Preparation, Preparation, Preparation - by Mark

We have been working hard for the last couple of weeks, preparing for the upcoming mission trip to Zihuatanejo (see-wha-tah-nae-hoe) in the state of Guerrero. In a way, it is like preparing for a vacation. The car needs to be checked, or in this case, two vans and a truck need to be checked. Last week we put new brakes on the red van and made some other minor repairs. Victor had two new tires put on the red van too. The vehicles should be ready to roll.

We are working on upgrading the clowns who are part of the children's ministry. This required several shopping trips. One trip was to the used clothing area of the open market. This was really fun, digging through huge piles of clothes, looking for funny combinations and bright colors. We also had to make a trip to Chalco, near Mexico City, to get clown make-up and some fun socks. Adrian and I have been building a clown train/puppet stage. The train is an old style locomotive, and the puppet stage attaches to the rear of the locomotive. It is built of PVC pipe, and Rosa is making a cloth cover which will really make it look like a train. Of course, the pipe and fittings and fabric also required another shopping trip. The train is made so a clown can "drive" it by having it strapped on. Then when it is parked, the puppet stage is attached to the rear.

Adrian and me with our train

Adrian sorting the clown clothes

In order to do a Medical Mission trip, it is necessary to have medical supplies. Jhon and Dani brought new medications and supplies that had to be sorted and packed. All the medical travel boxes are opened and set up on the tables in the dining room/warehouse, so all the new supplies can be packed in the right containers.

Sorting and packing medical supplies

For 36 people to travel, work, eat, and enjoy each other, there are a lot of preparations that have to be made. One of the biggest is food. It takes more than a day to do the planning and shopping for the trip, not to mention feeding the 15 people who will be staying at Refuge Ranch. Victor, Julie, and Rosa made the trek to Cuautla for food and supplies. We will also be camping for part of the trip so the tents and portable stove had to be checked.

At the crusade sites, there is also preparation being made. The local people need to know we are coming. There has to be a place for us to gather and to sleep. As we prepare to go and minister to the people, we are also in prayer for them. We pray not only that we will be able to meet their physical needs, but that God will prepare their hearts to hear, believe, and accept the Gospel.

Meanwhile, to go along with preparing for crusade, we (the Marshalls) are preparing for a trip to the US. Lucy is printing pictures to share, and writing down recipes she might want to prepare while we are there. We are checking with people and arranging where and when we will speak. We are working on presentations, and the kids are working ahead in school. I have said for a long time that every day is preparation for the next, but right now, we are in preparation mode.

All the experiences we have prepare us for new experiences. God tells us not to worry about tomorrow, but He does not say not to prepare.

"Be prepared, and prepare yourself, you and all your companies that are assembled about you, and be a guard for them." Ezekiel 38:7