How do you measure progress?

I have a confession; I thought being a missionary would be easy. You share the word of the Lord with others, they listen and change their life for the better. An easy recipe. However, after living a missionary life for the last 2.5 years, I have found it's just not that "easy."

You see there is a young man whom we have built a relationship with here on the island. He has worked along side my husband, played with my kids in the back yard, helped us with teams and enjoyed many meals with our family. He would come almost daily to spend time with us.

This young man is known in Bocachica as being a trouble maker. His mom is deaf but that doesn't stop her from having a loud personality here on the island. She spends many hours working in another village and doesn't come back to Bocachica until around 6:30 p.m.  His father left the island years ago. The young man pretty much raises himself. He goes to school and then spends the rest of his time in the streets until bedtime.

When he's at our house he is polite, helpful, and for the most part calm. He always has manners, and interacts with us on many topics. We have shared numerous times about the Lord with him. Neighbors would talk to us when he wasn't going to school regularly, because we could talk to him about it and what was expected of him. We made it a rule, if you don't go to school you can't come here afterwards. He respectfully listened and knew we'd check up on him. It seemed as if he wanted to be part of a family so much.

Then one day in November while our family was in Cartagena,  he tried breaking into our house. We pay someone to guard our house while we are gone, but that didn't stop him. He knew we had laptops and said he wanted one. He tried forcing his way into our window to break the lock so he could get our computer. Thankfully the lady watching our house saw him doing this. When we arrived we went right to his house to find him, of course he was not be home knowing he would be caught. Later that week I saw him sitting in his house. I talked firmly to him in the presence of his mom, with his mom being deaf I couldn't explain the whole situation to her, but knowing he would have to explain himself to her when I left.   During the conversation I shared how the Lord doesn't like this behavior, and told him he has changed our relationship because he tried to steal from us.

You see this is when I tend to get frustrated. I spend this time investing in someones life. I open my house and my heart to people, and then when this happens I ask, "Am I making a difference?".  A good friend shared some wisdom with me. She encouraged me saying to think of the first few years of doing mission work the same way a farmer does about his crops. His best yield almost never comes the first year. Usually, it takes many years of preparing the soil, removing the weeds, and planting the right seeds before really seeing the fruit.


It has been months since the attempted break in took place. This past weekend he was walking and hanging around our house. Nate went outside and told him to come talk to him. Nate asked him what he was doing,and he said he was coming up to ask forgiveness. We asked him forgiveness for what? He said for trying to break in and take the computer. He was obviously embarrassed by it, but he wanted to make things right.  Nate and I took this time to explain to him what the Lord likes, and that it was good that he wanted to do the right thing. That he was young and if he choose the wrong path now it could affect the rest of his life. If he chose to do bad things he can't expect God's blessing.

I know this had to be hard for him. It is evident seeing how it's been 6 months since he has come to our house. This spoke to me, he could have left our relationship broken. He humbled himself and repented. The next day he came up and asked if he could come some days after school and help my husband work on the second floor. 

I pray he can see the Lord in this. I know the Lord has shown me a lot through this experience.  I can feel my heart have forgiveness for him, and giving grace knowing he doesn't come from a strong family.  I have thankfulness because he chose to do something hard and ask to repair something I thought we both enjoyed. Please pray for him. Pray that he gives his heart to the Lord. Pray for the seeds that are planted would grow into fruit.

While doing the work of a missionary is harder than I thought, it is more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. As I think about my frustrations, joys and thanksgivings, I am thankful to Lord that He gives me grace when I don't deserve it. That He is willing to forgive my many sins. I use these times to reflect and give Him the glory.

Lamentations 3:22-23

English Standard Version (ESV)

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a]
    his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

A shared post from one of the team members that came last month

http://misiones.igleico.org/que-es-normal

 Go to the site above to see the post written by Kerin Amir. There is also a sample of the music from the concert by Risen.

Press the "English" button to change language...

 They came with Snoot Photography from Medellin this past month, it was great to have them.
  

 

Reflections of my time in the States (Part two, continuation from A thankful heart)

I have thought many times of what it would be like to go back to the States. I wanted to make sure I didn't go back to soon. I wanted to make sure I didn't visit and end up saying to myself, "What was I thinking?" (don't get me wrong, I know we were called to be here) But, what if I went back and desired the things I left behind? What if I wanted the familiarity of friends, family and my church close by? 2.5 years later I was blessed with the opportunity to visit. Here are my reflections.

