Cultural mixing

Yesterday I spent an agonizing 15 minutes listening to a woman in the park complain about Belize. She doesn't like the culture, the people are rude, and it's dirty here.



At home, Nathanael and I decompressed from this event. We have met with others like her. Untrained expats who are in culture shock. It isn't a pretty sight. They become bitter and ineffective. The current person talking to me was also from a distinctly "filtered media" country. That fact became apparent in her complaints about Belize vs her beliefs about her own country. If anything it was clarifying moment for me.

Nathanael hangs the Belizean flag on the back of our van to celebrate Belizean Independence day

I am thankful not to be in that place with her.  I am thankful that EMM prepared us for crossing cultures. (We highly recommend the book Foreign to Familiar) I don't think we always get right. There are times we experience culture shock. There are times we are bitter, dislike culture, or feel the sting of relationships we navigated wrongly.

Zion at church with one of her friends

It is also a decision making journey for us. We are grateful to have our home as a neutral ground.  We can decide what the culture in our home looks like. What in the culture do we enjoy and put into practice? What things do we disagree with? What things are not bad or good, just different?

Selah poses at the photo booth of our local supermarket

In the same breath, I realize I can't take my culture out of me. When we were celebrating Belize Independence day at Koinonia, the Pastor's wife spoke. She reminded us that even though she has lived in Belize for 20 years, she can't take the Guatemalan blood out of her.

praying at Koinonia

All of the cultures represented at Koinonia 

I am becoming aware that this is the same in the Deaf culture we share with those around us. We work with them, we visit them, but you can't take the "hearing" out of us. It's a delicate balance.

Zephaniah, Zion and Misael play Master Mind

What am I trying to communicate? Two years into this and we are still learning. We are still growing. As a cold culture family in a warm culture climate, we still experience culture shock on occasion.

Abigail entertaining children

Mid-September we celebrated all countries that attend Koinonia. It was a nice thing to stand in front and recognize that through it all, we are still from our passport country. We are also distinctly experiencing and falling in love with Belizean culture. Selah won't eat Mexican tacos. She prefers Orange Walk ones.

Abigail and a friend at Koinonia

We are still in a process. A lovely, hard, fun, sad process. We are growing. We are thankful.

Family photo with Belizean (and American) colors represented. Lucky us they are the same! 

Thanks for being with us on this Belizean, United States, mixed culture journey.


Spring

A short visit and mission trip

I know I said a while ago that I am adjusting to the difference of schedule here. In Belize I personally was very busy at home. It was mostly that the housework was more demanding. Here it has been activities demanding our time. Sometimes it still feels like we are "finding our feet".

Recently, I started counting "one, two, tree" Why you ask? My mom and I did a quick 6 day trip to Belize 2 weeks ago. That's right I am behind.

We left from the Allentown airport. What an experience it was to arrive early at the airport, and not have anyone behind the checkout counter. The flights went well and we arrived in Belize city at about 12pm local time. Our friend picked us up from the airport and drove us to Orange Walk (about an hour). Getting in the car and driving was my mother's first cross cultural experience. I will let her relate the details to you!

Our time in Orange Walk was limited to less than 24 hours. We spent the time as wisely as we could. We ate meals with friends, walked around town a little, and met for breakfast with Nancy before we left.  People wished we could have stayed longer. I did as well. When our meeting with Nancy was completed, we were driven to the airport.  We few from Belize City to Dangriga, the first time I've done that as a flight rather than a bus trip. (we just didn't have the time for the bus)

The next 4 days were a blur of being at Kids Konnect's camp Legacy and serving with them. This was the first time that I worked in the pharmacy. I knew that it was one of the most intense jobs. I was unaware of what exactly it involved until mom and I did it. I was stretched.

The job involved checking medications before they were given to patients. I also gave instructions to the patients. It was especially challenging to note that in practice I've mostly worked with pediatrics. We give a lot of diabetic and blood pressure medications. 

I did a lot of praying as I gave medications. 

Here is my mom working at Red Cross in Dangriga

The final day which is always at a church (Light of the Valley) I was allowed to go back to triage. It was nice to be in my comfort zone again. I also felt like I had more one on one time with the patients. Both jobs are integral to being a part of Kids Konnect. It was a good thing to get out of my comfort zone, and go where the need was.  

