Just Around the Corner

After 1,700 miles from Sherbrooke, Canada to Edmond, OK and another almost 500 miles from Edmond to San Antonio, TX a week later, we have had a great Christmas! We are trying to enjoy every moment with our families, eat as much Mexican food as possible and pack and repack our suitcases to get everything we own to fit. We got to see Santa and even had one last snow to enjoy, for at least 2 years, on Christmas day.

Even after 3 garage sales and selling most of our "stuff", packing a small crate to ship to Africa, moving to Canada with a car full of luggage holding the rest of our "stuff", studying French for 3 months and now spending Christmas with our families, getting a quote today to sell our car sent a wave of emotions through me. WE ARE MOVING TO AFRICA. Obviously, we have been preparing for this for the last 7 months, but something about selling this final large belonging overcame me. The great thing is, whatever we get will go towards a new car for us in the Congo; which we desperately need.

A final thought: over 2,000 years ago God sent His son to save His people from their sins. He sent His Son knowing that people would not accept Him and eventually put Him to death on a cross...for us. During Christ's time on earth he went through towns and villages teaching the Good News of the Kingdom of God. Matthew 9:37-38 says, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." We have been commissioned to share this great, amazing news with the entire world. What a great, yet humble God we serve.

Super Soirée de Noël !

We attend Parole de Vie Bethel, in Sherbrooke, Quebec for French language school.  Although dozens of people every year come to PdVB for language accusation, the school's primary purpose is a one year Bible School for 17 and 18 year olds. We have had the privilege to get to know and learn from these students. Quebec is an interesting Provence of Canada. Only 1% of the population are Christians, leaving this a major mission field in desperate need of reaching people for Christ. Many of the student's who come for this year will not go on to be pastor's or missionaries (although we have done our best to share with them about those opportunites), but will be better prepared to live out their faith in a secular society. Our hearts go out to them as they prepare for their mission field.

Monday evening, these 32 students got together and held a Christmas party for all of the missionary kids (25 of them under the age of 13). 

They played games, decorated cookies, gave our children presents and then shared the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus Christ. It was so fun to watch the students practice their English with our children as we have been in this same role with French for the last 3 months. 

We were so touched at their thoughtfulness, their kindness and taking time during their last week of school to plan something for our kids. We are thankful for this time in our journey, for new friends in Quebec, for new missionary friends who will soon be in Africa as well and for encouragement and the fellowship we've encountered with other believers. 

French 101 - Grands Débutants

As we continue to learn French, it is amazing how many words we come across that are similar in English, yet different in meaning.

                          English Meaning                                   French Meaning

Encore          Additional performance                             Simply means, "again"

Commode     Toilet                                                          Dresser

Entré             Main course of a meal                                Entrance or enter

À la mode     With ice cream                                            Fashionable

Did you know that RSVP comes from the French words, répondez s'il vous plaît which means "please respond"? I always wondered what the letters actually stood for.

Some French words we use in English all the time include: faux, cliché, au contraire, sauté, à la carte, décor (just to name a few). 

What a fun journey it is to learn a new language. At times, it can be frustrating or confusing, but I'm thankful the Lord has given us wisdom and a sense of humor to get through the rough moments. We are enjoying this process and preparing ourselves for only 2 1/2 more weeks of class. I'm not sure how much more we can cram in our heads these last two weeks, but we're going to try.

In other news, l'hiver a commencé (winter has begun).

Prayer For Our Neighbors

As we are only 6 weeks away from arriving at our new home, our hearts are heavy for our soon to be neighbors in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Today, M23 rebels took over the city of Goma as a part of their campaign to control Eastern DRC. Even though this fighting is ongoing and far from over, the city was taken peacefully today without any shots being fired.  Goma, the furthest south that M23 has advanced to date is still over 700 miles away from Lubumbashi, where we will live, with a dense jungle separating the two cities.

