This is the week leading up to Christmas! We’ve put our tree out, added some gifts, baked some shortbread to give to the neighbors, ( which was super tricky when you don’t have the proper measuring tools.) This week we await to go to the Christmas Eve service at the Vineyard Church. Going to church on Christmas Eve is certainly tradition for our family. I can’t imagine a time or year when I didn’t go as a child, so I’m glad my parents passed this tradition on to us kids. What would Christmas be without remembering that little baby in the manger?
Last week I promised to send you a few things that we’ve found challenging. You know since starting to write this post, I’ve had some really good conversations with God. Ben and I went out skateboarding/walking the other day and it was a good time to clear my head, take in the waves, and have the warm sun on my face. It’s amazing what water, waves and sun can do for someone’s soul? Week 2-4 were really hard and sort of felt like I was not feeling grateful for this experience, as well I lack in patience.
There’s a lot that we do enjoy so it’s hard to mention all of it. I mentioned a few things in my post last week, and if you get our updates through Facebook, you’ll see that Mazatlan is bringing us joy. I think the hardest part for us now is to balance having purpose (the serving part) without feeling that we have to perform, but listen to Gods prompting. I know for our kids, especially Ben who is only 7 years old really struggles why we are here. Why does he have to leave the neighbour kids that he loves playing with and leave our life in Langley and plunked it down in Mazatlan? It’s hard as adults to listen to God and be obedient with the simplest things so why would I expect our 7-year-old boy to understand this journey? My heart aches as a Mother when he’s sad. I know this is temporary, and the lessons he/we will take with us back to Canada will forever change our family.
Even though I find more purpose some days than others, I will admit that we do miss home. I think each one of us misses different things and each of our journeys are not alike. This is a life untravelled, and by God’s grace he will see us through this. Not only to see how he wants us to show favour to our neighbour, a man on the street that is hungry, or a drug addict up the street. In God’s eyes we are all equal. All sinners, except for me I am privileged to know his love, and forgiveness every time I screw up! Which is almost daily obviously. It’s because of the birth of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for you and me that this is all possible.
I really miss home. It’s only been 5 weeks, but it’s funny how familiarity is so key. The other day we were killing some time and spent about 45 minutes in a Walmart. In Langley we never Shop in Walmart, but coasting around the store here in Mazatlan was comforting because it is familiar. Can you imagine that if we only did what was familiar how we as humans would never grow?
We live in a very non-touristy area so our family is always in the spotlight. We get all sorts of looks, from, joy, surprise, a sense of welcome, confusion, to downright… “What the heck are you doing here?” Looks. As much as Darryl and I have taken on an attitude to not care what others think of us, part of this journey and the stares get really old quickly. I will say that in the last few weeks we have started to feel more settled and at home.
We are settling more and more. The first few weeks were like Darryl says… “A shock to all the senses”. The sights, the smells, and sounds were over whelming when you know that this is your life is now for 6 months. That’s half a year!
Anyways, I’ll stop rambling, and let you get back to your egg nog, chocolate, and candy canes. Those are all good things for the senses. I know we will be taking a few of our own. We will be back in the next few weeks to update you on what we are doing, so stay tuned.
Thanks for sharing, guys. We will think of you working and worshiping with your crew while we do the same here tonight. Grace and peace.
Thx brad!
What a great blog post. You shared your heart and experience so clearly. I think what you are saying helps normalize what it is to go on foreign missions. It is one thing to say you are going to follow God’s leading and then the other is living out all the details of that new life. Being stared at does get old and I love that you are obedient to the call. We never know for sure what God will do with our service. That is all on HIm. He may need it for something you never see. Even posting this may be meant to help someone who is considering serving but afraid they are not right for it because they have hesitations.
Please keep writing. You are all an inspiration in your obedience and heart. love, Deb
Thx Deb, really appreciate you taking the time to uplift us with your words.
We know first hand that living in a exotic location isn’t sometimes as glamorous as it sounds especially when language is a barrier! But the whole family will find their stride and the Lord will continue to put those in front of you ALL that He wants you to touch in His name. I look forward to hearing what stories the children will come back with. Blessings to you and your work Feliz Navidad amigos !
Yes, you are right sandi. It was a nice christmas, simple, less of everything, but remembering Jesus’s birth.
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas.
From now on you will belong to two worlds. It will take you by surprise the first time you answer someone with “gracias” after you get home. Whenever you see the word “Mexico” in the news you will suddenly pay close attention. Your world is forever opened and your heart forever marked. God bless you on your adventure.