God, help me to be a better listener, so that I may learn to hear what you are teaching me. May I be humble enough to recognize that I still have much to learn, and open enough to change and grow in You especially during this upcoming trip. Amen.

I love mission work because God has a lesson in everything, losing luggage, getting lost or stuck somewhere, making you wait on someone, finding joy in something and seeing sorrow in something. Anticipation of the lessons is a thrill.

Please join me in this challenge while I travel. Your prayers are the greatest gift to make all mission work possible. I can be the hands and feet but you provide the strength to my soul.

Depart now in peace, for your eyes have seen the salvation which God has prepared for all people. Grow in strength and wisdom and bring forth a harvest of righteousness and praise.

May God smile upon you and make you strong and wise. May Christ Jesus and his humble birth fill you with awe.

And may the Holy Spirit open your eyes to the presence of God’s Messiah.

Adapted from Nathan Nettleton, www.laughingbird.net,