I love obscure Old Testament prophets. Many Christians find them dull, what with the repeated “turn or burn” messages. It’s not always easy to keep the lessons fresh and applicable is, but I enjoy the challenge.
I also enjoy the interesting metaphors. As I teach through the book of Amos, I’m struck by the images the Lord gave this shepherd manager and fig grower: visions of locusts, fire, and a plumb line. Amos has a distinctive voice, and one of his phrases rings in my ears,
“you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.”
~Amos 6:6b
As Israel turned their backs on God, their culture grew progressively immoral. Rejecting God’s law, they turned their back on those in need with no concern for the poor and oppressed.
I must confess that mercy isn’t one of my spiritual gifts, but after preparing my Amos 6 lesson, the only words I could find were Isaiah’s: I am undone.
I am undone and grieved over the ruin of our nation and the world.
Gales Point, Belize
Back in October, I traveled with some friends on a vision trip to Belize. We met with a couple of missionary groups there and the Lord gave me a clear direction of how I could partner with one of them. Less than a month later, another opportunity arose.
On Saturday, I’m going to Guatemala. I’m traveling with Adventures in Missions as a part of author Jeff Goins’ “Wrecked Vision Trip.”
Jeff recently released his book, Wrecked: When A Broken World Slams Into Your Comfortable Life. It’s a quick read and one that will mess with you, in a good way. (Like Radical by David Platt.)
“[Being wrecked is] about embracing the journey of
being brokenhearted for a broken world and
allowing it to shape you.
It’s about navigating through life with open hands,
willing to be interrupted.”
~Jeff Goins, Wrecked
We’re a team of 20 from all over the country, and most of us are unacquainted except for Facebook. We’re excited about what the Lord has planned for our random, God-orchestrated group. More than that, we know we’ll return home wrecked and undone.
Would you pray for us Feb 2-6? I’ve decided to suspend my blog schedule so I can focus on hearing from the Lord and building relationships. I look forward to seeing you back here next Friday with an overview!
If you’re on Twitter, we’ll be tweeting under #wreckedguate
Jeff will be blogging our adventures, so be sure to check him out from time to time. He published a list of everyone who’s going on his post, Who’s Going To Guatemala With Me And How You Can Join Us.
Will be praying for all of you on this trip and for the ones you meet.
Thank you, Brenda!
I’d be honored to pray for you, Susan. I look forward to hearing about it when you return! Oh, what a wonderful thing you’re doing!
Thanks, Mandy. Can’t wait!
Susan, first off let me say that I think that mercy is one of your spiritual gifts. You show it to me each time you get a text or email. I’ll be praying for you as you take this trip. I’m still waiting on the day where I can sit through a lesson with you as my teacher! Love you, sweet friend!
You’re a sweetie, Jamie
I look forward to being together for a lesson too!
Susan, I am so excited for you, and thrilled that you have had these recent opportunities to see a world different than yours. Yes, our world is wrecked (I would love to read that book)…and in this wrecked world are broken relationships, broken families, broken churches, broken…well you get the picture. The ruin of our nation is heartbreaking. So few are willing to step out of their comfort zone.
Blessings to you and your team!
xoxo
Thanks, TK. You’d love the book. Everybody needs to be wrecked
Susan,
That’s so incredible! I pray God moves within your group and in all you put your hand to do for His kingdom as you go off on this adventure.
Please let me know how it turns out. I’d love to hear your wrecked story when you return.
Thanks, Alycia! Yes, I’m sure I’ll be digging out from the wreckage for a long time. Hopefully FOREVER!
Squeeeee! I am so excited for you to be going with Jeff Goins’ group and can’t wait to see what transpires in the hearts and lives of those who go and whose lives are touched by the trip!
Isn’t it cool, Kim? It’s been great to connect with the others. It’s such a diverse group, and we’re excited about what God is already doing. Thanks for praying!
I will definitely be praying for you, Susan, and your entire missions group. We both know that when God orchestrates something for His glory, HE will cause it to magnificently bless all those involved. I can’t wait to read your progress report when you return.
Many blessings to you & all of your mission team!
~Anna
Thank you, Anna. It’s amazing and humbling to know that people from all over the country will be praying for us. I’m so excited to be a part of the group!
I will definitely be praying for all of you Susan! It sounds so exciting, I am so blessed to have you as a teacher. Sorry I did not make class Sunday, I prepared got ready and still ran too late to come. (Had Gabby @ the house) I just went to the sanctuary and prayed until service. I am enjoying Amos. Also, enjoying “Change My Attitude” that Martha Barger is teaching on Wednesdays. Be safe, you will be covered in prayers and will return with many blessings I am sure!
Renee
I missed you, Renee! I have a little note for you too. Praying for you and the family, especially Josh. Glad the Lord is speaking to you through such different studies!
Oh yes, I will pray! So excited for you! I will also pray after you returned, because it is during that period afterwards that most people feel the most wrecked.
