Giveaway Winner! & Recap 2013

Coffee and Cup Giveaway Winner!

And we have a winner!  Congratulations Emily from Oklahoma.  She got extra entries by posting a comment.  Can not wait to hear what you think of the coffee.  

June, July and August 2013 Recap

Even though our time on the coast was very busy, it is hard not be be a little more relaxed when the beach is within walking distance. 

The end of June we found ourselves packing up and heading to the coast of Oaxaca.  The mission was two-fold; level three of language school and aiding a national pastor with his church.  Pastor Victor and his wife were receiving hostile treatment for refusing to abort their baby.  An apple size tumor was discovered by ultrasound during a routine prenatal.  The timing was perfect, they were able to stay in our house in the city and see a specialist and we were able to help with their church on the coast.  

At first the tumor caused pain, but mom and baby were doing well.  With time, the tumor unexplainably began to shrink!  She was even able to give birth naturally, where months before a tumor blocked the way.  I know many were praying for this baby, her mother and family.  It was a joy to walk beside this family and see their strong faith during this difficult time.

A grateful mother giving public thanks for the precious baby she is holding.

Meanwhile, on the coast, Sam did his best to teach and preach to the small congregation, while keeping up with his Spanish studies.  He used the opportunity to do lessons on how to study the Bible.  We knew God was using this situation to move Pastor Victor to the city to start a church in an area were the is almost no evangelical work.  The coast was Pastor Victor's home area.  He moved there several years ago after a successful church plant near the border.  He has a burden for his home town.  A lot of people knew him, but they did not except that a boy from their little town could know anything about the Bible.  In his own puebla, he was threatened with jail several time for starting a church.  We are praying God sends the right person to take over the work he began with much adversity.  You can CLICK HERE to see what life on the coast is like.

It was a privilege for Sam to translate for his brother during a service.

We are thankful Lindsey was with us.  She stayed with Samuel, Adelina and Haden while we at language school and two children of another missionary family.  Her servant's heart was such a huge blessing.  

One treat for us during this time was the visit of Sam's brother and his family.  We had so much fun while they were with us.  The time flew by.  Sam got to interpret for him at one of the church services.  It is always an encouragement to have friends and family visit.  

We hosted a Fourth of July celebration.  Teachers, students, neighbors and friends joined us.  Above we are getting the fire ready.  Testing out our marshmallow substitute and warming up the instruments.  

The language school we attended is designed for missionaries, so there are missionary families from all the world.  They will serve in various Latin American countries when they complete the four levels of Spanish training offered by the school.  Since we live in Oaxaca, we have chosen to do a seven weeks level whenever we can.  We began in 2012 at level two and completed level three this time.  I do not know when we will have the opportunity to do level four, but it is a very important level.  We are so encouraged by how much our Spanish has improved through the school.  This time God provided funds for Hannah and Josiah to attend level two.  CLICK HERE for more info on the school.   

Ministry Monday Week #6: Recap 2013

This week we sang in Spanish as a family for the family conference of a national pastor and close friend.  In September or August of last year he felt led to start a church in a large area on the other side of the city.  You can find out more about it by reading under the heading Pueblo Nuevo - Oaxaca, just CLICK HERE. I am working on a blog with a recording of the songs we sang for next week.  It was not great.  It was the first time we have sung in public in quite a while, I think we were nervous and it was in Spanish.  But, it is hard to say no the Pastor Victor.  At least the song had a good message!

Meanwhile, I wanted to try to finish up the 2013 Recap.

April was a short trip to the U.S. to try to gain residency status in Mexico.  The visas were a mission fail, so we returned on tourist visas a little wiser.  I attended the Christian Midwives International Conference during our trip and even spoke on the topic of midwifery, missions, and being culturally savvy.  I called it "Culture Clash: Things to know before you go on mission".  I didn't get invited back...mmmm...

May and June were busy with a lot of the same.  It always takes a little bit to recover from a trip.  The great thing was we added our niece, Lindsey to the mix.  She was a trooper.  When she arrived we were in serious water rationing mode.  We were only flushing toilets when necessary, we were taking cold sponge bathes and hauling dishes outside to wash.  Every few days when we heard the water come on, everything would stop and we would run around flushing toilets and taking showers.

