We've done tons of things since arriving in Nicaragua last Wednesday night (Feb. 15th). We had friends pick us up from the airport, and dinner was waiting for us when we returned to their guest house... talk about spoiled!
The next few days, we shopped for cars, bought necessities for our base, found a cell phone carrier, bought a bed, bought a couch, visited hardware stores, shopped for more supplies and appliances, began cleaning the base, and even found time for a siesta once.
We leave the guesthouse tomorrow, and will spend the day moving into the base! Fortunately, all the furniture and appliances will be delivered tomorrow, and all we'll need to transport are the 30-something suitcases that have been sitting in a warehouse the last 3 months. Unfortunately, we will not have very good internet service (if any at all) for quite some time.
Still no house, but we're hopeful & are checking out options. We are having so much fun on this adventure! Please continue to pray for us as we are in another stage of this transition.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
We're here!
We just wanted to let everyone know that we've safely arrived in Nicaragua with all of our suitcases! Tomorrow we will hit the ground running... purchasing phones, looking for vehicles, and beginning work at the Students International base.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
A good kick in the pants
Well, Austin and I received a healthy beating for three weeks in Colorado. Our training was completely different than we expected.... and exactly what we needed. Missions Training International (MTI) was intense, draining, invigorating, exciting, scary, sad, and fun. We talked a lot about the paradox of emotions, which is ironically how I would describe our time there: a paradox, a good hurt.
We woke up to sunrises like this....
And this....
And this...
We visited Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, the Air Force Academy and stayed in the mountains of Colorado. Gorgeous!
And this....
And this...
We visited Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, the Air Force Academy and stayed in the mountains of Colorado. Gorgeous!
Then we were in a hostage simulation to reveal how we truly are under high stress. We discovered just how ignorant our frame of reference can make us, and overall did some extremely deep soul-searching evaluation.Our sessions included: healthy resilient families, transition, grief & loss, managing stress, conflict handling, moral purity, and good-byes. Each session uncovered new issues that we'll most likely face, but hadn't thought to discuss.
We've come away from our time at MTI feeling more prepared for what's to come, but shockingly aware of our shortcomings as well. Most of all, Austin and I grew closer, and for that we are forever grateful!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Blog Famine: My Apologies
Let me start by saying I am so sorry for the famine that hit my blog. Our time back in the states has been wonderful and extremely busy. So maybe the best way to recap is a top ten list:
10. Seeing family & friends (obviously!)
9. Austin is so glad to be driving again
8. I'm glad to be cooking & baking again
7. American food-- aka bacon, burgers, ice cream, and basically anything unhealthy
6. Returning to our church, Traders Point
5. New Staff Orientation in Cali... we got to meet new friends AND see the Redwoods!
4. Missions Training in Colorado... we've been here one day and can already tell how impacting it will be on our spiritual lives. (pictures and more to come)
3. Visiting Birmingham
2. Spending holidays with family
1. Seeing family & friends... so wonderful we had to say it twice!! (and sorry no pics of the other side of the family OR the friends that we've been blessed to spend time with)
10. Seeing family & friends (obviously!)
9. Austin is so glad to be driving again
8. I'm glad to be cooking & baking again
7. American food-- aka bacon, burgers, ice cream, and basically anything unhealthy
6. Returning to our church, Traders Point
5. New Staff Orientation in Cali... we got to meet new friends AND see the Redwoods!
4. Missions Training in Colorado... we've been here one day and can already tell how impacting it will be on our spiritual lives. (pictures and more to come)
3. Visiting Birmingham
2. Spending holidays with family
1. Seeing family & friends... so wonderful we had to say it twice!! (and sorry no pics of the other side of the family OR the friends that we've been blessed to spend time with)
Thursday, November 10, 2011
our latest e-mail
We just sent this update to everyone on our e-mail list. If you'd like to be added, let us know.
Hello Everyone!!
I apologize for the delayed update about our 10-day vision trip in Nicaragua. I've been a little distracted by the amoeba growing inside of me. No worries, I'm on the mend!
It is difficult for me to condense our wide range of thoughts and emotions about Nicaragua, but I'll certainly try my best. Most importantly, the trip confirmed further our call to do ministry in Masaya.
We were completely in awe by the amount of poverty there. It was extremely different than other 3rd world countries we had visited before. Naturally, the amount of poverty also indicated deep needs that the people have.
During our ten days, our schedules were full of meetings, appointments, scoping out houses, locating supermarkets, visiting communities, beginning the residency process, and the list goes on. The Lord has also been faithful to make crucial relationships for us already. We've been working with a lawyer to establish the organization and our residency. The pastor of a 1,000-member church (pictured below) is excited for us to be there working along side the ministries they already have. And, there are several Nicaraguans that are interested in helping Students International in the work we are starting there. Such a blessing!
It was encouraging to meet with the pastor and realize how God is already moving in the town of Masaya. They have 100 cell groups, a Christian school, a clinic, a prison ministry, and are working with teenage drug-addicts. We are recognizing that the Lord's plans for this place are so much bigger than we originally imagined. It seems that He is expanding our vision for what ministry in Masaya will look like. We are grateful to be part of it! And grateful that each of you are part of it, too!
We are returning to the states in a little over a week. We're ready to be there, and visit with as many of you as possible! Mostly, we'll be back-and-forth between Indianapolis and Middlebury until January. We have several weeks of training in January, then we'll move to Nicaragua mid-February. Let us know what your schedules are like, so we can spend time with you!
