Did I say 90 days? I meant 30.

Today I want to share for different reasons: for us to look back and remember, for our families and partners to feel connected, and for others who might be looking towards this same process. (Maybe some of this will help you feel slightly more normal; just don't let it scare you off!)

We often hear "How are you feeling?" "Are you ready?" "Are you excited?". We are a great many things, including almost ready. Practically speaking, at least. We all process things differently, and that in and of itself can make life interesting! We have been as prepared as possible technically, through AIM and JAARS, and through our own efforts. Alot of what we have been told almost seems meant to deter you. (For instance, the blog "A Life Overseas" has an excellent post entitled "Top 10 reasons not to become a missionary" or some such exhortation ;-). We know many people who have come home much sooner than planned because it wasn't what they expected. Our pilots wive's small group has special speakers each week, most of which have shared their struggles and how to be prepared and/or deal with them. At times I just want to say ok, enough! We know it's hard! Can't we just deal with it as it comes? I guess forewarned is forearmed, or however it goes.

People often remark on the most obvious things that seem challenging. Having to eat different foods. Being separated from your family. The possible dangers that come with living and flying in less stable or developed parts of the world. What we think about, really, are things that go beyond that. Things that wear on you after years and years. Things like regular transition, often with limited notice or totally beyond your control. So many goodbyes, people coming and going in and out of your life, and that of your children. Living on faith, also known as living on support. We love our supporters; but knowing that you really have to take each day/month at a time can be challenging. And the constant responsibility to those churches/supporters. Not really fitting in anywhere you go, which probably goes double for our children. Lots and lots of travel. And I love travel! Things like visas always running out or requirements changing. Basically, everything being more complicated. I've heard culture shock can come back to bite you in the butt even after you've been there a decade or more. And knowing that whenever we do come back, we will be significantly less prepared financially for our life as older people than many of our peers will be.

We are excited. I am very excited. Haven't been this excited since my kids were born. But the word "excitement" is for things like going on safari for the first time. It isn't a good word for any of the things mentioned above. (Just FYI, I'm stealing this thought from a friend here, a fellow pilot wife.) So if you ask if we're excited, some days we might have to be honest and say, "No. But we are resolved." Staying behind our rose coloured glasses won't do any good in the long run. (And letting the rest of the church keep their glasses on doesn't help either.  We're all in this together. ;-) We are all to count the cost before we begin. Often times I hear people's stories and say, I couldn't deal with that! I don't want that! But we remember, His grace is sufficient for every moment. So, we continue one day at a time.

"Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so you do not grow weary and lost heart."  ~ Hebrews 12:1b-3

Our days right now are filled with

God-moments of grace

Sharing a few last special times with family

Unwrapping a very special gift from my mom. A quilt with all our families pictures on it, on beautiful african fabric.  

Thanksgiving 

Seeing Kenya accidentally, everywhere we go. Which I don't remember doing before recently!

Enjoying some special activities.
He's such a stud ;-)

Incorporating a little bit of normal Christmas into our abnormal life right now. 

Saying some difficult goodbyes 

Anticipating the coming of the baby Jesus through Advent, and the eventual second coming of King Jesus  

paperwork. paperwork. and more paperwork. 

Christmas cards. Newsletters. Prayer cards.

stuff. stuff. and more stuff. piling up in every corner and on every available surface. 

end of orientation supper with our group, none of which we will be working with. 

getting more luggage. hopefully our last!  

last flight of orientation. And last flight for quit awhile, about 6 months.
Another thing not on here: doctors appointments. And lab work. And last minute shots. The kids have done (mostly) well.

making gingerbread houses

LOVE the vacuum packer. I'm amazed every time I see its magic! 

Finally packing our crate!  Praying our Kenyan work permits come through so we can get our crate sent off soon. 

getting boxes in the mail. pilot shirts. prayer cards. travel guides. converter box. rechargeable batteries. 

Packing up Patrick's tools. We have to alot of tax on the items in our crate, and not as much on the luggage we bring with us. (Perhaps none at all. Its the law to not have to pay tax on luggage you're carrying with you. But apparently some customs officers disagree with that. So we'l see.) So Patrick took all the tools out of his toolbox and we stuffed it full of socks and underwear. Cheap stuff! But in case it crossed your mind, wow, all those tools are pretty heavy to put in luggage you have to weigh. You're right! Once ziplock bag is going in each piece of luggage. All 15 of them. ;-)

Watching Innkeeper Caroline in her Christmas program. Her job was to shake her head vehemently when Joseph requested a room. And she did it really well. She does it to me all the time. :-) 

Caroline's teacher at the MK Station. Another person who has invested in the life of one of my children, who they will never see again.


