Today is the Day!

We drove down our driveway for the last time today . . . backwards!!  It only took Don a couple adjustments to get the suburban and the camper on its way. 

We really meant to update the blog all week. We had great intentions but, alas, it just didn't happen. The job of sorting and packing our house along with the last minutes errands just took way more time than we had anticipated. It felt so awesome to be done as we pulled away with everything we own following behind us. It was also sad as we waved good-bye to our house that the Lord provided almost 12 years ago. We prayed over it, planned it, built it and inhabited it as we watched three of our kids grow into teenagers. We so enjoyed opening it up to the football families, Guatemala teams and our wonderful friends over the years. It has been such a blessing and we are so thankful!

We are spending our last day at Mom's before we begin our long journey into this new season tomorrow.  Thank you all for your support and prayers!  We will miss you - so come and see us in Guatemala!!

As a bonus, we have included some of Duane's latest aerial photos. The first photo is a close-up of the actual hospital during the inauguration service.  The 2nd is an aerial shot of Canillá, the town that we will be living near for the next 3 years. I tried to label the places associated with the ministry.

 

Inauguration Service

The hospital land and construction is being dedicated today in Guatemala. There will be an inauguration ceremony and lunch with many of the local leaders invited. The hospital needs the support of the local community which is part of the reason for this ceremony.  However, the bigger picture is that this hospital needs to be dedicated to the Lord and constructed for His glory.

Many of you know that there will be a room dedicated within the hospital for a prayer room.  It is not a traditional chapel room but a room where praise, worship, intercession and declaration of the Word will be happening 24 hours a day . . .someday.  We are starting small but have great hopes and expectations for all that the Lord will do.

At the Inauguration Service today, key Bible elements will be buried under the foundation of the prayer room. These will serve as the cornerstone for the hospital and for all that the Lord is doing to bring this vision into reality.

As much as we wish we could be there for this awesome event, we are so excited that the Epperly family (representing Docs for Hope) as well as Dr. Luis and his family will be there! We are hoping that more photos will be shared from today!  Praying for all that the Lord wants to do and that He is glorified throughout this amazing journey!

One Week!!

We are down to the last week before we head out!  

Still sorting, packing and finishing up projects.

We worked on the office/school room today.  Curriculum is packed and file drawers are almost empty.  The kids were in charge of the document burning!

Trying to be systematic in what we pack based on how soon we will need it.  This rubbermaid needs to be packed so it can be placed in its spot under the platform.  It will have to be stuff that we won't need until we arrive in Guatemala because it will not be accessible once it is underneath.  

We didn't get very far on this one today - it will be first on the list for Monday!!

We had some awesome help today! Brad and Don did several projects in the camper as well as in the house.  It is so nice to check those things off the list.  Here they are attaching bike racks to the outside of the camper so we can haul the bikes without taking up valuable space inside!

Tomorrow is the last time we will be attending Lifegate Church until we return for the global worker conference in 2016.  We will be prayed for in the morning and an open house is planned for the afternoon so we can begin the 'good-byes'. 

Praying for the Lord's peace over the day.

Two Weeks!

Our departure date is 2 weeks away!  

It is very exciting and scary all at the same time!!

Don worked on the camper today.  He has the 'loft' bed done. It will be a great place for the kids to sleep above all of the stuff!  He is also building a platform to 'raise' the floor.  You can see the practice placement of the rubbermaids.  They will all be under the raised floor.

Here he is on top of his almost finished platform. 

 

Here is the other side of the camper.  It has a little kitchen area, bathroom and little bed tucked back in the corner.  There is so much stuff that it is hard to see all of that but at least you can get an idea of our little house on wheels! ;)

While Don was busy in the garage, the girls were helping me send out letters for the ministry in Guatemala! We finished up the task in no time!  Another item checked off the list!! Yay!

For those of you that don't know, we do have a signed purchase agreement on our house.  It is contingent on the sale of the buyer's house. We are now praying for that house to sell!  They have had lots of activity and a potential verbal offer so we are hopeful that we will have some resolution soon!

Thanks for your prayers! We so appreciate your support and encouragement!

Footings and Steel!

 And so it begins. . . footings for the hospital are in process!!

