Dichotomy

This afternoon we begin the trip south - WAY south. We'll drive to Fort Lauderdale, FL. From there we will get on a REALLY BIG boat and sail south to Panama, Costa Maya, and Costa Rica (not in that order). 8 nights on the boat - with 4 "Fun Days At Sea" as a part of the trip. Then we'll try to drive back from Fort Lauderdale in one day. (ugh)

Yes, we'll be on a cruise in the Western Caribbean. So we'll be traveling in posh decadence, visiting places with DEEP poverty. It struck us last year on the trip also - especially in Belize. The cognitive dissonance of cruise ship life vs. deep Central American poverty within 5 hours was shocking to our systems. While we had fun then - and we will have fun this time also - we are more and more convicted that Jesus was far more concerned with the poor than we have been. So we are looking for ways to make a difference. We must balance the concerns of individual safety - especially for our young girls - but still be involved and actually be effective in making a difference. Lord, please grant us vision and wisdom in this pursuit of your desires.