The Moral of the Story

Cindy Trane Christeson

“As frightening as events can be, and as ominous as the future is, I

feel a peace that doesn’t come from anything material, or anything I’ve

done, but from deep within. My life is with God.” -- Joseph Girzone

I am so thankful that I can trust God. I am writing this the day

before my husband, Jon, and I leave for a trip unlike one we have ever

taken. Tomorrow we will join six other people for a short-term mission

trip to Cairo, Egypt.

After five days working with a church there, we will have a change of

pace when we spend three days on a Bedouin expedition to the Red Sea. Our

trip will come to an end after three busy days in Israel, where we will

meet with local missionaries as well as tour the city sights. Today I

paid bills and packed clothes, but I have been preparing my heart for

months for this experience. One of the last things I will pack, and one

of the first things I will unpack, will be my Bible. Is it because I’m

spiritual? No, it’s because I’m scared.

This trip does not feel 100% safe to me. I know I will need to read

passages about God’s presence and protection. There is so much that is

unknown about what lies ahead, but I know God, and I know that he is

trustworthy. God was so very faithful to us. I am writing this section

quickly after hearing the announcement that we are soon to land in Eilat,

Israel. We boarded the plane exhausted but encouraged after our time in

Cairo.

Too much happened to be summed up quickly, but God was with us, and

the people in the church were so warm and friendly. The Egyptian

government is neither warm nor friendly toward the church, however, and

we were constantly followed by police. I never did get used to seeing so

many machine guns.

I am so thankful that I can trust God because tomorrow we start our

Bedouin experience. There is so much that is unknown about what lies

ahead, but I know God and I know that he is trustworthy. God was so

very faithful to us. This passage is being written just after I heard the

announcement that we are about to land in Tel Aviv, Israel. Too much

happened on the Sinai Peninsula to be summed up quickly, other than to

say that God was with us and it was unforgettable. I was clearly out of

my comfort zone, but God’s love and presence among our group was so

strong that I felt surprisingly comfortable.

Today we head to Jerusalem. There is so much that is unknown about

what lies ahead, but I know God, and I know that he is trustworthy. God

was so very faithful to us. I’m writing this after hearing the

announcement that we are about to land in Los Angeles. Too much happened

in Israel to be summed up quickly, other than to say that God was with

us, and it was amazing and inspiring.

Today we head home. I’m excited, but I guess I’m a bit nervous as

well. There is so much that is unknown about what lies ahead, but I know

God and I know that he is trustworthy.

And you can quote me on that.

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks frequently

to parenting groups. She can be reached via e-mail at cindy@onthegrow.com

or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505, Newport Beach 92658.