a new not normal

 Things are settled. That is what my heart keeps telling me. Seven months into this uncertainty, we are finding a groove. While restrictions came off quickly our first time around; they have "stuck" much longer this time. Friends I watch in Kenya, Honduras, and the like have been much more confined than we are, so we find ourselves thankful.

Alma leads the people in prayer

At the same time things have opened up; the government still refuses to allow church meetings greater than 13 persons.  There have been multiple arrests, mostly of pastors. Nathanael had to prayerfully consider what this meant for us. Our numbers don't usually increase over this amount since COVID.  It is a frustrating place to be in when casino's, bars and busses can be open but God's house can't.

Last week Nathanael spoke on the "rocks crying out" and placed some rocks in the center of our meeting

As a leadership team, (Jeimmy, Nathanael, Elizanie, Elmer and I) have been feeling a greater pull to fast and pray. Specifically last weekend we were fasting for marriages in the Deaf community.  Thanks so much for those who prayed with us.  We broke fast as a team last Saturday evening.  

Brianny is delightful especially this night when she and I ended up covered in chilli (She was thus given a sink bath!)

Next week, (November 27) Elizani and Elmer will be in charge for our monthly time of "getting away so that leadership can be trained". This time Jeimmy will travel with us to visit some friends in Spanish Lookout.   Please pray that this would be a time of learning and growth for all!  We are excited about what is doing in Elizanie and Elmer as a couple and as leaders.  

Zephaniah turned 10 last week. He chose to make an ice cream cake. bonus points to those who know the character on the cake! 

Individual discipleship and visiting continue to happen. Two weeks ago Nathanael, Selah and Jeimmy met with a woman who has now tested COVID positive.  While we believe we are out of danger, she is struggling with fear. Nathanael was able to provide assurance to her over Facebook messenger.

Reynalda and Yalitza during "turn-taking church"

What we see

My blog post is a little late this week.  Between Nathanael's work (mostly him being gone), extra church activities and regular activities, it's been a full week!

I thought it would be fun to show all of you a little of what our world looks like:

This is our house. We stay on a corner of two streets.  We live in the top of the house.  The bottom is a storage area.  A few times a week guys with a big truck stop by to pick up/drop off things to the storage area.  

This is the street that runs along the "back" of our house.  I have the back in quotes because there is disagreement as to what is the front and back of the house since we have 2 doors, both of which face  the street. 

This is a little shop directly across from our house.  The people are friendly.  We can get eggs and water, also snacks from them. We also have two other shops walking distance from us.  The children say they will miss the ability to walk to a shop and get something quickly.  

 This is the view of our house from the neighbors yard.. you actually can't see much of our house except for the palm tree. We don't see much of the people who live in this house. I think most of the time the kids are watching TV.

At one point the doorknob on Abigail and Zephaniah's room was stuck, I was trying to go around to help her but I got scared.. this ledge runs around the outside of our windows. Below me is our side yard

This is our other gate, along with the opening for the storage area.  We have a small side yard as well with plants and grass

  

Here is further down our street, right across from the church.  This family sells shaved oranges and a few other items outside of their house. We buy the oranges at least once a week. I like to make fresh squeezed orange juice with them.  

This is the side of the church, directly across from the other picture.  The bathrooms are in the right of the picture.  Nathanael was cleaning for a movie night. He left the windows shut. 

here is the front of the church.  We usually enter the church from the other side, the door with the keyhole is in that side :) One must walk around the church to get to the bathroom as there isn't a direct way through the church. 

This is the view of church from the back. It was set up for Movie night on Friday.  There are usually more people here on Movie night so Nancy has to take two van "runs" to pick everyone up.  I sat in back with the very young children. 

This is a street being redone.  It is close to the market where we buy vegetables as well as the ice cream place. 

of course I couldn't resist adding a picture of us enjoying ice cream. Western Dairies is a Belizean company based in Spanish Lookout.  Ice cream from them is very reasonable.  These cones were 2 $ each.  The American ice cream costs us a pretty penny (and we don't eat it!!) we saw it in the store for 65 dollars for a half gallon (Our exchange rate is 2$ to 1$ American) 

And Finally Nathanael on the street conversing with a friend from church.  This man has about an hour bus ride from a village outside of Orange Walk., A few deaf people have been attending from the outside villages. It is so awesome to see them come