It is crazy to think we have been here almost a month already! There have been some amazing experiences and some challenging ones too. So far we have been able to visit some rural villages, spend time with house parents and their kids, show my mom around town and get acquainted with a new town. The challenges we have faced have been small and large, but we have gotten through most of them..... others will be a process, but are part of the journey!
Some fun things about living here- hanging laundry out and it is dry in less than an hour; meeting new people all the time who are very friendly; driving on the other side of the road if necessary and no one bats an eye; garbage collection three times a week; starting to understand more and more spanish; seeing the kids learn another language; kids rollerblading in the house; cows and horses walking along the streets; discovering things in the market that I didn't think they had here; plants/trees in our backyard that I never imagined I would ever have (almond tree, mango, papaya, lime, lemon, cilantro, and palm trees)!
Some big hurdles/challenges we've faced- Elijah waking up with croup in the middle of the night- it was really bad and scary, but thankfully I remembered what to do; all-over body rash on Noah and not sure what from; feelings of being overwhelmed with leaning a new language; figuring out how to do things in a new country & culture; challenged by homeschooling for the first time and not feeling very confident; Steve discovering a hole in a tooth- needing a root canal; a couple of the kids freaking out about going to school here.... but through all these things, we know we are where we are supposed to be.
I have been reminded through all these things, hard and challenging, good and fun, that God is with us every step of the way. If we continue to look to Christ for wisdom, direction, and strength when we are weak, we can do anything through him! Steve and I (and the kids) know that God has something for us to do here. I am honored and privaledged to serve at Shadow of His Wings and be a part of a beautiful place full of beautiful people. What is life without helping others, living through hardships, and coming through it all to know we've done what the Creator of this world has asked us to do....nothing can compare. We have to remind ourselves daily that God will be our strength and to stay focussed on why we are here, not what is trying to get in the way and distract us from His plan.
Finally, I am so happy that we have experienced some breakthroughs. Our kids are feeling more and more at home here and making friends too. Today after picking them up from school, they all said they loved it and it wasn't too hard. I am so thankful for that! It is hard to see your kids struggle, but when you know they are safe, surrounded by great teachers and kids, and it is such a gift to learn another language, it is a relief when they begin to enjoy it and feel more comfortable! The kids are healthy again and Steve really likes the Dentist (which is a good thing with a few more appointments to come to fix his tooth... root canal this monday)! So, thanks for all the prayers many of you have sent our way- we can't do this without all of you too.... you are a part of our adventure and we are so thankful we are not alone!
Love you all, The Lindbergs
Hey guys, it's great to read about your adventures! We've been remembering you guys in prayer. We miss you all and it's much harder to win without Stevey on the rink! We used your family as an example at Lifegroup last week as one that really gets into the lives of people around them and makes a real practical difference. We know you'll be blessing to whoever you meet there. Be encouraged that your example encourages others to live like that!
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