GodandMe2theMax

No greater joy...

“I have no greater joy than to hear of my children walking in the truth.”
III John 1:4

 

As we prepared to go to Africa, this is the verse that kept running through my head.  In my mind, though, the phrase was “than to see my children walking in truth…I have no greater joy than to SEE THEM walk in truth...”  And from this mom’s perspective, seeing my children live out their faith on foreign soil was a visual image I wanted to invade my memory, never to leave.

You see, in 25 years of marriage and 20 years of having children in our lives, we have never had our entire family of four on the mission field together.  I have been overseas with Frank about 4 times, one of those times with Amber & Frank, 6 other times with just Amber, a bunch of other times without anyone in the family with me, but never have either one of us been able to serve overseas with all four of us.  (And in case you’re not keeping track, that means the missing element has always been Jacob.)  Not only was this trip a dream come true, but we both believed it was a mandate from God to allow Jacob this opportunity before he graduates and moves on in his next phase of life.  We also knew another opportunity like this was quite unlikely, so trust me when I say that I did my best to soak it all in and savor the moments and memories.

Jacob is…well, let’s just say he’s a typical teenager.  He is anxious to conquer the world, but if I try to offer advice along the way, it is too often quickly discarded as irrelevant and unfounded.  Hanging out with mom is something he does only under duress, and I suspect that isn’t going to change until he really lives the hard-knocks life of adulthood.  I believe that one day, he will realize mom is one of his biggest advocates, and I’m clinging to that tenet!  Until then, he remains a typical teenager who tomorrow morning will begin his last “first day of school”. 

I look at him and wonder how that bright eyed, silky haired boy with the big dimples turned into a big-haired mustache wearing almost 18 year old.

Alas, I digress.  Forgive this mom for the reminiscing.

Back to Africa… 

It was our last day of ministry, and in fact, it was our last day before we started our return to Texas.  We were to leave early the next morning, and the one memory I had hoped for had not yet been made:  I had yet to hear Jacob share his faith -- not even once during the entire trip.

Early on in the trip, Frank was able to go out with him; Amber had teamed up with him a few times; and even Dr. Vance, one of our other team members was able to go out with him one day.  But me?  Nope.  Jacob wanted nothing to do with that idea, and in fact, he vetoed the opportunity when it was presented.  Providentially though, on that last day, we were a bit short on translators.  That my friends, was about the best news anyone could have told me.  Not only did we spend the day together, but an added bonus: Amber also joined with us.  (Frank was at East Africa Christian College finishing up the class he was teaching, so I am the sole possessor of this priceless parental memory!)

Our translator Willfred was on a mission, no pun intended.  He knew where he was taking us, and it’s probably good he didn’t tell us ahead of time.  We crossed the road and followed him on an adventure that none of us will forget.

It was clear that the only way to forge this hike was with high steps through the fields. 

Our guide had a brisk pace, and we all had our eyes on the ground, trying to dodge the cattle dung.  We trekked down the side of a cliff-like ravine, crossed the stream, and then we pressed on up, up, up the mountain. 

I lagged behind the others as I tried to snap some pictures to capture this experience.  By the time we stopped at our first home, we weren’t at the ‘top’ of the mountain, but we were definitely a lot closer than I ever thought we’d get!

The above pictures is with full zoom, looking down on where the church is located.  
When I snapped this, we weren't even all the way up the mountainside yet!

 

As I said earlier, our translator was on a mission.  Every step up that mountain was intentional.  Willfred knew exactly where we were going and why:  to tell his friends about the Lord.  We came upon a central area where we were met by some of his friends. 

In Swahili, Willfred explained that we had come to Tanzania to share with them, and together, they went and gathered together all the extended family who were available to listen.  We must have had about 8 adults and 15 kids that finally gathered around – maybe more.  They were all waiting to hear from these strange white people.  (I’m pretty sure some of those children had never seen a white person, but you’ll have to wait until the next blog entry for that story.)

With all the extended mountain family together, it was determined that I should be the one to share with them first.  I shared my testimony of how as a small child, I made the most important decision I could ever have made:  the decision to put my faith and trust in Jesus.  I went on to share the specifics of what the Bible says about becoming a Christian, and Amber then shared the Evangecube with them.  She started out by asking what they knew about a man named Jesus.  Their response: They knew nothing; in fact, they had never even heard His name.  Can you even imagine that?  We live here in the USA where most of us hear the name of Jesus being taken in vain nearly every day.  Yet these people had never even heard the greatest story ever told – the story of Jesus and His unending bountiful love for us!

As Amber shared, they hung on her every word.  Before she even finished, one of the adults interrupted and said, “I want that for me.  How do I get this free gift of salvation for me?”  Wise beyond her years, Amber is ever-so-cautious of leading someone in a prayer without them fully understanding the commitment that it means.  So she finished articulating the Gospel to make sure they fully understood what it meant to put your faith and trust in Christ and accept His free gift of salvation.  Then each family member, along with some of the older children bowed their heads and prayed a simple prayer of forgiveness, confession, and commitment.  

 

The angels rejoiced; this mom did too, because I have no greater joy than to see my children walk in the truth.

The next home we visited was just a little further up the mountain. (We didn't think it was possible, but it was!)

It was a similar scenario as the last hut:  Willfred had us stop in a central area while he gathered up all the extended family so we could share with a max amount of people possible.  At this hut, however, it was Jacob’s turn to share why we came to Tanzania.  He opened up the Evangecube, and as he began to speak, this momma’s heart was about to explode with pride. 

I watched in silence; I listened intently; I pinched myself.  At times, Jacob would struggle to find the right words.  As if they could read each other’s minds, he just had to glance over at his sister, as if to make an invisible “tag” for her to take over.  Then and only then, would she jump in to bridge the words he struggled to find. 

And as soon as the thought was complete, she in turn would invisibly tag him back, allowing him the ability to take the lead in sharing the Gospel.  It happened like that about three times, maybe four.  If telepathic tag-team witnessing was an Olympic event, they would have won the gold medal, hands down. 

Sometimes you wonder if it is really worth it...all the hours you pour into your children trying to "train them up in the way they should go."  You wonder if they really "get it" and if anything you have taught them really sinks deep.  Of course I know it's always worth it, but it was at that moment, as I watched my children lead others to Christ that I said a silent prayer.  I thanked God for allowing me the privilege of witnessing my children share their faith....not my faith, but their own personal faith.  And I thanked God for answering my prayer to see it happen.

There are truly no other words to express the overflow of emotion in my heart when I say, “I have no greater joy than to see my children walking in the truth.”

 

 

-- Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

Observations from Amsterdam...