Please join us in prayer for all involved. Pray for those who are displaced and in fear about their uncertain future.  Pray for safety of all those involved in working for peace and offering aide to refugees.  Pray also that the Lord would intervene and help bring about peace to this area. Most importantly, pray that those who are involved with this conflict would find salvation through Jesus Christ.

Thank you for praying for the DRC!

10 Years in the Making

I'm reminded, this evening, of the Lord's faithfulness.  Almost to the day ten years ago, I received my first call to Africa.  The Youth In Mission staff from the Nazarene Headquarters in Kansas City was at SNU recruiting for their summer missions trips. I don't know what particularly led me to request placement on an African team, but I followed the Lord's leading and spent two months in South Africa.    These eight weeks were an amazing time where God worked in amazing ways and planted a seed in my heart for Africa.  Jill also was applying for an African YIM team ten years ago, only the Lord had planted the burden for Africa deep in her heart a couple years earlier.  Jill would have only amazing things to say about the summer she spent in Madagascar and how God continued to confirm her call to this part of the world.

The fourth chapter of Joshua stands out to me at this point in time.  After many years of slavery and subsequent years of roaming around the desert, God brings the Israelites to the banks of the Jordan river.  Moses has passed away and God calls Joshua to step forward and lead God's people into the promised land.  There is the amazing story of how God, once again, holds back the waters and allows the Israelites to pass through on dry ground.  What strikes me in particular at this point in my life is what they do next.  God asks them to take up twelve stones from the river and to set them up on the other side as a reminder of God's faithfulness.  One person from each of the twelve tribes takes up a stone from the river and Joshua erects an altar of sorts which, according the Bible, still stands today.

2003 YIM team to South Africa (and friends)

In less than two months we will arrive in Lubumbashi, DRC.  When we get there, I'll be looking for some stones!  I don't want to forget that even though we've been ministering in other places, ultimately this is the place that the Lord promised to bring us over ten years ago.  We are humbled by God's invitation to be used for His Kingdom and we are constantly reminded of His faithfulness.  Lord, build up within me an "altar" of remembrance so that I may testify to your faithfulness.

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For...Poutine

Gavin and I have officially embraced Quebecois culture. We tried Poutine...a local favorite. Poutine (poo-teen) is french fries covered with fresh cheese curds and drowned in brown gravy. As if that wasn't enough, some folks enjoy topping the whole thing off with butter; an option that we chose to pass on.  You can tell that it is quite common in that nearly every restaurant serves it and that it is offered as a regular side dish with pizza.  In our opinion, it wasn't bad, but now that we have tried it, we probably won't need to eat it again.

That's Different: Vol 3

As the temperature dips below zero degrees (Celsius) every night, more and more of these mysterious white tents pop up all over town here in Sherbrooke.

Is it a fashion statement?

Some sort of living quarters?

Perhaps a greenhouse of some sort?

Or, something more sinister..?

Here is one that even has it's own mailbox.  

It swallowed a car!

Beside a giant flying carpet.  Coincidence? I think not!

All in an attempt to make this winter more bearable.

That's Different

Ready...Set...

Airline tickets to Lubumbashi...check.

Visa's obtained...check.

French mid-term exam taken...check.

Amazing support...check.

A huge craving for Taco Cabana...double check.

We can't accurately express all the emotions we feel these days. Excitement, eager anticipation, pure peace and joy and at the same time, information overload (in a good way), anxiousness (in a good way) and a readiness to be where our hearts are (with our new ministry assignment). And, in the midst of it all, God has given us many friends and ministry opportunities here. We are so blessed!

We are continually grateful for the support we receive from friends and family, but also from our LINKS churches on the South Texas district and British Isles South district. Thank you for thinking of our family this month through prayer and giving!

Two months ago, Gavin and I came to Quebec knowing a handful of French words. Today, when taking the written portion of our mid-term exam I suddenly became overwhelmed with how much we have learned in such a short amount of time. Don't get me wrong, we have a long way to go, but it's a small miracle, a great leap in our preparation for what's ahead in Congo. God has given us the confidence and reassurance that we can do this. He has paved the way, He has called us and He is giving us the wisdom and patience to learn something new.

