Flight itinerary is as follows:

Delta  2197 08JAN2014 CMH 6:00AM ATL 7:36AM  

DEPART: ( CMH ) Columbus Oh ARRIVE: ( ATL ) Atlanta Ga

Delta  703 08JAN2014 ATL 9:45AM BZE 12:00PM  

DEPART: ( ATL ) Atlanta Ga ARRIVE: ( BZE ) Belize Bz

Delta  664 29JAN2014 BZE12:50PM ATL 4:46PM  

DEPART: ( BZE ) Belize Bz ARRIVE: ( ATL ) Atlanta Ga

Delta  2460 29JAN2014 ATL 7:58P CMH 9:29P  

DEPART: ( ATL ) Atlanta Ga ARRIVE: ( CMH ) Columbus Oh