Misael takes to the skies

 In an effort to "catch up" on the past few months, I am working on updates.

Nathanael and Misael discuss travel before the big day

Aug-September were very busy months for us. On top of moving (which involved going through stuff in storage and downsizing significantly), a lot of events centered around Misael.  I know I've done posts with him in the past He has been a part of Jesus Deaf Church since Nancy started it.  He has been a part of family activities and discipleship since 2015.  It has been a raising-up process.  

Church at Jesus Deaf church Orange Walk

Misael grew up Catholic and was hesitant to get baptized. His father passed away last year. When baptism was discussed with his mother, she was very open to the idea.  His mother said if Misael's father was alive, he would have been opposed to the baptism. While we mourn the great loss, we are thankful for the openness of his mother. Misael decided to get baptized in Spanish Lookout at "Mennonite Beach".  You can view the Facebook live here:

Facebook live

On September 16, Nathanael and Misael trekked to Jamaica.   Due to it being the first time flying, and the fact that Misael is Deaf and traveling to a country where they don't use his language, Nathanael went along as an interpreter.  They flew from Belize to Panama, then to Jamaica.  

Misael walks onto the plane

They were able to do some sightseeing, and of course meet with Deaf in Panama. They attended a Deaf church service in Panama. 

Photo of the people after Deaf church

Arriving in Jamaica, Nathanael got to spend 4 days at the YWAM base with Misael prior to returning to Belize.

Playing a game with YWAM staff

Misael is on a journey of learning and growing.

Nathanael and Misael at the YWAM base

We are excited for him!!! 

The group of people at the YWAM base this fall. Please be praying for them

stepping into opportunity

Today was amazing. Sometimes I plan for amazing things to happen, and it's disappointing. Today there was no plan it just happened. We have a lot of Chinese immigrants here. They tend to own the bigger stores. One of our closer shops, Dickerson, has a lot of Chinese products. The other day I took pictures of some (with no English on them) and sent them to my friend. She was a missionary in China for 20 years. She translated for me. I actually didn't buy the "good tea for your health". Finding out what was in the package was nice.  I did however find some spring roll wraps.

Thus set in motion an idea. We could make spring rolls!  I was planning on me just making dinner, but Selah and Nathanael joined in, making it fun. As we listened to music, Zion danced around on 3 yoga mats. She even put on a gymnastic uniform.

All of that to say we're normal. Normal family living a normal life. Sometimes it is fun to grasp the normalness. Transitions are always hard for us. It has been feeling lately that we are on the other side of this transition. Praise the Lord! I wanted to highlight for you readers that a good portion of what we do lacks glamour. We live here. We eat, we wash our clothes, we go on walks, and buy food at the supermarket.

Of course there are out of ordinary moments to add spice to our lives!  One happened this past saturday. The story starts with meeting a YWAM participant. She actually lives in Belize with her parents. They are originally from Colombia, but have moved 8 times for her father's job. She is truly a TCK. She informed me that her parents have a Christian radio program. They like to interview people and share what God is doing.

Last Thursday Nathanael received a Whatsapp call that he didn't understand. He passed the phone to me. It was Julianna's parents. They woud be in Orange Walk on Saturday, could they come for an interview?  I have to admit when she suggested 12pm I was a bit put out. In Belize, everyone eats at 12. The culture is if someone is at your house, you feed them. I wrongly assumed they were coming at that time to have me feed them.

I mixed my favorite meal of chicken tortilla soup. As they entered, we had the table all set. They stared in disbelief. Apparently the aren't Belizean ;) They insisted on bringing something to the meal. My children all were quite pleased especially because we don't buy soda especially not coke! They also got some fruit salad to share.

I was humbled by them. What an opportunity to share and understand more about them.  Her father talked about how every country, God has brought someone into their lives to help them adjust. Both her father and younger brother speak English. Her mother is still learning and we conversed mostly in Spanish.

Here's the embarrassing part: I was asked to do an interview for the women's program!  Embarrassing because it is in my second language, and my second language still needs work. I did my best but it was lacking. Nathanael also was interviewed, him in English. It was such a great time to share our hearts and what we do.

If you would like to listen, email us and we'll let you know where you can download the link for the show.  Here is their website: http://www.unavozeneldesierto.org/

Finding retreat

This Monday we left with Nancy, Sulmi, and Danni (from the YWAM team) heading for Placencia, Belize.  We made a few stops on the way, one to the zoo. 

