Well hey there! If you're reading this it's probably for one of two reasons: 1) because you're about to go on a mission trip 2) there's a student in your life that's about to go on a mission trip.

International missions is something that holds a real big place in my heart. Between my sophomore and junior year of high school I had the opportunity, through a mission organization called GlobalX, to travel to the Philippines for two weeks. I came from those two weeks as a completely different person. I fell in love with a place and people that made my heart feel at peace and the next summer I spent two more weeks there.

So, whether you fall in one of the two categories I listed before or you just enjoy a good read I just want to take a second and express my excitement for you as you or your student prepares to hop on a plane and go be the hands and feet of the Lord.

I feel like there's a stigma about international trips. SO many people expect there to be such massive life change just because they make the choice to go international. I'm not saying that doesn't happen. God reaches everyone in specific unique ways, and hey, that might be the way he reaches your heart.

Yes, international trips bring heavy personal change but it's your job as a student to prepare your heart for this change. Open up a dialogue with God leading up to your trip and ask him to use you in the way he sees fit. Remember that it might not be the way you see fit but you're not there to stay in your comfort zone, that'd be silly.

I encourage you to be flexible in everything. I say this because not everything will go as planned and that's the beauty of it all. Mission trips are meant to be messy. If everything went according to human plan then there wouldn't be opportunities for teams to watch the Lord work. It's all about realizing that His plan is so much bigger and better than we can imagine

I'd love to give a special shout out to two groups. First, the 2017 Browns Bridge Philippines team that's leaving on the 6th. I'm praying for you guys as some of you return for the second time to the place you love and as some of you step into a new place that I guarantee will steal pieces of your heart forever. Seriously soak it all up, write it all down-- you'll be glad you did, friends.

Also tell Rap that I love him and give him a hug for me. Second, hey Schoen! I know this isn't as immediate as the last one but in August you're leaving your comfort to spend 3 months serving in South Africa and I wanted you to know how excited I am for you. I'm praying that you continue to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to humbly serve and that your time in South Africa is full of growth and overflowing love.

Before you click off this page and go back to normal everyday life I would love to invite you to take a moment and pray for either your team, your student, or the students mentioned above. Write your best friend or your loved one a letter of encouragement to take with them. I hope that this letter encouraged students and parents alike to embrace the crazy that is international missions because I'm sure happy I embraced it.