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Friday, August 24, 2018
Post summer newsletter 2018
Sunday, May 13, 2018
Slapped With Providence
Do you ever stop and think about how much you overlook God's providence? Last weekend, I had a realization that I had become sorely apathetic to how the Lord sovereignly provides people and events in my life. We had a small crisis. Adam and Jacob had left to run in an organized race at a beach resort 45 minutes from our house. Jacob was signed up for the 5K with Asher and I and Adam was signed up for the 10K. Unfortunately, I was down and out with a stomach bug and Asher not wanting to run stayed with me under the guise of "taking care of mama." Adam and Jacob left at 1:30 p.m. as the race was scheduled for 3 p.m. and of course, started in Latin style at 4p.m. I figured that was the case as we had participated in numerous other 5Ks in town. Still, I sent a message around 4:30 p.m. asking how they were. It was an unbearably hot and humid day and running on sand just sounded like a bear to me.
I took a deep breath midday Sunday and thanked the Lord for the many ways I saw him arrange the means for this end. It slapped me in the face, really. It was obvious how I had taken the providence of the Lord for granted. He provided so much for me last weekend as He does every day. He is a good God who loves me well regardless of my circumstances. God provides.
Around 5:15 p.m., I received a phone call from an unknown number. I ignored it as I usually do but it called back. This is a very Honduran habit: to call and call and call some more until the person picks up. I immediately had a pit in my stomach so I picked up on the second call and heard the voice of our friend and babysitter. She works at said resort so I was slightly concerned. She confirmed my fears and told me that she had Jacob in her care and Adam had been taken to the hospital in the next town because he had passed out. I later found out that she wasn't even supposed to be at the resort that day as she wasn't working. She WAS there that day celebrating her brother's birthday! It was so obvious to me that the Lord had perfectly arranged the ONE person there that my 9 year old child knew. She comforted Jacob and even offered to take Asher. God provided!
We live in a country where health care is extremely lacking and 911 service didn't exist until about a year ago. I still don't know if or how 911 or ambulance services work because I've never had to use it and quite frankly, I don't trust it. I have more confidence in transporting my loved ones to the nearest hospital than I do in the ambulance showing up. To drive home the point, I share our experience of being asked to transport a patient in the bed of our truck to a hospital three hours away in the "big city." Ambulance service is a luxury. We also live in a culture that doesn't get involved. People will stand around and watch someone die before administering aid. I know that sounds harsh but that's reality. It turns out Adam was severely dehydrated. He was unconscious for 30 minutes more or less. Blue lips. Dry mouth. Blue nails. Foaming from the mouth for 10 minutes. The fact that paramedics were present at the race and immediately assisted my husband is something I would have expected in the United States. It seems like nothing short of a miracle here in Honduras. I am grateful for how the Lord arranged much needed medical care on the scene as well as the transportation to a hospital. God provided!
On to hospitals. Adam and I joke about having chosen our neighborhood based on it's proximity to a private hospital for the little boys. There are two good private hospitals within a mile or two of our house. I also joke about getting my hospital preference tattooed on my wrist to increase my chances of survival should anything ever happen. This race was 45 minutes from our house out in the jungle at a beach resort. Not close to the hospitals I know and prefer. The nearest town to the beach resort is called Jutiapa. Google says it has the population of 35,000 but I call "bologna!" I had no idea where the hospital was or if there was more than one hospital available. I googled "hospitals in Jutiapa, Honduras" on our drive out there. I did not know if this "hospital" was private or public (I knew nothing) nor did I know the state of my husband. It was a long drive of praying that it was the only hospital on the map and that they took my husband upon arrival. The Lord gave me peace amidst the unknowns. My teammate and friend, Kathy and I arrived at the 3 patient room clinic where we found Adam just having entered back into consciousness. It was quite the ride after that to manage everything in Spanish and make sure he got the care he needed when he needed it but the Lord provided patience and calm for me in the midst of the storm. I was attuned to how the Lord had provided the last two years of language tutoring in my home and how I was confident and able to navigate a difficult situation in my second (fourth, really) language. I was also convinced the Lord providentially put that little "hospital" right there for me, for this situation. An unlikely location, an unknown provider but perfect for the need. God provided!