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  
Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery...
You, my brothers, wre called to be free.  
But do not use  your freedom to indulge the sinful nature;
rather, serve one another in love.  
The entire law is summed up in a single command:  
'Love your neighbor as yourself.' "  
Galatians 5:1, 13-14

 

For those who are my friends on Facebook, you know that I've spent the last week primarily in The Netherlands.  The purpose of the trip was for work, but I had the privilege of going in a few days early with a friend so I could see the city.  
I've been through the airport in the past, but I've never been able to go experience the Dutch culture, and this was my perfect opportunity.  

But as I reflect on my time there, I have some observations to share...

First, most Americans are lazy.  
OK, I really can't fairly speak for the majority of Americans, but I can speak for myself -- I am lazy.  There, I said it.  Over the last week, I walked and hiked more than I have in the entire last year, and that even includes the walking conducted on past shopping excursions (that's a lot, by the way!).  

When I want to go somewhere in the USA, I jump in the car and take off.  I don't use public transportation.  And, I definitely never consider jumping on my bike that is hanging in my garage, probably full of cobwebs, untouched since our move to this house 5 years ago.

But in Amsterdam, a motorized vehicle is a minority.  Bicycles, well they are the majority.  There are multi-level parking garages full of them.  There are no cars in the garages; no, they are 100% full of every kind of bicycle you can imagine.  Old, new, locked, unlocked, and probably some broke ones, too.

 

And that leads me to my next observation.  In Amsterdam, pedestrians do not have the right of way.  Ever.  Although I never saw an accident while I was there, I did experience my friends saving my life time and time again.  Just when I thought it was safe to cross the street, someone grabbed me to hold me back, because a bus, taxi, or more often, 50 bicyclists were about to converge on the same area where my feet were headed.

 

 

Third, Amsterdam has some pretty delectible treats to offer.  
From the Stroupe Waffles I brought home with me, to the breads, and the incredible fresh fruits, combined with the various pastries, well, let's just say that this girls's sweet tooth was pretty content.  My favorite meal was at this place below.  The man in the picture makes fresh crepes with each order. My friend and I each ordered a different crepe and then split them, so we could try them both.  So by the time I left, I had a half of a mozzarella crepe, a half of a strawberry crepe, topped with nutella and chocolate, and then finally, for desert, I had a pastry filled with strawberries, nutella, chocolate, ice cream and real whipped cream.  My taste buds thanked me for taking them.  My hips did not.

 

 

Next observation: Amsterdam is a beautiful city.  Truly, some of the features are incredible and the architecture is gorgeous!  I love the way that parts of the old city has seemingly stopped in time.

On top of that, Amsterdam hosts the Anne Frank house.  I could have spent hours upon hours reading and re-reading the excerpts from the Diary of Anne Frank as I toured the house she and her family hid in.  The outside of the house was under renovation, so the only shot I got was this one below.  No pictures were permitted inside, just like in the Van Gogh museum, so you'll have to go for yourself to check it out.  It's a must see, and you also really need to buy tickets in advance if you don't want to wait forever in line for a timed entrance.

However, as beautiful as this city is, I guarantee you I could live the rest of my life without passing another sex shop or storefront selling "magic mushrooms", and in doing so, I would be fully complete.  

Depending on what list you read, Amsterdam either tops the list of the ten most sinful cities in the world or at least ranks in the top 5.  While I was there, I took a canal cruise, and the recording that told about the sites in the city said something like this, "Amsterdam was founded by a group of citizens wanting freedom.  Amsterdam is not known for its great churches and cathedrals, but rather for its red-light district."  

Friends, from my observation, let me tell you, this is a true statement.  Dispersed between the souvenir shops and restaurants downtown is every kind of immoral site you can imagine.  I saw a sign that said, "The sex workers do not want to be photographed."  I passed by at least one "Sex Museum", probably multiple ones.  Mechanical things I can't really describe in this blog were openly on display in windows.  I walked across a sidewalk with a sculpture of a woman's breasts with a man's hand on one of them, which of course seemed completely appropriate, given the city I was visiting.

In The Fault in Our Stars, John Green wrote, "Some tourists think Amsterdam is a city of sin, but in truth, it is a city of freedom.  And in freedom, most people find sin."  

As I think about this quote, I realize the depth of truth it offers.  Freedom.  As a Christian, I believe Christ died to give us freedom, freedom in Him.  He doesn't impose His will on me; I have a choice.  I can choose to pursue fleshly desires and live a life of sin, or I can choose to deny self and follow Christ.  And I have to ask, which one offers true freedom?

When you're surrounded by the "norm" being the antithesis of everything you believe in, the freedom of choosing sin over Christ is a real possibility for even the most seasoned Christian.  I found myself quoting Scripture about renewing my mind and taking every thought captive.  When you're in a foreign land, the enemy quickly whispers, "no one is watching."  Now don’t worry, I didn't visit any inappropriate places while I was there, nor was I even really tempted to do so.  But I did find my mind wandering with curse words being the first thought to enter my brain when I would hit my head on a short doorframe, which is quite unlike me.  (Another observation - the Dutch are apparently not very tall people, and I have several knots on my noggin to support that observation!)  In short (pun intended), It's easy to let your guard down without even knowing you've done it.  

I Corinthians 6:12 says, "Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial.  Everything is permissible, but I will not be mastered by anything."  So I wonder how many freedom seeking people involved in this lifestyle are mastered by it.  I would venture to say there are many addicted, and the freedom they think they have is really no freedom at all.  In reality, they are slaves to the sin.  The Bible says in Hebrews that sin is fun for a season.  Proverbs 16:25 says "There is a way that appears to be right, but the end is death."  

I Peter 5:8 says we have to be sober and alert because the enemy is prowling around looking to devour us.  So my challenge to you (and myself) today is from these Scriptures:

2 Corinthians 10:5 "Demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ."  

Romans 12:-2  "Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you will be able to prove what is good and acceptable and pleasing to God."

Am I perfect?  No, of course not.  I am a sinner, saved by God's grace.  And please understand I'm not trying to write this with a premise of being a "holier than thou" Christian who does no wrong.  Lord knows that is far from the truth, and if in doubt, just ask my kids who will quickly write an expose on their mother.  

I just want to be the best Beth that I can be in God's eyes, through His strength, not my own.  Even in the midst of the evil, there was so much beauty in Amsterdam that my heart felt a pang about leaving.  But that's how satan works, you know?  Because my final observation is that it doesn't take much for satan to get a foothold on a little piece of your heart, and that little piece can easily turn into a big hunk, and eventually he'll claim squatters rights on a large oversized portion.  His control slowly grows as I let him.

I'll close with one of my favorite songs that I keep on my playlist.  It's by Casting Crowns, and it's called "Slow Fade."  All it takes is for satan to get just a little piece of your heart, and from there, it's a slow fade, so slow, that we often don't even realize it's happened until we've messed up so badly that we hit rock bottom.

