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Percent of support currently pledged: 45%

Dear Family and Friends,

We have returned safely home from Grand Rapids after two very packed weeks of training and connecting with family and friends. We’ve enjoyed every minute – even the travel – as it gives us lots of opportunities to talk and have time as a family. One of our favorite things to do on trips is to read books out loud and listen to books on tape. We also packed paper and scotch tape – our van looked like a trash can by the time we reached GR, however, we did have a paper house, 2 knights on horses, an elaborate book mark, and some flowers to show for it!

A part of our training with World Missions included a discussion about the different designations of missionaries that serve with World Missions. As we talk with friends and family who are members of the Christian Reformed Church, we are recognizing that our particular designation may be a little confusing for people as it is different than how things work for career missionaries with CRC World Missions. So, we will explain in this email how things will work for our family in regard to this. Our designation is that of “Partner Missionary”. I will explain what this means in bullet points below:

• Partner Missionaries receive a stipend for living expenses from another organization (generally a school) and will need to raise some support as well. Typically, partners are single people who could live on their stipend if they live with a Nicaraguan family. Our situation is a little different in that we do not receive a stipend for living expenses, however, our stipend consists of funds to cover our children’s education at the school where we will be serving. We are also raising support for a family of 4 as opposed to 1.
  
• Partner Missionaries are responsible for raising support without supplement from CRC World Missions. If our account runs low on funds, we receive a short check or no check. Career missionaries with World Missions also need to raise support, however if their account runs low, World Missions supplements their account so that they do not run short on funds.
  
• An advantage to being a partner missionary with World Missions is that they pay for all of our training (as well as travel to training/meals/lodging, etc.); our brochures/prayer cards; and costs associated with managing our support account. Therefore, all donated funds go directly to our account. There is nothing taken out of our support for administrative costs.
  
  Before we began raising support, this process was very foreign to us and we’ve thought that this may be the case for others as well. So, below I will also try to illustrate our approach to developing a support team and what this team could look like in terms of finances.
  
  
• We believe that our support team is a group of people who partner with us to minister to the people of Nicaragua AND it is also a group of people to whom we feel a calling to minister to. Our training with both Campus Crusade and with CRC World Missions validated our sense of calling to minister to the people of Nicaragua as well as to those who are supporting us in the States. Our prayer is that our updates would encourage you in your own walk with God and we are committed to praying for your family. I write down each prayer request you send us in my prayer journal and pray for you regularly. We also recognize that God works through our support team to minister to us which you are doing so beautifully already.
  
• The nature of this partnership is such that we need others to be involved with us financially. I think this is obvious to people, but perhaps what is not obvious is how “being involved with us financially” works. It can work a few different ways. Monthly or annual gifts provide a continuity of support that assures us that our financial support will maintain consistency over the months/years we are there. We recognize that circumstances do change for people such as a job loss, etc. and expect that financial support may change as a result. Special gifts are one time gifts that are also very beneficial as they add to the amount in our account – we are simply aware that we cannot count on these gifts on an ongoing basis.
  
• Sometimes people wonder how the account works in terms of how much money we have access to at any given time. Our support account is not like a bank account in the sense that we cannot access funds anytime we want to. It can actually be compared to a bathtub. Imagine a bathtub with the drain plugged. Through the faucet come the funds that are contributed by supporters. The bathtub begins to fill up as supporters contribute to our account (we are currently receiving funds into our account and the funds that are accumulating now will provide future financial security for us later when fluctuations occur). Our monthly living expenses are close to $4,000.00 a month which includes housing, insurance, social security, food (which is actually more expensive there), our tithe, car repairs, etc. When it is time for our monthly check, the drain is unplugged and $4,000 is released to us.
  
• Another question may be related to how much each individual or church may support us per month or year. This varies a great deal depending on how people feel led to give. Each gift that we receive is greatly appreciated and celebrated. The way that this works can be laid out like this: With a goal of $4,000 a month, we will need 40 people to support us at $100.00 a month; 80 people to support us at $50.00 a month; 160 people to support us at $25.00 a month; or 400 people at $10.00 a month. The reality is that our support team will consist of all of these amounts which, when added together, will equal $4,000.00 a month.
  
