"Ready or not...... here comes team season!" The second week of June team season started and in a way it had felt like we had this huge anticipation and apprehension at the same time. We had missed summer last year so we were both really excited and a tad unsure thinking 'what did we get ourselves into'. And let me just say, HOLY COW!!

And now let me explain. :) On the 'off' season there is a lot of ministry that happens but on a bit of a smaller scale (it's just us 3-4 families with occational teams) This last 8 weeks we have had nonstop teams with nonstop ministering to the communities around El Ayudante. We've put in a countless amount of water filters (ok, there's a number somewhere but I didn't keep track), poured many cement floors, built a house, we went to schools and did VBS programs, painted, visited many churches and hugged hundreds of people. It's to much to count.

This sounds a bit daunting but because God has placed all of us families together - we all had our part and it was fun. Many days we were part of the VBS at the schools; Hannah got really good at balloon animals and face painting. Isaac enjoyed just hanging out with the kids. Jeremie was with teams for cement floors and other construction projects. Other days were filled with cooking at the mission house and playtime with kids. And on top of all of it, it was really fun getting to know other people from around the states who love Honduras as well. Isaac loved it when it was 'our turn' to eat with the team and I think Hannah would have spent every waking minute at the mission house - hanging out.

The first week of June my heart had many questions. 'Are we gonna survive?' 'will we still like each other at the end of this?' 'will my kids hate it?' And at the end, looking back - all of those worries were the enemy trying to steal the wonderful gift of  serving others. I look back thinking of when I was a counselor at camp. How busy and full those summers were but also how those summers were the best memories.






Also, going into this summer, God had really pressed it upon my heart that this would be a summer Hannah wouldn't forget. That this summer would be huge pin point into her life. And I'm not sure what all God has done in her heart but I do know that He has done something. She said to me last week, " mom, I'm helping with face painting and translating for the team"  (and she did just that)





So, even though we all will look forward to a nap, these last few months have been wonderful. Full of fun, laughing, learning, using our Spanish, loving on people with our hands and our hearts. But most of all, it has touched our hearts and lives forever. I hope that what my kids got out of this summer is that God loves people and that he wants to use us and others to demonstrate that love.

And yes, here are more pictures, because I love taking pictures :)

 

'measuring' the walls to the house a team built

lots and lots of face and hand painting happening

Hannah, Riley, Kai and Isaac testing out the sack races

Helping the dentists with fluoride treatments at the school

Being a big helper during water filters

Mixing cement for a neighbors floor

Catching a ride between work

VBS in Lo De Reina school - and our neighbors
it can make you thirsty :)

Learning about the Armor of God - and making a cool
sword for some great sword fights :)

more cement :)

VBS in Playitas

Constructed a playground for a school -
Jeremie signed the top somewhere :)

more floride helpers



Washing sand for water filter installation

 

 

 

more cement for floors

Me and Yansi at VBS

 

Not a 'normal' life

Snack time while installing water filters

So, as a mom I have been struggling with knowing my children are not getting a 'normal' childhood. There have been many articles about such thing as 'third culture kids' and MK (missionary kid) kid struggles. These articles say that living in another culture has its definite positives but that it can also bring up many challenges. Things like MK kids never really fit in - in their culture where they are living now or their birth country.



In a way this saddens me. I want to give my kids the best childhood I possibly can but as I sit and whine to God about how Hannah is missing out, I remember that I don't want to raise my kids 'normal'.

Isaac playing with the kindergarden kids at VBS

I don't want my kids to fit into the norm of life. Yes I want them to be happy and have friends but even more then that I want them to love Jesus with all of their heart. I want them to love people no matter their skin color or culture. I want them to change the world they live in. And I think giving up some of the normal things become worth it.

So instead of deciding that they are missing out, I am going to focus on the positive things. And the good is really, really good.

face painting

Hannah loves people. She wants to be involved in everything. She attaches herself to all of these short term teams and has many wonderful role models of what it means to be a Christian. When we have VBS, instead of her being a part of the kids, she gets to use her gifts and help.
Last week she learned how to face paint and make balloon animals. She knows where everything is and organizes everything. If she were old enough I think she could run this place :)

Me, Hannah and Alejandra giving fluoride treatments to
a school up the mountain



Hannah and Dra. Blanca giving fluoride treatments
at a school

She loves the Drs. that are here. Again, great role models. She has recently told me that she wants to be a dentist and help the Drs. here. (I'm not sure if I'm ready for that one- she's suppose to live close to me forever right?)





We have a very small house at the moment. Sometimes it feels to small but then sometimes it is just right. There is no place to 'go away and hide'. Life happens very close to each other and with each other. And I really like it.

Um, need I say more :)
mud makes kids happy

I love that mud is the favorite toy. Ok, I really don't like cleaning it up, but really, doesn't everyone want to get messy and jump in mud puddles sometimes? Isaac will play in the puddles with his cars for hours! And Hannah enjoys playing with him. I love that Hannah isn't growing up super fast. She already is pushing to grow up and this slower life slows her down some.

I love listening to Hannah speak Spanish and play with her friends.

I love it when Jeremie and Isaac can work together. Isaac follows him around and tells everyone, "I go work with dad". And he is so proud that he gets to help.

helping daddy build a house

And even though when the power goes out it makes everything harder, (dishes etc.) it forces everything to slow down. The cards come out and so do the books. Reading by flashlight is quite fun. :)





I'm not saying that raising kids in the states is a bad thing - cause it's not. But our choice to live wherever we live, comes with a choice to focus on the good of life and find joy.






And no, it's not all roses. Sometimes I just wish I could go to the store and buy pre-made cookie dough, bread crumbs, pie crust and crescent rolls. But then I calm down and choose to make a memory. So I make cookie dough (and everything else). I remember that kids grow up way to fast and at this time I have a great opportunity to be close to my kids and share life together.

installing water filters - he's such a big helper