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.

The Sound in the Silence

The room was silent but for a few clicks of a keyboard and the occasional swish of clothing. No spoken words, but full of life.

It had been a while since I had been to Deaf church. Too long for me actually.  My lack of exposure to ASL has lead my already struggling vocabulary to decrease.  The people at Connecting Deaf church were more than gracious with my struggle to communicate.

The lack of spoken words didn't decrease the Spirit of God that was in that place.

I am not sure if you have experienced "knowing" someone was a Christian before they told you? My lack of ASL didn't decrease the fact that God was in that place today. It was wonderful to fellowship with other believers, to be encouraged in our journey back to Belize, and to work at my ASL.

Connecting Deaf is one of our sending churches, and a support in the Deaf community.

as a PS thanks to Greg Stemler for taking our younger two children to Hopewell for us :) I am sure it was an exciting day for him as well!

preparing..

"I'm going to really miss Mrs Hughes when when we leave."

 We walk out of time with her tutor and my daughter discusses how she is going to say goodbye. Goodbyes are an often brought up topic in our household. Spending a year internship in Belize then returning home for fundraising was in some ways a good idea.

We got our feet wet. We were able to have a tangible answers to what we will do in our next term.

Our children also grasp the concept of saying goodbye. They know what it means to really miss someone. We have multiple conversations centering on what we miss, and who we miss (or will miss).

I have an overflowing box of things to go to Belize. Things we didn't have access to, summer clothes,

We are thankful!

What have the Davis family been up to this past month? I just know you are wondering...
We have shown up in many places!
We have shared our vision at some churches including: Line Lexington Mennonite, Hopewell, Rockhill Mennonite, Fredrick Mennonite and Finland Mennonite.

At Finland, Nathanael had the opportunity to participate in interpreting worship. My brother Mark was leading so that made the experience extra awesome. Here is a short video:

The children are a part of a homeschool choir. They practice weekly. The past 2 weeks was their annual Christmas concerts. Here are some pictures:

We are truly enjoying the Christmas Season in Pa. I personally am loving just cuddling under covers to find a warm place. 

We have a newsletter in the works which should be arriving in your mailboxes shortly. Thanks so much for all of the support, prayers, and love we have felt this past year!

God Bless your family this Christmas season! 

A short visit and mission trip

I know I said a while ago that I am adjusting to the difference of schedule here. In Belize I personally was very busy at home. It was mostly that the housework was more demanding. Here it has been activities demanding our time. Sometimes it still feels like we are "finding our feet".

Recently, I started counting "one, two, tree" Why you ask? My mom and I did a quick 6 day trip to Belize 2 weeks ago. That's right I am behind.

We left from the Allentown airport. What an experience it was to arrive early at the airport, and not have anyone behind the checkout counter. The flights went well and we arrived in Belize city at about 12pm local time. Our friend picked us up from the airport and drove us to Orange Walk (about an hour). Getting in the car and driving was my mother's first cross cultural experience. I will let her relate the details to you!

Our time in Orange Walk was limited to less than 24 hours. We spent the time as wisely as we could. We ate meals with friends, walked around town a little, and met for breakfast with Nancy before we left.  People wished we could have stayed longer. I did as well. When our meeting with Nancy was completed, we were driven to the airport.  We few from Belize City to Dangriga, the first time I've done that as a flight rather than a bus trip. (we just didn't have the time for the bus)

The next 4 days were a blur of being at Kids Konnect's camp Legacy and serving with them. This was the first time that I worked in the pharmacy. I knew that it was one of the most intense jobs. I was unaware of what exactly it involved until mom and I did it. I was stretched.

The job involved checking medications before they were given to patients. I also gave instructions to the patients. It was especially challenging to note that in practice I've mostly worked with pediatrics. We give a lot of diabetic and blood pressure medications. 

I did a lot of praying as I gave medications. 

Here is my mom working at Red Cross in Dangriga

The final day which is always at a church (Light of the Valley) I was allowed to go back to triage. It was nice to be in my comfort zone again. I also felt like I had more one on one time with the patients. Both jobs are integral to being a part of Kids Konnect. It was a good thing to get out of my comfort zone, and go where the need was.  

I loved that my mom was able to experience Belize with me. She was a trooper and took things as they came. I also loved that she got to meet some of the people who were important to us over the last year. I also working beside her, something I have never done. 

This being my third trip with Kids Konnect, some things felt comfortable and familiar. It was good to see the same patients, pray with them and connect. I honor what Kids Konnect 4 Jesus does in Dangriga and surrounding areas. It is a privilege to work with them. I just love meeting patients, as well as the people who come to serve. It was also a challenge getting out of my comfort zone and serving in a different way.

As a family we continue to adjust to being in the US, and work on our fundraising focus. We would love for opportunities to share our vision with you. 

Nathanael and I were both on missions trips in the past 2 months. We wanted to be clear that the money for our trips came out of our personal offerings. We did not use the funding for our long term time in Belize. 

Thank you again for your prayers and walking with us on this journey! 

The Davis Family

Nathanael and Chase in Honduras

A few months ago a friend in the homeschool community contacted Spring to see if Nathanael was able to take a short trip to Honduras to interpret at a Missionary Conference.  Chase, a 16 year old Deaf guy and his family are missionaries in Honduras.  You can check out their blog here.  Do to Nathanael's work commitments and finances, Nathanael and Spring decided it wasn't a good idea to go.  However a few weeks later God provided the money through personal means and the trip coincided with time Nathanael had off work.  Nathanael felt he should go.

Nathanael had a great time working with Chase and the other missionaries.  Nathanael was able to give Chase access to the information and to give Chase's sister a break from interpreting.

Check out some pictures below from the trip.

Chase Watching Nathanael Interpret

Nathanael Interpreting Sunday Morning Service

Nathanael Interpreting the Icebreaker

The Team who worked with the Kids

Nahtanael Interpreting Worship Sunday Morning

Chase and Nathanael

Conference Participants and Workers

Lunch

Nice to Bump into Philly People Around the World