Go.

The call seems so strong.

Go. Go to Guatemala, and be the hands and feet of Jesus. Go serve with passion and purpose, knowing that the Lord is going before you and is with you every step of the way.

Then why has the journey to get here been so hard?

Let me tell you a story.

I remember sitting on the bench outside of Dr. Bradshaw’s office at 7:30 in the morning each day during the fall semester of my freshmen year to work on my homework (lol #ambitiousfreshman). Dr. Bradshaw (true to character) struck up a conversation with me. That exchange ended with this statement: “Elizabeth, you should apply for the Guatemala team.” And the rest was history.

As I sit here in Guatemala right now, I’m reminded of how thankful I am for this mission trip. Being a part of this team for three years has been one of my only constants of my time here at Lipscomb. Semesters bring about new classes, new friends, healing and brokenness, but the Guatemala team has been the community that has been there through it all. Through this trip, I have been reminded of my passion for medicine, and the physical and spiritual healing it can provide.

This year started out just like every other year. Our team started meeting in early October, and we spent a ton of time building community and preparing for the adventure that awaited us. GoFundme pages started popping up all over my Facebook page––everything seemed to be pretty normal.

Then, as is typical of junior year, everything hit the fan:
-Due to unforeseen circumstances, our trip cost went up less than a month before we were set to depart.
-The State Department raised the travel threat level from level 2 (sure –– go ahead and travel) to level 3 (ehh –– probably shouldn’t travel).
-Everyone (and I mean everyone) on our trip has had the HARDEST two weeks leading up to the trip –– a variety of commitments, tests and heartbreak pushed us all to our limits.
-Less than 48 hours before we left, our sweet leader Dr. Bradshaw found out that due to a family emergency, he would not be making the trip.

what.
in.
the.
world.

So here I am, fully aware that I have not processed all of the things that have happened. I’ve been asking myself this question: If the call to go is so strong, then why has it been so difficult to go?

It’s hard to be in a season of life that feels this broken. I’ve found myself a little frustrated with God. His will seems so clear, yet I feel like every possible obstacle is keeping me from it.

So what’s next?

I’m stating the things I know are truth:

I believe spiritual warfare is real. I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that there are forces that did not want us going to Guatemala.

yet, we still go.

I believe the call to heal the broken is often unsafe. It’s wild, it’s dangerous.

yet, we still go.

I believe the devil HATES true community because he knows how powerful it can be to break the chains of loneliness and doubt. I believe he will do ANYTHING to shake our sure footing to keep us from seeing the Spirit at work.

yet, we still go.

The Lord has put one thought on my mind that has changed my life: moment-by-moment dependence. It’s become my prayer.

When life is falling apart,
Lord, give us a moment-by-moment dependence on you

When the spiritual warfare is obvious and scary,
Lord, give us a moment-by-moment dependence on you

When the brokenness of the past and the worries of the future cloud our minds,
Lord, give us a moment-by-moment dependence on you

As I sit here in Guatemala, I know one more truth: The Spirit is moving here. He is alive and working through this community. The devil can try all he wants, but the Lord has already won. He’s winning hearts, and He’s bringing healing. Most importantly, He’s reminding us all that the best way to live is to live dependent on Him, moment by moment, every single second for the rest of our lives. I won’t be in Guatemala in a few days, but that lesson carries far beyond the confines of any spring break mission trip. And praise God for that.

Open our eyes, Oh, Lord. Give us a moment-by-moment dependence on you.

Then, Go.

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