  If you have any questions regarding any of this information, please let us know. Thank you for reading through it and praying for God’s leading in this. We trust that God will put our support team together, and that this too is a calling, which is why we request that you please pray before you commit. Thank you!
  

Peace to you,
Lisa (for Dan, Rebekah, and Will)

Tonight, Rebekah was at Bible School and the teacher was talking with the class about the Good Samaritan and then asked the class something about whether the kids can give examples of what a good Samaritan would look like in our world. Rebekah told the story of the man who helped us when our van broke down. I am touched by how God is at work in the hearts of our kids right now and how they are connecting the dots between how the God who is in the Bible - the God who did so many amazing things, is the same God who is involved in our lives today.

Stranded in Peoria - Part 2

Dear Family and Friends,

Thought we’d give you a quick update on what’s happened as of last night. We received a call from the mechanic this morning and I just kept hearing Dan saying “wonderful”, “wonderful” which was a good indication to me that it was good news. Dan said that it was only our water pump that was damaged and that it would cost only $150.00 to fix it! I still can hardly believe it. We were told that if we would have driven it any further, we would have blown a gasket which I am assuming would do more significant damage to our engine. We were also concerned last night, because we were at the mercy of the mechanic, that there was a chance that we could be taken advantage of. However, Dan said this guy was “a really nice guy” and even made sure he fixed our van first thing this morning.

So, we are again in awe this morning about how He worked in and through these circumstances to teach us more about how He is so intimately involved in our lives. There was also a storm that went through here last night with tornados south of us and a big tree now laying flat in the parking lot of the hotel (it didn’t hit any cars!). So, for this - we thank Him for His protection as well.

Thank you again for your prayers. We never say this lightly. Thank you.

Peace to you,

Lisa (for Dan, Rebekah, and Will)

Stranded in Peoria - Part 1

Dear Family and Friends,

I will first share with you our prayer request for tomorrow and then share the amazing way that God has already worked in this situation. Our request is for God’s provision tomorrow morning as our van broke down on the highway while we were driving through Peoria, IL. We are uncertain how badly our van is damaged and how much it will cost to fix it. Our van is old with well over 100 thousand miles on it so we pray that the cost to fix it does not outweigh it’s value. We are also asking you to pray for the rest of our trip home to be uneventful. Thank you for your prayers. I’ve listed more detailed prayer requests and praises at the end of the email. Below, is the story of how our loving God took care of us tonight.
God’s Amazing Protection and Provision

We drove to Indianapolis to visit some friends on our way back to Iowa. At a restaurant, we hit a very deep pot hole that was filled with water making it’s depth very deceiving. Our van landed hard, but our engine seemed to be fine at that time. We drove the next two hours to our friends’ house. We left their house this afternoon and then a few miles before getting to Peoria, we heard a whistling sound in the engine. We decided to pull off onto an exit when we reached Peoria, and just as we were pulling off, the check engine light went on as did an alarm, the temperature gauge registered “H”, and smoke started billowing out of the front of the car. It was 7: 30 pm on a Sunday night and we knew that we would find no businesses open at this time to fix it. We let the engine cool off a little and headed toward a gas station. On the way there, I prayed with my family, “God, would you put people in our path who would help us.” We made it to the gas station and the attendant gave us directions to the nearest hotel. After putting some coolant in the van, we attempted to get to the hotel. We did not get very far before the bells and whistles and smoke started in again. So, we pulled onto a side road to let the engine cool down again. Dan then happened to notice that there was a Garage across the street and we all walked to the Garage together to see if there was a mechanic available to help us. The kids were chattering away about the grasshoppers and bugs that were in the grass, and just as Dan was knocking on the window of the building to see if he could get someone’s attention, a man appeared from next door. We told him our story, and he said that he is friends with the mechanic and that he would be available in the morning. We thanked him and started walking toward a small motel close by with hopes that we could stay there. Just as we learned that there was no vacancy, the man that we talked with earlier came riding up on a four wheeler and asked if we would like him to look at the van. We said that we would and followed him there. He said that it most likely is our water pump and suggested that we drive the van across the road to the Garage which we did. He then offered to drive us to a hotel. While we were driving to the hotel, I said to the man, “We prayed that God would provide someone to help us. You are an answer to our prayers.” He said that the reason he came out to investigate was because he had heard the voices of our kids. He said that kids have been vandalizing the Garage, so he was checking to see whether this was what was happening.

