a short word about the heat

Here is a list of things we have done to cool down:

Take multiple cold showers
sit in front of a fan
stay inside during the heat of the day
drink cold water
freeze a hat and put in on our heads
go to a place that has AC (restaurants are really the only places)
swim

Deciding how we will push the van

When it's hot all of the time you start to get creative with ways to keep cool. The fact is most of the time we don't keep cool. In our time in the US, my body had to adjust to sweating less. My skin felt paper dry. For some reason, the lack of sweating gave me acne for months.  (figure that one out!)

Zion and Zephaniah do printmaking for art Ni likes to save on wash for me and uses the least amount of clothes possible

Why am I mentioning this?  Other than the fact that it's hot here, pretty much year round... I had an incident on facebook last week that bears mentioning. Apparently in Pa, there was a hot day. Some people couldn't sleep because it was over 80 at night. Others had to turn on their AC.I had no pity for them.

A glass of cold watermelon juice shared among sisters

 For full disclosure we do have an AC unit here. we put it in our insulated trailer with a TV. We have used it twice since the set up. Electricity is just too expensive.

Back to my post on Facebook. I was annoyed because it is hot here: Hace Calor. That being said, I have friends around the world who have to live in much hotter climates than we do.

Passion fruit vines with some blossoms

I have been reading the book Humble Roots as a part of the Velvet Ashes book club.  It is so good that I need to re-read it at least twice to digest all of it! The chapters I had been reading that week were on pride. Pride teaches us that we are more significant than we are. My upbringing had me believing I was "deserving" of a certain level of comfort. Humble roots humbled me in thinking that there was some level of personal importance involved. The author talks about a thankfulness being paramount in the battle against pride. Not one that stems from what I have that others don't; but a thankfulness that stems from the fact that I come from dust and return to dust. All things are gifts, even the unrelenting heat.

Abigail and I did a workout and this is how we looked when we finished

So to all of those I offended by my facebook post, I am sorry. I am still learning and growing in this. The hot humid climate is growing me in ways I didn't imagine. The last thing I will leave you with is a quote from Humble roots:

Zion doing her school work on the floor

"The problem with privilege is we rarely see our own." I am starting to see the privileges I personally have. All is a gift.


This past week we had the privilege of having our pastoral care team from CTEN visit. I posted some pictures here from their visit. Since the responsibility of pastoral care changed hands while we were in Belize, this was our first time meeting them. Marcia and Randy went with the flow!  They really took whatever was happening and stepped right in, including us helping the Spanish church push their van.  It was neat getting to know them for a few days and having them participate in weekend activities with us. (and apparently the only pictures we took of them were us pushing the van!)

(The van for Spanish Church has transmission problems and won't switch into reverse)
May your week be blessed!

Spring

We are in transition.

This is the state of our basement "living room" area currently. It is a mish mash of thrift store items, things to be packed, and things to be put in storage. I would venture to say this is the state of our entire house.. (sorry mom!!)

We are in the process of going room to room deciding what will stay (not much), what will go, and what we will get rid of. ( or bless other people with)

Recently a I was texting with a friend. She asked how I am doing. My answer: We are in transition. She asked if that meant we are packing and cleaning. Yes we are doing that. I was actually referring to a state of my heart.

Both Nathanael and I have read Looming Transitions by Amy Young which specifically talks about the challenges missionaries/expats face while going on to and leaving the field. We recognize that we are (and have been ) facing these transitions. We are thinking about saying goodbye, packing, anticipating change, and attempting to plan for it.

This past week we ran in a color fun run. I actually ended up with my niece who didn't want to run, most of my run was spent walking. On the way, we listened to this song:

I had chosen it, but I told Nathanael I hated it, and started to cry. Who wants to think about "when can I see you again?" as that is such an uncertain thing? I also have this "mom guilt" thing hanging over me, reminding me that "I" am doing this to our children. 

All of this post to say: Yes we are excited. We should be headed to Belize in the end of August! Please give us some grace as we navigate this time.  We love you and are thankful for you. YOur prayers and support are what has brought us to this point.

And for fun: Pictures from our run: 

All Quiet on the Davis Front?

I just read a post from a popular gossip column.  Apparently, a reality star couple was asking for financial support from their fans.  They are missionaries in Central America.  The website ripped them up and down for asking for support.


I personally felt my stomach turn as I read the article.  Gossip columns are meant to sensationalize, and that is what happened.  I find myself very thankful that I am not a reality TV star.

Since being confirmed with both EMM and CTEN, our biggest mission is now fundraising.  When people even hear it they feel for us.  Fundraising seems to evoke many feelings, mostly because it has to do with money.  EMM gave us a book as we first started with them called the Spirituality of Fundraising.  It was so important to look at fundraising from God's perspective.

We recognize that through our own efforts, we are unable to provide for ourselves in Belize. We have to depend on others to come alongside of us.  People who believe in what God is doing in the Deaf community in Orange Walk.

We are also aware that we have to put effort into it.  One lecture at our CTEN orientation was entitled "The Big Ask".  We were taught that statistically, the best way to raise support is to ask individually. This was a challenging, yet important thing to discuss. When we were speaking at Finland, Pastor Chris taught an important sermon about all money being God's.  How timely for us to remember.

So is our house quiet?  Nathanael has been spending every spare moment contacting people.  He is using facebook, texting, email and face to face.  I have been working at thank you notes to those who supported the work on our internship.

Fundraising has been a learning journey for both of us.  I can tell you went into it green, expecting, and dreading.  This being our second time at this, I can truly say this is a part of our journey.  God has taught us so much through it.  Is it our favorite thing?  Not really.  At the same time, God has guided, encouraged and surprised us.  We are thankful to him and to you for where we are.

If you haven't heard from Nathanael (or I) don't worry, you will :). Thank you for being our friends and for supporting us on this journey.  Every little bit counts. We are so thankful for the support.

In case you didn't get the news...

December was quite a busy month for us. The first week started with a "bang".  Zion and Zephaniah slept at a new friends house. (some of their family traveled with Nathanael to Honduras) Abigail and Selah spent some  nights at a different friends home. Nathanael and I got up so early I had to literally hold my eyes open when I first woke up.

What was going on?

Nathanael and I spent 3 days in Texas. We have spent the past few months working to change our sending organization.  Joining with CTEN was an immediate blessing. We were welcomed with open arms. It was humbling to hear the story of a grass roots organization that grew from a few missionaries to over 400. Each and every missionary is supported by a pastoral care couple.

One of the most moving things for me was to be there during the staff prayer time. As an organization they weekly pray for their missionaries. This was confirmation to me of the choice we made.

We are excited to be on this journey as CTEN missionaries. At the same time we really value EMM. We were able to see that their presence in Belize (and former presence) was truly a foundation of our ministry. We would not have been able to do what we did without EMM. We will continue with EMM as associate missionaries.

What does this mean for you?

our ministry focus (Deaf ministry, education and access) stays the same
EMM will no longer be accepting funding for us.  All ministry funds must be directed through our page at CTEN. 
Cten is more flexible with the finances allowing us to be more flexible.

While in Texas Nathanael and I got to visit the Cross at Kerryville. These are the pictures we took on that visit.