Finally??

 This is a post I have meaning to write for over a year. The reason I waited is I was hoping to have a conclusion wrapped in a little bow. It is not that way... but I digress.

The family immediately post accident (End of September 2023)

In August of 2022, following our return to Belize God gave us so much grace. We were able to "pick up where we started" so to speak with our applications for residency. The original process was started in 2021 and almost completed before we left the country. There was a LOT of grace. Our friends were in a similar space and their application was dropped.  

Zephaniah working on his timeline for school

The unfortunate/fortunate part of this is that the process was made easier in 2021. The cost however doubled. When we had started the process, Abigail was a child and now she was 18. The cost for her residency had doubled!  Yes adults were double the cost of kids. We weighed the cost with the fact that to live in country costed us 100$ a month.  As we prayed about it we decided to move ahead with all of the residency applications, including Abigail.

Zephaniah and Zion ice skating in Merida Mexico on our last visit (Jan 2024)

We paid and put the applications through. We were told that it would be 6 weeks or so until we received our cards and things became official.  We waited and waited and waited.

Standing at the river for Zion and Zephaniah's baptism

Finally over Christmas, (almost 4 months later) we attempted to cross the border. Even though we were assured by the immigration office that our receipt of payment would allow us to cross, the officer at the border wouldn't allow it. That being said, he did make a call to an immigration officer. I spoke with her briefly.  Interestingly within a week we had cards in hand.  WOW what an answer to prayer.  There was one minor "caveat" they misspelled Zephaniah's name. I know people are surprised at that ;) They wouldn't allow us to keep the "misspelled" card until they got a new one. We had to await a new one.

Our family "pre accident" on top of a Maya ruin September 2023

It has now been over a year with multiple stops at the immigration office to check in on progress. There is still none.  We don't have Zephaniah's card. We are fortunate that with parents and other kids do have them. We are now allowed to cross the border without a problem.  We hope and pray that one day Zephaniah will have a card (before we have to renew them 4 years from now!) 

As a semi update, Nathanael was just at the American Embassay (Selah and Zephaniah got new passports) They gave him a name of a person to contact about the card. We hope this person is able to print it for us. 

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! 

Taking up my yoke

We are coming to the end of our 9-week furlough. To say it was fast would be an understatement. We have enjoyed small tastes of many different activities we missed and big tastes of special treats. We squeeze in times to fellowship and extra hugs. I have come to recognize that I can't "make up for" the two years we were gone, nor the time we will be gone in the future.

our visit to Connecting Deaf church

My kids, Zephaniah especially, are experts in this area. They enjoy what is in front of them with full vigour. I am trying to learn vicariously from them.

we did a bit of hiking in Peace Valley

The point was reiterated to me today. I was in a conversation with friends. They talked about kids, fixing up their houses and camping.  Although we paint some of the rooms, the house we stay in isn't our own. We make it home to the best of our abilities.

we went ice skating as a family

The conversation led my mind to wander. There are many times as of late I believe that others have an easier road than we do. In my mind, I recognize it's a lie of Satan. In my heart, the cool air blows my hair and I remember snow. I begin to wonder how much better our lives would be if we lived in Pennsylvania. I miss things, people and opportunities.

even Abigail dipped her toes in the water

It is in these moments that God reminds me. Driving in the snow really stinks. I am blessed that I only have one wardrobe. I haven't had to buy winter clothes for our kids in years. (We usually make sure they have one sweatshirt/jacket that fits and one pair of pants) More importantly, my calling looks different.

Selah and my mom work on a tye dyeing project

If we all had the same calling there would be a lack in so many areas. What a blessing to be a part of the body of Christ. What an awesome thing that our Heavenly Father actually planned for this.

Nathanael had the opportunity to boat with Greg Stemler for an overnight trip

While on the EMM retreat this past April, we were asked to take one truth with us. The thing I felt called to apply to my own life was understanding more about what it means to take up his yoke.  The process of listening to my friends, yet find joy in my own life, is an ongoing one. Some struggles are more blatant while many times they remain hidden.