It was nice that Nancy stopped several times to help the 5 hour trip not feel so long.  We really enjoyed the zoo!  I also loved the artbox which had a selection of Christian books and CD's along with a bunch of beautifully handcrafted items.

At around 4:30pm we arrived in Placencia.  Why did we go?  We joined 3 other families, our supervisors, and 4 other singles for an EMM retreat.  All of the missionaries in Central America get together once a year.  This year it was in Belize so we had a shorter car trip.  One family didn't come. They live in Hondorus and the Honduran government gave them unexpected trouble at the border.  That was disappointing!

We spent 2 days fellowshipping, eating together talking and playing.  Twice a day we had sessions with Rich and Rachel Deeds who lead groups north of Placencia.  They do ministry at a place called Life Change Institute.  Nathanael and Danni interpreted for Nancy during the sessions.

We had wonderful childcare workers, some who are serving in Guatemala, and some who came from the States just to help with the children.  Our children really had fun.  The bulk of the children knew each other from Oasis and training in the summer of 2014.  It was good to be with friends especially other TCK's/MK's. 

While I am on the subject, I read an awesome article about TCK's I will share the link to.  Really it is Nathanael and my job to shepherd their hearts.  Lucianna also comes beside us to make sure the children are thought about and cared for.  I think though it helps if "you" the reader understand a bit of the world that my children live in. Saying goodbye often and struggling with emotions are common for them.  They are still unsure how to answer where they are "from" or where home is.  Sometimes they hate it here. Just last week Zion decide that when we leave in June she won't come with us.  This is just a part of the roller coaster we are all on.

We left the retreat encouraged and saddened. Saying goodbye is difficult.  It is our hope that we have raised enough funds to return by next year's retreat.  At this point we are not sure what will happen.

Thank you for supporting and praying for  us! 

what do Saint Patrick, YWAM and heat have in common?

us of course!  :)

I am working on describing the hodge-podge of a week it has been and trying to compile it in my head.  Read with me and enjoy the process!

This Saturday a YWAM team from a Deaf DTS base near Gallaudet University came to Orange Walk.  We have had the privilege of walking with them. Nancy took the 3 women to school at Saint Peters (where a few Deaf teens and a child go to school).  Nathanael took the man Caleb to the special needs school in Belize City 4 days this week.  More about this in a later post.

They were also able to meet for Bible study with most of the men that Nathanael usually meets with.







On top of that Nathanael had to teach his usual 3 classes.  He teaches 2 in Orange Walk and 1 in Belize City in the evenings. The team visited with the students who are just learning the basics of BZ-ASL.  There will be a bigger post just about Nathanael's breakthrough and what teaching these classes means for Belize on a different blog. Stay tuned!

Nathanael had a very busy week!!

Today we celebrated Saint Patrick.  What did we do you ask? Really it was nothing fancy.  We wore all green and got to watch a video about his life. We usually watch the short one from the Veggie Tales.  This one was really moving to me. I love how they use actual quotes, and discuss how Patrick made a difference. It makes my life pale in comparison. He was a missionary to those who enslaved him. I guess I really do have the "easy life"!!

It was also a great reminder to me about the calling not only on my life but on everyone who is in the church.

Finally HEAT. I really have not discussed this because for a while (August-mid December) nothing much changed for us.  Mid Dec- mid Feb we had a mild reprieve. We wore jackets and bought a few more blankets.  The kids started shivering at 65 degrees.

Things have returned "back to normal" really March-May are some of the hottest months of the year here. Our heat index is usually high 80's to low 90's. We sweat from when we wake up to when we go to bed.

While I was on my medical missions trip, people were surprised I was cold.. (they were coming from below zero temps in the south in Jan).  They kept asking if I was "used to" the weather here.. I really don't like the question. I get hot like everyone else here gets hot. I don't have ac like the majority of people  in our community.  Today I went to visit El Popular, our local panadria (bread shop) the regular man who guards the door was there. We got to discussing the heat and how I was hot.  He offered solutions.  I told him it was different for him because he was born here.

I really loved his reply "Sister, everyone is human"

If you are wondering if we enjoy beach like weather everyday (without a beach in sight).. we really are still human.