I have been wrestling with the term ‘short-term mission trip’ and well, do not agree that this is what this team has been called to. Now hear me out on this….having been to Nigeria, Haiti, Mexico serving the poor and needy and having experienced this 2017 St. Francis South Africa team coming together,  I do believe that each team member has been called to something more specific – to a ‘Vision Experience’:

Vision (or Exposure) Trips – a focused intentional time where we ask God to open our hearts to the plight of the poor.  What the eye has not seen the heart cannot grieve over. So, it’s natural that when people find themselves face to face with poverty for the first time, something significant happens. The rest of our lives are irrevocably shaped by what we have witnessed. We gain Vision. ( from craiggreefield.com)

Being called to help coordinate and lead the trip, it is simply amazing to see how God brings a team of 18 together where no one on the team had a clue this time last year they would know each other, let alone be traveling a long, long flight with each other.

Only a crazy cool orchestra director – God – could pull this trip together.  I return for a third trip and each time weigh heavily whether this is the right time with a brother I care for, my husband’s business, my elderly mother..you get the idea of needing to discern.   There though, comes a time for that “YES”. And when that yes comes, the way is made clear. So it is with the 17 others that I will be traveling with. They have discerned and said “yes” and the path has been made clear.

So let’s meet the team:  18 members:  two father daughter duos; one mother daughter duo, one priest, one married person called to travel solo while his wife is at home working and five married couples and seven returning team members. Occupations and passions are as varied as can be yet themes show up: students,  passion for children, passion for farming, passion for service, medical professionals – a doctor, a nurse, a nurse practitioner, a music practitioner, a medical speech pathologist, a physical therapist and executives and our priest Father Ray being called back to “re-connect” for a third year; or as I have a hunch – to help each of us re-connect deeper to our Triune God.

And one thing we all have in common – we simply are not looking forward to a 17 hour flight and an over 24 hour day to get to the place God has called us.

One thing is for certain, this is a trip with such beautiful willing hearts who are READY and open to the unknown God has called us to.  One this is for sure,  vision being changed forever.

We do appreciate your prayers for us and the Blessman staff – here and in South Africa and for the lives and experiences we will encounter.

Thanks for journeying with us!!  Click here to meet our team:  team-blog-page-2