The unpromised update

Nathanael and I watched a movie together last Friday night.

The African Doctor has been on my Netflix list for a while. I personally felt like it was the perfect timing for watching it. The doctor is from Tanzania, and gets a job in rural France.

Many points in the movie felt familiar. I laughed harder and cried more than normal. There is one point where the family steps off the bus into the unknown that I truly identified with. If you are interested in a movie about moving cross culturally, this is one I highly recommend.

https://youtu.be/S32V5TNhFDE

We had a couple and their daughter visit church this past Sunday. Janice and Pedro live south of us in Spanish Lookout. It was a blessing to have them fellowship with us.

In other news, Nathanael will be speaking with the head of Education on Friday. He really wants to be able to get a visa through them. Please pray for favor for this process.

Thanks so much
Spring

We are still learning

If I am honest with you, I would tell you I often write blog posts in my head.  At times it's an ongoing conversation.  Often, God speaks to me and teaches me more about the things I am thinking about posting.

This past week I spent a lot of time writing in my head.  I struggle with the balance between honesty: This week was pretty hard on us, and the fact that it feels like there is a need to only report the good.

The other day I shared an article on facebook.  It was specifically about the concept of, "When Helping Hurts."  If  you are unfamiliar, let me introduce you to the concept.  The idea is that  if I am only filling "needs" and not enabling others to become independant, I am in essence "hurting" them. It may be couched in good intentions, but the effect is still the same.  It creates a dependance: someone has to continue to fill the need (financial or otherwise).  It also lends itself to an enviroment of "less than"/"greater than".

It wasn't until recently that we realized we had created a situation.  For us it felt like it went against everything we had worked not to do.  Even when you are striving to find (and do) God's will you will have times you feel like you failed.

Two years ago, we flew out of Cancun.  It is often cheaper to fly from there.  Taking that flight meant we had a little time in Mexico.  I can tell you after a few hours in Cancun, I was sick of my own skin.  I couldn't change the fact that I stood out, and the preceptions it made on the vendors.  When I was talking to my mentor about experiencing the similar thing in Belize she had some insight.  I told her I don't want to be precieved as the rich American, "but you are" she stated.

I can't be something I'm not.  No matter how much we try to not be "that" to those around us; it happens.  The conbination of the preception of being a "rich American" and hurting instead of helping became volitile.

I can tell you that it lead to me driving a neighbor's truck down the pothole filled roads of Orange walk.  (he was on the back holding our wardrobe on the truck).  He shouted directions to me.  I wished for a pillow so I could pull just a little closer to the stearing wheel.

We will step into our proverbial shoes.  The "lot" we have, bumpy ride, can't reach the steering wheel and all.  Sometimes it's okay not to get it right. The process of learning and growing is lifelong.  I am thankful to be along for the ride

Spring

Support
Prayer

Week 3 highlights

In some ways our family feels like they are getting into a " groove". We are following our old traditions:
                   walk to the park Saturday night to play and hang out with others

                   eat out Sunday after church, hopefully in a place that has air conditioning as a reprieve

We officially started school this past week. I can tell you that we've been unschooling of sorts through the summer. I was planning on not counting school days this  year, but it was too difficult for Selah to not know. ( Please don't tell her I haven't started counting yet)

There were some firsts this week:

Nathanael preached his third consecutive sermon. From now on it'll be a first every time for length of times he's preached in a row. Nathanael likes to keep track of these types of things



Zion caught her first gecko this term. She was delighted. She kept him in a pencil sharpener overnight and fed him ants.

We have animals!! We have been holding off for years, till we had a place of more permanence. Before you wonder why.. we have chickens (for the eggs), 2 dogs (to protect from robbers) and 2 rabbits (to "mow" the grass) it has been a learning curve but overall we are delighted to share our lives with some pets.

We continue to unpack and make the house ours. It has been difficult planning around getting everything out of the living room on Fridays (and on Sunday) to have people here for Bible Study.

Rainy season has started, a welcome break from the intense heat. I actually turned on the warm water in the shower.

Plan for this week: Update our prayer corner :)

Thanks so much for joining us on this journey.

one month or two weeks, depends on how you are counting

Wednesday will mark the two week time for us in Belize. It also happens to be exactly a month from when we left the Hopewell Parking lot. (August 27th).  We have had many adventures in the process. All learning experiences!

How does being in Orange Walk 2 weeks feel to us?

This transition has been much different.

Two years it was a drastic change. We were walking basically into the unknown, with 11 suitcases to our name.  

This time we had a home with some things set up. We also were aware ahead of time the things that would make our house a home. 

Two years ago the heat was a shock to our Pennsylvania born bodies. 

This time we expected it. That doesn't mean we are less hot

Two years ago all of the food tasted strange to us. 

This time the first food the kids wanted to eat was rice and beans.

