I have always wanted to go on an international mission trip. Growing up, it just sounded really cool to go experience different cultures and serve people where they are at. It wasn’t until last year when I began reading Radical by David Platt, that I realized that international missions is not so much an invitation to Christ followers, but rather a command, “to go to all nations”. With that said, in January I signed up for the first mission trip Cross Point was going on- Honduras with Mission Lazarus, April 21st-28th!
We had two meetings leading up to the mission, each updating us on things we needed to prepare for, include in packing and our remaining funds needed to go. As excited as I was about this mission, I struggled immensely with asking others for money. Yes, I know it is an amazing cause, but times are tough, and I was so uncomfortable asking, sending letters, sending follow up texts, etc. It was pretty amazing the friends, family and even several people I barely knew who stepped up and gave! There were also tough moments when friends I thought for sure I would be able to count on 100%, more or less dismissed the trip, which saddened me, but it’s part of it. Needless to say, the months leading up to this trip were very humbling, eye opening and already preparing me. It was definitely hard at some moments but it was pretty amazing to see God work through friends and family as they surprised me with things they chose to give up so they could donate or how they felt they needed to give, “just because”.
Aside from the fundraising, I was also apprehensive for our four-hour truck ride into the mountains in San Marcos after arriving in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. For those of you who don’t know, about three years ago, I just had a rough year of car incidents, (none of which were my fault) from a few wrecks and even a lady who accidentally drove her car through a glass window at Starbucks and hit my table… yes, it really happened. With that wonderful year, it made me very nervous when other people are driving and of course learning that they are no road rules, non existent speed limits and crazy drivers in Honduras, I was less thrilled about this drive, let me tell you 
Truth be told, when I found out the mission was construction based, that we had this four-hour truck ride, crazy drivers there and I needed to ask people for money for a cause they they know minimal about… I came very close several times to backing out. It would have been so easy to just not go, to stay, to work, to not ask for money, to not stress about the unknown, to not miss a wedding and to just send the money I had instead. It would have been easier, but going, stepping out of my comfort zone, experiencing life there, the culture, Mission Lazarus and the children was worth every moment and more of it.
I think my biggest lesson in leading up to this mission trip was really that I needed to let go of trying to “control everything” and trust in God’s plan through it. Recently I heard that quote that seems fitting for this, If God brings you to it, He will lead you through it. We unfortunately only see the here and now, and understand what we can only grasp.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
~Danielle