I was fascinated by the book check-out process at the library

I am choosing to step into the calling He has placed on our lives as a family with acceptance.  He loves us, sees us, and has a plan that involves both Nathanael and I and our children. The "missed" opportunities aren't a reality. Our assignments are contrasting yet prepared ahead of time, should we be willing to step into His best for us.

as cold as we'll be for a long time! 

What yoke has he called you to today?

NYE 2018

The New Years eve party was a tradition started by Nancy. It always promises a full house, food and fellowship. This year didn't disappoint.

Nathanael and Misael set up for the party, which involved welding the broken gate

Nathanael had a small devotion.

enjoying the party

We then broke out games and food.

many played Apples to Apples big pictures 

I made chicken chili which is a church favorite. Two instant pots full got eaten!

Chilling outside

The children lit some fireworks.

First family picture of 2019

The church went to the park for the big celebration at 12 am.

In the park at 12 am to ring in the New Year

Nathanael dropped kids off. He arrived home around 2am.  The neighbor got a new sound system which he used. I finally was able to fall asleep at 3:30am with ear plugs and the fan by my head.

Adrene, Selah, Morene and Zion stopped in the park for a picture on their way home

The next day Nathanael drove Moriene and Adrene home. I slept until 11 am. Our friends from Koinonia invited us for lunch. Sandra who came for the party also came. Lunch was a mix of Spanish, ASL and English. What fun. No pork and sauerkraut for us. Dirty rice with chicken was well received!

Dirty rice for the first day of 2019

Apples to Apples pictures really is our "go to" game in situations where there is language mixing.  All 12 people (3 Spanish speaking, one Deaf) were able to enjoy the game together

We enjoyed ringing in the New year.

May your New Year be blessed!

Spring and the Davis family

How time flies

Yesterday completed our first 6 months this term in Belize.

Here we sit naive of the journey ahead. I know in the process I confided in Pastor Anita that I wasn't sure if I knew what was ahead; I would have committed to it. Pastor Anita told me that most people wouldn't. What a relief to not be alone in that! It is so important to count the cost, and make a decision to follow despite what is in front of you. I didn't imagine this journey but God was not surprised by it. 

We recently watched The Fellowship of the Ring as a family. Gandof told Frodo something similar to what Pastor Anita said to me. I will copy it because it spoke to me: “I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.

"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” 

And so we as a family choose what to do with the time that has been given us. 

(thanks Greg Stemler for the bubble tea on Nathanael's birthday)

I have admired the steps Nathanael has taken in leadership of the church. He has sought to deepen the understanding of the Bible by presenting the major stories in chronological order.  He reviews the sermons on Friday. He has had the Deaf take greater responsibility in the church.  They take time each week to pray for the people who haven't come to church.

These are a few of the things he has done in his pastor -ship role that I feel are really beneficial.  

In the review games he has seen a exponential increase in the ability to recall the information. Taking responsibility in the church has called the people to a greater level of involvement. 

We are excited for the journey we are on. Thank you for being a part of it! 

We are here...

I had a conundrum over the title.  We are back seems appropriate, yet some things in Pa have changed.  Our church for example has huge parts that we had never visited before.  We are still finding home as a family, so that one was out.

No matter what the title is, we have arrived safely in Pa.  After a lot of packing, storing, re-packing, selling, and throwing away, bus trips, plane trips, and sharing beds; we made it here.

The children rode in our van with Nathanael's step mother and my mom while my brother drove us.  (and the luggage).  Nathanael insisted our first stop be to get a cheese steak.  We had great intentions of stopping at Pat's or somewhere famous. We ended up at a random pizza shop but from Mark and Nathanael's description the cheese steaks were awesome. I held out for Trader Joe's.   At the cash register, Nathanael was told he had to use the chip in his credit card. Mark explained to the cashier that we are "foreigners" to which the cashier laughed, until he explained why.  We also made a thrift shop run before we made it to my parent's house.

