Rancho Oasis for Youth: December 2018

Notes from the first day of our marriage intensive week.

“Liminality is linked to the idea of thresholds (the Latin word is related to doorsteps), it’s about passing through into somewhere, something new. It’s the place where transformation happens.”

Part of me wishes to tell you that “everything is back to normal.” (Whatever “normal” is!!!) That our healing is complete and there is no more need of counseling. I want to tell you that I found the “perfect” job and I started “yesterday”! I want to tell you that our marriage has never been better and that our children obey every command and excel at every activity and academic subject! I want to tell you that my walk with Jesus has never been deeper. But these things are just not so. It wouldn’t be honest or real! And none of it, no matter how good it sounds, would require an active faith that looks to Jesus and sees His goodness regardless of the surplus or lack of mine.

We are on the “threshold”. Sometimes looking back and overcome with grief, but most often trying to look forward lamenting what could have been, yet hopeful & thankful for who God is and what He is doing in our lives...

Part 1 focuses on Our Journey Up to this Point:

Our involvement with ministry & missions, from Iowa to Honduras!

(You can skip if you know us & our story well!)

Part 2 focuses on Our Re-entry & New Life in the USA.

(An essential watch for the support team member.)

While at our marriage intensive, our counselor told us his estimate for our transition / re-entry: 3 years!!! Folks it has been just over 5 months since our return to the States! So, we hold onto Jesus with "trembling hands and weak knees" and continue this journey.

One of the exciting things about being “between” is the sense of wonder and dependency that it creates in our walk with Jesus. We can’t rely on our routine, because we don’t have one!

Happy Birthday, Mathias! Two years old!

An example would be “discovering” a new school for the kids! (I put discover in quotes because the Lord lead us to the school and simultaneously answered our prayers.) Let me explain…

After rebooting the “Three R’s and Bible” Homeschool routine, it became evidently clear that this would not be a long-term reality for our family. In all honesty, it was our only option in Honduras, but now living in the Springs there are a lot more educational models to choose from. While doing research on-line, Marillyn found a model of school that integrated classroom teaching with homeschooling! She loved the idea, but could not find a location near us. So, we continued to pray for wisdom.

Well, back up a few steps. In October or so, I began to reach out to a variety of different craft show organizers to see if we could sell the trade school student’s paper-bead ornaments and jewelry. One particular event was being held at the Manitou Springs High School about 30 minutes from us. After giving up hope on the event, I finally heard back from the organizer a few weeks after my original message. She was very gracious and apologized for her delay in answering my inquiry. It turns out that the vendor booths were all taken when I wrote (a pretty common response from the majority of events), but she read our story and was moved to approach the organizers and ask if they would make additional space just for us! She was happy to report that the organizers agreed and invited us to the event! In the course of the next few weeks, another larger (aka more “traffic”) high school craft fair opened up, but I felt strongly that we were to attend the Manitou Springs event! It was obvious that God opened the door for us to attend and I had a sense that the craft fair was going to bring more than sales!

It was Saturday, November 17th and after setting up in the gymnasium, we began to chat with some of our neighbor vendors. I hit it off with a mom and her daughter across the aisle from us. We began to talk about life in Colorado Springs and eventually our transition. I explained our desire to change up the kids’ education style and she lit up with excitement as she begin to tell us about her experience with the University School of Colorado (USCO). It was a Christ-centered hybrid school of three school days and two home school days! Exactly what Marillyn had discovered on-line!

Our new vendor-friend, mentioned that one of USCO’s teachers was present at the craft fair selling her own crafts. So, she took Marillyn and introduced her. Marillyn came back to our booth nearly 45 minutes later with tears welling up in her eyes! “This is exactly what we have been praying for!” After further discussion, we were introduced to ANOTHER former teacher of USCO! We knew after meeting three individuals involved with the University School that our meeting was not coincidence! (In fact, it sleeted that Saturday and the weather greatly affected the craft fair turn out! Our sales were still good, but God confirmed that we were there to be introduced to the USCO family!)

Post Thanksgiving Hike @ Pulpit Rock

After Thanksgiving we scheduled a school visit and our excitement only grew for the education offered at USCO. We learned that students in the elementary school have classroom days on Tuesday and Thursday, then an “enrichment” day on Wednesdays! Monday’s and Friday’s focus on homeschool assignments that are given during the week! We felt that this Jesus focused education was perfect for our kids to help them transition into their new life in the States! Our next step was to assess the kids and have them “shadow” a day of school.

Our shadow day was full of excitement! The kids were adorably nervous and excited for their “new school!” Naomi sat in on the 5^th grade class, Tabitha with the 4^th graders, Tobias with the 1^st and Poema in the K5 classroom. (Poema was actually with the vendor that we met at the craft fair!) As we met the kids in the afternoon, they could not stop talking about the day, the school and their new friends. One of the most touching moments was shared by Tabitha. She was asked to stand before the class and tell a bit about herself. She shared about her former life in Honduras then broke down crying in front of the other students! Her classmates then encircled her and prayed for her! The bond of friendship was sealed!

Tabitha wins her first archery competition (upper right photo)!

