Prepared - Am I ready or not?

In the midst of my packing for my 5th trip to El Salvador, I mentally asked myself, "Are you prepared?".  I stopped what I was doing as I was taken aback by the impact of that question.  Maybe because we had just finished up a sermon series on Nehemiah and had spent a fair amount of time on the preparations Nehemiah took for the job God laid on his heart.  Maybe because we talk about how to prepare in our team meetings.  Maybe because I wasn't feeling prepared!  

Then I thought of Jesus - how did He prepare for things - and my first thought was to the fact that He didn't start His ministry till he was 30 years old.  What did He do all those years?  How was His time spent?  Were any of His disciples friends from the previous years?  30 years is a long time to prep for a ministry that only lasted 3 years.  

This is something I will study and meditate further - PREPAREDNESS.  Right now I do not feel prepared for what lies ahead.  Yes I have packed the proper clothes, gifts for my Compassion child, games, puzzles and books for the kids.  I've read some books, had the opportunity for some specific mission training, practiced some Spanish and gathered my prayer group, yet still feel inadequate for the tasks ahead.

But herein lies the great truth - I am not alone - a team in El Salvador is preparing for our arrival, we are a team of 36 Canadians who have prepared together to go, hundreds of others have contributed so that 36 homes could be built this week, the community will gather to work together, and the Creator, Sustainer and Giver of every good gift is the one who prepares our way - and He is faithful and perfect in His preparedness, and I rest in His grace.