Important announcement:
This is the last post from our blog. We're going dark. 


Just kidding. :-) It is the last post from our blog. But we're just switching locations, so our website and blog will be all in one place. We hope this will be more convenient and interesting for our current followers and new folks alike. You will be able to get the basic details of our ministry, flying updates from Patrick, Africa Inland Mission, really neat videos, sign up for our newsletter, prayer requests, our testimonies, helpful links, partnership suggestions,
and other things, all in one handy dandy location.
You can go there now to mark it in your browser. We will continue to share on FB when we update it. You can expect to hear from us one more time before we leave, with ways to pray while we are finally (FINALLY) going!!

Merry Christmas! 

what's really happening with less than 90 days to go

I can't believe we are almost halfway through our time here at JAARS. It has been challenging in some ways and encouraging in others. (I guess that about sums up life in general.) It is a unique environment, with many opportunities to meet other people, some at the same stage as we are, and others working here after having put in their time on the field. Living in community in this way has been a new experience for us. Apartments, sharing a laundry room, mobs of kids everywhere, unavoidably running into people wherever you go. Nothing highlights your shortcomings quite like living in community! But good practice, for sure. Although we will not be living at a center or on a compound, the missionary community is pretty tight, for better or for worse. We are learning to appreciate that ;-). 

chalk drawing of the Kenyan flag 

an early morning nature study. Anytime we find a bug, Caroline wants to adopt it. I usually at least let her carry it around for awhile. And just fyi, this spider was not poisonous. :-) 

Lots of fun times with our Charlotte cousins. 

Visiting a horse farm where they do therapy

We enjoyed a rare occurrence last week: some of our partners came to visit JAARS! (We do have supporters in Virginia, but most of you are down through the middle of the country. Basically in a straight line, north to south. And not close at all to NC) These guys, a father, son and a friend made a special day trip for their birthdays. They got a special tour of the hangar, and got to experience a little bit of life at JAARS. They are pilots (2 fixed wing and one helicopter), so they felt right at home. 

These top 2 pictures happened a day apart. My mom met a young man, a former MK, who had been in the military, and was injured in Iraq. He had amnesia and severe brain injuries, and is now in a wheelchair. He communicates through a small typewriter he carries around on his lap, which speaks for him. He graciously invited us to come watch his horse riding lessons, which was a neat experience for our family. It really got me thinking. The veteran, 30 years old, Christ follower. The Coast Guard pilot (in the midlle, above), 30 years old, Christ follower, and our partner. Did something go wrong in one of these men's lives? Did God make a mistake in allowing one to be nearly killed in an accident, and now to be living a completely different life than most of us could ever imagine? We have no idea what plans God has for our life, or how He can use every day events or extraordinary ones for His glory. Who are we to say well, I'd only like to bring you glory in the way I choose. Maybe its more about bringing Him glory by the way we submit to His will and graciously accept what He allows to come to pass in our lives. 

JAARS Day is a time for the community and others to come learn about JAARS (which is the center here in NC) and the ministry of Wycliffe Bible translators. There are alot of hands on experiences, such as these different instruments. I love Charlie, using his as a hat. If you can't play it, wear it? 

Oh the irony. How many FB posts or newsletters have I seen describing the difficulties of traveling overland, in bumpy trucks, for hours, at times even days, at a time? Flooded rivers, flat tires, forced to camp on the side of the road. Thankfully they didn't take it that far in this simulation. We voluntarily subjected ourselves to this experience. It was, however, quite bumpy. Quite. I was with the second group, which consisted of the driver, me, and 3 little girls. Poor driver. There was alot of shrieking. We had to sign release forms for this. And we paid! We paid to get bumped around in a safari truck for 20 minutes, fully expecting to get stuck in the mud, and at times maybe tip over! We survived. But I gotta tell ya: 12 hours of that would be ROUGH. 

Another exhibit was this "recording studio" booth set up, where they made recordings of the kids either sharing or reading Scripture. Obviously, there was opportunity to learn about heart languages, oral cultures, and the creative ways we (the greater we) are sharing the Gospel with the world's unreached. 

 

Hannah is now thinking we are actually called to Korea, the country who claims the beautiful outfit she tried on. Charlie picked a Chinese costume. 

