Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Just News

 Often it feels like we went in a full circle, pandemic wise. April 1 the country shut down. There were times when we weren't allowed out of our own yard. I had the opportunity to shop online at our local grocery store (a first).  By July 1, we had completely opened up the country inside. What a relief.

praying for each other at the end of church


By August, we actually had Covid cases (there had been a total of 19 our entire time April-July). The planned "opening" of the airport and subsequently borders never surfaced.  We were put into as much quarantine as they could muster without closing businesses. We have been in this place of limbo since August 1st.


Last week turn taking church (socially distanced) Marta leading a song


October 1, our airports opened. 


Yalitza leading a song during church


We are able to have ten people at church plus 3 in leadership.  Some of the regular attenders choose not to come for fear of Covid, which is currently worse than ever before.  We do broadcast those services over facebook. We (Nathanael and Jeimmy) also have been doing individual visits. 1-3 times a week in addition to the discipleship and going through The Purple Book.  



Jeimmy told us that it was Children's day in El Salvador, so we celebrated!





And now for TWO big news issues..

Elizani practiced her sermon to a rapt audience




First: As a family we have come to the decision that we won't be able to return to the US this holiday season. Border issues have been volatile as well as the fact that it won't be the same experience for our kids. This does mean that we have made a decision to return this summer (2021) no matter what. Start making plans now. We are (it is helping make us feel a bit better).

We are so thankful to have the work permit!


The even better news: NATHANAEL GOT HIS WORK PERMIT! We rejoiced and then got right to work on my dependency permit and the children's student visas. My dependency permit was obtained the next day. The kids now have to be certified by the government of Belize to qualify as homeschoolers. This process is said to take 6 weeks.  We also hope to apply for residency in the next few weeks.


Well that's all the news that's fit to tell currently ;) God Bless you thanks for engaging with the ministry to the Deaf in Belize.