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! 

Expectations.. and Easter

Nathanael and I spent 10 days in Belize in 2013.  We got to meet some of the people at Jesus Deaf Church. We walked around Orange Walk and ate tacos off the street.  We prayed that God would make it clear to us, this call to missions we felt  in our hearts.  Were we called to Orange Walk?  He did make it clear.  That is an awesome story for a different time

3 years ago this week, was the first time we landed in Orange Walk.  God clearly spoke to Nathanael and I.  We took steps, applied to EMM, prayed and asked people to be a part of our MST, raised funds, rented out our house, waited a year; and finally in August 2015 we arrived as a family.

We may have thought we knew what we were getting into but life has shown me over and over again that we really didn't.  As a whole, we have grown these past 6 months.  Our children have a deeper greater understanding of the global world.  They have met friends who live in different corners of the world.  

Was it what we expected?  I am not sure. I tend to hold expectations very loosely as they often get us into trouble when they don't come to fruition.  I do know God has been here. It is him who has answered prayers and he who has caused growth.

This past Friday (Good Friday), we went as a family to go on the "Cross Walk. " They do 14 stages of the crucifixion of Jesus.  Since I'm not catholic, I really even now couldn't tell you what each stage is.  We arrived to the church early.  3 years ago Nathanael and I got to do this in Orange Walk and we were excited about our children getting to experience it.

We stood outside of the catholic church during the mass.  As we were waiting, a man approached Nathanael about being a part of the stations.

We were a bit taken aback.  Nathanael's response was "I'm not Catholic" which apparently didn't matter. It didn't matter that he's American either.

I personally imagine that this is not how things happen "in the states" when one plans for a cross walk, one makes sure to have enough people for the parts weeks in advance.  

Nathanael got painted up. Abigail and Zion got to dress up and be a part of things as well.  The people who did the costumes were quite happy that Nathanael has a good beard! They got to participate in the fifth and 11th stations. 

Zephaniah and I followed the crowd from the fifth station through to the 11th. I got some footage of the other stations.

All in all we had a great time.  It was totally unexpected and a bit exhausting! It is a few mile walk.  Zephaniah was exhausted after our week in Placencia. 

After it was over we even got to have a small "dinner" (chips, dip and tang) with the other people who participated. 

When we arrived home, I still had a load of wash in the washer.  We ate dinner and I went outside to hang wash. (my father would be proud).  I was standing hanging the wash when a vehicle pulled up.  A man got out and signed to me.  Some of the people from Spanish Lookout were in Orange walk and were driving around looking for our house.  I was standing outside and they recognized me. Had I not been hanging wash at that moment, we would have missed the opportunity to have guests. 

This week we are thankful for the unexpected in our lives. Unexpected things, unexpected growth, unexpected richness of life.  We truly are blessed. 

Here is Abigail's youtube channel version of the walk:

"We're not in Kansas anymore" second edition better known as Hace Calor

A huge difference that I haven't mentioned in the previous blog is heat!  We stepped out of the plane two Mondays ago to a wave of hot humid air.  It really hasn't changed much since then.

Our bodies are slowly getting adjusted to the heat. This past Sunday, I was really struggling with the feeling of "I just can't get cooler".  In the first week, we asked the locals what we can do about the heat.. take a shower was the only real advice.

We don't have a water heater, and honestly it doesn't matter right now.  The water is not freezing cold.  During the heat of the day, you can step out of the shower and still feel sticky.  In Pennsylvania, we would give the kids a bath 1-2 times a week.  Now the kids take baths every day.  They don't always use soap. ;)

In other news Fleurette went home this past Friday.  For us it settled into our hearts that we're here for the "long hull" now.  We are so thankful for the time she spent with us.  She spent her last full day with us.  We miss her already!

We have started our "regular" activities. Nathanael working with men 1 on one, interpreting for others when there is a need, cleaning the church etc.  We have had several guests to our house. The children (and I) started homeschooling this week.  We are on a learning curve but overal it's going well and we're thankful for new routines to start.

This is the song I can't get out of my head recently: 

Thank you all for praying for us! 

How many Many Mennonites does it take to put up a tent? (our trip to Emm's Global Fair)

Apparently more than we had.. ;)

On Saturday, we had the privilege (again) of having a table at Global fair.  Nathanael asked if we could borrow a tent from our church.  We picked it up on our way and headed out. Once we got there it was spritzing small amounts of rain. 

I felt it would be a good idea to set up the tent.. so we wouldn't get wet .  Nathanael was reluctant as the tent seemed extra big and complicated.  He did agree because I was also concerned about getting sun burnt. 

After an hour of laughing, about 10 people attempting to read the directions, push together poles, and watch us, we gave up.  It seems that there were some poles missing from the bag, and the wrong canvas in it. 

Nathanel told some of the people helping us that this is a "Secret team building" exercise.. Oh well it was fun to try!




We are so thankful to Summer, Ray and Mary Bergey and Debbie Ulle who came to be with us.
  They also escorted our children around and made sure we were fed!  I love the chance we get at Global fair to get to know other missionaries and their callings. It is also fulfilling to interact with the people of other cultures who bring food to sell; and the other organizations (like MCC and LMC)

Wow!

I could actually write wow a number of times and probably still not be able to describe how impressed I am.

I fasted for a month for a team leader of our MST.  I had this ambiguous person in mind  with all of my perfect characteristics added in...And when someone answered the call I was a bit disappointed.  It was disappointment about me, and not about them, or God's call.

I had ideas about what I thought should happen, and what I wanted this person to be.

Last night though I was blown away.

Eric Hackman after much prayer, and talk with us agreed to be our team leader.

I have to say I am honestly embarrassed about my reluctance and judgment.  Everything about going to Belize has been a learning experience for me.

Eric was everything I prayed for and honestly went above and beyond.  I am so thankful for what God decided to do.

Please join us in praying:

for Eric and the rest of our hard working MST
for us in our journey at home preparing
and as we share our vision with others
for our children in this transition
for our finances

Thanks!!!
Spring

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