Be cautious.  As cautious as pedestrians crossing the road in Amsterdam.  Don't take one step into the street when possible danger (or a bicycle) is headed your way.  Look left.  Look right.  And look left again.  Do a double, even a triple take, because as quickly as bicycles appeared out of nowhere with the intent to run me over, satan himself will attempt to do the same thing.  

 

Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray 
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray 
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

 

--- Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

 

 

Prepare the Way...

"A voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord!  Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.  Every valley shall be raised up; every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.  And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all the people will see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."  
Isaiah 40:3-5

It was the trip of a lifetime, really...a dream come true for Amber and I to be able to go work with orphans in Zambia with one of my long-time clients and friends, Greer and Susan Kendall (Family Legacy Missions International.)  Every detail from how it came to be, our airfare, and even a small safari was God-provided.  I knew God was going to do great things on this trip; I had no doubt of that.  But God had plans far beyond my mind's imagination.  The name of the program was called CAMP LIFE, and to be honest, I really didn't know exactly how all that was going to work, only that I would be pouring myself into children who needed to experience love and hear about the love of the Father.  The theme for CAMP LIFE this year was from Isaiah 40:3-5 "Prepare the way of the Lord."  Although He prepared each step of this trip for us, let me just say that He also kept us on a "need to know" basis pretty much the whole trip.  He definitely prepared the way...I just didn't have access to all the details in advance!  So to say I was excited about the trip is an understatement, but I might also add that I was a bit apprehensive at even the thought of CAMP.  CAMP is a four-letter word, you know.  At least in the Beth Banfill dictionary.  Feel free to add to that list of bad words "bugs".  Physical exertion, CAMP, roughing it, and anything of the sort were all part of the trip's unknown elements, and if you know me, I like to be "in the know."  

That "need to know" basis started with our safari at the front-end of the trip.  All I knew was that once we landed in the capital city of Lusaka, Zambia on Thursday, July 4th in the morning, Amber and I would meet our friend at the airport, drop off our six bags of supplies with her, and then catch a connecting flight to Livingstone, Zambia.  Mind you, we left on Tuesday, July 2nd, so that's a lot of hours of straight travel, but we were excited and ready.  Everything went as planned, including navigating the London underground and train system without any mishaps during our full day-layover in London.  

Once we landed in Lusaka and cleared customs, we were handed our itinerary, and within 90 minutes, we were boarding a very small domestic plane to Livingstone.  The airline was called "Pro Flight", and let's just say you can't buy their tickets here in the good old USA.  I definitely spent some time in prayer both before take-off, in-flight, and at landing, but all was well, and we even were served a snack and drink on board.  A driver met us at the airport and took us to our hotel.  Until that morning, I wasn't even sure of the name of the hotel we were booked at!  To our amazement, we arrived to find that the property hosted zebras, giraffes, monkeys, gazelle, baboons, and even a crocodile, all of which were free to roam the property at their whim.  

The hotel backed up to the Zambia side of Victoria Falls, one of the seven "natural wonders of the world."  We were exhausted, but within minutes of checking-in, we decided to walk down to the Falls. Within a five minute walk down a trail, we were at the edge of this beautiful handiwork of God, with a double rainbow in view.

The sight was even more incredible than the picture.  I started to move down a path to get a better view before coming to an immediate hault...I stumbled across this mother babboon, with a baby nearby. I could see the headline, "Woman goes to Africa to work with orphans and leaves her own child as one." Discretion is not something I always take advantage of, but this time I stood my distance and watched in amazement as she climbed the tree and hopped around her palacial home. 

We made our way down another path to the top of the Zambia side of the falls and this view below. After snapping quite a few pictures, we were ready to move on and see the rest of the property.

Remember, we were on a "need to know basis" so I didn't have any idea what this little side-trip to Livingstone included.  I found out that we had Thursday completely free, Friday was filled with a side-trip to Botswana that included a game-drive safari and a river-cruise, and then the only thing for Saturday was a 12 noon transfer to the airport.  We ended up booking a 1-hour "Segway Sunset Tour" with the activities desk for Thursday evening, and I started to inquire whether there was any other activities we could squeeze in before departing back to the airport at 12 noon on Saturday.  Liz, the lady at the desk told us we could book the boat to go to "Livingstone Island."  She told us nothing else except that we could fit it in our schedule and it was very nice.  After weighing the cost and realizing this was a YOLO moment for Amber and I, I booked it.  More on that later, because here's a tip...especially while in a foreign land, it's always a good idea to ask what exactly that little boat ride to the island would include.

We were the only two participants on the Sunset Segway Tour, so our guide was pretty liberal in our speed and the path we took.  He took us to the feeding area where the giraffes live on the property, and we ended the day watching the sun set over the Zambezi River.

 

 

On Friday morning, we met up with some others who were booked for the day trip to Botswana and Chobe National Park.  We soon found out that these two families were also attending CAMP LIFE.  God sure has a way of setting our mind at ease, because having people with us from Texas and Oklahoma sure made me feel a lot safer in a foreign country.  We went on our game drive in the morning and a river cruise in the afternoon.  Now, after having been to the Serengeti last year, I can't say that the sites of animals in the wild were the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, and they definitely weren't "in abundance" but we did get to see a lot of elephants, hippos, and crocodiles up close-and personal. 

Included in that "up close and personal" was the awestruck view from the river cruise of watching a family of elephants gracefully step into the river and eventually swim across the channel to the island. It was my favorite part of the day, for sure!

Our short time in Livingstone was coming to an end.  We were having a wonderful time on the side-trip, but Amber and I both were ready to start CAMP LIFE and see what God had in store for us and the upcoming week.  We woke up Saturday morning, ate breakfast, and then we caught the shuttle over to the drop-point for the boat tour to Livingstone Island.  We put on our life jackets, and before entering the speedboat, we were given waivers to sign...in three places...with initials in four other places.  Perhaps that should have been a clue that we were about to embark on real adventure, but again, God kept us on a "need to know basis".  We signed our lives away, made it to the island, and then took a short hike to a campsite.

Then our guide said, "OK, we are in Africa, everyone take off your shoes and socks and follow me." Amber and I looked at each other and our jaw dropped to the ground.  "What in the world did we get ourselves into?" I thought.  As we hiked up to the campsite, the guide pointed out elephant and hippo dung on the side of the path.  Now he's telling me I'm going to walk through this barefoot?  But Amber and I shrugged our shoulders and with a big smile embarked on the adventure of a lifetime.

At some points, Amber was literally knee deep in mud, and with each step, I let out a squeel of nasty disgust. I held my breath with furrowed brow.  I could only think about what might be under the mud I was sinking in. While I never saw a snake, I was definitely on the lookout for one.  As we hiked through the mud, the sound of Victoria Falls became stronger, and my heart began to race a bit more.  We went from the mud to a small rapid.  Our guide stood between us and a drop-point to the falls.   "Step here, he would say, pointing with his foot to a very specific rock, all while holding our hands to cross.  Then he would point with his other foot to another rock.  "Not here, don't step here.  Here.  Put your foot here."

