Clarity

September 10th - Written by Rose

Today marks three weeks since we arrived in Mexico – what a blur it’s been.  It many ways it feels like we just got here, and in others it feels like it’s been months.  So much has happened in such a short time.  The first two weeks were especially full of adventures for us – figuring out how to purchase groceries, make food, get our internet connected (okay…that one we just figured out yesterday), go to new churches, explore the community of Tannendorf (the village we live in), climb the mountains around us (physically and metaphorically), learn to  homeschool, figure out how/where to see a doctor, get the school set up and the list could go on, and on….and on.  Like I said, a blur.  Yet in the blurriness and adjustment of the last few weeks there is clarity over a few things - perhaps like never before.  

What matters most is the same.  We eat. We sleep. We laugh. We cry. We have good days – days that are harder. We pray.  We have each other – family. We work together. We go to church. We worship. We read the Bible. We trust. God is in control – here, there, wherever we are.  The most important things have not changed for us.  That part makes the adjustment easier than we expected. These are the things we focus on – the things that remain the same, despite our change in location.

We are unbelievably materially blessed in Canada!  We have everything we need and more at our fingertips. If we don’t feel like heading to town to shop, we can go shopping online. If we’d prefer to have someone else do our grocery shopping for us, Superstore is happy to cater. Selection and variety overflows from every corner –  1%, 2%, or whole milk? Or maybe lactose free? Almond? Cashew? Oat Milk? Here in Mexico – milk! Don’t get me wrong, I don’t even like milk, so this example doesn’t really affect me too much.  But…I do love shopping, and the simplicity of it here definitely affects the way I shop, and the amount of time I spend in the store.  This reality alone can change one’s perspective and bring things back into focus – less is more, isn’t that how the saying goes?  (to be honest, I’m still working on convincing myself of this. Lol)

How it feels to be unknown.  I’ve never experienced anything quite like it.  What you do for work doesn’t matter.  Neither does where you’re from, who your parents are, where your home church is, how much money you make or who your friends are. There’s no Mennonite game to play, where eventually they figure out who you are. You are simply unknown. A stranger. Someone in another country, with no history to those around you.  You are completely at the mercy of the people you meet – especially when you do not know the language.  You meet people that you start conversations with, never knowing if you’ll ever really visit with them again.  As the days go on, you ache for children to play with your children – even if you’re a stranger – to just accept them and run off and play. Again, I find myself having deep conversations in my mind, wondering how many people feel this way. How many times have those around me felt unknown and I done nothing to befriend them or try to get to know them? How incredibly humbling.  We have had several people here show us such kindness – I can’t even express in words how much that means to us.  Beyond that, however, how I praise God that He knows me! He knows every hair on my head. He knit me together in my mother’s womb.  He knows me better than I know myself. I am known by the One - The Only. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords – even as I type these words, this truth brings me so much joy. Again -  Perspective and clarity.

22 days in Mexico. Already we’ve experienced and learned so much.  We press on, eager to see what else God will teach us, and praying that we can represent Him in a way that brings Him much glory and praise! He alone is worthy.

Thank you so, so much for all your prayers and love!!!