First let me just share with you the very first thing I noticed when I stepped foot back into the U.S.A. While in the Miami airport, I had just walked through customs and sat down at my gate. I was filled with excitement not only to be in the States, but also because I found a Chili's in the airport and that was my most missed food. Chili's chips and salsa! While I was enjoying my first bit of American food, I looked around and realized that the airport was quieter than a library. Kid you not, everyone had a smart phone. Young, old, married, and single....everyone around me was hunched over with their fingers talking. No one was speaking. I just laughed because there were smart phones when I left and people text-ed as well 2.5 years ago, but after living in a community that is so social, it struck me as humorous.

After this being my first thought that struck me, I was catapulted into technology that I never knew existed. My friends greeted me at the Raleigh airport. They wanted to take me out for a bite to eat. In order to find out what was around they didn't wait to see the blue signs on the road telling you which restaurants were on the exits...they used Suri. They would just talk to their phone and ask an odd ? like...Suri where is the nearest Cookout? Then the phone would talk back to you. This was funny to see what I have missed but also a little concerning. One day I will come back for a visit and I driving by a car that doesn't need a driver, or worse...like the Jetsons we will be flying around the city...:)

Speaking of driving, I can say 65 felt like I was flying. I had a hard time driving on the interstate. I was good at driving 50 or 55....but 70 was really uncomfortable for me. It was worse if someone else was driving.  Not to mention the first couple of days I had a little motion sickness. I am used to walking everywhere.

The Gregory's let me use their car while I was in NC.

I was blessed to not only visit NC but also I spent 5 days with my family in Vermont. After living in a third country, Barre, Vermont didn't look that run down to me anymore. Main st. in Barre looked beautiful and I found I had an appreciation for the architecture and the beauty of Vermont that I never had prior to this visit.

This time was harder for me to say goodbye to family more than ever. I realize how fast life goes. It has been 5 years since I have seen my family. My family has never met Vincent and the last time they saw my kids Patrick was a baby. It hit me as I saw my Father this time. My father is now white haired and feeble. My nieces are growing up and becoming young ladies. My Niece Elisa is now 21 and is on her own. As much as I wish to take them and have them live right next to me. I know this is not possible. I just have to enjoy every moment I have with them.

I was blessed to spend a lot of time in NC. visiting friends, neighbors, and eating good food.  I was blessed to be able to attend  Antioch's women's beach retreat, and soaked up my time with the ladies. There were times I couldn't sing the songs they sung during the worship music time, I just looked around the room and had a thankful heart to know Antioch desires our hearts to be focused on the Lord. I was blessed with the testimonies the ladies shared and was pleased to know they felt like they could be so honest with one another. To know we can share our struggles, burdens and rejoice with thanksgivings and praise. I came away refreshed.

In both Vermont and North Carolina I spent a lot of time answering many questions. Many of them were the same from many people. So, maybe you too have the same ?'s and I can share with you my answers.

Q: Do you feel safe in Colombia?

A: I do feel safe. I think there are people here who think we are rich and thieves would think we have things like electronics or money. As far as our personal safety I do feel safe, I do not feel as if we are in harms way.

Q: What is the hardest thing about living in Colombia?

A: 2 things really. 1 for sure would be losing electricity. I am a baby when it comes to no power. I can do fine during the day with out internet, but at night with no fans....it's hard. 2. would being feeling like we have to be on guard 24/7. We always have to have someone at the house. If we all leave as a family we have to pay someone to watch our house. Or even as simple as having pumpkins growing....if you don't watch it, someone will steal them. Simple things like that wear on you.

Q: Do your kids miss "home"?

A: Well of course they miss things from the U.S. but they have never had a time where the come to us in tears saying they want to move back. They never say things like "I wish we still lived in the States"
The girls are just as much involved on the island as we are. The girls have a cake business. They speak weekly on the public radio here on the island. They are involved in dance and theater with our church here. Not to mention everyone here loves our kids.

Q: Do ALL of your kids speak Spanish?

A: Yes, all of them. My girls speak better Spanish than I do. The girls write reports in Spanish for the radio station when they speak. They translate for teams. My boys speak in Spanish as well. Vincent in fact, sings most of his songs in Spanish. :)

My last question which was common was "Do you like living in Colombia?" I can tell you in conclusion. I have learned to like living in Colombia. I call Home where ever my family is. I have grown to love the people here. Now don't get me wrong...living here is not like living in the States. I wouldn't say this is the perfect place to live... I can say I am called to be here. I know many reasons why our family is here. I can see us being used. We have grown accustomed to there conditions in which we live. I don't always notice the trash. I don't always notice the music. I can now look at a people now more than ever and see their heart. I can see their lifestyle in which they grew up in and circumstances that have caused them to live like they do. Many people in Bocachica are content with what little they have. Really, sometimes I think "we"  Americans could learn a lot for them. I know living here in Bocachcia I talk more to the Lord than I ever have. I know trials, harder living conditions, and going without certain things make me rely on Him more than I ever have in the states.


