On the runway in Cincinnati

Written at 3 p.m. Eastern time Friday:

The mission team arrived two hours before our flight was to leave. It turns out we needed the extra tim as the security line was very long -- apparently spring break traffic and some new security measures.

At our gate we had some extra time as the plane was really late. I took time to call colleagues at the Presbyterian Center to find out about layoffs there. But little information was available. Ellen waited but did not receive a call from one of her colleagues.

I was surprised how anxious I was as I dialed the Presbyterian Center number on a pay phone. I joked - but only somewhat - that suddently I wasn't as anxious about getting bus-jacked in Guatemala. Two of us (Ellen and Perry) work at the Center, both parents of another one of us (Luke) work at the Center, and the spouse of another us (Ben).

We know that the fate of the national church and the job status of our Center colleagues - as well as the outcomes of our Guatemala trip - are in God's hands. We trust God to do what is best - Still, we feel bad for probably at the very least for several dozen Center colleagues who are losing their jobs (if not us too) as I write and our friends in Guatmala who must live in some long-term vigilance even with their trust in God.

God - Watch over us on the trip and help us make the most of our time and encounters here in giving service to YOu and our brothers and sisters in Guatemala and Kentuckiana.

-- Perry