She didn't bat an eye.  She hauled water in and warmed it up for Haden's bath, no complaints even when she was sick or spider bitten.  She was a huge blessing to the church where Sam does the Bible Institute.  She gave violin lessons and Adelina translated for her.  Although she was starting to get by on her own before her three months were up.  We were so sad to see her go.  She was a huge help and blessing to all of us in different ways.  She was a tutor to Adelina and Haden, a friend to Hannah and an amazing assistant.   

Lindsey, if you are reading this...we are on water rationing again, so be prepared!  Can't wait to see you in May!

March 2013 Recap

Meme took the girls to a cooking class.  Where we got to go on a market tour and learn about traditional Oaxacan food.

March 2013 Recap

When Missionaries Come Home: Philippians 2:25-30

I am incorporating the recap of 2013 theme into the From the Word Wednesday this week.  I'm linking up with My Daily Walk, Walking Redeemed, and Tell His Story today.

Image courtesy of artur84

In late February of last year (2013) we said goodbye to the Norris Family and we still feel the deep loss.  As we passed our first year without them, often things were said such as, last year we spent this day with the Norris'.  Christmas was so sweet with them, more than one of my children mentioned it to me as we celebrated without them this year.  Our hearts ached as little things they left behind reminded us of the sweet friendship we enjoyed and the deep loss we feel.  Haden especially misses his friend, the sweet and amazing, Violet.  We have spent much time in prayer this last year, as we know God has great plans for them.  We just wish those plans would bring them close to us again.  

Having our good friends the Norris family leave is not the first time we have seen missionaries leave the field.  Some before they were even here a year.  The reasons are varied and numerous, missionary attrition is very high.  Often those returning from cross cultural work are met with questions and judgement.  Often they feel they have failed their church, their supporters and even God.  People back home have questions and it is hard to explain all they went through on the field and Americans in general are "optimistic" go-getters (just ask people from other cultures).  Talking about the difficulties is sometimes considered whining.

But here is a little snippet from the Bible my husband showed me recently.  I'll let the scriptures speak for themselves, but please note how Paul urges the church to receive the returning missionary, Epaphroditus. 

Philippians 2:25-30

25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. 26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. 27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: 30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

Things to remember and pray about for those you love that are serving cross culturally.

1.  No matter how much they love their new/host culture, they still miss things and people that are familiar. "He longed after you all" v. 26

2.  Missionaries are often exposed to illnesses and in some areas do not have adequate health care.  Deceases such as malaria, typhoid fever, or TB just to name a few.  These things are treatable, but they take a toll mentally and physically. "For indeed he was sick nigh unto death" v. 27

And I would just like to echo those same urgings Paul gave as we consider how to welcome soldiers back.

1.  Rejoice and celebrate their journey.  v. 28  They have been on an amazing journey, they need to share it and hear about your journey with the Lord while they were away. 

2.  Enjoy them.  v. 29  You see, while the missionary had this crazy ordeal they went through, their friends and family continued on with their lives (as they should have).  It takes effort to pause and incorporate those returning back into your circle.  They may be a little different, they may need a listening, nonjudgemental ear.  Make the effort.

3.  And finally Paul urges us to "hold such in reputation".  v. 29  I don't think I have to explain that this is the opposite of judging.  I'll leave it at that.  

And don't forget to enter to win some Oaxacan Coffee.  Just CLICK HERE.  

Ministry Monday Week #5: 2013 Recap

I'm so excited to be blogging again and I'm really enjoying the Ministry Monday idea.  I'm looking forward to sharing some of the new ministries we are involved in this year and updates on old ministries, but first I wanted to share a recap of last year.  So buckle your seat belts, we certainly lived up to the "wandering" part of our name.  I hope it was "purposeful" also.  

January
I started 2013 sleeping through the fireworks in a small, remote town sandwiched between the Caribbean Sea and the Honduran jungle.  Yep!  You read that right.  January of last year I had the opportunity to work with an OB/GYN at a remote mission hospital on the coast of Honduras.  I would like to think I was a help.  It was an amazing opportunity and experience and I did get invited back.  That has to be a good sign.  Thank you to all the staff at Hospital Loma de Luz for all the compassionate work you are doing to shine the light and love of Jesus.