I lift up mine eyes to the hills - where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber;

Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade, at your right hand;

The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life;

The Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121

Action de grâces

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Today is Thanksgiving in Canada. While we aren't roasting a turkey, eating sweet potatoes or pumpkin pie (we are saving that for November), it is the time of year to celebrate and give thanks for the fruitful harvest and many blessings in our life. 

As usual, this time of year is always filled with thinking of the many things we are thankful for. But, I think this year it really hits home. I'm thankful for the Lord's faithfulness in our call to serve Him, with our family, with language school and giving us the desires of our hearts. I'm thankful for the beauty that surrounds us this time of year. Living in the midwest and southwest has been beautiful in it's own regard, but I feel as though the beauty that is in front of us is almost too good to be true. The colors are so vibrant and radiant. I'm thankful for the reminder that this is God's creation, that we are God's creation.

In the Thick of IT

We have been in class for a month now and things are finally starting to come together.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that we speak French now.  But we do celebrate the small victories; ordering food at a restaurant and actually getting what you asked for, getting visa pictures taken at the drug store and they don't even try to speak to you in English, and understanding basic questions from those around you.  We have a long, long way to go but we will celebrate these victories one baby step at a time.

Since our last blog we have finally officially/legally gotten Macy into school.  A huge blessing, as this could mean an easy transition to a French speaking school in Lubumbashi.  We have also begun working on visas and have even booked our airline tickets.  On January 3, 2013 we will arrive in Lubumbashi; "home" for the foreseeable future. Most likely, the place our kids will remember most as they get older. And, while we know this part of our lives is in the middle of getting from here to there, we are cherishing every moment the Lord gives us. We had no idea the kind of friendships that awaited us here. And, while this is our third language to learn, we go through a full spectrum of emotions each day in learning; from excited, to confused, to frustrated and back to excited again.

We are taking it one day at a time, learning more, being patient and looking forward to what's in store.

New missionary friends and fellow language students who will be on their way to DRC as well

You Know You're A Language Student When...

We are well into our studies of the French language and sometimes the things I catch myself doing can only be summed up by the fact that I'm trying to learn something new. It's almost like when I was in band in High School and would catch myself counting my steps as I walked (for those of you who were ever in marching band...you know what I mean).

So, to understand where we are we've complied a list of funny things we catch ourselves doing on a daily basis.

You know you're a French language student when...

*You practice your numbers as a family every time you are in the car
*You wake up in the middle of the night to catch your spouse reciting French vocabulary words in his sleep
*You get extremely excited when you understand one word in a sentence or conversation, but then you get stuck on that word and don't catch anything else being said
*Your mind blanks on how to spell simple English words
*You practice conversations in French in your head
*You stare blankly at people when they speak at a normal pace
*The thought of ordering food at a restaurant is horrifying

And finally, you know you're a French language student when the only people you want to talk to are small children who can barely speak themselves.

Our journey thus far has been amazing. God has opened a number of doors for us and we can't wait to learn more and more each day. It's a humbling experience to be new learners in a foreign language. We are so thankful for this experience!

Qu'est que ça veut dire?

We have completed our first two weeks (one half week and one full) of language school and we are still working on pronunciation; a necessary step to form the foundation on which we will build.  As we repeat word after word and sculpt our mouths to make the new foreign sounds, my mind wanders.  Not in a way that distracts me from my task, but in the kind of way that the Lord can speak to you in the midst of the hustle and bustle of life.  Whether or not we slow down does not mean that we can't listen to and spend time with the Lord.  In the same way, I have been hearing a "whisper" in my mind as my lips and tongue curl and bend into position.  No, I'm not crazy...its not that kind of whisper.

