When I think of journeys, backpacking comes to mind. My husband and I enjoy retreating into the quiet of nature with simply a backpack. There is something beautiful about crossing a wide expanse of land on nothing but your own two feet. Although backpacking is a minimalist experience, the preparation for it is extensive. Here’s part of my first backpacking story:

About eight years ago, I bought a full-sized backpack during college. It’s a 60-Liter bag from an outdoor store in Canada. I was so excited to own it, and promptly stored it away in my dorm room, looking forward to using it soon. But college was busy, and I didn’t have much time for backpacking. What I thought would be a few months of waiting to use that pack turned into a few years. And by a few years, I mean six.

Yup. Six years later, I pulled that pack out of storage for its first big trip; and it certainly proved its worth–through sun and snow. I hiked one of the best routes in Washington and returned home rejuvenated, with a newfound love for the sport.

Now, I don’t recommend driving to the store and buying a backpack thinking, “I may use it–someday!” However, I think there is a principle that can be applied to you and this summer right now.

You have taken the first step (downloading an application) toward embarking on this incredible, life-changing journey with God through missions. But, truth be told, He’s been preparing you for this long before today. And if you’ve “bought your backpack”–or in this case, downloaded an application and haven’t sent it in yet–send it in! Don’t let it sit on your desk any longer, like my backpack sat in my closet.

This summer has been in the making for awhile now. In fact, before you were even born, God knew that someday you would experience His love, dedicate your life to Him, and eventually desire to serve Him through missions.

Anything that requires extensive preparation is worthwhile. That first backpacking trip is a treasured memory that was six years in the making. Similarly, this summer will be a treasured experience of yours, on which to build the rest of your life!

Welcome to the Royal Servants family!

During the day the Kairos students did a performance called “Jesus with Skin On,” then the team split up into groups to serve the community from playing soccer to building houses, from chatting with a few Hondurans to helping cook a very yummy dinner—the Kairos students are loving the Honduran food and we have an amazing meal prepared for tonight!

When Jesus walked upon the earth, He lived and breathed the gospel of God’s love. He reached out to the lost and the broken, the ones in need of Him. One way in which He did this was to humble Himself in service to others, to give freely to them; not to do a righteous act for its own sake, but to display the love of the Father in a tangible form. We as disciples of Jesus are called to follow in His footsteps. And today, the students were given the opportunity to be the tangible hands and feet of Jesus Christ. They walked out into the village of Yamaranguila in groups of four, for the purpose of serving. They had no plan, no direction – they were encouraged to let the Spirit lead them where He would. And God met them in incredible ways. Simple acts such as husking corn or carrying bricks to build a house opened doors to relationships with the people, and helped to showcase the love of God, as He meant us to do.

—PJ Teesdale

Later that night in the youth group of 60 students, the brave Lea shared with them the story of Joseph and the faithfulness of God. PJ also shared his testimony with the group and how God continually pursed him and never gave up. The Hondurans really took heart to this, especially when PJ spoke on how God will never give up on them, they will never be abandoned.

Please be praying for no rain so Kairos can get to the villages and spread Christ!

It is great to be back in Yamaranguila! #KDS

— Erika Breiby (@embreiby) February 9, 2012

2day is a day of VBS/DTS prep, & serving at the farm to help get school supplies ready for the 50-60 students that the missionaries sponsor.

— Erika Breiby (@embreiby) February 9, 2012

If you are unable to view this video here or would like to see more, click here to go to our Kairos discipleship training school playlist on YouTube »

Hey Kairos crew! Have a great time in Honduras! We’ll be praying for you guys. Stay safe and serve passionately. @reignministries

— Job Hammond (@JobandBethany) February 8, 2012

Kairos peeps – Have an incredible time in Honduras! I look forward to hearing the stories of changed lives! (cc: @ReignMinistries)

— Clayton Lott (@thebassoflife) February 8, 2012

Our Kairos discipleship training school is headed out tomorrow (February 8, 2012) to Honduras! What are they doing there? Here is a day-by-day summary of their ministry:

Wed, Feb 8—Travel to Honduras

In Honduras we partner with Mercy International. They are located in the Honduran mountains near La Esperanza, which is a couple of hours from the San Pedro Sula airport.

Thu & Sat, Feb 9-11—Mercy International

The team begins its ministry at the Mercy International missionary base. They will:

• Work with the ministry’s youth group.
• Participate in the Sunday church services.
• Stage and launch ministry to surrounding remote villages.
• Prep for the mountains

Sun-Tues, Feb 12-14—San Pedrito

Kairos discipleship training school teams have been working in San Pedrito for the last five years and have played an instrumental role in introducing and spreading the gospel and establishing a church.

The Students will

• Conduct a VBS for the children around the church
• Conduct discipleship-training-school-style teaching times for the young adults and church members.
• Stage and launch for their ministry to surrounding remote villages.
• Lice Clinics
• Work Projects

Wed-Sat, Feb 15-18—Agua Caliente

In this even more remote village, where there is little or no gospel witness and no churches, the team will do door-to-door evangelism and Bible distribution. If it is conducive to relationship building, they will conduct a VBS. They are also prepared to play soccer as a friendly ice-breaking/outreach activity.

During these day the students will be making day trips into Santa Maria or Auga Sucia for more VBS, construction, and lice clinics!

Sun, Feb 19—Hike back to Yamaranguila

The team will be gathering after working in the remote, unreached villages of Agua Sucia and Agua Caliente at Mercy Int’l. But first they will make the long trek back!

Mon, Feb 20– The Farm

Today will be a day of rest for the students after their very long/strenuous travel days in the mountains and finally a time to clean those clothes!

Tues, Feb 21—The Invasion

In 1998 Hurricane Mitch, the worst tropical storm of the season, dropped historic amounts of rain on Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua – up to 75″ in some places! This resulted in catastrophic floods and landslides. Untold thousands were displaced from their homes and villages in the mountains and congregated in a field near La Esparanza. This field, now a refugee camp for internally displaced people, is known as The Invasion.

Inside The Invasion, there is no water, sanitary facilities, or electricity. As you would expect, the situation is shockingly difficult.

The Kairos discipleship training school will be working for 2 days inside The Invasion conducting discipleship classes for believers, vacation Bible schools for the children, and playing pick-up soccer as an outreach.

Wed-Thurs, Feb 22-23—Tela

Kairos discipleship training school, like all discipleship training schools, exists to integrate knowledge about God and daily living into one harmonious life with Christ. At Reign Ministries, debriefing is a part of every trip. Its where we reflect on the experience and define intentional steps and application for future living.

Fri, Feb 24—Return & Spring Break

Saturday will be a big day. The team will travel from the mountain village of La Esperanza to San Pedro Sula and fly back to Minneapolis. Upon arrival the students are released for Spring Break.