Thanks, Tereasa. Yes, I was fairly wrecked by Belize, so I’m sure the wreckage from Guatemala will be extensive. I appreciate your sensitivity to that
Oh, I’m so excited for you and wish so much that I were going with you! You are covered by prayer. Love you!
~Di
I wish you were going TOO, Di! We’ll do it another time. Thanks for praying — love you!
Susan, I’ve sure been out of sorts lately, but that doesn’t mean I’ve ceased reading your blog & keeping abreast as to what you’re doing. I am so thankful you have been given such awesome opportunities and then in return we all are living vicariously through your experiences. Perhaps some day I will be blessed to travel with you
You and your group will be in my prayers as you take this journey… May you see, hear, & do the things God has for you while there. All my love… Marisa
Marisa, golly girl, you’ve had so much on your plate lately. I keep you & your situation at the top of my prayer journal, but to be honest, no one would blame you if you spent the next couple of weeks in bed with the covers pulled up over you. Of course you’d never do that, but it’s understandable after all you’ve been through.
I’m so honored that you stop by and visit, and I’m so grateful for your prayers. I would LOVE to do a mission trip with a bunch of my friends. Maybe one day a fun opportunity will come up for us. In the meantime, we can pray and keep up with each other on our sites.
Thank you SO much for praying. Love you
Susan,
I will pray for you sister. I have read “Radical” but not “Wrecked” – but now with your favorable evaluation I’m interested.
I love your heart Susan and I must selfishly say that I pray for the day to meet you. You are dear to me sweet friend.
Love, Hester
I join you in the selfish prayer, Hester. I hope the Lord arranges that SOON. Thanks so much for praying. I know I can always count on you!
Much love,
Susan
With you in heart and prayer–especially since I can “see” where you are going.
I’ve been thinking about you, Marcia. We’re staying in Antigua! Thank you for praying
Two more sleeps!!! Can’t wait to meet you in person. My heart already feels like it’s connected to yours. I’m already wrecked in a new way for Guatemala and I haven’t even left yet. Praying here!
WooHoo for two sleeps! It will be SO nice to finally see each other in real life. Your headshots are lovely, but I know they don’t compare
Guatemala, here we come!
You know, Michael Hyatt always says that the “good stuff” happens when you move out of your comfort zone- can’t wait to hear about how this trip will change you!
Michael Hyatt is RIGHT! Can’t wait to see what lies ahead. Thanks, Julia!
My dear friend, you know that you stay in my prayers! And I’m praying especially for this journey. Love you!
Thank you, sweet Kristi. I know I can always count on you
Hi, I saw your link on Jeff Goins’ site. I’ve never heard a trip like this called a “vision trip” but that phrase really struck me as being powerful. I think if I were there it would change my vision too – the way I see things now, and the way I’d like to work for change. Which I guess must be the point! Have a great time.
Thank you so much for stopping by, Jamie! This is my second vision trip, and I’m excited to see things come into clearer focus for me. I hope you’ll follow our journey!
I’m excited to meet the team in person, too, and we all appreciate the prayers of your community here! Thanks to everyone…God has great big plans for this group, not only for the short time we’ll be together, but also for how this experience will wreck us and change us all for the future.
So glad you stopped by, Christine. I’m excited to meet everyone and see how God wrecks us!
Susan, I will pray all week for you and others on this vision trip to Guatamala….. So glad you have this wonderful opportunity. I too look forward to reading your report and if there are speaking engagements for you…..I would love to go with you on atleast one so I can see your smiling face.
Broken family relationships is one area that makes my heart heavy laden!
Praying for you and your group to have safe and blessed traveling experiences. Your friend, Judy
Thank you so much, Judy! God has big things in store for this group, and I’m thrilled to be a part! I’ll look forward to visiting with you after I settle back in at home. I hope you’re still making good progress with your recovery
I am soooooo jealous….. love to go again with ya!!! Will pray for safe trip!!! When we were in Belize we could have been there to Guatemala if Don didn’t realize we were getting lost.
How exciting, Susan! I am praying for you and the entire team as you display the love of Christ to the hurting in Guatemala. God bless you my friend.
Susan, Happy travels to you and may our great God continue to instill His gifts in you for people in this world! This is so exciting! I went to Guatemala almost 2 years ago and it was an eye-opening experience for me… I so appreciate my time there. Jeff’s book sounds great too, thanks for sharing about it! ~ Blessings out from Maine, Amy
When I started reading this post, (before I clicked the “read more”) I immediately thought of the book “Wrecked.” I just started reading it..and then there it was when I scrolled down! I think you are midway through the trip…but I’ll start praying now! Let the wrecking begin
It needs to be my turn next =o/
Was so fun to read this and then think that people were praying for us as we were meeting and talking for the first time
. I would LOVE to be near enough to sit in one of your Bible studies with you 
. I’m reading Jeremiah right now and there definitely is something about the OT prophets- my study Bible is getting a workout!