I went first, and after I made it over to that first stop-point, I looked him in the eye and said, "That's my only daughter.  Don't let anything happen to her!"  All I could think of is "what in the world did I get myself into?  Why didn't I ask more questions about this little tour?  Frank would never approve of us doing this!"  After Amber made it to other side safely, my fears eased, and I began to understand why people pay money to put themselves in danger like this.  We had made our way to the top of the falls. We were literally standing on the edge, looking over a massive waterfall, and although the pictures don't show the immense beauty because of the rain, it was indeed one of the most amazing experiences we've ever had in our lives.  (Not to mention one of the biggest adreniline rushes of our lives!)

We eventually made our way over to several other fast moving areas of water, with our guide holding our hand, one by one, and telling us where to place our feet, step by step.  As I experienced it in "real-time", my mind was experiencing it in slow-motion.  I immediately thought of the paralel of my Heavenly guide telling me "Go here, my child.  Don't step over there, you'll be in danger.  Here.  This is the way; you'll be safe here.  Don't worry, just hold my hand."

Amber and I both agreed that we're not so sure we would have embarked on this adventure to the island, had we known all the facts.  In fact, there was a 15-year old girl on the tour from Australia who refused to take her shoes and socks off; she wated at the campsite for everyone else and completely missed the adventure.  That thought crossed my mind - I'll be honest.  But I'm so thankful I didn't back-out.  The beauty on the "other side" was well worth the discomfort and trek to get there.  

I know this has been a long post, but I wanted to document the details.  I shake my head in wonder at God's love for me to bless me with this trip...and to get to do this with my daughter is really something that cannot be described.  We were on a "need to know" basis, and all we really needed to know at that point was that God had clearly told us to participate in CAMP LIFE, and we were being obedient.  It was a no-brainer for us, really.  That's why we were there, treking across the other side of the world. Because we were being obedient to what God asked us to do.

As I think about that morning, the sound of the rushing waterfall, I can't help but think of the experiences that were to come that next week, the memories still vividly rushing through my mind. Had I known in advance what was to come, the depth of emotions I would experience, the pain I would see in the eyes of the girls I was working with, the reality of the HIV-AIDS epidemic in the country, the poverty these children live in, and the plight of the orphan child in Zambia...well,perhaps I would not have come.  

But that's not how God works.  

He says, "Step here, my child.  Here, on this rock.  Step here.  It's safe here.  Don't worry, I'm holding your hand."  And with each step of obedience, before you know it, you're on the other side of the world, feeling as safe as if you're in your own temperpedic bed in Wylie, Texas.  Because that's just how God works, on a "need to know basis" as He made the way straight in the desert.  He raised up every valley and every mountain and hill He made low.  He made the rough ground become level and the rugged places plain.  And He revealed His glory. Yes, He revealed His glory to us, and He prepared the way!

Stay tuned...more to come!

--- Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

Foundations in Bukabwa...

The best part about being gone is coming home.  Coming home to the ones you love, and I'll be honest, coming home to the comforts of life.  But probably the next best thing about being gone on a mission trip is coming home with the memories from the trip.  Memories of seeing God work first-hand in your life.  Crushing memories of God humbling me.  Memories to last a life time. 

While I was in Tanzania, I wasn't able to blog or even give Facebook updates about what God was doing.  If you know me, you know I like to talk and share, and I'm overflowing right now, wanting to share the snippets of insight that God has been teaching me over the last two weeks.  So over the next few posts, I'm going to try to catch up on those things.  I have so much to write that I could easily go overboard, but I will do my best to refrain from my normal chatty self and stick to the basics!  As you read, please know that I can identify with Peter and John in Acts 4:20 when they said "For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard!"

Background.  In order for you to understand the work Firewheel Church is doing in the Mara region of East Africa, Tanzania, you first must know the background.  In a nutshell, God gave our Pastor Jerry Zucha a compelling vision to lead our church to work in Tanzania.  He knew it was from God, and as he prayed over what this would look like, he and five others from our church took a vision trip in October of 2010.  Included in those six people was my husband Frank, who now heads up our church's work in the Mara Region of Tanzania. 

As the vision team prayed over how and what God would have our church work in Tanzania, it became very apparent that God wanted us to adopt an unreached village, partner with the African Inland Church, and work together to do community transformation.  So they could get an idea of what community transformation would practically look like, staff members from the AIC took the six people on the vision trip to a community that has already started to undergo community transformation.  Our vision trip members not only caught the vision, but it was clear that this was exactly how God wanted Firewheel Church to begin work in the Mara region.

The search for a community to adopt began, with the AIC surveying potential areas.  Just when they thought they had found the area that would be a good match for us at Firewheel, they heard of another village.  Bukabwa.  This village was written off by the government, due to the witchcraft in the area.  It was a forgotten village, one without clean drinking water, and one with only one school, nine miles away from "town." 

Staff members from the AIC prayed over this village and camped out in the pouring rain.  They fasted and prayed, asking God to show them if this was the right match for Firewheel Church.  And God did just that.  "Bukabwa" is now a common name for us at Firewheel, but forgotten, even unknown, among most people in the Mara region of East Africa. 

One of the first things God showed me after arriving in Bukabwa was the importance of a good foundation.  There are no shortcuts to having a solid foundation.  As I saw for the first time the area where Firewheel had been working, I couldn't help but think of back home.  We live in a newer area where homes are still being built.  The home behind us had the foundation poured, and the frame completely finished.  We heard non-stop noise for weeks, as the construction workers pounded nail after nail into the wood, building someone's dream home.  Then one day, construction on the new ediface stopped.  Not only did construction stop, but after a few weeks, a plow came in and destroyed all the work that was done to that point.  That was over nine months ago, and even today, nothing is left on the plot of land behind us but rubble and cement. 

We wondered what happened - what had gone wrong.  Then we heard - it was a bad foundation.  The image of the would-be home behind us in Wylie, Texas pierced me while I sat in East Africa that first day.  Foundations.  Laying a foundation is the most important part of building a home, building God's House, and there are no shortcuts in His plan. 

I Corinthians 3:10-13  "By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and
someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.  For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the day will bring it to light.  It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work."

Firewheel has now been working in Bukabwa for a little more than a year.  In a village that had been given over to witchcraft, a church has now been birthed.  A pastor has moved into the area to work with the new Christians, and God is starting to do some unbelievable things!  The government has even taken notice that change is taking place, and a doctor has agreed to come work in a local clinic - a local clinic previously abandoned, because no one would agree to work in this area. 

