Same, Same but different

  I had the privilege of working on a book launch.  The book focused on Third Culture Kid issues. The phrase that repeated itself was "same, same but different.", which is apparently a common Thai phrase. the book is set in Thailand)

the mighty group of people who served in the April Medical Trip

Same, same but different would adequately sum up my time with Kidz Konnect 4 Jesus.  This was my first post-covid trip.

Hannah preformed a puppet show for a darling Girl. Shirley was videoing it

Same:  The trip to the airport (with Zephaniah) on the bus was the same. It really was the first time in a year and a half I have ridden the bus. Of course the windows were wide open and our masks were on at all times.  We met those that came in to the airport and rode the Kidz Konnect bus to Stann Creek. 

Ava spent about 6 months at our house. She's a Coatimundi, she was wonderful and destructive. Thankfully the Carney's accepted her onto their property. Now she has the jungle to roam and still interacts with people regularly. Here Myla the youngest Carney lets Ava smell her hand

Zephaniah and I both stayed at the camp. Zephaniah was there to spend 5 uninterrupted days with his good friend and fellow TCK Tucker. From what I understand they spent their days running and playing around the jungle. (Tucker's mom Candace threated them with schoolwork or household chores if they came inside, I think she's awesome!) I was so thankful that Zephaniah had this time. He's been trying to get together with Tucker like this for a long time. 

Tucker, Zephaniah, and Solomon got to ride on the bus with the team on Saturday

Same:  We held clinics for three days at 6 locations. We worked well as a team to pray, minister, and add " a little bit of medicine"   

the clinic set-up in Silk Grass

but different:  obviously masked in 90 degree weather, reduced patients and using a device to call a doctor in the US is different. We were mostly doing medication refills. The people from Jesus Deaf church didn't come, instead I obtained their medications and did assessments from their homes. 

Nathanael and I did medical visits, with Nelly here

It was such a blessing to be able to bring needed medication and care to our community.  Although this was "different" it was the same in the level of care and attitude placed into the work.

Taking Alma's blood pressure

Thanks Kidz Konnect 4 Jesus for another "best  trip ever!"

The phrase I really resent...

 We are currently able to have church at "half capacity" for an hour. The Spanish church Koinonia is offering "in person" services for the first time since August. As we have our own ministry, we don't attend every week. The shortened services also mean that we don't get prayed for every week. The first week we were able to attend we were brought up front to get prayer with much fanfare. One of the things often said from the pulpit is:

The most recent time at Koinonia that we were prayed for

"The Davis Family is doing something that we can't"

We took this picture in Belize City before Jeimmy left to go to El Salvador for a month.

At times when we share in the US, people change the phrase a bit "I could never do what you do"

Things have opened back up to a degree in Belize and we are able to travel to Fountain of Life church and interpret for Deaf there

Perhaps in a perfect mindset (mine with the Father) this wouldn't irk me.  I think the most difficult thing for me is that our prayer is and has been that others would come along to support and grow the ministry. We need others to walk with us, which is why Jeimmy has been such an integral part of our lives the past 6 months. 

The cycle of ministry: Nathanael taught Misael to change the oil, and Misael taught Abigail

Over Easter break, we got to spend time with the Groff family in the jungles of Belize. Two other missionary families serving with a different org came with us. As I talked with both Julie and the two other mothers in the group, I found a common thread. It was in living that our true ministry came out. If we stay foreigners, outside of the culture, ministry happens in a less organic way.

  

Nathanael celebrated his 40th birthday on the 5th of March

Yes we do ministry. Yes we disciple. Mostly we just live. I have to grocery shop, meal prep, wash clothes, paint the house, water my garden, pay bills, homeschool my kids, write blogs and prayer e-mails.

we got to visit Davis Falls. Thanks Tim

That being said, I didn't think I could do it either. There were (and are times) where I don't want to do it.  I think the phrase from The Free Burma Rangers movie paraphrased here captures it well:

"I don't want to miss God's call. I don't want to turn too far to the right and chase after the "good" but not my calling things, or turn to the left and chase after that which isn't of God. I want to go straight forward pursuing his will and the best for my life."

So...are you unable to move overseas and go on mission? Clearly I am not the authority to decide that. I would say what you are called to always should require a dependence on the Father. 

true Belizean life: a guy explaining to Nathanael how to go on a back road to find a fridge repairman

It will always be difficult, probably in ways you didn't imagine before boarding the plane.

Selah has been teaching Kristen how to play a few songs on ukulele

I challenge you: find your call, pursue it wholeheartedly, and entrust the Father to come alongside you. Don't limit  your options to the ones that seem "doable".

This sits on our wall as a reminder to me

2021 comes with little fanfare

First the news: in a modified confusing quarantine. Two districts (with the current least COVID cases) aren't allowed to travel within the country; Orange Walk being one of them. This started December 20th, and under new administration, we are unsure of when it will end. We also have a curfew of 8pm-5am.  This restricts our ability to have Friday night Bible Studies. 

Jeimmy leads a devotional for two women, during a house visit

In place of Bible study, more home visits are happening. Jeimmy as a Salvadorian has natural experience and stamina which helps motivate Nathanael and I. 

Normal busy Friday night with the kids (spring's job) Jaziel and Brianny create chaos ;) 

What we did during December:

Gianny was tasked with making flood icing. To her detriment, our powdered sugar was quite chunky! 

Over the Christmas holiday, we invited 2 friends over (we were unable to have more than 3 people over due to restrictions and one said no). Cookies were decorated, and baked.  

This was a Friday night prepping the same treats to share with the Bible study kids as well as church that night,  in between this picture and our cookie party, Covid restrictions changed. 

They were packed with pretzel treats (We special ordered the flat pretzels to make this treat:) and Hershey kisses.  

Zion and Adrene put the m&m's onto the melted kisses. another reason we are thankful for Harvest Aviation, who made it possible for us to share this treat with our Belizean friends

Nathanael shopped for some Belizean staples (rice, beans, flour) and delivered them to the villages. Apparently the most exciting part of their visits was the cookies. I will not attest to the quality, but one of our visitors stated "it looks like 3 year old's made them!" oh well we are learning...hopefully next year we'll improve our "flood cookie" game! 

Krystal and Jeimmy stop at Selena's house. Selena is Deaf and has 5 children

Misael and Jeimmy stop by Alma's house to bless her family with staples and cookies

Ringing in the New Year involved watching Star Wars, eating snacks, and traveling to the roof for fireworks at 12am.  It was the lest spectacular NYE party we have had.. ever! We are thankful to have been together, and anticipate God's goodness in the coming year.

I made whoopie pies, Jeimmy got her first taste of a whoopie pie She liked it despite the face she is making

One final small note, I was privileged to be interviewed in Revelation Wellness for their end of the year giving project. If you would like to listen, here is the link. (obviously downloadable on any podcast apps, the podcast number is 527)