I really don't understand why when I say "I am going on a mission trip to Malawi", the first question people ask is, "Aren't you scared?"...No, why would I be scared? Others have called me courageous? What? Why? I am just getting on a airplane and going to Africa. People do it every day. The American concept of Africa is a bit skewed I guess.

I have to admit that part of it does have to do with how I live my life. I live my life in Christ...With God I have no reason to fear, because in Him, I like many before me, have been given power and victory.

"And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, about David and Samuel, and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies." - Hebrews 11:32-34

God gives us armor to wear for our battles, the "Armor of God"...

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." - Ephesians 6: 10-13

God gives us the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, our feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit...I am fully covered d and protected, there is no need for fear.

We also have the proactive weapon of worship. God's word says the He lives in the praises of His people. When we are praising God, focused on His perfect character and thanking Him for His perfect protection, their is no room for fear...there is no room for anything but God himself.

Yesterday morning at church, while praising God, I felt Him tell me that my Malawi Team needed to worship together. Now I am not the leader of these meetings and so I haven't really thought about my "Two cents" on leading, I just show up and am led,that's my role. But yesterday, God pointed out to me that this is His trip, and He wanted us to start out by worshiping Him together. I told our team leader and brought speakers and an ipod and lyrics for everyone. We began with prayer and worship.

God was right (as always!) Hearing every one's voices singing together was a beautiful thing. In worshiping Him we were united. In worshiping Him we were strengthened. In worshiping Him, we were focused. In worshiping Him, we were peaceful.

Where we are going, there will be battle. We will be at odds with an enemy. We will need to continue to use everything that God has provided for us to stand strong, and we must know His word well enough to know what those things are. I didn't want to overstep any bounds, but worship is what had been missing all along at our meetings. We had been addressing all of the "business" but this isn't just any trip, this is God's trip.

I am thankful that God tapped me on my shoulder, so to speak, and gave us direction. It is very important to be open to hear God, and then when you have heard Him, to obey.

So I go on this trip in peace. I trust in my God's perfect provision for me. Whatever his will is for me, He promises to go with me in it...that is enough for me.

"For you have been my hope, sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you...I will ever praise you.. My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long." - Psalm 71:5-8

Worship is like a two edged sword; one side exalts God, while the other cuts down the enemy.

When we encounter difficulty or opposition on this trip my plan of action is to stop, drop, and worship. There is no better place to be, no safer place for a child of God, then a yielded spirit, worshiping Him in spirit and in truth!