Asher slept til 7 this morning but of course, I (Michelle) was awake at 6 so I laid in bed thinking about 2014. Here's bits and pieces of my reflection. And for the record, I think it has been one of my favorite years to date.
Raising third culture kids (TCKs) is hard...but good. Raising kids is hard. Period. Wherever you are, whatever their ages, whatever their personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. Fact. Throw in another culture, another language, and a nomadic lifestyle and you've got the hardest task I have ever attempted. Sometimes, I am trying to decipher if we are all simultaneously having a culture shock kind of day (week/month) or if they are just being 6 and 3 years old. And sometimes, the fact that my eldest can discern and describe the differences in gunshots, fireworks, and car backfire makes my heart sink. And more than sometimes, the lack of libraries, parks, and extra-curriculars feels like I am depriving them of a fuller life. But then, the Lord is faithful to provide moments where I see something so invaluable that it makes the hard nothing but beautiful; like the two of them running out to the kitchen to show me the toys and clothes that they have gathered on their own accord to give away to the kids in Las Delicias where we minister. This parenting thing is hard yet another area in life where we can call on the Lord to help us, teach us, and guide us.
Ministry is hard...but good. Last December, we started serving in a community called Las Delicias. We have had exactly one year to see the Lord build relationships through different avenues of service. It has panned out nothing like we expected but our hearts for Hondurans to know Christ has increased infinitely. In Las Delicias, our focus has been building relationships. And the funny thing about building relationships, is that depth brings well, depth. The more you know and love people, the stickier it can become. Relationships that have moved beyond the surface level are almost always a high risk investment. We have seen and heard more unbelievably hard situations than ever before. But again, we have learned that Biblical principles stand true regardless of culture, language, or economical status. Weeping when someone weeps and rejoicing when someone rejoices and loving people like Christ unconditionally loves us crosses all boundaries and barriers.
We have also learned to listen to the Lord's voice and be flexible. Church planting on Team Honduras is currently under construction with changes in leadership and vision. It has made many ministry/church planting opportunities available outside of Las Delicias and I personally have enjoyed watching my husband grow in his gifts of preaching and teaching.
Being on a team is hard...but good. Unfortunately, the call to being a missionary does not change the fact that you are a sinner. So in other words, we are sinners serving on a team of sinners. And that means sinful things are going to be said, written, and done. It also means there is a chance to learn how to be Biblically reconciled. Adam taught a Bible study on conflict resolution through Peacemakers Ministries this fall and I am sure we will have some chances to put it to use. Being on a team is also a wonderful opening for living life together and being stretched in serving one another as well as accepting help (hard but good!).
Having short term teams come for three months out of the year is hard...but good. I am certain you have seen articles flying around about why churches should send short term teams or why churches should NOT send short term teams overseas. Team Honduras is a long term team that accepts short term teams. This past summer was our first experience in working with short term missionaries. We were excited about this because both Adam and I had been on 17 different short term trips and found our passion for global missions through these trips. It was a joy to work alongside of these missionaries but also the most exhausting three months of the year, physically and emotionally. We worked alongside of 13 teams consisting of a total of 143 people. We saw Christ use all 143 people to advance His purposes and His kingdom here in Honduras, in their hearts, and back in the US.
This life is hard...but God is good. We have seen Christ as King every day of this past year. His sovereignty is real to us as He orchestrates what we see as good and bad into His purposes for His glory. We have learned that the Church is truly is Global. Christ followers worship the same God but in different languages, modes, and manners. We get to see little pieces of heaven as we sing a hymn in Spanish alongside of a Honduran brother or sister. We look forward with an expectant hope and excited to see His faithfulness in 2015!
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