Throughout the night, we talked with the kids about how we are on an adventure and that we do not know what will happen - but God does. Dan is an incredible leader as he stayed calm and smiled reassuringly at us - his every movement and response to us communicated peace. I too, felt at peace and thought about how living surrendered to God in these circumstances is one of the amazing benefits of knowing Christ personally. Later, while we were in our hotel room, I talked with the kids about how when we follow a calling, we can expect life to get harder because there is a spiritual battle that is involved. I asked them if they have noticed this. They listed several things that have happened lately – our broken down van tonight; our back panel van window blew up one night in our garage; it was fixed, but then came loose and started flapping back and forth while I was driving down the highway at 70 miles an hour with the kids in the back; our neighbors let us know that we have Japanese beetles feasting on our trees while we have been gone; my rib incident – in addition to Dad’s and my sister’s health issues, the flood, etc. It has been interesting too how several of these events were paired with the news that another church or individual was financially supporting us – it is why we compare this process to a roller coaster. I asked the kids what they thought God was teaching us through this and Will said without hesitation, “He is teaching us how to trust Him more so that we will trust Him when we move to Nicaragua.” We then started to pray and they both thanked God for the man that helped us and for keeping us safe. We reviewed all of the ways that God protected and provided for us tonight. Below are the ways that we are praising Him and some things that we are asking Him to provide. Thank you for reading this story of God’s glory. It is such a comfort to know you are riding the roller coaster with us by praying for us. Thank you so much.

Praise:
1) For the timing of when the van broke down. We could have broke down in the midst of a stretch with no cities which is more common than not in IL and IA. We also could have broke down when it was dark.
2) For how our van overheated for the second time across from a garage; for the man (Joel) who noticed us and went out of his way to help us; for a nice hotel to stay in.
3) We also had not yet eaten supper and the hotel is located within walking distance to a few restaurants. We walked safely to and from the restaurants tonight in spite of many police and emergency vehicles driving back and forth, indicating to us that this may be an area of town that may not be completely safe.

Petition:
1) For an affordable repair and for wisdom to make decisions in regard to the repair.
2) For a safe trip the rest of the way home.
3) For the peace that we experienced tonight to continue in our hearts and minds.

Cultural Insights

Dear Friends and Family,

Greetings from Grand Rapids - our home away from home! So many great memories here - it's where we went to college, got our first jobs, met, fell in love, got engaged, got married, bought our first car (which we STILL have), bought our first house, had our babies, spent time with family, made great friends, fell in love with Lake Michigan, etc. We are enjoying our orientation with CRC World Missions and thought we would share some initial impressions and then some insights from the speakers/the reading we have been doing.

Dan shared that he is very appreciative of many of the new insights from both presenters and other orientees in regard to the importance of adapting to the culture that we are called to. We spent most of today talking about issues of race and justice and I think we are both walking away recognizing the complexity and the challenges of these issues. For example: On the one hand, I believe that I have more in common with the Latin American culture than Western culture in the sense that relationships are far more important to me than completing a task efficiently. However, in Latin America there are different expectations for what a relationship looks like and how people interact in that relationship. I think that we are also realizing that it is possible to live in a third world country and yet escape to the "little USAs" (our homes, international church, having only missionary friends, etc.) to avoid truly understanding and being a part of the native culture. Dan and I are both thinking through these things and desire to be more intentional about assimilating into the Latin American culture. We know that this will also benefit Rebekah and Will - preparing them for the impact of globalization which will be a reality for their generation.

