Matthew 28:19

I love this picture.  

Someone from the ship took this at the med sight in El Salvador.  They're posting some pictures from the trip on Facebook; just like the page Continuing Promise.

helping the kids with a pinata

They are now enroute to Panama and we are looking forward to finally being able to talk to him!  We've only heard his voice 3 times in the last 3.5 weeks!  

I confess that the day after Ben left, I thought, 

"Who's dumb idea was this?!  Seriously.  I'd like to talk to whoever came up with this stupid deployment concept.  You know who needs a chaplain?  ME!  What if I completely snap while he's gone?  Shouldn't they have screened me before they just left me alone with 3 small children for 4 months?"

The past month has been uncomfortable.  I assure you, we are okay and I feel like it's good that it's uncomfortable...part of our family is missing, so things naturally feel off.  Here's the truth I have to tell myself several times a day:

Ben is a missionary.  He is literally declaring the Lord's name among the nations.  It gives me chills if I let myself just sit and think about how God is using our family right now.  Ben is one of 3 chaplains, but the only real Christian among them.  He is traveling off the ship, into remote areas of the country to provide counseling and prayer through an interpreter.  How cool is that?  God is breaking cultural and language barriers to declare His name.  The truth is, God calls us to go and make disciples.  He calls us to pick up our cross and follow him and that means sacrifice.  Sacrifice is not comfortable.  I know God is using Ben in mighty ways and while he's called to share God's word on the Comfort, I'm called to share it with 3 children in our home.  

So quickly I realize how "first world" my worries are.  Ben is praying with people who have great troubles (sorry, can't go into detail), while I'm praying with a child who is healthy and safe.  In fact, sometimes I feel guilty that I'm in the comfort of my own bed, eating fresh food and spending my day sitting by the pool, listening to sweet giggles.  

There will be days that the uncomfortableness seems too much and on those days, I ask someone to remind me of these truths.  Remind me that this day will soon pass and the moment we are all together, this day will be forgotten.  Encourage me to not wish away my days and praise more than I complain.

Pray for encouragement for Ben.  Pray for good friends for him and that he would finally get the packages we sent him (he's been waiting almost 3 weeks!).