Not in Kansas anymore, but comfortable with it (most of the time)

I realize I haven't written a Not in Kansas anymore post in over 2 years.  I actually had to go-over my old posts to make sure I'm putting new information here.

To be honest, it is more and more difficult to write a post like this. We are increasingly comfortable with the environment we live in. We are trying to embrace things that we would have thought "strange" 3 years ago.  I also believe that it is good to look at our world with other's eyes. To see the things we miss. It also may help prepare anyone who wants to visit. (and hey please visit!!! :) )

The fact that it's hot hasn't changed. I just thought I should inform you of that. We are right in the midst of "it's so hot.." and that won't get any better till perhaps October/November.  I suppose there is no point in kicking a dead horse, we live with the heat. We don't have AC, those are facts.

(two weeks ago we had visitors from a FL Interpreting program)

Differences?  Well here are a few ones I've thought of recently.  Individual servings of soda come in "pint" bottles. They are glass and re-usable. You either bring a bottle to the store to exchange, put your soda in a plastic bag, or pay an extra shilling (25 cents) to carry it with you. We don't drink soda but have collected a few pints for exchange when Nathanael has review games at Friday night Bible study. Last year the littles made it a game, finding pint bottles and exchanging them at the local store for 25 cents worth of candy.

(Sprite the prize for winning Nathanel's review game at Bible Study)

Mosquitoes are a year round problem for us. When we first got here two years ago, I was sure we had bed bugs, there were so many bites happening at night. Thankfully it was just mosquitoes. What do we do about mosquitoes?  We have a lot of bug spray. We also burn these incense type coils. They help keep the unwanted creatures out.

Houses are built of two things here: Block and Cement or wood panels. The wood ones are mostly assembled by conservative Mennonites.  Some people build their own houses from any materials they find or are cheap. Ours is a block house, with a cement roof. I have come to learn that cement tends to hold in the heat, long past the sun going down.



















If  you can think of things you suspect are different, but aren't sure, feel free to ask :) I'd love to think up more for a new post.

Have a lovely week

Spring

How time flies

Yesterday completed our first 6 months this term in Belize.

Here we sit naive of the journey ahead. I know in the process I confided in Pastor Anita that I wasn't sure if I knew what was ahead; I would have committed to it. Pastor Anita told me that most people wouldn't. What a relief to not be alone in that! It is so important to count the cost, and make a decision to follow despite what is in front of you. I didn't imagine this journey but God was not surprised by it. 

We recently watched The Fellowship of the Ring as a family. Gandof told Frodo something similar to what Pastor Anita said to me. I will copy it because it spoke to me: “I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.

"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” 

And so we as a family choose what to do with the time that has been given us. 

(thanks Greg Stemler for the bubble tea on Nathanael's birthday)

I have admired the steps Nathanael has taken in leadership of the church. He has sought to deepen the understanding of the Bible by presenting the major stories in chronological order.  He reviews the sermons on Friday. He has had the Deaf take greater responsibility in the church.  They take time each week to pray for the people who haven't come to church.

These are a few of the things he has done in his pastor -ship role that I feel are really beneficial.  

In the review games he has seen a exponential increase in the ability to recall the information. Taking responsibility in the church has called the people to a greater level of involvement. 

We are excited for the journey we are on. Thank you for being a part of it! 

Help Wanted

I really loved the verse that came up in my prayer app. It re-iterated for me the desire I had for the blog post this week.

We did write about our need in the newsletter. I thought it would be good to have a blog post as well.  We are thinking and praying about next school year. As we approach that year, I realized that it would be extremely helpful to have a "homeschool helper" here for the school year.  While it is possible to do it all, (I am doing it) it would be great to have someone along in the process.  It would allow me to spend some more time in language study and ministry.

What we are looking for:

Someone to commit to a school year of working with us We have no particular age or gender in mind.  You would be responsible for 3 days of school. There are also opportunities to work in the church, and with other ministries in  our area. Most of all someone to walk alongside us and our kids!

So we are praying, perhaps for you.

We would love to discuss this more with any interested party.

Please feel free to share this blog post to those you know who would be interested, and pray with us for the position to be filled.

Thanks so much

Spring