Two years ago we spent a lot of time trying to figure things out

This time we feel like we're on our way

Two years ago we had a one year commitment

This time it's indefinate.  Things are feeling like we are working towards finding home. We are building a place that we can celebrate as a family.  

Two years ago we were under different leadership

This year Nathanael is leading the church.  In some ways this is more difficult as we are stepping into someone else's shoes.  For right now we are following the order of worship and way of doing things that Nancy had set up.  

Thanks for joining me in the small comparisons of our transition.  Feel free to text us (we have internet numbers through google so it's free to do) email us, and even call us. Skype with our kids. We finally have good internet.  :)  My goal is to get into a regular blog updating schedule again.

The rest of our drive

In case you missed our announcement, we arrived safely in Belize on September 13.

The process to get to Belize took a week and a day longer than we originally had anticipated.

After leaving my Aunt and Uncle's house we traveled south. We spent 3 days in route to Texas.  While we were at Bill and Jeanette's the broker who was to help us cross the Mexican border finally contacted us. He stated to get the correct visa for our van, he had to have the title for 3 days prior to our arrival.  We paid to have the title overnighted to Texas. Unfortunately due to the hurricane, this process was delayed by 5 days (no we didn't get a refund on our overnight fee)

When we arrived at Jay and Lisa's home the title still hadn't arrived, and it was Labor day sunday.  We spend 3 nights at Jay and Lisa's waiting for this process to happen. They were gracious to us, allowing us to stay and eat their food! We visited a retro arcade, Nathanael's grandparents, and Jay and Lisa's life group.

Once the title was there, we traveled 2 more days to the border. (Texas is huge!!)




















Our day at the Mexican border wasn't the most fun day of the trip. We did end up getting through, and learned some things about making the process quicker, should we choose to drive again in the future.  Since it took so long (over 8 hours) we ended up on the highway (without gps) much later in the day than we had wanted to be.

One more very long day on the road found us in Monte Maria at 10pm. Nathanael deftly navigated the busy streets with our long trailer! We stayed in the guest house at Tierra Prometia Saturday night till Monday morning. We were blessed to go to church there, and spend some time with Bob and Bonnie! I reveled in the awesome food, fellowship, and time at the church!

Two more days on the road in Mexico, one sleeping at a roadside hotel, one in a cabana found us at the Belizean border. This time we felt safe. The border crossing felt just as haggering though.. a long  8 hour day in the Belizean tropical sun. Kids took it well.  This was also an answer to prayer. After speaking with our former supervisors, we found out we paid less for our van and trailer in taxes than they had 2 years ago for just bringing their small suv.

We were met by Tim Groff and his friend at our house at about 8pm Belizean time (it felt like 10pm to us).

Hope you enjoyed the long summary of our journey. More news to come!

a part of the adventure

all started well, leaving the Hopewell parking lot after many tearful goodbyes. Not even an hour into our journey Nathanael looked back to see one of the trailer tires had completely blown!

It was in pieces. The spare was replaced but air leaked out. We abandoned the trailer on the turnpike, and got a pressure pump to re-fill the tire  After almost 3 hours, we were on our way again.

Another hour past and Nathanael noticed a sudden drop in the power. He stopped to check fluids, inspect the van.  After a process it was discovered we had a faulty transmission. My uncle rescued us from the side of the turnpike. At this point it was nearing 11:30 at night. We were an hour and a 1/2 away from their house our intended destination). Thankfully they are farmers. He had a truck and pulled our trailer. He also stopped at Wal Mart for a temporary transmission  fix. (as Tom Sadler more about this as I am not a mechanic by any means) This fluid made it possible for Nathanael to drive the van (slowly) to the farm.

It was nice to be in the comfort of family. It was also reassuring that we have a mechanic we can trust.

While the transmission was being re-built, we were able to explore some Johnstown history (yay for field trips that count as school days). My cousin even gave us a pass so we got in for free!!

My aunt spends a good amount of her time caring for my grandmother. It is humbling to watch.

Yesterday we had the opportunity to see my Pop-pop from my dad's side. He took us to Eat'n park (His favorite restaurant).

 

The kids have been enjoying running and exploring the farm. Zephaniah could spend weeks without getting bored.

I for one am enjoying the PA landscape for one last time.

We should (finally) be leaving this afternoon.  We are so thankful to the Hunsburgers for their hospitality and tolerance of our unexpectedly long stay! By the way my aunt runs an awesome Bed and Breakfast if you are ever in the Johnstown area. :)

A re-do of our schedule

Border crossing (Texas to Mexico) to happen hopefully Monday but possibly Tues (9/4-9/5)
One night in Mexico "alone"
One night with the Stevensons outside of Mexico City
One night alone
Bringing Belizean Border crossing to Thursday (or so)

Thanks so much for your prayers!