Boarding the Plane

When I was asked to go to Spain in November to serve a traditional American Thanksgiving meal with the team, my first response was, “No way.” I didn’t even want to consider going as a mom with young kids. How could I even think about going when Caleb (2 years old) has speech therapy and preschool, Steven (7 years old) has school and therapy for autism, and I have work and home responsibilities?

In Spring 2022, my husband, Ross, had gone on a mission trip to work with the Casey family. He asked me to prayerfully consider going on the November trip. I agreed to do that, and I would constantly ask God, “How?” His response: “Trust Me.” Finally, I had a peace that I needed to go.

Before our departure date, I was in a serious car accident with my youngest, my passport almost expired, and my boys kept getting sick. I felt like Satan’s punching bag, but I was obedient and boarded the plane.

I knew the Casey family well because they had stayed at our house for furlough in the summer. I’d heard about the wonderful relationships they have with several families, but none of them were believers. The Thanksgiving dinners allowed me to put faces to the names of individuals that Josh and Brenda Lei fervently pray for and evangelize on a daily basis. The time and effort that we put into this amazing Thanksgiving meal touched each and every person at that table on both nights. Their friends knew there was something different about the Casey family, which they called the “Casey magic.” My heart yearned for each one of them to learn that the amazing “Casey magic” wasn’t magic, but was God’s love pouring out of the Casey family into each and every person in that room. God showed me that I need to put away distractions and open my eyes to what is going on around me. God’s love can shine through in the smallest of interactions between people. Showing hospitality can really make a difference by showing love and care to others.

Because I trusted God with all of the unknowns, I felt a “peace that passeth all understanding,” and I was able to truly focus on serving. The amount of support we have received from our family and church family allowed me this amazing opportunity. God said to trust Him with my boys and work - basically everything. I’m so glad I listened and boarded the plane.