But foundations aren't built overnight.  They take time.  And in order for God to do the work He wants to accomplish in Bukabwa, He must first lay the foundation He wants.  You see, Bukabwa needs more than one church.  This village spreads for so many miles that it would take hours and hours to walk from one side to the other.  As I bounced over rocky terrain in a land rover for 20+ minutes from one part of Bukabwa to another, I couldn't help but see how desperately Bukabwa needs more than one church.  If I was driving for 20 minutes, how could people from the mountain areas even make it to the local church that we heelped start?  But God reminded me, we must first focus on building the foundation of the first church, and I'm not talking about the physical foundation.  In order for the church to multiply and reproduce, it must be strong enough to do so. 

On our first day, Frank and Pastor Jerry met with the leaders of the church to assess the work being done and see what the strongest needs were.  The church leaders begged them to give them more training on the Bible, leadership, and teach them about vision.  The leaders of the church are excited about reaching out to their community, but most of them have only known Christ for less than a year.  They knew that their "foundations" needed solidified.  Clearly, God had plans for the Bukabwa Church leadership that our leaders, Pastor Jerry and Frank Banfill, didn't know about.  Plans to lay a stronger foundation in Bukabwa.  And that was exactly what happened.  After the assessment, God allowed Pastor Jerry and Frank to conduct a completely impromptu two-day leadership conference, allowing them to be a part of pouring a stronger "foundation" in the Bukabwa Church. 

Physically, the church building has already started.  There's no cement layed yet, but there are posts up with the area marked off for the church.  The villagers are making the bricks for the building, so they had to wait until the rainy season ended to work on the future church building.  Right now they are meeting in a make-shift church - the same one that that we met in the first Sunday in Tanzania - one that was crammed full of at least 200 or more people.  Yes, the physical foundation will soon be poured, but God is still working on solidifying the spiritual foundation, strengthening it. 

Bukabwa is one of hundreds of seemingly forgotten villages in Tanzania.  But Bukabwa is no longer forgotten.  A foundation has been layed, and it's one that not even the strongest bulldozer will be able to demolish.  It's not Firewheel's Church in Bukabwa.  It's not the African Inland Church in Bukabwa.  It's God's church.  The only Bible believing and Bible teaching church for miles and miles. 

There's so much work to be done in Bukabwa, and not just in Bukabwa, throughout the Mara region.  I can't even put into words the images of depravity that I saw, just my first day.  Children with hundreds of flies covering their face, not even caring enough to brush them away.  Shredded clothes barely covering the skelaton dark-skinned bodies.  Barefoot toddlers with a baby papoosed on their back.  The needs are great in Bukabwa.  I had to remind myself that yes, this community needs to learn micro-finance.  Yes, this community needs a school.  And as I stared into yellow eye after eye, yes, this community desperately needs a doctor.  But more importantly, they need the Great Physician.  Yes, this community has more needs than I can identify.  But the one need they have is God - the only sure foundation. 

And so my first day ended, similar to how it began, asking God to lay the foundations in Bukabwa.  To use me how He wanted, so that His church would be built.  How I wish I could express better the images cemented in my memory, but this I do know, God is building a foundation in Bukabwa, and He's using Firewheel Church to be a part of that foundation.  How blessed I am, how blessed I am.

 
After Sunday morning worship, packed like sardines, we exited single-file from the make-shift church.

 

Frank Banfill and Pastor Samuel in front of what will be the new church building in Bukabwa.

--- Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

Cake Ball Christian...

I'm impulsive, maybe even compulsive sometimes. Yeah, I admit it. They say the first step to facing the problem is admitting you have a problem. Anyway, a few weeks ago, I was in Kohl's and saw this awesome looking contraption called a "Cake Ball Maker." I told my husband, I want that for Mother's Day. I laid it on thick, let me tell you. I had never seen one of those things before, but this deluxe model was calling my name, loud and clear. So on Mother's Day, after we ate dinner, no cards were presented to me. No big boxes with a cake ball maker inside. I think they made me wait on purpose, just to teach me a lesson. Because after about 15 minutes, my husband said, as if he had forgotten, "Oh, we have a card for you!" Sure enough, the kids appeared with a beautiful card and a big Kohl's bag with, of course, the deluxe model Cake Ball Maker...the exact one I demanded...I mean requested.

If you don't have one of these things, let me tell you, it's a must. We've already used it well worth the money invested. They are fun, easy, and yes, they can be time consuming to do, depending on how much time you want to invest into these little tasty things. I posted pictures of my little creations on Facebook, and one of my friends went out and bought herself one within a few days.

So I started to think through the whole "cake ball" process. And truly, that's what it is, a process. Short-cuts could be taken. But if I was really going to make them the right way, if they were really going to turn out the way they should and still look and taste good, it was a bit of lengthy process of creation.

Our pastor has been preaching a series on discipleship the last several weeks, and it made me think about how becoming like Father, my Master Creator, is a life-long process. I will never be the perfectly rounded cake-ball, perfectly decorated cake-ball...but little by little, if I let Him, He's decorating me to be in His image. He's challenging me to move in the path of obedience. The more I walk in obedience, the more I realize how far I am from being a true disciple.

I was recently challenged with this issue of obedience. As many of you know, my husband Frank leads our church's work in Tanzania. He's taking a team in June, and one of the female team members has had health issues and isn't able to go. Her and her husband graciously offered to donate their funds so someone else could still make the trip. The obvious choice for Frank was to ask me. I have a passport, I have had all my shots required for Africa travel. Miraculously, no one was scheduled off work during the planned trip, and yet another miracle, my mom was already in town for the duration of the trip so she could watch our two teenaged children. All that needed done was for me to find a ticket for me on the same flights (as you can imagine, not a difficult task, since I'm a travel agent) and most importantly, pray about whether I should go. Depending on the cost of the ticket, I would have to also raise some funds to cover the non-refundable fees of the lady not able to go. It all seemed like a simple answer, a no-brainer, right?

But as I prayed about it, and as God opened the doors, I came back at Him with a few of my own concerns to address the situation. "But God, You know how much I hate to leave work for so long. That's a long trip, and I'm going to be more exhausted when I return from trying to catch up." "But God, that's going to use up a big chunk of my vacation, and You know I don't get as much as I used to now that I have a new job." "But God, what if something happened to us while we were gone? What about our kids?" "But God, I don't have any "missionary" clothes. They have to wear frumpy long dresses in Africa, and I'm used to going to Colombia every year where I can be comfortable!" "But God...." Yes, I had a lot of excuses. In my heart, I wanted to go, but the anxiety over some key issues was raging a tug-of-war for my heart. Finally, it came time to make a decision, and this time, Frank couldn't make it for me. As I prayed, God clearly showed me all my questions, ok let's be honest, all the excuses I was giving for not going were not really valid ones at all. In fact, I couldn't come up with one excuse that was valid. He had paved a miraculous way for me to go to Tanzania, and the answer was clear - YES - I should go.

I was able to get a ticket. I was able to get the time off. I was even able to actually find some of those "missionary clothes" at Ross Dress4Less (perhaps my new favorite store) for super cheap, and you know what? These dresses are something I will actually wear out in public! I actually love them, and there's no way that anyone would even think they're frumpy!

