In Joy and Sorrow

This week has been interesting, to say the least.  We are suffering some culture shock, without a doubt.  The poverty here will challenge anyone's worldview.  I have shed some tears in utter disbelief of what I am seeing.  And there are plenty of things here that are just plain different than our own culture AND the culture of Costa Rica where we just spent a year.  Our children's adjustment is just as confused yet vital as ours and takes some time and care.  And then, I could make a laundry list of things have have been less than pleasant, the top of the list being our house being broken into again and all our Wii games stolen. (Yes, someone came over the razor-wire fencing and robbed us through the bars that protect all of the windows.)  Some definite sorrows in the mix this week.

There have been some joys, too.  The main one being we continued to search for a community in which to start a ministry and the Lord was faithful in helping us see clearly.  We still have some leg work to do to narrow it down but are thrilled that we are moving in that direction and closer to making a decision.

We don't have to look hard to see the blessings in all of it.  There is evidence of growth in our marriage through hard things and conversations as well as the fun and new adventures, too. The strengthening our faith is produced through the perseverance of the less than desirable circumstances. We are becoming versed in how to love our children better.  We are also learning how the Lord loves the poor and more of His perfect character. 

It's not hard to realize that we had such an easy life in the States and how I couldn't see that then.  I watch pictures flash by on my screen saver and know we had so much nice stuff, so much comfort, so much ease. Safety is relative but it seemed like we had that, too.  I know it was not in vain to give it up, not for loss.  I know we are here in His perfect time for His purpose.  I have more verses posted around the house as idiot reminders than I did before.  I have to because otherwise my sinful mind and heart forget and go back to the easy, the "safe," and the comfortable.  

God is indeed good.  He is my home. He is my fortress. He is my treasure.  I want to treasure Christ more than any Wii game, than any earthly possession, than any stability, than any certainty of my children's safety, than any ease that I sometimes crave.  This week, I am seeing and worn down by the fact that there is a cost. But that too is ok because Christ bought me with the greatest cost.  He suffered 
more than I am suffering for.  

Calendar Girl: A Tale of Cultural Differences

Exactly two weeks ago today, Monday, September 2, 2013, we were registering Jacob at his new school.  I had sat through a day of classes with him and concluded that this was the school that would fit our needs as well as Jacob's.

We got home and realized we didn't have a school calendar in the mix of papers and still had a couple of questions. No problem.  We'll ask tomorrow.  Here's how the riveting conversation went:

Michelle: "Ms. Sanchez, we didn't get a school calendar.  Do you have one or should I ask the office?"
Ms. Sanchez: Ummmm, you will need to talk to the Preschool Principal."
Michelle: "Perfect. Thanks. Have a great day!"

I kissed Jacob goodbye and walked across the schoolyard and popped my head into the principal's office:

Michelle: "Good morning!  I was just talking to Ms. Sanchez and she said I could get a school calendar from you."
Principal: "A school calendar?"
Michelle: "Yes. With the start and end dates of the school year, holidays, Christmas break...??"
Principal: "Well, the teachers have calendars.  They are the only ones who receive calendars."

Amidst my shock and horror, I convinced myself to breathe. No calendar. Spasms. In my quick thinking, I mustered up the next question:

Michelle: "But how will I know when there are days off?"
Principal: "Oh! Don't worry!  We'll send a note home letting you know!"

Note: I may have a physcological problem when it comes to calendars.  I might be a little OCD when it comes to organization and dates.  The first thing I did after I unpacked our bags was take this beautiful pristine whiteboard at the house and turn it into a calendar and a menu plan. When I met my husband, I would go into convulsions at the the suggestion of going and doing something without making plans first..."but it's not on the calendar." I might also be American. 

Sure enough, we received the following note from Jacob after school on Friday, September 13, 2013 stating there would be no school today, Monday, September 16, 2013 OR tomorrow, Tuesday, September 17, 2013.  Nevermind it's dated Thursday, September 12, 2013 which would have given me 4 days notice instead of three. Also nevermind that the information is one sentence/the second paragraph:

The moral of the story: I should probably chill out.  I will chant what they taught us in cross cultural training, "It's not weird, it's not wrong, it's just different."  This calendar thing is definitely different for me.  In Costa Rica, when you made plans they would add, "If the Lord allows," or "If God wants."  Another phrase was, "What if it rains?"  This always brought James 4 to mind, so I'll leave you with that:

James 4:13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 

The Snatch

I was recently huddled in the corner, my eyes held open with toothpicks in an utterly unsatisfying Mom-funk. My friend, Joy, knew this because she too has an infant and invited me to join her in a challenge. The challenge includes 8 weeks of the Paleo diet and a minimum of hitting the gym (Cactus Crossfit) 3 times a week. I had vaguely heard of this recent crossfit phenomenon and thought nothing of it since I am familiar (and actually LOVE) working out. (I had just fallen away from working out and blamed it on the children! Good mom points, right?)

