Does my mission trip count?

A few months back, my boss came in and told me that I had been suggested to serve as a representative for Son Broadcasting Network in a race in Israel.  Floored and excited, I expressed that I would be honored, but it really was my husband who was the runner in the family.  A few phone calls later, and my husband and I were both encouraged to go.
We will be participating in different events under the auspices of the Jerusalem Marathon.  My husband will run the half-marathon, and I'll do the 10K (a knee injury interrupted my training schedule and led to the need for less mileage).

We will be running in support of a crisis pregnancy center in Jerusalem called "Just One Life".  This organization has been working for the last 20 years to provide help and hope for families that find themselves with very difficult choices to make surrounding an unexpected pregnancy.  13,000+ children later, it is abundantly apparent that their work is needed and serving so many Israeli families.

This trip really is a gift from the Lord.  I had the opportunity to visit Israel in 2009 with a media tour, and my prayer had been for an opportunity to go back with my husband.  Now that prayer is a reality.

I have been so excited, and felt God moving throughout the process of planning, promoting and raising funds for Just One Life.  Even with my knee injury, I've seen the favor that I've been given and I've had a doctor who has been treating me weekly with electrical stimulation simply because he want to see me succeed.

I trust that He is going to put us in contact with those we need to see, talk with those who need a word of hope, and run along side those who question why we would travel half way around the world to stand with an Israeli crisis pregnancy center. 

Though much of this trip will be more vacation like, there will be days when we will have the opportunity to share the story of why we are there, hopefully touching hearts along the way.  I was fired up about the blessing and "mission" opportunity God had given us, until . . .

Comparison is a killer.  We were chugging along with our plans when I heard of a dear friend who was going on a mission trip to Haiti.  They would work with the poor and sick, help orphans, etc.  Suddenly, our "mission" opportunity paled in comparison--big time!  I piled a good dose of doubt and condemnation on my own head. 

We are going to stay in a B&B for a few nights, then move onto a fancy hotel.  We get to spend several days as husband and wife taking in the sights of Jerusalem.  Some mission trip!

I had to stop my train of thought.  It was going down the wrong track, and fast.  I had been handed a beautiful gift.  Instead of spending every day thanking Him and blessing His name, I wallowed into a bog of comparative filth. 

Let this serve as a word of caution: comparing your anything with anyone/thing else will quickly steal your joy, and rob you the opportunity to serve in your full capacity.  That you Lord for snapping me out of that mindset! 

So we charge on.  Ready to leave in a few short weeks.  Ready to listen and act on the promptings that the Lord stirs in our hearts.  Ready to run and give the glory to the Lord. Ready to let my life serve as a mission field--in Albuquerque, Israel or anywhere He places me.

If you'd like to learn more about our trip you can visit here: http://www.teamjustonelife.org/my/birgaandbob

If you'd like to check out my friend's trip to Haiti, visit here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Becky-Maggie-to-Haiti/449043931828087?ref=ts&fref=ts