Aggressive Approach, Firm Landing

According to the captain, we are about 150 miles from Tegucigalpa and will begin our descent shortly. The weather  is partly cloudy and a pleasant 22 degrees Celsius or 72 degrees Fahrenheit.  In his words, the approach to the  city's airport runway will be "aggressive with a firm landing, but we want to make sure we get stopped in time."  If you've experienced it, you understand this is a remarkably tactful way of saying were going to come in fast, drop quickly, bank steeply a few hundred feet above the ground, and hit the runway hard with the brakes full on.  The surrounding hills and length of the relatively short landing strip present their share of challenges to even the most experienced pilot.

We are dropping down into a different way of  life and culture where we will work for the next seven days. Time has a whole different meaning in Honduras.  Everything moves at a slower pace than we are used to.

What does the week ahead hold for us? Will we hit the ground running. I wonder home many times we will swoop into a new community with our plans all laid out only to find out God has something completely different in store for us.

It happens every time. We come roaring in with all our lists and plans.  I'm not saying this is wrong.  We would be foolish to come unprepared. However, some of our enthusiastic momentum will come to a screeching halt within hours of our arrival.  It is inevitable.

Will we have the self-control and patience to slow down, relax and simply do what needs to be done. Will we recognize the obstacles and surprises as opportunities to be of even greater service than we could have possibly imagined?

I hope so.  This is my prayer.  Lord, give us the courage to approach your work aggressively and to be prepared for a firm landing.  Then, slow us down to your pace so we may see you…and join you there.

Guest Blogger: Doug Eaton