I showed up the first day and was immediately outside of my comfort zone. "What is a WOD? You want me to do 25 reps of that? How long is a meter? Touch my toes to the bar?" And I still after 4 weeks don't know what AMRAP means. All I know is I have to work super fast, report how many, and I dislike when it's 18 minutes. But I digress.

Last week, we did a little exercise called the snatch. (Olympic weightlifting people, Google it.) Kevin, my friend Joy's husband, was the coach that morning. I have found all the coaches at Cactus Crossfit to be super informed and great teachers when it comes to explaining the movements alongside of what NOT to do. Regardless of said explanations, I still need a lot of correction and help. NOT THE SNATCH.

Kevin enthusiastically shared that I had "Missed [my] life calling." and I should "put my children up for adoption." Intense, I know. I laughed but then I haven't been able to get that first sentence out of my head. "Missed my life calling." I can't get it out of my head only because I can say with all certainty that I have NOT missed my life calling. I am sure without a doubt that my husband and I have been called to Honduras to serve out great God. I honestly don't know if there is a better feeling. To know that you are at the center of God's will for your life is wholly satisfying. What great work has God set you apart for?

Prayer, please!

So a number of people have been asking how they can be praying for us. Here's what we have been telling them:

1. Praise God for calling us to such an exciting work.

2. Please pray that we would stay on track to meet our initial support goal of 50% by March 15.

3. Please pray that this pre-field time would be a time of encouragement to our friends, family, church and supporters.

4. Pray that we would be further united as husband and wife through the stress and anxiety of life changes and preparations for serving cross-culturally.

5. Pray for Honduras and the people there; pray for our team and all of their exciting ministries; pray the Lord would be working in the hearts of many!

Out of the Mouth of Babes

If you are my friend on Facebook, you have probably seen some of the funnier things my three year old says. He makes me laugh all day. It's because he talks ALLLLLL DAY! It may be partially my fault, seeing that I have a speech pathology background. This translates into monitoring when he was producing plosives, glides, and now sibilants alongside of single words, two word phrases, multi-word phrases, sentences, sentences with conjunctions and so on.

Needless to say, we have been having child-like discussions about moving to Honduras. He does say some funny things. He recently asked if he could have a camel when we move to Honduras. He also talks to Asher about being "missionary kids" and how they will "love on people and share with them about Jesus being their friend." My favorite conversation was recently when he asked me if he could see a picture of "Honduran kids."

This is what I showed him:

Jacob's response: "OH MOM! They look JUST like me! They look like kids!"

While I don't know what he was anticipating, his response blessed my heart. As a mom who worries about her children's culture shock and how these blonde haired, blue eyed children will be received by other children, I exhaled a sigh of relief. I prayed that we would all see each other as the Lord sees us. Because I am certain He looks at the heart while man looks at the outward appearance. (1 Samuel 16:7)

School Supplies for 467 Students!

Our team in Honduras is a busy one!  On Saturday, they handed out school supplies to 467 students.  The school year starts in February and without this help the students would not be able to go to school.  So many generous donors from the States made this possible!  We are excited to participate and can't wait to get there!

To see a short video, click HERE

Puerta de Esperanza

This week our team in La Ceiba, Honduras opened a home for moms and their babies. Our teammate, Shannon Innes had a vision to fulfill a serious need in Honduras. Puerta de Esperanza, translated Door of Hope, is a home where these teenage mothers and their children can escape the streets and gain hope, love, and guidance.

Click to see a 2 minute video on the home:

Puerta de Esperanza

Day Two: Just Sit Right Back and You'll Hear a Tale

. . .a tale of a fateful trip, that started from this tropic port, blah blah blah. . .three hour tour, THREE HOUR TOUR. . . 

November 15, 2011: Day two of our Vision Trip was our first full day in La Ceiba, Honduras.  Our team leader, Mike Pettengill,  gave us a tour of downtown La Ceiba (with a couple errands on the side).  We viewed the construction of the downtown ministry center as well as visiting Puerta de Esperanza, a women's home. 

Asher checkin' out some chicks (at the pet store).

Mike showing Michelle the dorms (at the ministry center) under construction in La Isla.  

The Streetchild drop-in center for homeless children is behind Mike.

Short video tour with the calm and collected, Mike Pettengill.  

Our tour was slightly more colorful!

Coast of Northern Honduras

Puerta de Esperanza (Door of Hope Women's Home)

The home will house teenage women with children to assist and educate them 

with mom skills, job skills, and independence.

