svoboda ville

Torn

You know how sometimes you get a chance to glance back on time and ponder? I've had that rare opportunity today, and I see one thing in particular that stands out: I am stuck in the middle of two worlds. I'm fully up to my eyeballs in Dark Lost Tribal World, and Western Shiny Alseep in the Light World. I'm pulled emotionally by the desperation and lost-ness of our tribal friends. I'm pulled and frustrated by the commercialism, materialism and distraction that is overwhelming the American Church (it's amazing what you see when you back up about 10,000 miles). I'm saddenned by both situations, and feel deeply responsible to both.

I'm torn exactly in two.

I wrestled some with this as I also pondered how on earth can we bring Light to such a dark place when we've come to the village as broken, ruined people?

At first, I was overwhelmed by this because I thought, "Oh no. I am not capable, qualified or worthy to stand in the gap!" Then I remembered that it's not my job actually to be the bridge. That's what Jesus is. He is the Bridge. I just get to be here as He makes the connection between darkness and Light. I cannot wait.

To you, dear beloved Church of America I say: "Glory is waiting outside your window, baby open up your eyes… Hearts are stronger as they're broken. All these victims stand in line for the crumbs that fall from the table, just enough to get by. All the while, your invitation.... wake on up from your slumber! Open up your eyes!" (Needtobreathe) [also – I, in no way – at all - am referring to the political situation]

To you dear lost ones I say: "This is not the end. We will open our eyes wide, wide, wider! This is not our last…our last breath. We will open our mouths wide, wider. This is not the end of us. We will shine like the stars, bright, brighter!" (Gungor)

My heart will burst before I can handle how full it is for both sides. Good thing I have special overflow units – and that I need not shoulder these burdens alone.

This is my one consolation.

1 Year

Well, it came an went quietly. Another year has moved us all along in life. For our family this year was more full than normal. This past Christmas season marked our first year living in the village. That sentence sounds too simple. This 1 year has felt like 5, and both of us feel like we've aged!

What we've learned this year cannot be complied or condensed into one blog post or many. I believe we will be working through what we've learned this year for many years to come. We are thankful for God's grace as He has carried us through some high waters this year (with snakes!). And we know that He carries us still.

Christmas season 2011

Christmas season 2012

To a New Year!

Cheers!

Cozy Christmas in the Little Village

Happy New Year!

Here are some photos from our fun week of Christmas celebration in here.

Said temporary goodbyes at the airstrip on flight day on Friday before Christmas. Giggly girls share big hugs. :)

Celebrated our family Christmas on Christmas Eve with a yummy feast.

Opened some gifts,

Really were quite happy about some of those gifts,

Played with some packing material.

"What....is.....THIS?!" Phil made a wooden machete (parang) for Quinn - then Nadia wrapped it in pink paper for him. :) Every little boy needs people like them in their lives.

Have parang and kindai, will travel.

His parang is his new favorite toy. :)

Quinn setting the table - for four. :)

Nadia's favorite Christmas gift this year is, hands-down, her new umbrella. :)

St. Niclaus

Fun times here in village land.

So fun, in fact, that it's exhausting. Here, my baby boy can barely keep his eyes open as lunch time approaches these days - as he is now too cool for two naps a day.

Today was St. Niclaus's Day. Yesterday we learned why, as Irene shared with us the German tradition of St. Niclaus.

While waiting for the Ullum's to arrive back here with us in the village, we heard the story of Bishop Niclaus of Turkey who lived around 300 A.D. - and how generous and kind he was. The kids listened with all attention.

Well - the big kids listened. Mr. Baby just ate cookies. :)

We added in a lovely way to our family Christmas tradition yesterday. Thank you, Irene!

Nadia put out her empty shoe (rain boot) for Niclaus to come and fill. (She was appropriately skeptical) :)

She awoke early (um...very early) this morning to find that her boot had been filled with yummy treats. She was very excited about that, and talked about it all day.

We finished off our day by making Christmas cookies, red and green. (I am wearing clothes. i had just taken a shower, and was still in my sarong).

Quinn and Phil wait patiently for the cookies to be ready!

Jungle All the Way

Saturdays are days for projects around the house in our family. This past Saturday, we tackled our art supplies (and Phil repaired the roof - a much bigger, more important project!). We found that we had lots of broken, blunt and used up crayons.

So, we got to work peeling, sorting and snapping our old crayons.

We put them in little muffin cups.

Set them in the hot oven for a few minutes.

Let them cool, peeled them, and found that we had perfect crayons for our Bitty Man to use!

While we were at it, we chopped up some more crayons.

Then cut out some designs

Since we don't have black paper, i had to color mine in. :)

Laid the bits in like stained glass

Laid in a bit more.

Then melted it with a hot frying pan (because i don't have an iron). It looks messier than it's supposed to be. Whatever. We're in the jungle. Christmasy crayon projects are the best we can do sometimes...

Then on Sunday, we visited some friends and ate durian until we thought we'd pop. Then we brought 8 of those spiky, stinky things home. Then Monday we got 4 more. It's a good thing we like those things... and that we live in a place full of people who like to receive the gift of excess durian! :)

Holiday Kickoff - Jungle Style

Rainy season has begun here in our rainforest, and that always puts us in mind of Christmas! Usually we have a strict rule of waiting until December 1st (the 1st day of Advent) to begin our Christmas celebrations. But this year will take extra effort, and we're too excited to hold back!

Thumb print Christmas lights by the kids.

Making the thumbprint Christmas lights - Quinn was much happier about it than he looks here...

Nadia crushing coconut cookies for the crumb crust of our Thanksgiving chocolate cream pie.

Busy day celebrating Thanksgiving with our partners and 2 visitors. Yummy feasty fun!

Trying to Christmasify our little jungle home. Decorating our little bitty and beloved Christmas tree.

In other news, here's the banana tree we planted in the yard. We'll see how big he gets. Nadia and Zippy like to check the progress daily.

Rainy season also means durian season! YAY!!!! Here, Nadia enjoys her OWN durian. In the past day and a half we sort of have eaten 6 of em....

So far i've avoided the heartache of trying, in vain, to make things grow here. The other day, i caved. I planted some papaya, pumpkin and pandan. My neighbor helped me make a little fence, and she's on board now to help me keep these little babies going. Trying so hard not to hang on too tight....

Oh, and this. Today Nadia drew me a picture. Of a "Date Bike". This is a bike for 2 (something she's never heard of... she thinks she's invented it), and that's me driving and her riding. We're going on a date. On the Date Bike. :)

Busy Times in the Little Village

Getting re-settled and re-set up here in our village home this past week has kept us quite busy! Quinn was sick with a fever for a few days - now Phil is taking his turn there. :(

Mr. Baby playing with his favorite little truck (Thank you, Auntie Shell!)

Our dog, Zippy missed us while we were away, and we're all pretty happy to have her around again! Even if she's a little wall-eyed. :)

Aaaaaand - this morning, we had our first Jungle Ballet Class here at our house. Poor Abby was sick today with a fever too, but we're hoping she'll be able to join us next week for bending, stretching, pointing our toes and twirling.