Don't get me wrong. My heart beats for missions. I don't usually make excuses about going on a mission trip. My husband and I met on my first international mission trip back in college. Since then, I have taken a mission trip almost every year for twenty plus years. We rarely get to to go on mission trips together these days. Because of having kids, we always go separately and even work in different parts of the world. As I look back, this decision whether to go to Tanzania seemed to be a no-brainer, but the truth is, it was a matter of discipleship. It was a matter of obedience. Every excuse I gave God could have been considered valid. OK, maybe almost everyone, except the frumpy clothes excuse.

This morning as I look back over my sermon notes on the Discipleship series, and some key things have jumped out that I didn't even think of while listening to the sermon. (Another great reason why note-taking is so important! You never know when God will use something said 2-3 weeks later, even years later!)

1. With discipleship, we have to count the cost. In context, Pastor was talking about giving, but for me, it can be applied to my committing to go without having the extra funds to cover it. We still need to raise about $500 to cover my extra expenses that were not covered by the donation. If you would like to help, you can donate at www.maxpoint.org. Thank you in advance if you can help. $500 isn't a lot to raise, but I leave a week from Wednesday, June 6th. That's kind of short notice, but I know it's plenty of time for God!

2. With discipleship, we have to count the relational cost. (Luke 9) For me, that was leaving my kids at home in the hands of God and my capable mom. Pastor said, "You can't allow your family to keep you from fully following God."

3. Every true disciple must answer the question, am I quitting or committing?...God is calling us to faith. Faith in action. Wow! When he was preaching, I didn't realize He was preaching to ME. I certainly never thought I had "arrived" as a Christian, but as I look back at my heart-struggle over whether to go to Tanzania on this trip, and as I look at my notes, God was using my pastor to talk directly to me!

So back to the cake balls. After the trip, I don't know what I'm going to look like. From the outside, I'm sure I'll not look much different except for some mosquito bites and sunburn along the way. But no, not from the outside, but from the inside. I hope the Master is going to make me and mold me into more like His creation and less like me. Just like the cake-balls, it's a process. And it's one that I want so desperately to take place. I want someone to look at me and know that I am His creation. That I was once a cracked egg who was formed into a delicious master creation by the Master Creator. May we all be cake-ball Christians.

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

Opportunities Lost...

My daughter Amber is one of those teenagers that moms dream of.  She's a content girl who rarely asks for anything.  We are blessed, and considering the headaches that I put my parents through, I don't deserve her.  Definitely. 

Well, Amber's birthday was in May, and figuring out what to give her is always a challenge.  For example, at Christmas time, the only thing on her Christmas list was the Indiana Jones Trilogy.  For real.  True story.  But this year, I came up with a great idea for her birthday gift.  Amber loves American Idol, so I talked to my husband, and we decided to get her American Idol concert tickets.  We've been able to go twice before, and this would be a perfect gift.  However, we couldn't even find four seats together in any of the concerts in the entire state of Texas.  So we quickly made the decision to drive to the Oklahoma City concert.  It would be Amber's birthday gift, not to mention a nice time for our family of four to get away together.

The concert was incredible.  Of the three we've been to, it was by far the best, even though our seats were pretty high up.  As we were getting ready to leave, I stopped to ask my husband Frank if we could go check to see if they were signing autographs.  He quickly denied my motion.  "It's late.  They've never done it before.  Let's go."  Yes, it was a pretty matter-of-fact decision.  I asked again, and I received the same reply.

Now, I'm pretty strong willed.  Usually if I want something, I'll do it.  I have no idea why I didn't follow my normal Beth-instincts and do what I wanted to do...at least asking an usher to confirm my question.  Nonetheless, I complied with my husband.  Yes, a rare moment for me.  We went back to our hotel room, reminiscing about the great evening we had together as a family.

The next morning, we went to IHOP before starting back to our home in Texas.  In the room, two other families were gathered.  We could hear them also talking about their experience at the Idol concert the night before.  Being the nosey person I am, I started to eavesdrop.  However, I didn't like what I was hearing.  One mom was talking about meeting Scotty and Lauren.  Wait.  How could this be?  I piped in across the room.  Did you meet them and get their autograph?  You know the answer I heard.

I looked at Frank with a glare, and a forced smile, trying to be a good example.  I missed my opportunity.  I couldn't believe it.  I had the chance.  I even wore my I AM SECOND t-shirt to the concert, in hopes of meeting Scotty.  I had the chance.  I missed my opportunity.  Over and over the thoughts ran through my mind.  I wasn't mad at him.  I was just frustrated.  I was so close, but obviously so far away.

I had a long ride in the van to think about the situation.  I even brought God into my thoughts.  Imagine that.  I prayed for a better attitude.  And just as quickly as I did, He told me there were plenty of other more important missed opportunites that I should be concerned with.  Missed opportunites to tell people about Him.  I had a chance to tell those people at IHOP about God, but I missed that opportunity as well.

If you follow my blog, you might note that I haven't been writing as much lately.  Actually, I have been doing a lot of writing, but just not a lot of blogging.  God's been using my writing to write songs with one of my best friends.  I don't publish most of them, because one day we hope to be able to get them recorded.  As I contemplated about "Opportunites Lost", the Lord just gave me the poem below.  I hope you'll look for opportunites to share His love with those around you.  Let's do it together!

 

Opportunities Lost
© by Beth Banfill

Colossians 4:5-6  “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Sometime things just happen
And I’ve got no control over them
I miss a chance to fulfill my dream
And I’ll never get it back again.

But life is filled with near misses
Opportunities gone.  Lost kisses.
And it’s so easy to cast the blame
“It’s not my fault.” - playing that game.

Then I hear God’s voice very clearly
While He looks at my tightly clenched fist.
“Just how many opportunities
To tell others about Me have you missed?

What about the lady at the store?
Did you tell her that I love her more?
And what about that dirty man on the street?
Did you walk by in fear as he begged at your feet?

And at church when they passed the plate?
Did you give willingly or hesitate?”
Missed opportunities – they abound.
God open my eyes, they’re all around.

Yes, sometimes, things just happen.
And we’ve got no control over them.
We miss a chance to fulfill our dream
And we’ll never get it back again.

But we always have an opportunity
To be Jesus throughout our community.
We just have to look with eyes open wide
Through the eyes of God and swallow our pride.

God let me be Your hands.  Be Your feet.
Let me sieze the opportunity.  Carpe Diem.
Let me be Your voice, no matter the cost.
So I have no more opportunities lost.

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

A Little too Much Baggage...

John 3:30 "He must increase, and I must decrease."

So my Colombia mission trip has finally arrived! I’m thrilled to be back in Barranquilla, Colombia, and our big team all arrived without incident. Every piece of luggage arrived with us, and that in itself is a huge miracle already.

