Confident

Well..Friday night...2 days away from leaving. I think I have everything..think I have taken care of my bills..my duties at work..have made arrangements for my SS class to be taken care of.

Think I'm ready to go!!

While I may "think" all those things...I am definitely confident about one thing. We are going to a place where God has already arranged divine appointments for us. I'm excited to get there and see what He has planned for us. And can't wait to see the results....no doubt I will be changed forever..and for the better.

Pray for us!!!

Jim Rutland

What Guatemala Means to Me

I might be somewhat of the 'wildcard' on this trip. All at once, I am probably the most absolutely excited and most horribly terrified team member you'll meet. It's not the trip, the flight, the task at hand, or even the unexpected changes that are bound to happen that right now are affecting me so deeply. I'm not a major traveler, but I do enjoy traveling and even flying when I do have the chance.  I'm excited about the work, and hope I'm reasonably capable. As far as changes, I'm plenty laid back enough to roll with that as needed. Stuff happens. Sometimes lots of stuff, but I've done a few mission trips before, so I know the Lord always provides. Right now, though, as I've allowed myself a few moments to think, I'll confess some hard to even vocalize feelings as I prepare. You see, for me personally, Guatemala is pretty special. Sure, it has some to do with the fact that it was the destination of my first ever international mission trip back in 2001. That was certainly an experience that laid some foundations for many things that have happened since in my life. However, there are a couple of stamps in my passport since then that say Guatemala on them. And for me, Guatemala mostly means a beautiful little boy sitting in the back seat of my truck on the way home from church Sunday night, singing David Crowder Band's 'How He Loves'. It's my other home, even though no one there knows it or me. It's a little strange like that. This will be my first time back since bringing my son home, and the first time there without anyone else in my immediate family. So with all that said, I hope I have a few more chances to write about a place and people that I love while I'm there, and share Jesus' love in all we do with the people there. I hope you'll come to love them as I do, and more importantly, as Jesus does. And then maybe even after we're back 'home', you'll have this strange feeling of 'homesickness' still left as well.

 

Tim

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Prayer Guide

As our trip gets closer and closer, prayer remains the most valuable preparation. This is a list of things you can pray for.

For the individual Team Members, ask the Lord to:

• Prepare them physically, emotionally, and spiritually for the journey they will make to minister in Guatemala.
• Fill them with the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
• Give them a love and a burden for the people they will minister to and with.

For the Team, ask the Lord to:

• Give the team an indivisible unity.
• Protect the team (and each member) from anything that would keep them from going.
• Protect each member as we travel.

For the local pastors and leaders, ask the Lord to:

• Give them a clear vision as to what they need us to do.
• Continue to provide protection and provision as they serve Him in Guatemala.
• Continue to give them a burden to reach the lost in Guatemala for Christ.
• Encourage them in the work that they are doing.

For the Guatemalan people, ask the Lord to:

• Prepare their hearts for the Gospel seed to be planted and harvested.
• Draw them unto Himself as we exalt the name of Christ.
• Pour out His Spirit for revival among the people in Guatemala.
• Burden the hearts of others to carry the Gospel to Guatemala.

Welcome (Bienvenidos)

Welcome to the blog for the Lakeside Baptist Church missions teams. We intend to use this as a place to keep you informed about our trips and activities. We'll post pictures, updates, reflections, prayer needs, and whatever else the teams can come up with. It is our hope that this gives everyone a chance to become a part of the team with us.

The first trip we'll be chronicling is our upcoming trip to Guatemala. This beautiful Central American country is nicknamed 'The Land of Eternal Spring'. The objectives for our trip this time are building homes for the villagers, distributing medical supplies and food, and whatever else the local missionaries feel is needed.