I loved that my mom was able to experience Belize with me. She was a trooper and took things as they came. I also loved that she got to meet some of the people who were important to us over the last year. I also working beside her, something I have never done. 

This being my third trip with Kids Konnect, some things felt comfortable and familiar. It was good to see the same patients, pray with them and connect. I honor what Kids Konnect 4 Jesus does in Dangriga and surrounding areas. It is a privilege to work with them. I just love meeting patients, as well as the people who come to serve. It was also a challenge getting out of my comfort zone and serving in a different way.

As a family we continue to adjust to being in the US, and work on our fundraising focus. We would love for opportunities to share our vision with you. 

Nathanael and I were both on missions trips in the past 2 months. We wanted to be clear that the money for our trips came out of our personal offerings. We did not use the funding for our long term time in Belize. 

Thank you again for your prayers and walking with us on this journey! 

The Davis Family

The importance of prayer.

One thing I really miss about living where we lived in Pa was a great Christian Library. Calvary of Souderton has a library open to anyone. It is the biggest church library I have been in. Even though we're not members, Calvary allows us to borrow books.

In the midst of the confusion of last year (when were we going to Belize.. how to raise support.. how to live with your parents when you have a family of your own) I "happened upon" a book by Paul Miller called A Praying Life.

Needless to say this was exactly what I needed at the time.  He approached prayer in a way I really hadn't looked at in a long time.  He speaks about our utter dependence on God, just as Jesus was. How could I expect to be less dependent on my creator than Jesus was?  It was a strong challenge!  I was able to find a great "prayer card" app which I really like. I can edit cards, add verses and requests for different people.

We all have ways we pray.  This is an intimate thing. This is not a post on how or what to pray.

A while ago I was convicted. We have this blog so you can connect with us.  You can see a little of what is going on with us.  I do my best to give a little taste of what is going on in our lives.  I have neglected making prayer a part of that.

My goal is to have a place.. and hopefully a tab you can simply click on with our updated prayer requests list.  For now here is the short list:

• A YWAM team arrives for a short term trip on Saturday, pray for them and pray for us as we work with them
• 
  
• We pray as a team on Tuesdays please pray with us as we pray for each other and the church
• 
  
• Please pray for God to tap on people's hearts in church, for them to hunger after him
• 
  

Joel and Heidi Kolb visit (part 1)

This past Thursday afternoon things were all set.  Nathanael would borrow Nancy's van, the children went with him.  I was staying home to finish wash and get the house set up.  About 25 min after they left, I got a text message. 

The clutch on the van was stuck. Nathanael could not drive. My whole family was stuck by the side of the road baking in the sun.  At first Nathanael asked if I could jump on a bus to pick up Joel and Heidi.  Instead of doing that, he spoke to our taxi driver friend. 

Our friend stopped by to pick up the kids (who could identify Joel and Heidi); rescuing them from the sun.  Nathanael stayed with the van till Nancy's mechanic could pick it up.  Fortunately Joel and Heidi are pretty "Go with the Flow". They were okay with the fact that we weren't at the airport immediately after their arrival

They were able to meet our dear friend Jose.  You can see some pictures of him and his family on Lucianna's post.  Jose has now rescued us several times with his taxi service!  We are blessed to know him. 

Friday, Joel and Heidi explored Orange Walk with us. Selah of course insisted that the first thing we do was to  have some Bubble Tea.  After walking and having some tacos, Joel and Heidi allowed us the privilege of an afternoon date! 

Jose stopped by before we left on Friday to have a spiritual discussion.  It was a privilege to pray with and for him.

Friday night was movie night at Jesus Deaf Church.

Lest anyone think that Joel and Heidi came to vacation; I will clear things up for you.  Both were a huge help.  Due to there not being a church van; Nathanael had to help pick up people (usually Nancy does this).  Joel and Heidi did a thorough cleaning of the church. I cleaned the bathrooms and cooked hot dogs. Joel said he encountered a few roaches in his sweeping.  I am thankful I didn't have to see them this time. Heidi also sat in the back of the church and played with children while their parents watched. I wish I had pictures, apparently we were all too busy to take some!

Saturday we had plans to go to Lamanai Ruins. (The ones we visited with Chang-He and Greg) It was rainy and a chilly 65 degrees pretty much all day.  We instead used the borrowed vehicle to see a little of Belize City. Joel and Heidi got some gifts to bring home. 