The voice that I hear is telling me not to forget all that has taken place to bring me to where I am; all who have given to me or my family and thus helped to bring me (or us) to this place.  Of course my parents come to mind.  Where would I be if they hadn't modeled humility and obedience toward the Lord?  The voice also reminds me of my sister who, although "mistreated" me as all older sisters should, always encouraged me to be open minded and to be interested in other points of view.  Jill obviously should be mentioned as she has carried us/me so far.  This voice in my subconscious that continues to whisper during my phonetics drills also contains reminders of countless college professors and mentors, coworkers and friends along the way.  Among the long list, two people in particular come to mind; a husband and wife, youth pastors from my high school days.  They would not want to be mentioned, but they know who they are.

Even though my brain is under intense distress from trying to condition my tongue to respond correctly in this my third language, I flash back to other times when I have attempted making French sounds...or at least pretended to make French sounds.  The couple from my high school days, I'll call them J & R, used to speak to me in French accents.  I have no idea why this started, but to them my name was Gavo-ho-ho-hon.  My typing doesn't do it any justice, but you have to imagine Steve Martin in "The Pink Panther" in order for it to sound right in your mind.  J&R were some of the first people, outside of my family, to believe in me and to invest in my life.  When a scared eighth-grader needed help understanding what God was trying to say to him, they spoke wisdom and helped me to clarify a call to missions.  When they sensed me falling off the straight and narrow path, they spoke truth and guided me back on track with love.  In their words and deeds, they modeled God's own heart of redemption and holiness to a teenager who needed to know it.

J&R will always be important to me, but there are dozens more who have made different investments and contributions to my life on the journey. To all of you, I am grateful.  The Lord has brought our family down this path, but I'm certain that it has been my fellow believers who have been His hands and feet.  As for the title of this post, it translates literally, "what does it mean?" This is a question that I will be asking a lot over the next few months and years as I attempt to learn French. Qu'est que ça veut dire? - What does it mean? I hope that as I am learning new customs and languages, I do not forget what this all means.  I hope my heart continues to break for the lost and because of injustice in the world.  I hope that I understand the gravity of what the Lord has asked us to do.  I hope that I represent well those who have gone before me.  And most of all, I hope that our work will bring glory to God.

I hope that I can remember just how much this all really means!

That's Different: Vol 2

Street signs are something that we take for granted.  The ability to look at signs - either of warning, direction, advertisement, or seemingly random information - and understand what they mean is a sort of right of passage.  I still remember riding in the car with my parents and asking "What does that sign (billboard) say?" or "What does (random description of a sign or traffic light) mean?"  I remember how proud my sister was when she could read a sign to me or explain the foreign pictographs to me before I was able to read or understand for myself.  Today, I welcome and enjoy these same questions from my children.  That is, until now.  I am a baby again myself and am unable to interpret many of the signs that we see.  For some, we are able to use our powerful intellect do decipher the coded messages.  With others, we don't do so well.  On either occasion I find myself reciting these words, "That's Different."

Here are some of our favorites...and they aren't too hard to decode:

Something about children...yes, that's all I've got.

Hmmm...what are they growing here?

The first new word we learned...thank you red octagon!

Is this indicating a snow mobile lane,
warning us to look out for children,
or indicating that children may be riding snowmobiles?

Bonjour!

We've all survived our first day of school. And, although we are still unsure on the final word for Macy's school, they are letting her attend until we find out whether the Government will make us pay or not. We know God has a plan and are learning patience through it all.

We have been so lucky to meet other missionary families attending the Language school, Parole de Vie Bethel, all of whom are headed somewhere in Africa. There are a total of 11 students in our débutante (beginner) class which are part of 26 students in all attending the Language school this year. Between all the families we have almost 30 children. Yes, 30 missionary kids...all in elementary school, except one.


Gavin and I had our first French class today. While most of our class was spent making vowel sounds and learning to position our mouths just right, we also learned numbers, the alphabet and greetings. The hardest part is trying to not look at the words and pronounce them like you would in Spanish. Hopefully, at some point this semester our heads will stop spinning and we will begin to grasp this beautiful and intricate language.

