24 Hours

finding a 24 hour slot that works for 12 different individuals can be very tough.  each year that i've gone to cambodia, we've managed to find a time to come together for 24 hours and.....unite.  communicate.  listen.  learn.  hear.  focus.

 there is so much going on in our lives, all around us, all the time, that it's important, vital, to come together to focus on what we've been brought together to do. and as different as we all are, we have the common goal of feeling the pull to this far away land to go and make a difference in these children's lives.

this weekend consisted of a lot of talking, a lot of sharing, a lot of planning, a lot of listening and lots and lots of calorie consumption from sweets, treats, pizza and chips.  and gallons of coffee.  okay, maybe not gallons, but we consumed a mighty fair share of it.

we spent hours (24, to be exact) getting to know one another better and allowing ourselves to be open and honest.  we broke up into our groups to prepare for our week with the kids.  this always gets me giddy.  i begin to think about the children's smiles, their laughter, their hugs.  i think about how they will listen and learn.  i also crack up thinking of how they will dance, sing, run and play while we are there.  kids are kids wherever you go!  these kids are full of fun!  they will completely wear us out.

and we will love it.

just like each year that i've gone, this 24 hour retreat together is what truly begins my trip.  it's when i start to see the clay forming into something.  i can feel us being molded, shaped and shifted.  i still don't know what the final piece will look like, but i have no doubt it will be beautiful.  how can it not be?  we have the best Potter doing all the work.

within this 24 hours, there was plenty of laughter and even a few tears.  it always amazes me how people can come together for a common goal and unite as one. just average, ordinary, simple people.  at least that is how we start.  however, it's the average, ordinary and simple people that God uses time and time again to make a difference.  to carry out His purpose.  to be His hands and feet.  i'm speaking for myself when i say that i know i would not be able to do this work on my own.  nowhere near it.  but i do know, that with these 11 others and God's simple nudge in His direction, we can do some really great things.


“God does not call the qualified, but qualifies the called.”  -Bill Hamon


i am so grateful to those who are praying for our group.  i'm thankful for our financial givers.  and i'm thankful for our spouses, parents, children and loved ones who are allowing, encouraging and pushing us to go on this journey.  without all of you, we would not be able to go.  it takes us all to make this work.  so, thank you.

24 hours may not seem like much, but it's the beginning of something really great.  and i, we, you, are all a part of it.  we are in this together.  there is a lot that can happen in 24 hours.  let's see what God allows us to do within our time in cambodia.