My mother was a bit worried as we hadn't communicated to her and she couldn't figure out why it would take us so long to get from the airport to Sellersville.  We have since made successful trips to the library ( I have to limit my kids to books, reminding them we will return to the library soon!), grocery shopping, several thrift shops, and Five Below.

We were delighted by the MST who gave us a welcome home party.  It was so nice to spend time talking and learning more in person about what has happened in the past year.

Nathanael, the kids, and I have really started into a "normal" summer routine for us.  Nathanael has the privilege of working in ESY (extended school year). The children are at CEF daycamp for most of the summer along with doing other activities.  I am working at CEF camp this year along with starting a homecare job.














We are thankful for the privilege of having a break before we have started "back" into our routine in PA. We are so thankful to those who have been helping us with this transition...more about that in our next blog post!

Saying Goodbye

I told Nathanael I'm not myself today. I supposed it's good intuition to know that this is the truth. We have spent the past two weeks or so saying goodbye, sometimes more than once.  In the midst of raising children, packing, maintaining a house in a developing hot country, we are facing our transition.

I am a reader. I've been immersing myself in books.  I had finished the Lord of the Rings series at 3am one day. As someone who KNOWS what will happen it was driving me nuts. Couldn't we just get to the exciting part and throw the ring into the mountain?  When do they get to be heroes? Frodo and Sam discussed this as well. Frodo specifically talked about how we weren't meant to know what will happen.

I returned one of my kindle unlimited books.  I was just getting to the exciting part. It was a mystery and I was finding out the "what" of the story that kept being implied.  Yet as it got interesting, I returned the book.  You see I hate mysteries. The day I returned the book, I realized why.  I find great security in knowing what will happen.  Stepping into the unknown is scary for me, even if it's a better place.

Jesus Deaf Church had a goodbye party for us on Friday. (thus the pictures)We are so thankful to Nancy for giving us such a lovely send off. Even I cried and I am a "after griever". It is wonderful to feel like you made an impact. I spent the last weekend cuddling kids I'll miss in Sunday school and divvying out presents for them, using up the rest of our treasures from the US.

We are saying goodbye.  Although we "knew" this for a while, we really have no clue what returning will look like. Sure we're coming "home".  We realize that we are irrevocably changed, as are you.  A year changes a person!  We may not "fit in" to the way we pictured and our friends may have changed.

And so we face the goodbyes, and hello's.  We are thankful for both. We are thankful for a knowing, not just in our heads but in our hearts and visibly that we are loved. We continue to face the unknowns and tread forward, on the path God has for us. We are slowly discovering the journey is what has value, and to love just being a part of it.

As I can't seem to get this song out of my head I'll share it here:

We're not in Kansas anymore Toto.. and that's a good thing

We have reached the one month mark of being here in Belize.  Technically, Spring and the children will have been here a month on 9/17.

We are starting to "settle in" to our routine..

We are also getting used to the heat. Today I left the house at a fast pace and checked the temperature.  88 degrees with a real feal temp of 92, 54% humidity. I felt comfortable. 

Our children have experienced so much. They get to ride a school bus (the busses here used for transportation are old school busses) and taxi's something the never did in the states.  On our way back from Corazal, the bus was so full.  I started to get into my "oh dear the bus is full" mentality. I pulled my backpack in front of me.  I took note of who was around me and where my children were.  Abigail on the other hand looked at me with delight dancing in her eyes:  she was excited to not only be riding the bus (the very full bus) but be standing in the isle, driving down the highway!!

One thing I just love about this culture is the warmth of the people.  People greet you in the street.  The town is so small, you really have the ability to know people well.  Just today at a store, a man remembered what I had bought from him before and suggested I buy it again. I didn't even remember buying it from him.

Nathanael mentioned the other day at a Taco stand that the cultures here are much more integrated than in the US.  You can hear English, Creole and Spanish in the same sentence.  I can speak in Spanish than say an English word in the middle of a sentence. 