The visionary behind Door of Hope Women's Home, Shannon Innes

One of the bedrooms in Puerta de Esperanza complete with 

bed for Mama; pack and play for baby, as well as needed baby supplies.

Kitchen in Puerta de Esperanza

After our tour of downtown La Ceiba in the morning, we headed out to Armenia Bonito, a poor community on the outskirts of La Ceiba. We got to participate in Kids Club (think of a weekly Vacation Bible school or Sunday School class).  Erin is walking the kids through a (protestant) children's catechism where they learn a truth about God and memorize a verse.

Michelle playing with two munchkins

Puzzle time

Erin teaching catechism question number two: "Who made you?" Dios!

Adam helping dole out the reward for consistent attendance
for the last couple months of Kid's Club

Day One: What? No Infant Car Seat?

 Big blue bag with everyone's clothing for a week -check. Diaper bag- check.  Carry-on with computer and reading material- check. Friend's guitar- check. Infant car seat- check.  


November 14, 2011: We were on our way to La Ceiba, Honduras for a "Vision Trip."  Our sending agency, Mission to the World (MTW) and Team Honduras require a trip to confirm your calling to that area.  We had arranged for Jacob to stay with our closest friends in Phoenix so we could tote just Asher along for our whirlwind trip. And we're off!

We had left the wealthiest country in the world and traveled 13 hours to arrive in the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.  We proceeded through the tiny airport, through passport control to pick up our luggage and head to customs.  In Phoenix, we had debated gate checking the car seat but decided to check it so we only had to lug the guitar with us to the plane.  We immediately found our big blue bag and searched for the infant car seat to no avail (it was in a neon yellow bag, nonetheless).

Every fiber of my (Michelle's) being was on it's way to panic. "What?  No car seat? In a third world country? This is my baby we are talking about!!  Someone is stealing it out back right now! Shame on you Michelle Cain for thinking that.  Am I going to hold a baby in the car the whole week?  Is that legal? Probably. Maybe not. Why didn't we gate check it, again?  Why am I in Honduras with one child but not the other. Why. . ."  But after 3 seconds of processing, I felt a peace.  I do serve a sovereign God and having no car seat is no surprise to Him.  My thoughts quickly changed, "This is going to be my life if we move here.  God knows my troubles and is bigger than this.  The Lord has already worked this out."

And He had: our airline had a handful of loaner car seats.  We used one for the week and I'm sure even Asher didn't know the difference!

Adam's trip to La Ceiba,Honduras- July 2011

 

Boys dorm at La Isla

Our two friends serving in Honduras, Ashley and Mike

Construction is moving along in two locations in La Ceiba

The national dish: a baleada 

(refried red beans, egg, crumbled cheese, cream)

English class

Clinic

Vacation Bible School

Beach day with the kids

Adam's friend, Christian

Getting to know the kids of Armenia Bonito  

Saying goodbye

The Covenant Community Church Team

Once Upon A Time...

 ...there was a boy and a girl.  The boy lived in Arizona, loved Jesus, and participated in lots of church activities like mission trips.  The girl lived in Texas, loved Jesus, and ALSO participated in lots of church activities like mission trips.  Both the boy and girl ended up at the most awesome school in the universe, Texas Christian University, where they continued to participate in missions trips with their churches.  One day that boy and girl met at a costume party and started hanging out.  On their second date, the girl told the boy that she would "live in a cardboard box if that is what the Lord called [her] to do."  The boy thought this sounded different than most girls he knew.  The boy and girl continued dating and eventually got married.

In 2007, the boy and the girl took a mission trip together with their church, Covenant Community Church, to Uganda.  They discussed the possibility of moving to Uganda to serve AIDS orphans.  Once back in the States, life and fears overwhelmed them and the dream fizzled out.  Knowing that the Lord calls everyone to participate in missions, the boy resigned to support missionaries through giving, praying, and visiting them on short-term trips.  Still feeling called to the field, the girl was not satisfied with this answer but wanted the boy to feel called by the Lord, not called by his wife.  The girl resorted to praying and asked her Bible study to pray along side of her.

In 2011, their church announced a short-term trip to Honduras. The boy and girl had two close friends whom they loved and supported serving as full-time missionaries in Honduras.  The boy thought this was the perfect opportunity to witness the work of their friends.  However, this would leave the girl home to care for their energetic toddler while very pregnant.  Much to the boy's surprise, the girl agreed to let the boy go on the trip.  While sitting in the airport on the way to Honduras, the boy felt a stirring and began to ask the Lord if he was being called to Honduras!  Can you guess how this story ends?  Or is it just beginning?