a huge praise!

 Last month after the Americans left the Vida 220 team, we got together with the Groff family in Belmopan. (a halfway meeting point between us and Southern Belize). We had fellowship together, stayed overnight at a missionary friend (of theirs) house, and spent next day hiking/swimming in the river before heading home.

The "Gravis" (a name that the kids came up that combines both of our last names) children play a rousing game of monopoly

When discussing my conundrum about receiving school books (I didn't have a way to receive them this year), the other missionary suggested we look into Harvest Aviation.  We were pleasantly surprised at what they do and how quickly they processed our request, (to help us get books). They provide a monthly service of flying needed items to missionaries. This flight happens once a month from FL. They provide it for free, but accept donations (hint hint ;) )

out for an ice cream treat with the team (I apparently didn't take pictures while we were swimming)

We had less than a week to get stuff sent to "try things out".  I had my parents and sister send the most pertinent things that were sitting at their houses (a small box of school books and our drivers licences).

not relevant to the blog post but Nathanael did a fun skit this past week in church

Today was the exciting day! We drove to the Belize airport and Nathanael was able to get our two small boxes of items. We are so very grateful!

Zephaniah with our cat: Tacocat

I have to say that in general with the borders being tightly shut, the feeling of living here has been a bit claustrophobic. (I do have a tendency toward those feelings anyway!) I can't get out and I can't get what we need for our school year. It was overwhelming! (and it would be the first time that we were unable to find a way to get our items.  I just didn't make school decisions. 

We were able to start our school year yesterday

Harvest Aviation has been a light to me and provided something we really needed. (Please feel free to donate to them as a blessing to us!  We want them to benefit, they ask for nothing from us!)We are so very thankful.  Not to mention most of my glasses are scratched and we were finally able to get our new pairs. 

What a blessing to be able to see clearly. May God bless you with clear vision today! 

Reverse Culture Shock

It all started when I was looking at a friend's Instagram feed.  There was nothing abnormal about it. She had pictures of her family in a grocery store.  It was a grocery store I used to go to a lot when we lived in PA and plan to go to when we get back.  I took one look at the picture and was overwhelmed. I thought:

"Look...at.. all.. of...that..food"













Honestly we have been dreaming about visiting a grocery store in the States maybe since we came.  Like a lot of countries there is significantly less available here than what we had been used to in PA.  One time Nathanael even joked about running up and down supermarket isles jubilantly celebrating how much food is on the shelves.

Seriously though, it hit me like a ton of bricks. What originally seemed like it would be exciting all of the sudden seemed overwhelming.

I thought about how it would feel to have so many choices.

I thought about what it would look like to enter our new church on the first Sunday back. Our church has grown both with people and in their building size.  We have lived in a smaller house, gone to a small church, and visited smaller grocery stores. We even are in a smaller country.  There are no trains, and very few paved roads. What would take us minutes to travel in the States takes us hours on a bus.

We are used to it (most of the time). Our children have become excellent travelers on the bus. (although tablets do help!).

While we've all now transitioned on to the field I am the only one who has transitioned back.  I remember 18 years ago, after returning from Mexico, how big my house felt.  I did some odd things like cleaning my parents bedroom without their permission.

What I am asking of you... our faithful supporters both physically, spiritually, and emotionally is to recognize when you first see us that we're again in transition.

 You may be the first person (or 50th) who has asked us "How was Belize?" Look at the "large" world from our perspective. It is fun and amazing when you haven't seen it for a year.  At the same time it's overwhelming. We may even feel unsure of how to react to it.

The owner of our local grocery store in Perkasie won't come up and shake my hand each time we enter the store, or give our children treats. No strangers will rub Zephaniah's head as he walks by. We will have to walk more than a few steps to get a quick item from the store.

Take a moment to see the world through our eyes. Love on us, and give us grace.

Thanks so much each one of you for your faithful support! We look forward to seeing you soon. Prayer page updated. (I am trying to do it weekly)