People here don't know how to place us.  Unlike Mexico, there are many light skinned people, mostly Mennonites.  We don't "fit in" with the cape dressing ones.  And then there is my Spanish.  A lot of people know Nancy so sometimes that helps.  They also are unsure of what to do with homeschoolers. I get asked a lot if my kids go to school.. (especially if they see us during the day) When I say they are homeschooled, they don't understand what that means.  I think I've given up trying to explain it :)

Why is it good that so much is different?  I was just realizing that it is simple to see pictures of other places, to look at poverty or disasters.  Experiencing things first hand is irreplaceable.  We as a family are all being changed by what we are doing here.  It is our hope that we are also bringing and spreading light to those around us.

No pictures today but feel free to check Nathanael's post below.  He makes up for my lack of pictures :)

it's official and other such stuff

While our support letter is still in the works, we are officially in the "support raising" part of our trip to Belize.  This part is the most uncomfortable for me.  I have already seen that in this process of going, God has stretched me, and I expect that to continue.

I worked at Esperanza, and began to see the value in having supporters. In fact right now,  we support Esperanza every month. For one it causes people to think and pray about you more often.  It brings both parties to their knees; a reminder to the supporter to pray, and the one in need to ask of God and trust his provision.

Giving support also makes you feel involved in something greater than yourself. It is amazing to see what God does with willing people.

Finally over the past few years I have learned that giving generously often involves giving to the point of being uncomfortable.  For the longest time I had the idea that I would give of my "extra". Living in a self centered, materialistic culture has made me think some of my wants are needs. Truth be told, we have been stretched, but always had bread on the table and money to pay the bills

I am doing my best to realize it isn't my job to go out and beg people for money.  I share his vision, he stirs hearts.

Ps the proofs have been sent to the publisher we should have prayer cards soon :)

MST meeting

Last night we had a meeting with our MST. Some members were missing and some positions haven't been filled yet, but we were thankful for the people who came.

It was very encouraging to be surrounded by people who believe in our vision and calling.  People who are excited about standing with us on this journey.

At the same time it was unnerving. We went over and approved the budget.  This is the final step before we start fundraising...a step closer to leaving for Belize.  The most interesting thing about this process for me is nothing was really decided by me: the budget is decided by EMM, the timing is based on the needs in Belize, and when we are able to raise 100% of the budget.

This is a scary process, stepping into the unknown.  It's not just stepping into the unknown for Nathanael and I but our children as well.  By walking into this calling we are forever altering their lives (hopefully for the good)  I do realize that many of the decisions we make, even sometimes lightly do alter their lives, this one just seems "extra big"

Please be praying especially that we find a team leader. This role is so vital, and as the MST coordinator stated, without the roles filled, we are like a bucket with holes in it.

If you are interested in what a MST does or how it works here's a link: http://www.emm.org/mst-tabs

and because I want a good team:

Ready.....................................Set............................................................GO GO GO!

Friday October 18 has become an important date for our family.  Yesterday Nathanael and I had a meeting with the guy who will be our pastor through EMM.  He was the final step in the process of approval. In august we had a meeting with Darrel and his wife Sherryl.  At that time we  were given "homework", told to go home, and pray about our calling.

I have to admit this process hasn't been "fun" or easy.  There were times I questioned why we even were pursuing it.

Last night I had the opportunity to talk to a woman at work about my story of a calling. It renewed my purpose in it.  That initial moment where God spoke to me directly hasn't changed. Circumstances have. People have failed, but the calling remains as strong as ever.

After a conversation with Darrel, he told us we are approved to continue on to the next stage with EMM.

Let me state that one again: APPROVED.  nothing conditional anymore.

And so our journey, which began quite a while ago, has taken a new turn.  Things seem more final but I am still very anxious.  There is much to do,  and per Nancy, Sulmi, and really our goal; we have 9 months to complete fundraising and training.

Usually the amount we have to raise takes 12-18 months.  I guess we really are starting out expecting God to do awesome things (or for it to take longer for us to get to Belize).

Spring