For the second time this year we have had a mission trip to Haiti postponed by circumstances beyond our control.

First, the state department issued a travel ban due to political unrest in Port au Prince. And now there is a shortage of diesel there, making both travel and staying at the house problematic.

There were 10 of us going, eight from my church. We have all had a sense of disappointment. When we began to plan this trip several months ago, there was great excitement and it has continued to build.

I was to teach a group of pastors, and there were to be medical clinics in several nearby villages. Such a trip is truly a life-changing event.

But for reasons we cannot fully understand, we are going to have to wait. We have been praying for weeks that the travel ban would be lifted. We have had the best of intentions all along.

And yet, in the end, we are not able to go. Why? Why would God not open the door for us to serve others in his name?

I admit that I don’t have all of the answers. But I am certain that God has a plan for us.

God’s timing is different from ours, and it is always perfect. We trust him. We believe he has closed this door for now, and that it will reopen at the right time.

Sometimes the Lord tests us to see if we trust him as we should. At other times he may be protecting us from dangers about which we know nothing.

There are times when God’s answer is “no.” Paul asked for a thorn in the flesh to be removed from his life, but God’s answer was, “My grace is sufficient for you.”

Paul was satisfied with that answer. I pray that I will be as well.

You may be facing some disappointment. You wanted something, but it has been delayed, or even not available. Will you trust God to answer in his time and in the right way?

He does what is best for us. He is faithful. We can trust him.