Please pray for:
1. Housing - there are very few options near Masaya from what we've found
2. Teams - we are still praying for teams to sign up for short-term mission trips next summer
3. Fund-raising - we only have a little more to raise, but need to reach our goal before February
4. Wisdom - we desperately want to be following the Lord in all we do!
We love you guys! You can see more pictures on facebook.
Austin & Jill
Hello Everyone!!
I apologize for the delayed update about our 10-day vision trip in Nicaragua. I've been a little distracted by the amoeba growing inside of me. No worries, I'm on the mend!
It is difficult for me to condense our wide range of thoughts and emotions about Nicaragua, but I'll certainly try my best. Most importantly, the trip confirmed further our call to do ministry in Masaya.
We were completely in awe by the amount of poverty there. It was extremely different than other 3rd world countries we had visited before. Naturally, the amount of poverty also indicated deep needs that the people have.
During our ten days, our schedules were full of meetings, appointments, scoping out houses, locating supermarkets, visiting communities, beginning the residency process, and the list goes on. The Lord has also been faithful to make crucial relationships for us already. We've been working with a lawyer to establish the organization and our residency. The pastor of a 1,000-member church (pictured below) is excited for us to be there working along side the ministries they already have. And, there are several Nicaraguans that are interested in helping Students International in the work we are starting there. Such a blessing!
The next three pictures are from our time in the communities. Each home had a different trade.
Making leather bags & drums.
Embroidering dresses.
Making shoes.
It was encouraging to meet with the pastor and realize how God is already moving in the town of Masaya. They have 100 cell groups, a Christian school, a clinic, a prison ministry, and are working with teenage drug-addicts. We are recognizing that the Lord's plans for this place are so much bigger than we originally imagined. It seems that He is expanding our vision for what ministry in Masaya will look like. We are grateful to be part of it! And grateful that each of you are part of it, too!
We are returning to the states in a little over a week. We're ready to be there, and visit with as many of you as possible! Mostly, we'll be back-and-forth between Indianapolis and Middlebury until January. We have several weeks of training in January, then we'll move to Nicaragua mid-February. Let us know what your schedules are like, so we can spend time with you!
Please pray for:
1. Housing - there are very few options near Masaya from what we've found
2. Teams - we are still praying for teams to sign up for short-term mission trips next summer
3. Fund-raising - we only have a little more to raise, but need to reach our goal before February
4. Wisdom - we desperately want to be following the Lord in all we do!
We love you guys! You can see more pictures on facebook.
Austin & Jill
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
News from Guatemala
I'm sitting in our room, here in Guatemala, wishing I could paint, draw, or write poetry, anything more creative than accounting. And I'm reminded of what I have seen in the past week....
Being in Antigua gives us a unique opportunity to see how our organization (Students International) is impacting lives in Guatemala. Last week, we took two days off from language school to visit the sites. We were simply blown away with the way people are using their strengths for the benefit of the Kingdom. Who knew that neutering farm animals could have a profound impact on a person's spiritual life? Well, it happens! In this poor town of El Gorrión, where they have just received running water for the first time ever, people are extremely dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. The leader of the agriculture site with Students International has identified this need in the community, and in essence, has become the "town vet." He told us that this is what ministry is about... meeting both the tangible and intangible needs of people. Because they need his services for their animals, he has a platform, from which to share Christ. It was incredible to see this in action, especially considering my strengths are completely different. Of course, we also visited the sites that are more "up our ally," too. Obviously, we are gifted in other areas, and cannot wait to see how the Lord uses them. We left the sites feeling excited, inspired, and as if the Lord is expanding our vision for Nicaragua. Now, we're just ready to get there!
Thankfully, only five more days until our Vision Trip to Nicaragua! We leave early Saturday morning, and we'll be staying a little over a week. Please pray for us if you think about it.
Being in Antigua gives us a unique opportunity to see how our organization (Students International) is impacting lives in Guatemala. Last week, we took two days off from language school to visit the sites. We were simply blown away with the way people are using their strengths for the benefit of the Kingdom. Who knew that neutering farm animals could have a profound impact on a person's spiritual life? Well, it happens! In this poor town of El Gorrión, where they have just received running water for the first time ever, people are extremely dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. The leader of the agriculture site with Students International has identified this need in the community, and in essence, has become the "town vet." He told us that this is what ministry is about... meeting both the tangible and intangible needs of people. Because they need his services for their animals, he has a platform, from which to share Christ. It was incredible to see this in action, especially considering my strengths are completely different. Of course, we also visited the sites that are more "up our ally," too. Obviously, we are gifted in other areas, and cannot wait to see how the Lord uses them. We left the sites feeling excited, inspired, and as if the Lord is expanding our vision for Nicaragua. Now, we're just ready to get there!
A few of my fave captured moments from our visit with SI-Guatemala.
Thankfully, only five more days until our Vision Trip to Nicaragua! We leave early Saturday morning, and we'll be staying a little over a week. Please pray for us if you think about it.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Thoughts of the day...
There is obvious value in preparing mentally for ministry. We are certainly called to worship the Lord with all of our heart, mind, soul & strength. At the same time, I am taking comfort in the fact that God often shows up in our weakness. We're believing 1 Corinthians 2:1-5... that faith comes not through the wisdom of man, but the power of God. I am thankful that the Lord chooses to use us in spite of ourselves, and in spite of our brokenness.
And just for fun.... here is a picture of the town where we spent our anniversary. (That little town in the background. Our hotel was on the lake.)
And just for fun.... here is a picture of the town where we spent our anniversary. (That little town in the background. Our hotel was on the lake.)
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