NTM

Big Bang Boom!

With this appropriately named event we celebrated our nation’s birthday in the good old USA. Our 4th of July weekend began early Saturday morning. As I walked out the front door, dozens of American flags lined our street and were proudly waving in the breeze. American patriotism displayed with such boldness brought a lump to my throat. So many of our previous years’ Independence Days were spent on the foreign field; we were always careful to minimize our patriotic demonstrations out of respect for our host country.

This year, however, I was able to embrace the celebration and re-live fond childhood memories. The smell of hamburgers on the grill reminded me of my Dad grilling for big family get togethers we had. At the community fireworks show I sang along as the arrangement ran through traditional, folk, pop and patriotic tunes of my past. We joined the neighbors by creating our own colorful display of fountains, roman candles and sparklers. Even the pesky mosquitos couldn’t dampen the lightness of my heart on this perfect summer day.

On the other hand, our kids didn’t have quite the same response. Of course, they enjoyed the fireworks. (who wouldn’t?). And anything that could be used as an excuse for a party is definitely worth noting. But somehow they couldn’t relate to the tender and reminiscent stirrings in my heart. Most of the musical arrangement was only vaguely familiar; they were thankful to recognize a random chorus or just hum along with a common melody. My own applause and cheers of our neighborhood fireworks seemed a bit extreme in their minds. As I planned a menu of baked beans, potato salad, and apple pie, my daughter asked if she could contribute Gorditas (like a stuffed pita sandwich).

Actually, their response to this American holiday is very typical for a Third Culture Kid (TCK). TCK’s are unique in that they don’t relate to the culture of their parents’ home country (even if they were born there). Neither do they fully relate to the host country’s culture, as it wasn’t completely adopted by the family while living there. Instead, they have bonded with others like themselves, and their background includes a blending of several other cultures. They have become part of a different “Third” culture.

While this type of background promotes a richness and rounding of their development, it also lends to an awkwardness and feeling of not fitting in when it comes time to leave the nest and return to the country of their birth. Growing up is a challenge for all, but TCK’s tend to feel a different kind of pain that many times cannot be expressed or even understood. These are the ’sheep’ of our ministry focus.

Pray for us in the coming months to be able to connect with the TCK’s, to be sensitive to their needs and adjustments, and effective in providing support and help where appropriate.

And to my fellow Americans, I highly recommend Gorditas for your next 4th of July party. Can you think of a better statement of appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy from such diverse backgrounds?

It has been way too long since our last update. Let me back up just a bit to bring you up to date. Here’s a very simplified review of the last several months.

December: traveled to the States and back for an evaluation and counsel of some things our kids have been dealing with

January: Moved our family over the course of one week to Nebraska for a recommended 6-month medical furlough in order to address these needs. This included some major and immediate changes that affected our Mexico ministry commitments, housing situation and the kids’ schooling.

February: Continued the adjustment process and settled in to a beautiful mission home we are renting during our time in Nebraska

March: counseling, adjustments, huge heart lessons from the Lord, struggles, discouragement, blessings and hope. All I can say is WOW! God is amazing!!!

April: More of the same, plus the decision to commit to spending the next two years in the States. This will provide some needed stability for our family and included a good support situation for what we are going through.

May:

• Learned of future ministry opportunities with NTM and a local Christian school
• Congratulations to Emily as she is now a high school graduate
• As a family we visited Mexico for the mission school’s end of year activities, and a special time for closure that was very important for all of us, especially for the kids

June: Returned to Nebraska, bringing more of our household things and ready to settle in for this next chapter of our lives.

Thanks for your patience and perseverance with us. I’m slowly getting up to speed again with blog updates. Hopefully my next addition will include some new pictures on our photos page.

We enjoyed a special feast with friends on Thanksgiving Day, and, of course, ate much more than we should have (we’re probably not the only ones in that boat). John and Emily (who is helping in his class for an hour or so each day) had a fun time with his 1st and 2nd graders. They made Pilgrim Stew and watched a Charlie Brown DVD of the Thanksgiving story. I love that DVD as it highlights the true thanks that were given to God for His provision of protection, friends and blessings.

Emily had each of the kids choose an “Indian” name from something they like. One likes spiders (Jumping Spider); another wanted to be cheetah (Running Cheetah); one girl, though, was the funniest of all as she proudly announced that she wanted to be “Lemon Meringue”.

We hope that your own Thanksgiving celebration was filled with moments to cherish and praise to our Lord.

This is a special week for Binimea; we call it SEW (Spiritual Enrichment Week). All of our Jr. High and High School students are at our favorite retreat camp that we affectionately call “The NutFarm”, for a time of focused study and fellowship.

The halls seem so quiet this week, but our elementary students are also enjoying some ’spiritual enrichment’; and they get to see their teachers (and secretary) ham it up with some skits. Please pray for God’s faithfulness to touch the hearts of each child in some way through these ‘programs’.

Yes, these are missionary kids we are talking about. They have ‘heard it all’ (or so they think). Their parents are missionaries; how could they not have absorbed the essential truths? Maybe you already know the answer through personal experience; hearing is not the same as applying the Truth in faith. Our desire is for each one to transition from being a Missionary Kid, who is here simply because Dad and Mom are – to being a disciple of their own Lord and Savior, who loves them very personally. Pray that God will touch individual hearts.

Hello from Chihuahua City,

Yes, we finally made it back to Chihuahua safe and sound. Thanks so much for your prayers; our trip went well and we are thankful for God’s protection and blessings along the way.

 Here is a brief look at what our ministries are this year, with some ideas on how to pray:

John:

•     1/2 Grade Class – to create a classroom environment that promotes a love of learning (much easier with this age group); and a growing awareness of God’s goodness
•     School Committee – to minister with God’s grace, righteousness and wisdom as they address issues and concerns of the parents and students of Binimea
•     Grace Community Church – that his weekly sermons would encourage and challenge English speaking people of Chihuahua

Sharon:

•     School Secretary - to be a blessing and practical help to the teachers (and pray that our copier would finally get repaired and running again)
•     Student Council Supervisor -  to provide the leadership needed to encourage the MK’s into leadership roles; this is Sharon’s first year, so it’s all new
•     Home – good time management and planning to be a support to the various ministries and schedules of our family

Kids:

•     Alex - just started and new job and is getting ready to start his sophomore year at college (provision and direction)
•     Emily – to make the most of her senior year; preparation and God’s leading for post-graduation plans
•     Jared – to grow in confidence of the young man God wants him to be

Well, I suppose that’s enough to get you started. Actually it’s probably more than enough; maybe you can break it up throughout the week. In whatever way you help, we appreciate your support so much, especially in light of your own pressures and demands of life and ministry. Keep looking up and trusting Him; let us know how we can pray for you.

As a precaution against the swine flu, the government of Mexico has closed all schools across the nation for a few days. When Binimea (our school for missionary kids) received this news, we had just started our weeklong, annual standardized testing. Read the rest of this entry »