Mission work...what do you think?

For the past couple of weeks I have been thinking about a mission trip to Haiti. I know it sounds a little bit crazy to some and like the timing is all wrong. Here is my question if that is the case then why does this keep coming into my thoughts? Why when I think about going on this mission trip or another type of mission trip perhaps to a different country a feeling of relief comes over me if it is not right?

One of the doctors who I work with just came back a couple of weeks ago from Haiti. The mission trip was organized by the Missionaries of the Poor I had been thinking about this before she left but I had been thinking about trying to find one in Russia or another Eastern European country. Believe it or not this came into my mind when I started to look at nursing jobs abroad. Yes the cat is out of the bag this it what I have been thinking about or maybe becoming a traveling nurse in different parts of the country.

I know Anna is my main concern but perhaps this IS all possible. Yes Gerard thinks I am crazy and has flat out said no! He has said no to other things that turned out to be the best decisions we have made in the past to so I think I may be able to get him on board still. He himself passed up a job a number of years ago that would have taken him to Russia. Sounds funny to remember those times. He would have had to live there for 6 months.

Back to the mission trip, I think Anna would be okay for a week or so if I were to decide to do this. For me right now financing the trip is my main concern. I know that I will more likely then not go on one in the near future because the thought of going and helping seems to be on my mind every morning.

This morning I read an article about a team in Afghanistan who were killed. After reading this I am leaning more toward going even though you would think a sane person would have put mission work completely out of her mind. When you have the ability to help others that is a gift and one that should not be thrown away or under used. Life is not about things or how much you have. Even as I say this I look around my house and almost feel guilty for the shear quantity of stuff I have when others have so little.

I think I have changed and I am not sure when I did or what single event if there was one that has changed me. Perhaps I am just growing up both as an adult and a child of Christ. Maybe I am just realizing that living a comfortable life and not helping another is an empty life.

A fellow blogger friend Stephanie will be taking a trip to Africa and is asking for donations. She is in the process of adopting from Ethiopia and may visit an orphanage where her daughter will be from prior to her referral for the mission work, how amazing is that!

So these are the things that go through my mind when I am quiet. I would love to hear feedback about different mission trips others have been on and what organizations they went with and why.