The following are insights from what we have read and heard the past couple of days:

A Kenyan Pastor says:
When the American speaks, the conversation is over. The American is usually the most powerful voice at the table. And when the most powerful voice gives its opinion, the conversation is over.

Don't call short term trips "mission trips". Call them "short term learning opportunities". The problem with calling it a mission is that it implies an agenda. There's something I need to come and do for you, or to you, to better your life. Life is too complex. Please come to my country with humility and an open heart to learn from us.

Latin Americans speak candidly and honestly to missionaries offering the following suggestions:
1) Do not teach so much theory, but practice your teaching in your life.
2) Live at an adequate level, neither too high above us nor too low below us.
3) Do not feel you are superior to me. We can sense pride even in small amounts. You came to serve in humility.
4) Show love to people as you do in your country, and then learn how we do it here.
5) Be willing to accept our suggestions. That may hurt, but we want to help.
6) Do not greet us as you greet each other. You are too cold and distant. Ask about our families and our personal lives.
7) Develop serious and deep friends from among us, people with whom you can be transparent and vulnerable.
8) Eat and like our food. We also want to know what you eat as a family.
9) Learn to read the Bible from our perspective and culture. Note how much of the Bible was written to people who lived in violence, injustice, and political uncertainty.


Insights from presenters:

"Live simply so that others can simply live."

You cannot lead people where you are not going yourself (in terms of intimacy with God).

"I don't want to do anything that ends with me. I am about multiplying and empowering others."

There are two kinds of missionaries: 1) Those who are relational and come to get their hands dirty. 2) Those who stay at a distance and keep their privacy - working with us during the week but never letting us into their homes.

Personally, I've stopped planning grand outcomes requiring massive efforts and started simply looking for the next right thing to do. The thing that is in front of me. The thing that looks too simple.

Ask for the gift of epiphany eyes. To have an epiphany is to see the truth of the matter behind the smoke and mirrors. To have epiphany eyes is to have eyes that see through the façade to the real. They are eyes that pay attention, that look twice, eyes that ask the "why" questions. Epiphany eyes see by the light of Christ's word.

I pray these insights have encouraged you and challenged you as they have us. Thank you for being willing to take the time to read and wrestle with them.

Praise:

1) The results of my sister's test came back and she was told that the cells were "one step away" from being cancerous. She will go in for check ups every three months for a year. We are praising God for yet another provision of "just in time" health intervention for our family.
2) Our small group dinner guests on July 2nd braved tornados and thunderstorms to meet with us and our time together was one that inspired both laughter and tears. We are so thankful for the opportunity to share our story with others and listen to their stories of God's grace and goodness.
3) We continue to have a great deal of interest in our house. We had one offer that fell through this week, but are praying for God to bring the family He has chosen to our home. Praise God for a GREAT realtor!
4) A time of renewal and relationships and visioning at orientation. We are really enjoying our time and catching the greater vision of God's call.


Petition:

1) Please continue to pray for my Dad. His kidney doctor postponed his next surgery until the end of August/September because Dad's creatin level is at 1.9 and he would like Dad to get a little stronger before the stent is put in to open the blood flow to his kidney. Dad does get stronger each week.
2) We sent out our first group of letters last week requesting that family members and friends consider a prayer and financial partnership with us. Please pray that those who received the letters would desire to be a part of what God is doing in Nicaragua by supporting us in these ways.
3) Would you please pray for protection from spiritual warfare for our family? There have been a number of "odd" things that have happened the past few weeks that add stress to our lives. One example is this past Wed. morning (the first day of orientation), I got out of bed and a rib snapped out of place. I could only breathe shallow breaths because it was so painful to breathe. While Dan prayed, I got in the hot shower and took big breaths as I pushed hard on my ribs. By God's grace, it snapped back into place! Anyway, we recognize that opposition is part of following a calling and so we request prayers of protection. Thank you!

Thank you again for praying for us. Thank you too for sending us prayer requests. It is our privilege to pray for you as well!

Peace to you,
Lisa (for Dan, Rebekah, and Will)