I Dare You!

Written by Joe David Bailey

When I was a child we would dare people to do things. We would say things like “I dare you to eat that grasshopper.” If the dare did not work, then we would double dog dare people. With that said, I dare you to pray. I dare you to pray about a short term mission trip. I dare you to pray about a short term mission trip to Grace Mountain in Guatemala. I dare you to live out Acts 1:8 and take the gospel to all nations.

I dare you to go to Grace mountain and see if it changes you. I dare you to see if it changes your appreciation of first world amenities. I dare you to go and see if it changes your ability to be content. I dare you to go and see if you don’t meet new friends for life from the US, especially Michigan, even if they think a toboggan is a sled.

I dare you to engage with the teachers at Collegio JET and not be impressed with their love for children. I dare you to meet the Labriel children and not be impressed with their walk with Jesus even though their father is wrongfully imprisoned. I certainly dare you to listen to a concert from them in person and not be impressed. I dare you to listen to Sabrina speak on how we all hurt and are broken vessels or sing and not be impressed. I dare you to eat Daisy and Delmy’s cooking and not love the food but them more. I dare you to yell Roll Tide at Julio or ask Pastor Adan what in the heck he’s doing wearing an LSU shirt and always get a smile from both. I dare you to talk to Shadaya and not get a smile at anytime.

I dare you to ask Vernick, Hector or Bryan to do anything for you and see if they won’t because they will do anything to help. I dare you to drink the coffee and eat the fresh guacamole or pico and not love it. I dare you to try to score a goal on PE Brian or out dance Sofía. I dare you to engage with the children even the ones who live below the poverty level and not want to hug them all day. I dare you to listen to their stories like a sweet lady who lost her husband and 13 year old daughter last year. I dare you to enjoy the scenery such as volcanoes and tropical plants.

I dare you to participate in a food distribution where $10 US will feed a family for a week and everyone who receives the food says thank you and hugs you. I dare you to build houses for $550 that might not qualify for an out building in most neighborhoods but the receiver cries because he or she is so thankful. I dare you to be present at a house dedication in memory of a close friends loved one and not shed a tear. I dare you to worship with them at church and not feel the presence of the Lord.

Then I dare you to take all this in and do this without any feelings of pride or self sufficiency. I dare you to understand Matthew 12 that we are all Jesus brothers and sisters that do His will. I dare you to grasp that God’s grace has given you an opportunity to be obedient and bless others. I dare you to understand that we are all in this together. I dare you to come alongside the bravest woman I know in Deidra Taylor and be a part of Grace Ministries. I dare you to sponsor a teacher or a child at Collegio JET. I dare you to pray and pray some more about all of this and then ask me how to book a trip. In fact, I double dog dare you.