Friday, August 01, 2008

Nicaragua, Here We Come...

Bags packed. Journal prepared. Camera battery charged.
Malaria pills begun. Pepto-bismol at the ready.
Hair braided and tucked up and away.
Fabulous final dinner soon to be underway.
We are ready to go.



A candle to be relit.
A prayer to be lifted this night before I tuck myself into
my comfy bed for the last time... for seven nights, anyway.


A Four-Fold Franciscan Blessing

May God bless you with a restless discomfort about easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships, so that you may seek truth boldly and love deep within your heart.

May God bless you with holy anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may tirelessly work for justice, freedom, and peace among all people.

May God bless you with the gift of tears to shed with those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, or the loss of all that they cherish, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and transform their pain into joy.

May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you really CAN make a difference in this world, so that you are able, with God’s grace, to do what others claim cannot be done.

And the blessing of God, the Supreme Majesty and our Creator, Jesus Christ the Incarnate Word who is our brother and Savior, and the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Guide, be with you and remain with you, this day and forevermore.

(And also with us.)

Amen.

4 comments:

jena strong said...

Buen viaje, Gail.

Lori Duncan said...

Praying for you Gail.
I loved that blessing.
Thanks for sharing it.
I leave for Belize on the 9th.
I will pray that for the team and I too.

Amy said...

Godspeed, Dear Gail. I hope this trip will be fruitful in many ways.

Anonymous said...

Love this prayer. Wow!

You've been on my mind all day. Looking at my watch, trying to surmise where you are, sending you peace and traveling mercies.