Almost the whole time Joel and Heidi were here it's been unseasonably cold!  We even picked up a jacket for Abigail in Belize city, since she hadn't had one. 

Apparently all of my good pictures I am saving for the next post about our visit to Dangriga. Stay tuned :) 

The desire of my heart

I have to admit that when I was first asked to lead Sunday school class, it felt like it was more of a "Let's keep the kids from bothering the adults" duty.

I was still shell-shocked from moving to Belize.  Nathanael could attest to the fact that change and me are sometimes enemies.  I think I want change but when it comes suddenly, it is difficult for me.
I often need some time to adjust, find my own way.

Even though I waited a month and a half to start the class, my heart was not in it.  After a long week homeschooling my children, it felt overwhelming to try to do something exciting Sunday mornings.

I had a plan to follow the honor curriculum, but that fizzled out due to Nathanael and I switching "shifts" on more than one occasion. We still are slowly working through this as a family.  I really love the simplicity of it, and what it teaches.

I instead settled on Ministry to Children.  They offer simple object lessons that I can build off of and a coloring page.

Once a plan was settled in my mind, God began to work on my heart.  He has reminded me of importance.  No matter what age, or what we do we are important to God.  Even if it seems like this job I have is lackluster, I have kids attention for a limited time.  What am I going to do with it.

As God changed my heart, I began to remember how important prayer is.  Nathanael and I clean the church on Sunday mornings before church.  This is my time to pray. To pray as I clean the dirt and roaches out of the bathroom. To go over the classroom and ask Jesus to be there with us.

The biggest lesson I learned last year was our utter dependence on God.  As I seek him, as I depend on his grace, it motivates me to seek him for these: his children.

When I saw the word of the week, I had to look it up.  Hesed. I honestly had never heard of it.  As I read the definition, tears brimmed in my eyes.

Hesed is the ultimate motivator.  Me I don't do well with rules or boxes.  His great great love is what calls me to obedience.  It is what I pray for my children:that they would experience him.  It is what I desire the children in Sunday school to see.

I don't want them to see me. I don't want them to have "fun" I pray that they meet with their creator, and know his Hesed.

Lucianna's guest post

Dearest Friends and Supporters of the Davis's

My name is Lucianna Alderfer and I have been a long time friend of the Davis's. The kids know me as "Aunt Lucianna" and even though we are not blood relatives, the connection we share is as strong as if we were. I had the privilege of spending my Christmas break in Belize with this amazing family and wow am I excited to share with you my experience!

My visit was a brief five and a half days, but I walked away with a very clear sense of what this family is doing, what their impact is and how God is using them and will continue to use them. 

We started my visit at the home of dear friends of the Davis's, a lovely Christian Belizian family who fed me a full course meal and welcomed me into their home. They also had Nathanael chop down a fresh coconut for me to enjoy! And boy did I! I was quite impressed with how quickly Nathanael is learning to use a machete! 

I arrived on a Saturday evening, so my first full day was spent at Jesus Deaf Church of Orange Walk (forgive me if I got the name wrong Nathanael!). What a privilege to meet the families that the Davis's work with and to get a taste for the ministry. Most of the adults were Deaf and most of the children were hearing, but there were some hearing adults and one Deaf child. It was clear they were a close knit community and had a strong connection with the Davis's.

After service we walked to by $1 tacos and as we walked to the taco shop it was amazing how many towns people knew the Davis's and wanted to talk with them or connect with them. I could see how the Lord had quickly knit them with this community.

While we were at a Taco shop we saw a family from the deaf church who I got to know a little (the hearing daughter). I found out later this family had great needs financially and if not helped would need to take measures that would put them in harms way.

While I sat at their home, people would come to the door asking for help or money. And clearly everywhere they went there was so much opportunity for ministry. They shared with me how it is so easy to just spend all day helping and to feel overwhelmed. They had to keep focused and be wise with their time to be effective in ministry and faithful to God's purpose there.

I went through bit of a culture shock while I was there. As you can see above, this is the Davis's make shift laundry room, on their roof. I watched Spring carry laundry up 2 flights of stairs and hang it all by hand. I took a cold shower every night and watched Nathanael take water jugs a mile away to a filling station (normally carried by bike) to get drinking water for the family. The kids picked up glass bottles on the road and exchanged them for penny candies and they have their favorite dogs that wander the streets. Many of the kids they know didn't get many Christmas presents if any and the living conditions are so much simpler than we have here. 