A big part of my life here is "wives orientation." Not big in terms of time, but big in influence in my life. I don't like to be overcommitted, it stresses me out. So when I heard my presence was expected at this weekly event, for a full morning, I balked. What about homeschooling, etc. But wouldn't you know, its my favourite part of the week. I treasure that time so much. I will get a picture later, but it was at one such meeting that I was given a copy of this interesting book, "Where There Is No Doctor." Some of you might be thinking, that would be quite useless, I would never be, or take my kids, to where there is no doctor. And honestly, I sort of lean in that direction too. I get scared. (Did I just say that out loud? ;-) When I moved to Senegal to be basically a community health worker, I received two copies, one in English and one in French. (There is a Swahili version, as well as many others.) It's pretty graphic, but very basic, and a very useful tool for many people. We will have easy access to very good medical care while in Nairobi. But its still handy. The theme of that Monday morning was basically "your family's health while overseas." There's no point in trying to be obtuse. Obviously there's some scary stuff out there, especially at this juncture in history. Whenever I think about waxing eloquent and profound about some serious topic, like say, taking my precious pumpkin shirted children any closer to Ebola, and my oh so (not very) spiritual thoughts on that, I always come up empty.  So I won't try. But I want them to know they are here for a purpose too. 

Last weekend we celebrated my brother in laws 40th birthday, and Canadian Thanksgiving. It was a really special time. (Gosh, I over-use that word. Thesaurus, anyone?) I also find myself unable to articulate what it feels like to know I'm spending the last family holiday (with this side) together, for a long time. At this point, just really praying to be able to appreciate the time we do have with our families and not allowing the impending goodbyes to ruin it. I love my family, and I love Patrick's family, who is now also very much my family. (On a lighter note, I also took video of Patrick and my mom doing Wii dancing. That gets your mind off of being sad ;-) 

So, when we say something about shipping our crate, I bet you were thinking about a container like on that Somali pirate movie. (Captain something?) Yea, its more of a big cardboard box. But this baby will be packed to the gills. There will be no breathing room in there whatsoever. This is why being at JAARS is so helpful. The gentleman above is in charge of sea freight, and is helping us through this process. We can have a spot in the warehouse to just start accumulating, packing and repacking as needed. The one thing he cannot do, unfortunately, is get the Kenyan government to issue our work permits in a timely manner. So, we will be leaving our precious cardboard box here until we get there, get our work permits (apparently they are quite backlogged), and then we will send back for the crate. I know it will seem silly, looking back, but this was probably the first, "what do you mean it isn't going to go according to my plan, and now I have to be flexible" moment. We had it all planned out, when we were going to send it so it would coincide with our arrival and we would get into our house within a few months and be all settled. Easy Peasy. Alas, now we are hoping to get it six months or so after our arrival. In addition to household items we will either borrow or live without until it comes, it will have clothes for the kids for next year, and school curriculum for next year. We also have a few bags to leave here, until someone comes to visit. One is full, the other will be empty until we get there and realize what we need and then order it on amazon and have it sent to someone's house so it can be brought in the aforementioned bag. And that part actually is easy. 

So I thought hey, I've got nothing to occupy my mind, let's start learning another language! Ha! Everything I need to do to survive, go to church, and even have friends, I can do in English. So it isn't that I am concerned about being able to communicate. I guess I am just excited about it. And I know how much speaking the local language in Senegal meant to me. So I assume it will be the same way. Just because my new friends, neighbors, store clerks, market vendors, and church will be able to speak to me in English doesn't mean I don't want to be able to speak to them in Swahili. The only sad part is, I'm pretty sure there is definitely not room in my already addled brain for Wolof and Kiswahili both, never mind in addition to the very basic survival French and a few lonely phrases and vocabulary words in Spanish still kicking around in there. Sooo, everything else is getting the boot. Bring on the Swahili :-) 

5 bullet points for a 5 minute update on the Crisps

well, maybe 10. depends on how fast you can read :-)
We try to keep our newsletters pretty short, because we understand what its like to be inundated with mail. There are so many things I really do want to read, but just never get around to. So there is alot of news that doesn't make the cut. You have to pop over to the blog for more details. So here they are, in no particular order

• Partnership development going well! A huge huge praise here. We are so grateful for each and every one of our partners, you are part of our team, and we are excited that you have caught the vision. Still waiting for a few more partners, either individuals, churches, or groups, that have a desire to extend their ministry and influence over into East Central Africa. Already trying to think of an exciting way to share with everybody when we reach 100%. Maybe by next month. I'll keep you posted. And thanks for praying! 

• Thankfully, Patrick has had an opportunity to jump in and help at the farm where he used to work, as they get ready for hay season. This is wonderful for 2 reasons: root canals, and he was really itching to get out of the house and away from this computer ;-). He has also been doing some flight instructing. 

