As I write this it is 32 degrees. The wind chill is 22 and
we are supposed to receive up to 7 inches of snow today. But I am thankful.
In eight weeks we are moving to Peru. It is an exciting time
but also difficult. We often talk to the kids and say things like, “this is the
last time we will…” I would like to say this is the last time we will see snow,
but I am sure that I would be wrong.
As we are preparing, we have been traveling to churches,
talking with individuals and sharing with small groups, in order to raise
financial and prayer support. But there are other things we must do to prepare.
Like clean out the cupboards and freezer and eat up all the food that has been
sitting there for years. Well maybe not years but a while. The problem is all
that is left is pickled beets and ground sausage. You can only do so much with
beets and sausage. Sausage and eggs for breakfast, sausage and noodles for
lunch, sausage chili for dinner, with pickled beets on the side. It is getting
old. But I suppose it is good preparation for Yurimaguas where it is mostly
chicken and rice. I wonder if I can grow beets in the jungle?
Things are starting to get real.
This week I received one of those unwanted phone calls. You know.
The strange number on your phone that you know is a solicitor and you ignore
it. Well I answered. And after the brief pause Jerry comes on and asks if I want
to buy a home security system. I politely said I was not interested. But that
did not satisfy him. He responded, “That is what most people say but after a
fire or theft they usually call us back.” Then I had the ultimate response, “well
I am moving to South America and…” Click. He hung up on me. He probably thought
I was giving him a line but I am not that clever. At first I laughed but then
it hit me. I am moving to
South America.
The jokes are fun. “It is so cold, that does it, I have had
enough, I am moving to the jungle.” Or when I screw up something on a project, “Can’t
see that from Peru.” But this time the joke seemed more real. Eight weeks.
Freak out. In eight weeks I will be in a place where I don’t speak the
language, don’t know the culture, and will look different than everyone else.
The truth is God has called us to this. Beyond a shadow of a
doubt we know this is His will and direction for us. He has confirmed that
again and again. So my freaking out should not be in walking in His will but
instead in walking outside of His leading. It is sometimes uncomfortable to
follow His direction but I say it is much more uncomfortable to not follow.
Jesus was the ultimate example of this. As He was headed
into Jerusalem with the cross before Him he said: “Now my soul is troubled, and
what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? No, it was for this very
reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”
Our current trials don’t come close to the cross, yet we
should follow His example and walk on saying, “Father, glorify your name!”
If you are interested in free pickled beets or sausage let
me know.
~
Josh
Beets are not my thing, but we will buy some sausage. :) 8 weeks. Wow.
ReplyDeleteIn hindsight I should trade the sausage and beets for more interesting food, like liver.
ReplyDeleteEwww. Beets and liver have to be some of the top 2 nastiest foods to be eaten. Livers take out toxins so why would we eat that? Anyway it still doesn't feel real that you all are leaving. I pray that we feel that uncomfortable feeling you speak of if we indeed are not following His plan for us. We join you at the cross wanting to glorify our Father with you. Now let's talk about when our kids can come down there so their eyes can be opened to a culture other than one that just drives 2 minutes down the road to walmart to get whatever they need whenever they need it.
ReplyDeletewell said, praying for you and Aaron
DeleteEwww. Beets and liver have to be some of the top 2 nastiest foods to be eaten. Livers take out toxins so why would we eat that? Anyway it still doesn't feel real that you all are leaving. I pray that we feel that uncomfortable feeling you speak of if we indeed are not following His plan for us. We join you at the cross wanting to glorify our Father with you. Now let's talk about when our kids can come down there so their eyes can be opened to a culture other than one that just drives 2 minutes down the road to walmart to get whatever they need whenever they need it.
ReplyDelete