That's Different: Vol 1

Jill and I were sitting around discussing our bag of milk today when we decided that the world should know about it; or at least the tiny fraction of the world who may read this blog.  Then, we realized that there would probably be things that strike us as "different" while we are here in Quebec and finally in the DR Congo.  The "That's Different" posts in this blog will be an attempt to share some of those quirky, silly, or even frustrating things with you on a regular basis.

So without any further a due, here is installment number one of "That's Different."

Yes, this is milk.

Yes, it comes in a bag.

Yes, you have to buy a special pitcher for your milk bag.

Yes, you have to keep it clipped so that it doesn't spill all over the place.

And Yes, it costs $5.75 a gallon.

That's Different!

All Things New...

“I pray that out of His glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19

To be honest, I have always loved this prayer of Paul’s, but this week it became even more so. God has been at work long before we arrived in Canada. It has been evident in every detail since our arrival.

Last Tuesday afternoon we arrived at our apartment in Sherbrooke, not having heard any details about who would meet us or if we could even get in. We were given an address and that was about it. As we pulled up in front of the apartment a couple came out the doors, greeted us and took us to sign our lease, then handed us the keys. They had been waiting for us! About half an hour later, a woman from our language school met us at our apartment and took us to the school. Once we arrived, we were met by three other missionary families (who had been studying at the school since January), all headed to Africa, two of them to the DRC (and one will be living in Lubumbashi). To say we were blown away, ecstatic and overwhelmed with joy would be an understatement.  We can’t wait to meet the other families coming in this week to join our class.

Since we enrolled in the language school in June, there were no on campus apartments available. To find the apartment we have off campus and to get a 4-month lease is almost unheard of. And, you generally have to bring in all your appliances and furniture. Gavin and I left all of this in God’s hands before coming, knowing we couldn’t worry about the details. We knew we would have to figure out something once we arrived. But, again, God had been working out all the details. Our landlord brought in an oven and stove, refrigerator and microwave for us to borrow. While at the language school we were taken to an old farmhouse FULL of furniture and told we could borrow almost anything. We have not had to buy any furniture since we arrived. God has provided it all.

Throughout this week, we have also met two of our neighbors in our apartment building who are from…the DRC. We can’t wait to talk with them more.

Through it all, and it is just the beginning, we know that God has given us strength through His spirit. I know we will never grasp how wide and long and high and deep the love of Christ is, but if we give Him all we have, trust in His Word and follow His leading, He will provide. His love has been overwhelming and amazing! To God be all the glory and praise. 

From One Border to the Next

In the last week and a half we have driven 2,600 miles and been in the car for 38 hours. Honestly, it hasn't been too bad. Not only have we had great conversations as a family, but we've been able to connect with friends along the way. It never ceases to amaze us, that even after months or years of not seeing good friends, it's like you were never apart. God has brought us all on an amazing journey and for a brief moment we are able to catch up and share in each other's lives again. What a blessing!

 

Last Sunday morning, we had the opportunity to speak in Jill's home town of Kingfisher, OK. The Kingfisher Church of the Nazarene was the church that came alongside Jill, encouraged her call and gave her opportunities to thrive a teenage Christian. This family will always hold a special place in her heart. In the evening, we spoke at Edmond First Church of the Nazarene, where Jill's family currently attends. Their love and support were overwhelming. We are grateful for a church that gives so freely to missions and believes in it's missionaries. 

 

From El Paso to Edmond, OK, to Kansas City to St. Louis. From Columbus, OH to Harrisburg, PA and now in Hartford, CT, we can't wait to arrive "on the other side". Five hours from us lies our future of language study in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. Five hours from us is Macy's first class in a French Kindergarten. Five hours from us is the beginning of something new. 

The Journey Continues...

