It's Time to Go

Going.

It can be one of the hardest things to do when you think about it.  Maybe you can think back to your first date where you spent hours and hours getting ready.  You picked out the perfect outfit...and then you picked it out again.  You checked to make sure you don't smell too bad.  You brushed your teeth.  You put Kleenex in a spot where you know you could wipe your hands if they get too sweaty on the date.   You make sure that you covered all your bases and yet you can't help but have that feeling of wondering whether or not you're ready.  And so you have two choices: You can head back up stairs, brush your teeth again, reapply the deodorant, and change your clothes OR you can finally go and hope/pray that it all goes well and that you really didn't forget something crucial to that date.  What do you do?  Maybe the more appropriate question is, what did you do?

If we're honest, the choice is not just left in the realm of first dates with sweaty palms.  It's found in jobs.  It's found in families.  It's found in life.  It's even found in death.  It's found in  a lot of different places...even places like mission trips.

Now it may seem a little different with mission trips.  After all, our flight leaves on Tuesday and either you're on or you're off.  The plane isn't going to wait for any of us.  But when you think about it, getting to that point required making the tough decision.  Do I stay or do I go?  And with everything in this life, there are lots of reasons why we should stay.  But there are also good reasons to go.

I am very thankful for the opportunity to serve with the people who decided to go on our mission trip this year.  You'll get a chance to hear from them throughout the week.  I can tell you, for them, a lot of time, energy, effort and pizza has been consumed getting us to this point and time and we're ready to go.  And while we have our lists of things to pack and to remember, the reason we're ready is not because the lists are checked-off...it's because of the God who goes with us.

Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."  While going may be a tough decision for all of us, it's not for our God.  His promise is to go with us wherever we go and it's because of that promise that I know this team and His people are ready to go...not just to India but to our neighbors, our co-workers...to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth!

Please keep us in your prayers and please be praying for God's blessings as we go!  If you'd like to know more about where we are going and what we'll be doing, keep reading below.


Pastor Joe Behnke


Where Are You Going?

We will be "based" around the city of Guntur but we will be traveling around quite a bit as there are over 40 congregations that are part of Bible Faith Lutheran Ministries to India.  We won't be able to visit all 40 this year but we will try to visit as many as possible.  Below is a map that shows where Guntur is in India.  It gives you a general idea as to where we will be.

Over the course of the week ahead, I hope to be able to share more details about where we are specifically so that you can keep those places in your prayers.  I also hope that you will get to know some of the team better through them sharing their thoughts on the trip and how they see God working in the lives of people in India.  Thank you again for giving us this opportunity to serve!  The next blog entry will happen in country.  It may take a couple of days but keep checking for updates!