Steel is being placed and made ready for the concrete! 

A view from the air!

The hospital is on its way!  

May the Lord be glorified in the building and constructing of this structure.  

May the hospital be all about Him and the life that He gives!

Happy New Year!

Ok. So. It's January. The month we move. The month God spoke to our hearts and confirmed through many as the time for us to go. 

So. . . here we are. The thought swirling in my brains is ‘I don’t know if I can do this.’ 

How is that for a confession from a person pretending to look like a ‘missionary’?

We are driving back from Kansas City where we attended an amazing conference. The Lord spoke to our hearts and filled us to the top with Him.

Apparently, I leak. 

The very next morning I am sitting in a place of doubt and ‘overwhelmedness’ (pretty sure that isn’t a word but you know what I mean!). This is the month we move – so much to do, so many hard things to walk through, so many people to say ‘good-bye’ to.

“Lord, I don’t think I can do it – I can’t see it from here. The house, the finances, the stuff – so much stuff, and the list, the neverending, forever-long list. How can it ever all come together??”

In all fairness, you need to know that I have a similar conversation with Him before EVERY SINGLE trip to Guatemala! That is the truth. 

However, I really feel like I am justified this time. I mean, seriously, how is the house going to work out?? Is that even possible? And finances? I am looking at my budget spreadsheet (yes, I have a budget spreadsheet, don’t judge me!) and watching the paychecks stop. They just stop – how am I going to feed my family for 3 years, Lord, without a paycheck? And the list of stuff to get done before we can leave. On top of all of that, my kids are struggling. How do I encourage them when I can’t see it myself? I am feeling so justified in my whining!!

Then I hear in my spirit:

“Seriously? (the sarcasm may be mine!)  Am I not the God of the universe? Are not all things possible with me? Am I not holding you and your family in the palm of My hand? You can’t ‘see’ it? Really? (again, not sure that God is sarcastic?!)”

Then His response to Job speaks to my spirit. I am reaching for my Bible so I can read it all for myself when I ask Don how he is doing.  Apparently, he is struggling with some of the same thoughts that I am.  Hmmmm . . . interesting.  I tell him that the Lord brought Job to mind and then proceed to read it outloud to both of us.

You probably know the story of Job. But here is my quick summary. Job lost everything that was important to him. God allowed it and then was quiet about it. Job mourned and grieved.  He cried out and questioned God, but the Lord remained silent through all of it.  Until the end and then He responded to Job.  Here is a little bit of the response from Job 38:

2 “Who is this that obscures my plans

    with words without knowledge?

3 Brace yourself like a man;

    I will question you,

    and you shall answer me.

4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?

    Tell me, if you understand.

5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!

    Who stretched a measuring line across it?

6 On what were its footings set,

    or who laid its cornerstone—

7 while the morning stars sang together

    and all the angels[a] shouted for joy?

34 “Can you raise your voice to the clouds

    and cover yourself with a flood of water?

35 Do you send the lightning bolts on their way?

    Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?

And from Chapter 39:

1 Do you know when the mountain goats give birth?

    Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn?

2 Do you count the months till they bear?

    Do you know the time they give birth?

19 “Do you give the horse its strength

    or clothe its neck with a flowing mane?

20 Do you make it leap like a locust,

    striking terror with its proud snorting?

26 “Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom

    and spread its wings toward the south?

27 Does the eagle soar at your command

    and build its nest on high?

These are just small excerpts from long chapters of God questioning Job.  

Job's response in Chapter 40:

4 “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?

    I put my hand over my mouth.

5 I spoke once, but I have no answer—

    twice, but I will say no more.”

Then the Lord continues to question Job through the rest of Chapter 40 and into 41. 

Job's response in Chapter 42:

2 “I know that you can do all things;

    no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

So I am crying at this point.  

I can't do this on my own strength.  I can't see the end. It looks absolutely impossible. 

But the Lord is glorified in the impossible. He is big enough and no purpose of His can be thwarted!

So. . . hello, January! The month where our next season begins. The month where the Lord's purposes for our family become reality. I pray that it is also the month where my faith increases and my trust in Him grows.  

Happy New Year!  May 2015 be the year where we all draw closer to Him!