Another confirmation that USCO was the right school for us came from our discussion with the elementary principal. We learned that Julie had two adopted children from China, one of whom was recovering from sexual abuse trauma. Not only could Principal Julie sympathize with our experience, but her own parenting challenges with her kids brought a deeper empathy to our experience of parenting children of sexual abuse! (Also, did I mention that all of the kids books were generously & anonymously donated!!! God is faithful!!!)

All that said and done, the kids have been successfully enrolled for the 2019 Spring semester at USCO! (As expected each of the kids had academic strengths and weakness. Tabitha, Tobias and Poema were enrolled for classes three days a week. Unfortunately, though Naomi was placed in the 5^th grade class, they were full! However, we found a compromise! Naomi will attend the enrichment Wednesday’s at USCO to build friendships at the school and study in the home to be better prepared to enter the 6^th grade class in the Fall of 2019. The classroom size doubles in 6^th grade, so there should not be any issues with her ability to enroll. In the meantime, Naomi will continue to study at home and possibly be tutored by a young woman from church that she adores!)

As expected, a private Christian education is an investment! Not only for our children, but for Marillyn as we have quickly learned that being a home-school teacher and director was not her strength! So we have taken a step of faith that God will provide whether through donations, scholarships, supporters, work salaries or a combination of the above! The Spring semester is costing nearly $7,000 in total! (Broken down into five monthly payments of ~$1,400.) One of our supporting families has committed to support the education needs giving at least $700 monthly. We have applied for scholarship via a local non-profit and are awaiting to hear their reply. (We will be eligible for USCO scholarship in the 2019 Fall semester, per their scholarship requirements.) And, of course, I hope to be starting a new part-time job in the coming weeks!

Naomi dances in the Nutcracker with the Russian Ballet!

Speaking of work, I have another God directed liminal space story!

Upon our arrival to Colorado Springs we sought out a chiropractic office for the whole family. Not only did we find a great deal for a monthly payment plan for all seven of us, but we met a great Christian chiropractor at PLE Chiropractic. During one of our weekly visits, Dr. Paul introduced us to Niki. We learned that we had a similar background of ministry with youth and that her and her family were soon going to be entering the mission field in Guatemala. A friendship was birthed and within a few weeks I met with Niki’s husband, Jeremiah for tea at one of my favorite local coffee houses! Jeremiah and I bonded instantly and we were able to speak freely with each other about family, transition, and life on the mission field.

As a result of that conversation, Jeremiah introduced me to his brother-in-law, Noah, who was starting a new branch of his business in Colorado Springs. I met with Noah within a week and we have committed to meet regularly to help train and prepare me for potentially working together. Though I have never considered this field of work prior to our meeting, the camaraderie of work relationships and potential to use and develop my skill-set really resonated with my heart and thoughts about work. It was truly an answer to prayer!

So, my desire is to invest time and energy into this preparation and find a part-time job on the side to help pay our monthly expenses! In the meantime, we are planning to apply for food and medical assistance through the state of Colorado. It is humbling, but we are trusting the Lord for His provision and timing for our family!

PRAISE for great sales with the paper-bead jewelry & essential oils!

Marillyn and I are also partnering together to develop the business with Young Living Essential Oils. In December, she held a party for the ladies at church and even used a table at our final craft fair to promote her business with DIY “make & take” essential oil sprays and roll-ons! She is amazing at what she does! So be on the lookout for more details and please reach out to Marillyn or I with questions!

Regarding the selling of the property in Ojojona, we are currently in talks with some friends that sound very promising. They are missionaries in Tegucigalpa who want to bring their ministry to a quieter more serene setting. PRAY that God would confirm the purchase in their hearts and minds and that He will provide! We are excited for the possibility of our former home to be continued to be used for ministry and God’s kingdom! PRAY!

We made it!
Afternoon "rest" shots from our marriage intensive with Quiet Waters.
Each morning was 3 hours of counseling!

PRAISE for our week long marriage intensive! We were encouraged that in many ways we have been heading in the right direction. We also received many new “tools” and homework assignments to help us to continue to adjust and create a healthy marriage and family setting! PRAY for us as Mare and I continue to build our marriage! Here is a fun, simple tool that was shared with us: The Gottman Card Decks App.

Feliz cumpleaños, Tobias! Eight years old!

PRAY for our new home church, Calvary Chapel True North. The church is going through many of it’s own “liminal space” issues. Most likely the church will be moving to a new building starting in February. PRAY for Jon as he continues to serve by leading worship and for Naomi & Tabitha as they serve in the children’s ministry.

PRAISE for Marillyn's new hearing aid through the Miracle Ear Foundation!

Tubing Family Fun in Fraser, Co!

PRAISE for the body-health help we are receiving through Upstream Functional Medicine. Jon's adrenal gland fatigue was confirmed through a series of tests and he is slowly on the mend; Marillyn's gut-health was also below par and she is working through SIBO treatment. Poco a poco!

PRAISE for a seasonal part-time job delivering pastries, though sadly, it is over!

PRAY for Jon as he begins his search for new employment! (For those supporters able and willing to continue their financial support, we would be highly appreciative in this time as we anticipate the majority of our support to stop at the turn of the year. This is quite the adjustment for us as we have faithfully relied on God’s provision via our support team for the last eight-plus years! We desire to continue to trust the Lord for His provision & direction financially!)