Sanitary cat in the waiting room
Patient room
Patient at nearly midnight
Saline bag pole...er, nail
Last but not least, the Lord put us on Team La Ceiba in Honduras not by accident. The same is true of my teammates. I am continually sure that the Lord handpicked our team. We love our team. They are our family away from family. I sent one voice message to the ladies when I found out Adam was taken to the hospital and our whole team sprung into action. My kids were picked up and taken care of for the night by teammates. I had medical consultation available to me from another teammate. And I had a teammate by my side for all of the trauma into the wee hours of the morning. God provided!
Saturday, April 28, 2018
A Few of My Favorite Things
I've been thinking since one of my recent Facebook post received such a huge response on and off Facebook, that I would share with you a few of my favorite things right now. It's a well known joke (er, fact) that teachers share and steal resources as to not reinvent the wheel. I can't figure out why it should be any different among friends in the Christian community. As an avid book worm, I want to share! So without further adieu:
Journibles The 17:18 Series
As I said on Facebook, I had a teammate leave and as we sorted through some of her books, this journal sparked my interest. I had been using a Scripture Writing Plan as part of my quiet time since November of 2016 so this just followed suit. I really enjoy this journal for it's holistic approach and continuity as whole books of the Bible. Each day includes 7 to 8 verses to copy out of the Bible. The opposite page is blank for notes, ponderings, or answers to thought provoking study questions they have asked. I can do it fairly quickly sometimes with interruption from the menfolk in my household. I often reread it at lunchtime and the verses sink deep into my heart. It's simple, yes but has been an excellent way in keeping a consistent time in the Word.
Good and Angry: Redeeming Anger, Irritation, Complaining and Bitterness by David Powlison
At nineteen years old, I was hired as a youth intern at a Bible church in Fort Worth, Texas. At the time my theology was pretty shallow and I was surprised to find out that I was a sinner as well as the other people with whom I worked. Who would have known other church workers would mess up and sometimes be ugly. It was an invaluable lesson as I moved forward in life and even (especially) as we moved to the field with other missionaries. My mentor declared missionary life is like "being in a pressure cooker and under the microscope at the same time." It became glaringly obvious that we would continue to be sanctified in this life but not perfected until the day of glory. My experiences have left me with the desire to pursue a masters in Christian counseling (not in this stage of life though, don't worry, I'm not completely crazy). The Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF) has a ton of resources I can read now though.
I started "Good and Angry" as I was in a place in my life where I couldn't shake some of the bitterness based on a series of unfortunate (sinful) events (real life confessions without the drama). I kept returning to the Lord asking Him to remove my anger and help me forgive again and again. This book met me where I was. It is a wealth of Biblical wisdom on anger. Anger is more than a problem to be solved. Anger is a part of life and we can learn about God's anger, how to redeem our anger, and be fruitful in responding to evil with good and making wrongs right. I enjoyed this book because though not labeled a workbook, it contains questions that dig deep in self-reflection as well as future action.
Hopefully not a spoiler but my favorite chapter is titled, "Do You Have a Serious Problem With Anger?" The whole chapter is but one word, "Yes." That's it. That's the whole chapter. Shortest chapter I have ever read in any book. But it left it's impact. We all have an serious anger problem. It just looks different from person to person. I would highly suggest this book to literally anyone and everyone. God has healed me up with this one. It will probably become an annual read.
RightNowMedia
This is a resource that may not be available to everyone as it is usually provided through a church but we had two churches offer the use of this digital media to us. It contains over 15,000 bible studies and tons of videos and music. We love it for sermons in English as well as videos for the boys (we're kind of addicted to Buck Denver Asks What's In the Bible and other Kid Bible studies by Phil Vischer). We have it on our smart TV and I have it on my phone as well. Ask your church if they have it or would be interested in it! It keeps us Biblically well fed while overseas.
