Day 0: The Little Bag

Every Mozambique trip begins the same way. Packing day.

Tonight our team gathered at the Ministry Center with suitcases spread across the room and piles of donated supplies stacked on tables.

We do this for two reasons. First, because if we didn’t, people like me would probably wait until the last minute to pack. (We’re meeting at the MC tomorrow at 11, so I’d pack at 10…) And second, because many people from our church generously donated supplies that needed to be divided amongst all of our bags before we fly.

By the end of the evening, every suitcase is a little heavier as supplies, resources, soccer balls, gifts, and other donations were carefully spread throughout the team’s luggage.

The funniest moment of the night came when Nick Acevedo walked through the door carrying a tiny duffel bag.

Several people shouted out, “That’s it? That’s all you’re bringing?!”

For a brief moment, we legitimately thought Nick was planning to spend over two weeks in Africa with what looked like not even enough clothes for a long weekend. (Don’t worry. He had  more bags.)

It was definitely one of those “you had to be there” moments, and I have a feeling it won’t be the last running joke of the trip, but after we finished packing, I couldn’t stop thinking about that little bag.

In reality, every one of us is bringing one.

Yes, our suitcases are full. We’ll check bags, carry backpacks, and transport hundreds of dollars worth of supplies across the ocean. But none of those things are what will ultimately bring about life change.

We aren’t traveling to accomplish something for God. We’re traveling because God has invited us to join Him in what He’s already doing.

All we really bring is our willingness, our prayers, and our availability. In comparison to what only God can do, that’s a pretty small bag.

But that’s exactly where we want to be.

Tonight was only a packing day.

Tomorrow, the journey begins.

And we’re asking God to do far more than anything we could ever fit into a suitcase.


PRAYER REQUEST

• Pray that our short connection before our overnight flight goes smoothly with no delays.
• Pray that everything at the airports goes without complications.
• Pray especially for those on our team who have never crossed the ocean before, that God would replace any fear with peace.
• And most importantly, pray that even before we arrive, God would already be preparing hearts (ours and the people we’ll meet)to receive whatever He desires to do.