(we ate rat!!)

But it was a country of very loving and kind people. They are hungry for the gospel and the Davis's are clearly being used to reach a community for Jesus. What I love about the vision they have is that it's to work themselves out of a job. It's to establish a good work there that is sustainable and that is what I think missions should be.

When I returned home I was taken by how impacted I was by my trip. I wish you each could go down there and experience first hand what I saw and experienced. I'm proud of this family and so privileged I was a part of their lives for those brief five and a half days.

Changing of the guard?

As I stated before the two weeks surrounding Chrismas were quite busy for us.  Ben Martin came and spent 8 days with us.  The satuday we drove him to the airport, we picked up Lucianna Alderfer.

What a crazy thing. By the time I got to Lucianna, I was crying!  The poor woman she should have been crying.. her luggage with all of her clothing was lost in Huston.  She had to spend 1 1/2 of her 5 days here wearing our clothes in 85 degree weather with high humidity.  Unlike us she isn't quite "used to" the temperature.

When we woke up Sunday morning, I felt fine. She assured me that it still felt sticky.  Oh dear. I guess we are somewhat more used to the climate than I imagined.


Lucianna coming was like a breath of fresh air.  She is our Child Advocate.  To sum up what this means, she is the one stateside who "keeps track" of our children's well being.  As parents we do it, but it is good and healthy to have another set of eyes and ears.  It was great for her to see firsthand a little of what our lives are like on a daily basis.

She also could see from a different perspective things we've gotten used to as well as things that may need to change in our house.  We are thankful for her insight!  I will include a few pictures of her time with us.  

She brought us a second Christmas!  What fun to have her bring some thing from church that didn't come with Ben.  She also blessed us tremendously, she had asked us to put our wants on a Amazon list and she picked from that.

She really went with the flow of things which amazed and comforted me.  I realize that living where we live and doing what we do isn't convenient.  She tried new foods and took cold showers.  She walked places with us. She put her toilet paper in the trash can.  She got to see some Mayan Ruins.  She experienced our sheer delight at going to Belize City and shopping at a "big air-conditioned" grocery store!

With all of her valiance, she was unwilling to try my Kombucha.  Oh well I can't win them all.  Nathanael and I both feel the kombucha has kept us healthy which is the important part right?

Here are some pictures:

poor kid missed the bed when he fell asleep.  He loves the sheets Aunt Lucianna gave him!! 

Selah talked Nathanael and Lucianna into a short game of Monopoly that lasted for hours..

Last cuddle session! 

Selah is delighted! Black Twizzlers.  

The climb down the ruins was more scary than the climb up

a walk through mosquito infested jungle to a "lake" that was too flooded to see. Lucianna took it all in stride, and was still smiling! 

After our climb and walk, they found a way to cool off 

What we've been up to :)

Sorry for the lack of posting.  Last week my main focus was getting the newsletter out.  I actually mistakenly didn't send it to some people. I am sorry about that, and I think the glitch is fixed.

There has been a lot of activity to catch you up on in the Davis House.  Nancy wrote on her blog about the 10th Anniversary of the church.  I was able to make cookies for this event.  I shared some of the extras with a neighbor and our "taxi driver"'s family (who are also our friends) They loved the cookies so much, they asked if they could come and I could teach the wife how to make them. Problem is we only have a metric measuring cup, a stove that tells the temp in 1-5, and Zephaniah dropped some of the egg on the floor. 

Our first batch came out flat.  I am thankful to Nathanael who about 5 years ago was making cookies several times a week for his job with a student.  We made enough for them to take home. 

I have also been teaching Sunday School.  I started on the first week in October.  Here are some pictures from that.

Our children teach the others about Chinese Jump rope. 

The best thing about Chinese Jump rope is you need very little space to do it in.  :)

 

 

as a fun bonus here is a picture of one if the interesting ways Zephaniah has fallen asleep.  I am making a page in his memory book of all of the interesting ways he's fallen asleep.

 

 

Thanks so much for keeping in touch with us and praying for us. There's more to come this week :) 

 

Spring