I have learned from my trip back to the States that I too was excited to return here as I was exited to return to the States. I was away from my family for the three weeks and of course that made me want to come back. But it was more than that. I had friends here that I wanted to share with about my experience from the States. I have learned that God is where ever we are. We have a church here we enjoy. Friends here we have grown to love and a purpose to be here. So you see, I went and came back and I didn't have any questions of what was I thinking. God is good.

Blessings,
Tara

Snoot Photography for Holy Week

 
 Semana Santa, this year, brought our friends from Medellin, a mixed group of young adults. There were 21 people from various churches, and various focus' in work.
  We had the band "Risen" preform a street concert with Pueblo Fuerte, the local church here, they introduced a song about the importance of taking care of the island in respect to the trash. They are a reggae band, but the song was done in the "champeta" style which is the local sound here. The people here loved it. They also did selections of their other music and shared the gospel story as well.


  A team worked with young kids, offering different activities and crafts. There was no school during the week because of the holiday, so they had a lot of kids there all the time. There was a team that did evangelism and worked with parents also.


  We had a filter crew who made 3 filters while they were here, they participated in the whole process. Bringing the mold, assembling, making concrete, washing the sand, and presenting it to the new owners. The team raised enough to do 9 filters, so we have more that we can install.


 A group of photographers floated between all the activities and recorded and documented all the work that was done.
Here is a video they did about the way they carry water.

 Of course we had a beach day to enjoy, and the evenings were spent with team members who had been here before visiting friends, and fellowship. It was great to get to know more people who want to serve the Lord, and have great hearts. It was busy and time flew by fast.

 Elizabeth and Migue were the team leaders, and organized the team and projects. They are a great help with all they do to support us here, and they mentor and encourage others to get involved with serving others. They have been coming once a year with a team, and visiting in between, this time Elizabeth came pregnant. Their boy, Josue, is due in August. We appreciate their passion for ministry.

 We had 30 plus persons for all the meal times, and a small outdoor kitchen to do it all in. We are thankful to the El Shadday cooks who worked that week to prepare all the food. El Shadday lent us all the tables and chairs for the week. This is a testimony to the Lord, all the different churches and organizations that come together to make this happen. We love having the teams, thank you to all who support us here. There are a lot of different pieces from a lot of different people that all come together to allow this to happen. The glory is the Lord's.

Team Maryland -

 Mancusos family (Rob along with his wife Amy, and kids Thomas and Meredith)



Lohr family (Bob, Zack, and Kristen)

We were blessed with a team from Maryland March 16-22nd. (Sorry for the delay on this post).

Our family looks forward to teams when they come but this one is extra special. Rob has become such a good friend to our family and my kids love reuniting with Meredith whom we claim as one of ours while she is here. She is glued to my girls when she is here and really after 7 kids whats one more? We enjoyed meeting Thomas and Amy Mancuso for our first time as well Kristen and Zach Lorh. There is something however to be said when Christians come together it's like we already have been friends.

This team also blessed us with gifts from the states. Peanut butter, chocolate chips, cookies and candy. They also gave a widow whom the team worked with before a new Bible in large print. A missionary partner here also got a new leather Bible he has been wishing for. The neighbor girl received a new dresses, and shirts were given to the guys that work with us. The team brings more than monetary gifts. They bring friendship that these people are excited to have established with them over there many visits. That is a valuable thing!

This team came ready to work! They worked daily in the hot sun building a shed for our filter mold, tools and materials to be stored properly.  The rainy season is coming and we need to keep the materials dry. The team provided the funds for the shed which is a blessing. We also made two complete filters, and we will be finishing 8 more with the funds they brought. Kristen Lohr, a physician's assistant, went to the local school here and taught classes to the older kids about nutrition and sexually transmitted diseases . The local radio station also hosted her, with Alicia as her translator, to talk about how to make community better and the importance of the filters. Our girls, Tara and Amy made the meals. This was a lot of work but we enjoyed their time cooking and bonding with Amy. The physical work creates big appetites, Zack Lohr made sure no food was wasted.

The week went by too fast! Memories were made and friendships were increased. We are thankful to have this time to spend together and our hearts look forward to their return visits.

The team! Ariels, Lohrs, and Mancusos!

The girls with Meredith!