Journibles The 17:18 Series
As I said on Facebook, I had a teammate leave and as we sorted through some of her books, this journal sparked my interest. I had been using a Scripture Writing Plan as part of my quiet time since November of 2016 so this just followed suit. I really enjoy this journal for it's holistic approach and continuity as whole books of the Bible. Each day includes 7 to 8 verses to copy out of the Bible. The opposite page is blank for notes, ponderings, or answers to thought provoking study questions they have asked. I can do it fairly quickly sometimes with interruption from the menfolk in my household. I often reread it at lunchtime and the verses sink deep into my heart. It's simple, yes but has been an excellent way in keeping a consistent time in the Word.
Discover 4 Yourself Inductive Bible Study Series For Kids
As an inductive bible study nerd, I loved this idea for my child who is now an advanced reader. Adam often calls my Bible my "coloring book" as I mark each page according to a colorful key so that even at first glance, you can figure out what is the theme of a passage, chapter, or even whole book of the Bible. With the idea of training up a child in the way he should go, I searched far and wide and finally purchased this Bible study for our eldest child who is 9 years old. He has just started studying on his own but likes that the studies are divided into 5 day weeks and that he "can write in the book." I recently saw a friend ask for a good kid Bible study on Facebook and even after a few days of air time, it was still one of the only suggestions. We can't wait to move on to the rest of the series.
God's Great Covenant
While we were on our Home Mission Assignment a few years ago, my dear friend whom has a few more parenting years under her belt, suggested this great Bible curriculum to me as we were starting our homeschooling journey. I stuck it on our Amazon wishlist and received this and the second one as a gift. I finally branched out from following our homeschool curriculum to a T and substituted this course this past year. Boy am I glad, I did! It is an excellent resource in paving the foundation of a Biblical knowledge and worldview. My two boys enjoy this part of our morning and are always excited when they know the answers to fill in blanks and make charts!
Good and Angry: Redeeming Anger, Irritation, Complaining and Bitterness by David Powlison
At nineteen years old, I was hired as a youth intern at a Bible church in Fort Worth, Texas. At the time my theology was pretty shallow and I was surprised to find out that I was a sinner as well as the other people with whom I worked. Who would have known other church workers would mess up and sometimes be ugly. It was an invaluable lesson as I moved forward in life and even (especially) as we moved to the field with other missionaries. My mentor declared missionary life is like "being in a pressure cooker and under the microscope at the same time." It became glaringly obvious that we would continue to be sanctified in this life but not perfected until the day of glory. My experiences have left me with the desire to pursue a masters in Christian counseling (not in this stage of life though, don't worry, I'm not completely crazy). The Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF) has a ton of resources I can read now though.
I started "Good and Angry" as I was in a place in my life where I couldn't shake some of the bitterness based on a series of unfortunate (sinful) events (real life confessions without the drama). I kept returning to the Lord asking Him to remove my anger and help me forgive again and again. This book met me where I was. It is a wealth of Biblical wisdom on anger. Anger is more than a problem to be solved. Anger is a part of life and we can learn about God's anger, how to redeem our anger, and be fruitful in responding to evil with good and making wrongs right. I enjoyed this book because though not labeled a workbook, it contains questions that dig deep in self-reflection as well as future action.
Hopefully not a spoiler but my favorite chapter is titled, "Do You Have a Serious Problem With Anger?" The whole chapter is but one word, "Yes." That's it. That's the whole chapter. Shortest chapter I have ever read in any book. But it left it's impact. We all have an serious anger problem. It just looks different from person to person. I would highly suggest this book to literally anyone and everyone. God has healed me up with this one. It will probably become an annual read.
RightNowMedia
This is a resource that may not be available to everyone as it is usually provided through a church but we had two churches offer the use of this digital media to us. It contains over 15,000 bible studies and tons of videos and music. We love it for sermons in English as well as videos for the boys (we're kind of addicted to Buck Denver Asks What's In the Bible and other Kid Bible studies by Phil Vischer). We have it on our smart TV and I have it on my phone as well. Ask your church if they have it or would be interested in it! It keeps us Biblically well fed while overseas.
What's your dig right now? Feel free to share your invaluable resources with us!
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Clinic and Concrete
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Saturday, March 10, 2018
March newsletter
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