Today, I am writing this post from a hotel in Big Spring, TX.  "Why Big Spring," you ask?  Because it is a fork in the road.  For us, it is the place where God has brought us and allowed us to serve him in a new way.  It is half way between our old home in El Paso (ministering in the US and Mexico) and our new home in Africa (via speaking engagements and language study).  We have officially left our old assignment behind and endeavored to journey down the path that the Lord has made before us.

Yesterday the moving company came and a flood of emotions rushed over us as everything left that we own in the world was packed into a 7x7x4 foot crate.  It is both liberating and nerve-wrecking to see all of your things fit into such a small space.  It is liberating because you know that you have so little worldly possessions to cling to.  It is nerve-wrecking because one small disaster on a truck or boat could take it all away.  Either way, the Lord hasn't failed us yet.


Today was a whole new range of emotions.  We still are not sure that our children fully understand what is in store for us as we spend the next two weeks on the road, the following four months in language school, and then finally move to Africa.  Then again, we probably aren't as well.  Here are some reflections on what we will miss the most.

So long El Paso.  So long border life; with your intricacies and peculiarities that we were only just discovering.  So long Papa Burger: home to the world's greatest hamburger.  So long Spanish; we were just becoming such close friends.  So long pugs; it's been a good seven year run. So long green chilies; and your ability to make it into any dish.  So long only home that my children have ever known.  So long amigos, hermanos, compañeros.  We will miss you deeply.

Hey there new path.  Hey there being like children again; in cultural understanding and speaking the language.  Hey there opportunities to try new things and meet new people.  Hey there French;  we're sure this will be a fruitful relationship...and long lasting.  Hey there new, exciting place that our children will one day call home...and hopefully us too.  Hey there God's faithfulness; its good to see you again...though you never really left.  Hey there call, burden, and yearning for Africa; you are about to be fulfilled!

Praise God.

Packing Up and Moving Out

We are officially in the last days of our current assignment with the Nazarene Border Initiative and Youth In Mission.  A rush of varied emotions sweeps over us as we prepare for this new road that the Lord is taking us down.  From finding a new home for our dogs to handing over our responsibilities in our current ministry and from saying goodbye to dear friends to carefully sorting and packing our house, we have experienced it all.  We will miss our lives here in El Paso, but will cling to the stories of God's faithfulness that we could never forget.  At the same time, we look forward to new challenges and the opportunity to prove the faithfulness of the Lord a thousand times over.

No, I couldn't lift them all at the same time!

30th Birthday vacation

All the way back in September of 2011, we found a Groupon deal for a week long vacation in Acapulco, Mexico. So, for Jill's 30th birthday we celebrated in paradise. From June 23-June 30 Jill's parents and youngest sister Emily as well as Gavin's parents were able to spend a week of relaxation and family time together. Here are a few photos from our week!

Macy working hard on her sand castle. 

Getting ready to enjoy one of the beautiful pools!

A night out to celebrate 8 wonderful years of marriage. So thankful for our marriage and the blessing God has given us in each other.

Mimi and Papa

Granna and Papa

The most amazing grandparents!

Aunt Emily with Macy and Connor

Such a wonderful Aunt

Blessed with our beautiful family!

The Grand Mayan in Acapulco, Mexico! We enjoyed Paradise.

Big News!

These are exciting days!  We have recently been re-assigned to the Africa Middle Field.  There are a lot of logistics to work out, but what we know is that we will leave our current assignment and home in El Paso, TX at the end of August.  From there, we will head to language school to study French for a semester.  Finally, we will be moving to Africa (most likely Lubumbashi, DR Congo) in January.

Please continue to pray for us and our family through this time of transition.  God has amazing things in store for us!

Summer Happenings...

We survived Youth In Mission Training Camp! Actually, we love every minute of the crazy week. From early breakfast, to team training, mission immersion, team building, learning how to make balloon animals and so much. Here are a couple of highlights.

This last week we held Vacation Bible School at the First Church of the Nazarene. We had a total of 22 kids and enjoyed Tumbleweed Gulch the whole time. It's where God's love changes everything! Here are a few highlights.