Sincere and inquiring minds in my sphere of discipleship ministries are very cognizant of my numerous foreign mission travels abroad. And recently, a few of them were requesting hands-on information of how I coped on some of my first assignments.

So, I decided to re-visit a few of my early diary pages and blog about the very first international mission trip I took with the company I signed up with, Buckner International. (*)

(*) NOTE: Buckner Internationalhttps://www.buckner. Buckner transforms the lives of vulnerable children, enriches the lives of senior adults, and builds strong families through Christ-centered values.

Date:  December 8, 2007

Dear Diary:

     My limo driver to take me to DFW Airport (Dallas, Tx)  was 20 minutes late.  As I sat in my garage awaiting him, I silently anticipated just how marvelous and eventful the next 8 days would be.  You see, I'm packed and ready to embark upon my first mission trip with Buckner to Lima, Peru.  But altogether there will be approximately 28 volunteers converging to DFW from 4 USA states to be joined together to fly to Lima to visit several children orphanages and to hand out Christmas gifts, new shoes, VBS materials and a few medical supplies.
     Well, I'm finally at the airport and the limo driver conveniently dropped me off directly in front of Continental Airlines.  The skycap assisted me with 3 bags and even took my passport and checked me in.  Two of my luggages were filled with Christmas gifts for the children.

EVENT #1.

     As soon as I stepped inside the airport lobby, I was stopped by airport security as I attempted to pass through security.  I could not imagine I possessed any unauthorized object which I had packed on me that would not pass inspection.  What did security find...2 bottles of Elmer's glue.  YES!  And because of Elmer, I had to get out of line, put my shoes back on and return to the ticket counter.
     I did not want to throw out the glue but my only other alternative was to recall my checked 2 bags and insert the glue in one of them. I decided to do the latter.  The wait was turning into 15 minutes and my patience was wearing thin.  Just then the Good Lord stepped in.  A young couple (Amy and Casey) toting a black duffle bag with bright green Buckner tags attached got in the check in line.  Not thinking of the consequences, I rushed up to them and inquired if they would pack my 2 bottles of glue in one of their carry-on bags.  Amy's eyes got real big and she looked at her husband and said; "Are we supposed to do that?"  Her facial expression looked like she was about to yell for security!
     Right then, it downed on me that I had mentally identified the couple as being a part of my Buckner group by their green luggage tags, but they didn't even know me because my luggage was on its way back to me.  In haste, I identified myself and explained my predicament.  We all laughed and sighed with relief and allowed the Holy Spirit to say..."catcha"!  "And I'll be with you guys on your mission trip."

Event #2.

     When I finally reached the boarding waiting lounge, the first person to introduce herself to me was a pleasant young lady named Mary.  We did not know at the time we were assigned roommates.  But our conversation mirrored each others.  How much we loved the Lord, our passion for missions, how we both found and joined Buckner International, our growing relationship with the Holy Spirit and our growing opportunities to witness, support and see the scriptures come alive before our eyes.  (And you know Who arranged this time for us to become sisters in Christ before our union as room mates.  Praise God.) 

Event #3.

     During one of our first trips to an orphanage in Lima where the majority of the children were handicapped, a small boy approached me while I sat in the open court yard.  At first he just stared at me.  Then he came closer and took his finger and ran it along my cheek twice.  'No, it does not come off,' I remember thinking.  He did it again and we just look intently at one another.  I smiled and he almost did, too.  My corn roll hair braids were also a big hit with the young girls, the staff and the instructors, as well.  How I so enjoyed and felt blessed to be instrumental in uniting God's earthly human species into a loving, caring and inquisitive family of His. 

(A free pixel image of Peruvian children being taught with braids being taught by volunteers.)

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