Whenever I travel, I always use the same carry-on bag. It’s about the max size for a carry on, but it definitely fits in the sample “Your bag must fit in here” unit. Yes, it definitely fits, except when you fill the outside pockets with extra last minute things. You see, I was one of the last to board in Dallas, and when I went to get on the plane, they stopped me and made me prove my bag would fit in that sample unit. Sure, no problem. Well, except for one. I jammed it in there so hard I couldn’t get it all the way out…nor could I get it in there laying on its side, which was the requirement. Yes, I had too much baggage, and I couldn’t carry it on the plane. I was forced to make them gate check my bag all the way to Colombia. Luckily, I had enough sense to grab my passport and money out of the bag, but not enough sense to grab my Dramamine. Plus, the gate agent seemed as though he had completely lost his patience with all the passengers and their bags, and I didn’t want to push my luck. So bonvoyage I said to my bag, with a smile and my best attempt at a good attitude, and I prayed it would make it. And praise God, it did.

I thought about that as I sat on the airplane, frustrated to say the least. Too much stuff. If I had time, I could have simply just moved the junk from the outer pockets to the inside, and all would have been well. I would have showed that gate agent. But I didn’t have time, and I didn’t plan well enough. Then I started to wonder…how many pockets in my life are filled with too much stuff, causing me to miss what God’s real plan is for me? Have I spiritually planned well enough so that I’m emptied of ME so HE can have His way?

As you pray for us in Colombia today, please pray for empty pockets, ready to be flexible. Ready to be emptied. Ready to be filled with whatever new plans God has for us.

Stressed out 'cuz there's No Room in the Inn...

Psalm 94:19   "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."

Busy.  It's the story of my life.  It's the life story of probably most of the people reading this.  I often find myself so busy I can't prioritize things.  I find myself juggling the urgency of the immediate with putting out fires here and there, never with enough hours in the day to do everything I really need to do.  Lack of planning?  Maybe.  Overcommitted?  Probably.  Stressed beyond words?  Definitely.

Somehow over the last few weeks, I made a serious miscalculation of priorities.  I never found the time or energy to make my hotel reservations for Wednesday evening near the airport in Dallas.  You see, my flight was leaving early Thursday morning, and although I don't live that far from the airport, my colleague I was traveling with lives quite a bit further away.  The flight was to leave at 5:45 Thursday morning, so we really needed to have a hotel closer to the airport.

The plan was simple.  Get off work at 5:00 PM.  Pack for the upcoming trip to Baltimore.  Make a quick hotel reservation, eat dinner, and leave by 6:30 Wednesday evening for worship team practice.  My friend was going to meet me at church after practice, and off we'd go to the airport hotel.  Good plan, right?  Sure, in a perfect world, it was.  Unfortunately, I miscalculated quite a few things.  I got off work around 5:30 PM, leaving plenty of things still to do.  I then went to book the hotel.  Anytime I've had to get a hotel near the airport, I've always stayed at the Hyatt, right at DFW airport.  They always have good travel agent rates, and it's the obvious choice. 

"I'm sorry, we're sold out tonight.  Do you want me to transfer you to the Four Seasons?"  Um.  Easy answer on that one.   "No, thanks."  I hung up the phone and expanded my search.  No big deal.  I made another call.  And another.  And another.  And another.  And another.  I thnk you get the idea.  Apparently the storm that rumbled through the area earlier in the day caused quite a few cancelled flights.  There must have been some big meeting in town, too, because an affordable hotel room was no where to be found.  Panic began to sink in.  I still needed to pack, and it was quickly becoming apparent that I was running out of time. 

Frantic, I gave up on finding a hotel and started to throw things in my suitcase.  I may be the travel agent in the family, but my sweet husband Frank came to the rescue to pinch hit for me.  He stayed on the phone for another thirty minutes while I tied up the rest of the loose ends in preparation for the trip.  It was past time for me to leave for practice, and I still didn't have a hotel. 

"Just give up," I told him.  I had already decided to have my colleague just stay at our house for the night.  We'll just have to get up at 2 AM, that's all.  I was so discouraged, and the stress of the week had about taken me over.  The white flag was on the pole, and I was raising it up quickly.  "Just let me try one more," he said.  It took a few minutes, but Frank's persistence paid off.  He found a hotel room for us, granted, it was fifteen minutes south of the airport and about $30 more than I wanted to pay, but it was a room, nonetheless.

You know, I love how God works.  He always comes through, in spite of me.  I'm so glad that He doesn't adopt the phrase "Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on My part."  OK, truth be told, sometimes He probably does.  Sometimes we have to learn from our mistakes.  But I'm grateful at least this time, He did not enforce that lack of planning comment.  If He did, I'd be a goner for sure. 

I don't know about you, but when things don't go as I plan, I get discouraged.  Maybe in this case I should say, when I don't plan for things appropriately, I get discouraged.  Either way, the stress of the situation left me downtrodden and exhausted before I even began my trip.  I made it through worship team practice (quite hungry, I might add, since I never even had time to eat that dinner I had planned).  We got to the hotel around 10:30 PM.  As I sat in bed that night with my mind racing, I tried to evaluate how I could have done things differently.  I let my mind wander, and all I could think of us how my God once again saved the day, proving Himself faithful, in spite of my ignorance. 

Look at the verse to memorize for the week.  Psalm 94:19   "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."

If there's one thing I've learned in recent years, it's to look for God in life's situations.  So many times we think God is there for us on Sundays, and that's where He stays.  We forget that when things go wrong through the week, He's right there, ready to console us.  We just need to turn to Him.  And when we do, He turns our anxiety into joy. 

I make a habit each night of praying myself to sleep.  Granted, sometimes it doesn't take long, considering I can usually fall asleep within minutes, but it gives me the opportunity to just talk to God about everything that happened through the day.  It gives me the opportunity to reflect.  And it gives me the opportunity to find the joy that only He can provide.

As you memorize the verse with me this week, let's also try to put it into practice.  Let's allow God to console our spirit and bring joy into our lives, despite anxious circumstances.  Even when there's 'no room in the inn...

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

Moving mountains in Miami...

If you have faith the size of a mustard seed you can move mountains.  We have a lot of people praying for us and this trip, and today, God moved mountains.  Mountains of people, as far as Avianca Airlines is concerned.

You see, in talking with the airline staff and supervisor at Avianca yesterday, there was little hope to get more than two or three of our people on flights today.  "The flights are oversold," they said, "we can't confirm you all until August."  Those are not the words that fifteen people need to hear.  No, not words that fifteen people who have prayed up and saved up so they can pay up and go want to hear.  (Yes, fifteen!  One of our team members flew to Bogota, spent the night, and arrived in Barranquilla early this morning.)  We were now a large mountain of fifteen people.

