Family:
Well, the makeup of our family here on the hill in Benitzul has changed once again. Originally, we built our new houses so that the McKinneys could have a whole house to themselves and we could divide our house in two to share the other side with Nina and Flori. When we first moved over in March, we didn't know what to do with ourselves- we actually had some space to move around, privacy, and our very own bathroom! We did enjoy the space and our new amenities for several months, but then we began to realize that is was not quite fair nor very Jesus-like that our coworkers Cesar and Ricardo were living in our old houses and cooking in the old kitchen in the pretty poor conditions that we had lived in for the first seven months of our time here. So, we decided to guard the McKinney's space (a MUST for a family with four children) and further divide our house so that Nina could share our half and Cesar and Ricardo could share Flori's half. We also moved over their small stove and built them a few shelves to store their food in our new kitchen. Yes, things are a bit more crowded, and our privacy is fairly non-existent once again, but we haven't regretted it one moment! For one, we now feel more like equals with the Guatemalans we are working with, as we regularly share meals and non-work -related conversations with them. And we also feel more like family- a multi-cultural family! We are thankful that God put it on our hearts to become more considerate of others and act more like Jesus. So I guess that takes us from "Hatchell, party-of-nine" to "party-of-twelve!"
Broken toes:
We had our first real incident in the Valley about three weeks ago as Kris was taking the motorcycle down a steep hill right next to our houses, got off balance, and fell with it on his left foot. He was in quite a bit of pain at first and had several bruises and some swelling, as well. We decided, though, that it wasn't an emergency and that we could wait until the following day, when we already had planned a trip into Coban, to take Kris to get it X-rayed. Kris got the X-ray for less than $20 at the Coban Red Cross, and then he took the X-rays to a doctor we knew in Coban and received a free reading and free soft cast to wrap his foot in (guess there are some pluses to receiving medical care in a third world country). The Coban doctor said he thought knew the big toe was broken and thought the top of the foot was as well, and he recommended that Kris stay off of the foot completely for about a month. This was harsh news to receive, considering the type of terrain that we live and work in! However, upon the advice of several friends, we got a second opinion from both my brother (a radiologist) and a recommended orthopedic surgeon- two more free readings (guess it pays to be missionaries, as well!) . Thankfully, both of them said that it was just a broken toe, and the surgeon said that he could begin walking again as soon as he felt comfortable with it. With that news, Kris took off the soft cast before the week was up and began walking on it (very carefully, mind you) soon after. He has slowly but significantly been recovering day-by-day, even getting to a point of being comfortable driving the stick shift into Coban. We hope that within the next week or so he can start with some short hikes... he is definitely tired of spending the majority of his time on his rear end! We are extremely thankful that the injury wasn't worse and that he has been progressing well. (And I am secretly thankful to have a valid argument now against his desire to purchase a motorcycle when we return to the States!)
Rain:
Rain. And more rain. The rainy season has set in once again. I think that possibly only Kevin and Ginger and the boys could truly understand what that entails, but let's just describe it as waking up in a cloud, going to sleep in a cloud (maybe seeing the sun peek out for 30 minutes or so during the day), being woken up almost every night by a several-hour heavy downpour, and being chilled to the bone from the moment you get out of bed to the moment you get back in (which is one reason we have recently gotten in the habit of going to bed at about 8pm and not getting out of bed until about 7am). After nicer weather the past few months, I had tried to convince myself that maybe the rainy season wouldn't be as bad this year... Ha! At least living here has helped us to realize that we couldn't make it in Seattle. Our moods are definitely affected by the weather, and when we can't get outside and exercise we both begin to get more than a little stir crazy. You add the weather on top of Kris being "home bound" because of his foot and things begin to get a little scary- the other day he said, "I think I'm beginning to see the Shining!". BUT... we made it last winter, and we'll make it again this time... just with the necessary help of plastic boots, a warm bed, and lots of coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.
Possessiveness
Last night at 2am, when I was awakened by the nightly downpour, I began reading A. W. Tozer's book "The Pursuit of God." The second chapter was a pretty enlightening and challenging read as it talked about the sin of possessiveness. It talked about how God blesses us with lots of things and people in our lives, and yet many of us hold too tightly to these "worldly" gifts, and we spend way too much time storing up treasures here on earth rather than in Heaven. Tozer reminded us that just like the rich young ruler and Abraham with his son Isaac and all of the apostles, we must give up our "possessiveness" in order to follow Jesus. In some ways, the move to Guatemala has helped to break me of much of my possessiveness. However, I was still convicted of my possessiveness in regards to personal space and privacy, as well as with my clothes and warm bed and all of the "comforts" that I have grown to depend upon even in a third world country, my possessiveness in regards to my relationships with my mom and other girlfriends and how much I miss them at times and desire to return home, my possessiveness with Kris as my life partner- assuming that he will always be by my side, when God is the only one who can guarantee His eternal Presence with me. I encourage all of those who are reading this and realizing that maybe you have been caught up in the sin of possessiveness to pray this prayer which Tozer used to close his chapter:
"Father, I want to know Thee, but my coward heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from Thee the terror of parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart all those things which I have cherished so long and which have become a very part of my living self, so that Thou mayest enter and dwell there without a rival. Then shalt Thou make the place of Thy glorious feet. Then shall my heart have no need of the sun to shine in it, for Thyself will be the light of it, and there shall be no night there. In Jesus' name, Amen."