• Kids are doing well, as you can see from our last post. We will be wrapping up school, for the most part, in a few weeks. They have swimming lessons, VBS, and normal kid things this summer. They also, however, have a lot of abnormal kid things: international visas, lots of shots, no stability, and an awful lot of travel, to name a few. We sometimes struggle with knowing when to have grace for them, and when we're actually making excuses for bad behaviour! The stress on them can really take a toll, and it hasn't always been pretty the last little while. We have seen them struggle being in so many unfamiliar situations, with strangers. Parenting is our primary ministry, yet so easy to sacrifice as you pursue other more "glorious" things. You can pray we remember that over the next little while, and that we have enough time and energy to meet their needs. 

• Speaking of kids, next week I will be leaving them for 4.5 days to go to a pre-field educational planning seminar in Chicago. It is a lot about their educational options overseas, but I also hope to learn a lot about how to help them through the transition and just to be more aware about how kids go through this process so we can anticipate problems in advance, and be as prepared as possible. Its also a time for the parents to spend time with others in this exact same situation. Pray for Patrick. The kids can be a bit trying. ;-) 

• Lots of travel (some to see family, some to speak, some to check in with current partners, and some for training purposes) coming up. No surprise there. We've got Minnesota, Chicago, Kentucky, Canada, North Carolina and Virginia coming up. All before September. Lots of opportunities to share the vision God has given us, and most of all, to share that it isn't something we have some special handle on. It's for everybody to participate in, for everybody to be excited about. Whether its preaching on Sunday morning, children's SS, VBS missionaries of the week, or just casual conversations at the gas station (its a small town. you know everybody at the gas station ;-), we want to be faithful to testify. It isn't about us, it isn't really our story. It's God's story. He's the One who redeemed us, who called us out of darkness into light, to do good works He planned before the foundation of the world. He's the One who equips us and sends us out, clothed only in His power, none of our own. He's the One who is longing to be reconciled with his people, no matter where they live or what language they speak. He is the One who WILL be worshiped by people of every tribe and every tongue. He is the One who deserves the glory, the only thing on earth worth living for or dying for. It's His story, and we all get to be a small small part of that! 

update and prayer requests for the new year

Thank you for continuing to walk alongside us on this journey! I hope that you are as excited as we are about what God can do in you and through you, in us and through us, this year. In our personal lives and relationships, in our local churches, schools, places of work, in our country, and in the world: the opportunities and potential are limitless! We look forward to seeing and speaking with as many of you as possible this year, either in person, through letters, on the phone, or Facetime! From our small corner of the world, here are a few things we are thanking God for and asking Him for:

1. Yes, its that time again! Time to pull out the old boxes, clean out the closets, and get on the move. Logistically, it won't be that challenging, as we don't have too many boxes. But there is alot more to moving than packing up belongings. We have made a home here, and now we are leaving it. It is a challenge, in this life, to build relationships, invest in people and allow them to invest in you, to grow in love and community, and to do all this knowing that it is only temporary. I don't want us, especially my kids, to have trouble either beginning or maintaining deep relationships because it is too difficult to let go of when the time comes. As it always does. So what does one do? Please pray that our hearts would remain open to everything God has for us, all the people and places and homes, that we would have room to embrace it all, and that we would be willing to open our hands and release it again when the time comes. We do want to "leave well", to not shy away from difficult goodbyes. We want to be strong friends to those we've met this year, those we know from college, and everyone in between! Pray we remember friendships are more than physical proximity.

2.  We are excited about our new (temporary) home! We weren't sure about our timetable this winter, and when the time came to prepare to leave Minnesota, we needed to find something in Kansas right away. A friend got us in touch with a former missionary family, now back in the States, who have a house to rent in Haviland. This is actually great because we will be able to be part of our church home in Pratt again for a little while, and at the same time be close to Patrick's extended family right in town and also build new relationships and strengthen existing ones in the community of Haviland. Please pray for our transition to a smaller house, that homeschooling and Patrick's home officing (as we work on support raising) and all that would be as peaceful as possible. If we call you, please understand if there is a loud toddler in the background! Thankfully, they can play outside from dawn till dark! 

3.  You have probably noticed east central Africa alot in the news recently, specifically South Sudan and the Central African Republic. I won't attempt to give a news report, but you may not have known, as you saw the news, that AIM is heavily involved in these countries. As the headlines are replaced with new stories, and these fade into the backs of our minds, please still keep it in your prayers. We want to be the hands and feet of Christ, not just the mouthpiece. AIM is involved in everything from evacuations before emergencies, distributing aid throughout crises, to Biblical-based crisis counseling after the fact. We are constantly praying for peace, the protection of the missionaries currently there, and that in the midst of intense human suffering, Christ would be being made known and made much of as Christians love, serve, and heal in His name.