We got our standby tickets for the flight and made our way through security and to the gate.  The first person I spoke to at the gate looked at me like I was crazy.  Fifteen people?  There's no way.  She then proceeded to ignore me completely, without even acknowledging I existed.  We moved on to the next agent and kindly explained our situation.  It didn't take long, and to our amazement, she gave confirmed boarding passes with seat assignments for six of our people on a flight to Cartagena.  Cartagena is less than an hour travel time from Barranquilla where we would be working.  A ride was arranged for them to get to Barranquilla, and they would arrive by 7 PM at the hotel.  Almost half the team down.  Go God!

Then we waited...and waited.  It was looking good.  First, we had confirmed reservations for everyone but me on the direct flight to Barranquilla.  "No, there was a mistake.  You must give us back two of those boarding passes."  We shuffled the seats and the boarding passes for a moment, and the decision was quickly made.  Everyone was now on their way to Barranquilla except for our team leader Sam, his wife Vicki, and me.  We would try to fly standby through Bogota and connect to Barranquilla tonight.

Odd combination, one might think.  I had someone tell me, "What?  Sam is the team leader!  He has to get down there."  But no.  God has given such amazing leadership in Barranquilla in Mildred and Bernardo Gonzalez and the Hope for Today team.  After our morning devotions this morning, Sam knew...we all knew the order everyone should be put on the plane today.  We all agreed, and somehow I knew in my heart this morning that it was unlikely I would be arriving in Colombia today.  The waitlist did not clear for us, and here I sit, back in the same hotel I was in yesterday.  Waiting.  Praying.  Loving God more. 

God has a plan for everything.  Nope...I can't really say for sure I can see the "why" in this situation we've experienced...not yet anyway.  But I do know that Sam needed me on this team to help him with the travel situation, waitlists, and working with the airline staff.  Not only that, but I have some amazing friends who live five blocks from the hotel.  After we came back from the airport tonight, it was my friend Doug Reynolds to the rescue.  He was our personal chauffeur.  He took us to K-Mart to buy some necessities, then drove us to get dinner.  I might add, I think it's no coincidence that I know these friends because they were the leaders on my very first international mission trip in 1988.  No, God doesn't make mistakes.  There has not been a doubt in my mind that God has orchestrated every move we've made.

So today, God moved mountains. Twelve big mountains.  Tomorrow, there's just a couple of pebbles in the way.  Surely He's capable, and hopefully He will choose to move these three pebbles, Sam, Vicki, and I, on toward our goal of Barranquilla.  I don't know His plan, but I've got peace...and faith.  I know God has called me there...and somehow He's gonna get me there.  Ready or not, Barranquilla, here I come!  (Prayerfully said, of course!)

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

Proverbs 16:9 - A Mission Trip like no other...(Monday Memory Verse a little early)

Proverbs  16:9  "In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."

It started out the same as most mission trips.  Hectic work week.  Last minute shopping and gift buying for the nationals.  And of course, last minute packing.  At the airport checking in early for a 9 AM departure, with one connection in Miami.  A beautiful connection, too.  Perfect under most circumstances.  Unless a plane is delayed for mechanical reasons for ninety minutes.

Rule of thumb.  Always hang out with the team leader at times of distress.  That rule worked well for me, because as we sprinted from one end of the Miami airport to the other, with Sam Ingrassia our team leader bringing up the rear, I noticed he flagged down a cart driver for us.  Thank you, God!  So as the rest of our team continued to sprint, we blissfully passed them in the little cart. 

There's hope, I thought.  Maybe they would save the plane for sixteen people connecting from Dallas to an international flight.  When we knew our flight was going to be delayed, we called to let them know.  Not once, not twice, but between the E3 Partners (the missions agency I was traveling with) Travel Manager and I, five times.  "No, we do no hold planes" was the answer we received. 

Still, I held out hope.  Quickly, we jumped the line to see what could be done with our team of misfits.  "No, boarding is closed for that flight.  I'm sorry."  My heart sank, but being a travel agent, I went into action.  I had my computer and reservation system with me.  Miami has wi-fi throughout the airport so I logged in as quickly as I could.  What about a connection through Bogota?  What about taking American, then transferring over to Avianca?  Will you endorse the tickets over to Copa to get us there via Panama City? 

For three hours, the team sat in a circle praying while the team leader and I discussed options at the ticket counter.  Of course, I use that term options lightly.  You see, there were not a lot of viable options for us.  After about three hours, when it was clear that we were going no where but a local hotel, we sent the team to eat while Sam and I worked with the counter for yet another hour.  Our only hope according to them, to fly standby on a flight to Barranquilla on Sunday.  The flights were so full that they could not confirm us until August. 

Hmmm.  Sixteen people flying standby on an already oversold flight.  Not an ideal way to start a much anticipated mission trip.  We got to the hotel, rested for a few minutes, then went into a team meeting.  Sam has been leading teams around the world for nineteen years and has never had something like this happen.  We were in unchartered waters.  I've dealt with it repeatedly from the opposite side, having some of my passengers face this same situation, due to the Icelandic volcanic ash in the Spring, but I've never missed a connection on any of my previous mission trips. 

This is the first mission trip for some of our team members.  There are a few family units together, three dad and daughter combinations.  One dad and son.  I looked around the room in my team meeting, and quickly I knew that if we were to get on that plane, one by one, I should be the last one to make it, if at all.  I have been to Colombia six times before.  I know the joy that it brings to serve Christ side by side with the nationals.  Some of these people need to experience that, too.  I want so badly for them to fall in love with Colombia like I have. 

As we sat in the meeting, our student minister Doug Schmidt quoted Proverbs 16:9.  "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."  I started to laugh at the irony in the situation.  You see, I didn't know if I would have time to blog for our Groupies4God and Monday morning memory verses this week since i would just be arriving in Colombia.  So I wrote a different blog and had a different verse chosen to memorize.  I even had my 3x5 card written out and with me.  I had left the verse for my family back home to memorize as well.  The blog started out something like this:  "By the time this is posted, I will be in Barranquilla, Colombia..."

Yes, we make plans, but God determines our steps.  In a few hours we will return to the airport for the hurry-up-and-wait game.  I have no idea what Gods plans are, but I do know I'm right where I need to be.  I'm more Spiritually ready for this trip then perhaps any other.  if I need to turn around and go back to Dallas tomorrow, then that's what I will do.  And I do know that God doesn't make mistakes.  I don't know why He's allowed this to happen, but I do know that He is in control of all things.  That gives me incredible peace, and in a very odd way, I actually am happy.  So as you're reading this, please take some time to pray for us.  Pray for wisdom for Sam, our team leader.  He's carrying a huge burden right now.  Pray for God to do His will and to intervene.  I know firsthand that God is a God of miracles.  He can do whatever He chooses.  So for now, we sit and wait to see what it is, or perhaps who it is, He will choose.  One thing is for sure, this is a mission trip like no other.

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com