365 Random Days of Team Zybko

Day # 57
Back From Peru

October 20, 2011

Fighting the urge to blog about how I feel now, 4 days back from an 8 day Mission Trip to Peru.

I force myself to stay organized with my thoughts, feelings and my small but persistent anal side. Must start with day one. Yes, yes, day one. Good plan I convince myself. Page by page through my ragged out journal should give me plenty of time to sort through my newly re-arranged heart.

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME

ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my dear Brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Trip To Peru

Let the Adventure Begin

The night before our team from Sandhurst is to leave, I can't sleep. I'm a little nervous, super excited and oh yeah.......not packed yet. I really can't explain or have any valid excuse how such an important trip to a foreign country sneaks up on you, in my case it just did. The garage is pitch black and a little creepy by the time I make it down my packing list to a pair of work gloves and bug spray. Oh my stars, it's way past midnight already. How did this happen? I mentally kick myself in the butt as I push forward to find a working flash light and batteries. Extra batteries? Really? I'm thinking I may need a miracle and some strong coffee. Even Baby Daddy is a little annoyed at my lack planning. He seems to be sleeping with one eye open, every ten minutes he mumbles Give it up, it is what it is at this point honey. No way, I'm determined to find a set of sheets for a double bed, extra Ziplocs and four more pair of clean underwear.

Everyone is at the Church by 5:04am. We pray quickly in a hand held circle and say goodbye to loved ones, one last time. I am so not the world traveler so I check for my passport.....again and again and again. Completely OCD about forgetting this important document, I check one last time, not wanting to be that girl.

A talkative ride to Myrtle Beach Airport, a smooth check-in and a short flight to Fort Lauderdale. Just too pumped up to remember how tired I am. The 10 of us seem to gel and make friends quickly as we chit chat over a $12 terminal burger. A few more flights and car rides then it's game on.

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

Greg

Jamie

Callie

Jordan Leigh

Suzi

Jennie

Garrett

Doyle

Alice

We huddle tightly around our Team Leader. Greg speaks softly, in a not everyone needs to hear our biz-nass sort of voice. He gives us a reminder run down of the week ahead, what to except and what not to do. Names of native tribes and customs roll right off his tongue like everyday words. He warns us once in Peru to tone down the energy and noise level. Apparently this can come off pretty AMERICAN ugly in other parts of the world. Some smirk and hold in laughter. Most of the team turn their head in my direction and point. What? Oh sure, blame me......already.

Next stop, touch down in the big city of Lima, only a short 6 hour flight away. 360 straight minutes.Wish I was a travel sleeper, bummer, that's just not me. I'm seated next to Alice. Whoo hoo thats a bonus.

I LOVE ALICE, SHE IS MY FAVORITE.

and she is watching me write, I promised to keep that part IN my journal.

Man she is a pro at reading over my shoulder :)

After take off and few Hail Mary's under my belt we all settle into our very own quiet place. A newly bought best seller, IPOD's or simply the tiny square window filled with nothing but beautiful blue skies. To my left, 11 year old Callie burries her head in the safety of her Momma's side. So sweet. I secretly snap a picture. I miss my kiddies already. Glancing quickly at my pink sports watch I realize that time has also continued back home in Florence. Drexel's soccer game is nearly over, wonder if he scored. I hope Delaney found her freshly cleaned uniform for her out of town tournament. Did I get my debit card back from Dylan? I'm pretty sure Grandpa was gonna make sure David had a ride to his PT appointment's. Diane will be home for Fall Break, hate I miss most of her visit. In my Bible I have tucked away a special drawing from my newly aged 4 year old. "Wheely Mommy, bing it wiff you to Pah-roo. I will miss you."




Even at 30,000 feet I can't relax. How will they survive with out me? The house and all it's normal functioning routines will surely cease to operate. Right? I force my soccer Mom thoughts from my head and steal a few yummy combos from my seatmate.
FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS.
I am on a mission here.
YES, YES, YES
Literally a mission.
Unfolded laundry, missed school work and trash cans put out on Wednesday should not be front and center.

I don't know what to expect in Peru or how God will work my heart over. My first mission trip to Haiti a little over a year ago was life changing. Predicted correctly by many who have been there. Understood completely by those who have been there as well. I don't mean Haiti, I mean a time, a place in time when God takes a hold of your heart, gently reshapes it and puts it back. Just the way HE wants it. Well gee whiz, HE has already done that once. How do you top that? Heck if I know, I'm kinda marveling at the invention of combos right now. They really do taste like pizza. Amazing!




While at the playground a few years ago I overheard/eaves dropped on a very round, not so comfortable pregnant Momma of one. She talks with a serious face to her Starbucks drinking friend.

"But really Jennifer, how can I possibly love this baby as much as Taylor?"

My eyes discreetly scan the area around her feet looking for Taylor. I'm curious to know roughly how old Taylor is and quite honestly if it is a boy or a girl. Sorry, I'm that nosy and that name always seems to trip me up a bit. I almost blurt out an answer. Inside my thought bubble I use a super loud outside voice. You would think both ladies could actually hear my unscripted comments.






Oh you will love this new baby just as much, it's hard to imagine right now, but you will. I promise. Mommas have more than enough love for all her children.

Each time is different.

Each birth is different.

and each special newborn you hold close to your body, a new place in your heart opens up.

God makes more room.

If you are willing to listen to God, the design and capacity of this incredible

EXPAND-O-HEART
is limitless and ever changing.

I suppose this mind boggling process works for mission trips as well.
Don't ask me. Remember, I can't even figure out a baked pretzel snack.





By now Jennifer has pacified her due any minute friend. Lost in my own thoughts I missed her response. I now wonder if she used the

EXPAND-O-HEART example.

Probably not, that's OK, she won't understand it for a least a few more days anyway.




I turn my head slightly to the right to check on Alice. Sound asleep, tuned into her sleep playlist, mouth wide open. I'm tempted to draw a blue sharpie mustache while I have the chance, but quickly decide against it.

Tone it down people, tone it down.






Closing my eyes, I ask God for a safe landing and an open, moldable heart.

Ephesians 2:9

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.