Where in the world did this decision come from?
Well, I told you next time I would explain how we came to our decision. I suppose now would be that time. Honestly, for me, it started as a joke. It's been probably about five years since it first came up; Tom and I were kidding around about what we were going to do when he retired after 25 years, and he jokingly said something similar to "Move to South America somewhere where I won't have to work and start a church". We laughed it off and never thought about it again, or at least I did. Sometime later he brought it up again, and I laughed again...and after a few instances of this I panicked when I realized he was seriously wanting me to consider this. I refused for quite a while. Let's be honest: I'm an anxiety riddled introvert who is most comfortable in my home, in the town where i grew up, 10 minutes from my folks. My only experiences living away from home include 4 years of college in North Carolina and 3 years of graduate school in Indiana (and that was tough for me, even though I dearly love my roommate and her family and owe much of my Christian maturity to them and the example they set) If you're reading this, Neill family, I love you.
But the more I thought and prayed about it, I came to see how amazing that experience might be and how that could benefit not only us (Tom and Melanie) but the kids too. How many elementary-aged kids do you know who are bilingual? How many have passports and have traveled internationally? How many have had the chance to see and experience firsthand other cultures? Develop a true appreciation for the blessings of Christ? To really be grateful and humbled by the fact that their belly is full and they have shoes that fit? I hope this doesn't come out the wrong way, but I WANT my kids to see what it looks like when God's children are hungry, poor, tired, and scared. I want them to develop that compassion for people - so that they might be better able to share the love of Christ and the message of hope with people who feel hopeless. Will they really ever understand those things living in America? I don't know, but I know we have an opportunity to take them somewhere where they will.
This is an opportunity for us all to grow, stretch, learn, minister, and experience things in ways we never would here in the U.S. Is it scary? Heck yes. Is it WAY out of my comfort zone? Heck yes. Do I know how to speak Spanish? Heck no. Am I dreading moving away from the only home my children have known, where all our memories as a family are? Absolutely. Am I dreading (and feeling guilty about) moving away from my parents and my brothers and their families, and my in-laws? Yes, yes, and yes. But here's the thing: I'm a wife and a mother. That whole 'leave and cleave' thing was for real. My role is to submit to my husband as he leads our family, and to guide and teach our children as they grow and mature in Christ. Tom understands his role as the head of our household -- he knows he is the provider and protector of this family, and he understands his responsibility to me and the kids. He also knows that God has called him to teach/preach. If we stayed here in the U.S., even after 25 years as the best-looking cop in the country, Tom would have to return to full-time work to provide for the family (or I would). Moving to Ecuador gives us the chance to minister however God wants to use us there while surviving on his retirement pay. Plus there are all the benefits I mentioned before...
Tom's mind was made up almost immediately on this, and he has never faltered in his conviction to follow through. To the contrary, each day I think his conviction grows stronger. He has such an excitement and enthusiasm for this. It has taken some time for me to get there, but I am truly excited for the opportunity. We visited Ecuador three years ago on a scouting trip of sorts and realized immediately how great of a place it would be for the kids to grow up. The weather is perfect all year long (in the 70s), and there are no bugs in the Andes. There is no humidity. The people are so friendly and interesting. The landscape and flora and fauna are amazing! The medical care seems certainly adequate and definitely cheaper than here. Housing is substantially lower than here, public transportation is cheap, safe, and clean. Honestly there wasn't a whole lot we didn't like, but we know 10 days wasn't enough for a thorough understanding so we expect some hiccups. The biggest downfall for me is the leaving home/family part. Definitely going to be some crying and major anxiety going on the closer we get to move day...
But the more I thought and prayed about it, I came to see how amazing that experience might be and how that could benefit not only us (Tom and Melanie) but the kids too. How many elementary-aged kids do you know who are bilingual? How many have passports and have traveled internationally? How many have had the chance to see and experience firsthand other cultures? Develop a true appreciation for the blessings of Christ? To really be grateful and humbled by the fact that their belly is full and they have shoes that fit? I hope this doesn't come out the wrong way, but I WANT my kids to see what it looks like when God's children are hungry, poor, tired, and scared. I want them to develop that compassion for people - so that they might be better able to share the love of Christ and the message of hope with people who feel hopeless. Will they really ever understand those things living in America? I don't know, but I know we have an opportunity to take them somewhere where they will.
This is an opportunity for us all to grow, stretch, learn, minister, and experience things in ways we never would here in the U.S. Is it scary? Heck yes. Is it WAY out of my comfort zone? Heck yes. Do I know how to speak Spanish? Heck no. Am I dreading moving away from the only home my children have known, where all our memories as a family are? Absolutely. Am I dreading (and feeling guilty about) moving away from my parents and my brothers and their families, and my in-laws? Yes, yes, and yes. But here's the thing: I'm a wife and a mother. That whole 'leave and cleave' thing was for real. My role is to submit to my husband as he leads our family, and to guide and teach our children as they grow and mature in Christ. Tom understands his role as the head of our household -- he knows he is the provider and protector of this family, and he understands his responsibility to me and the kids. He also knows that God has called him to teach/preach. If we stayed here in the U.S., even after 25 years as the best-looking cop in the country, Tom would have to return to full-time work to provide for the family (or I would). Moving to Ecuador gives us the chance to minister however God wants to use us there while surviving on his retirement pay. Plus there are all the benefits I mentioned before...
Tom's mind was made up almost immediately on this, and he has never faltered in his conviction to follow through. To the contrary, each day I think his conviction grows stronger. He has such an excitement and enthusiasm for this. It has taken some time for me to get there, but I am truly excited for the opportunity. We visited Ecuador three years ago on a scouting trip of sorts and realized immediately how great of a place it would be for the kids to grow up. The weather is perfect all year long (in the 70s), and there are no bugs in the Andes. There is no humidity. The people are so friendly and interesting. The landscape and flora and fauna are amazing! The medical care seems certainly adequate and definitely cheaper than here. Housing is substantially lower than here, public transportation is cheap, safe, and clean. Honestly there wasn't a whole lot we didn't like, but we know 10 days wasn't enough for a thorough understanding so we expect some hiccups. The biggest downfall for me is the leaving home/family part. Definitely going to be some crying and major anxiety going on the closer we get to move day...
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