It all started when a group of us Rose Creekers were leaving for Mexico last December. We were saying our goodbyes in the driveway. Ms. Rachel commented, “Yeah, one of these times it will be you and your family. You’ll be moving off to Mexico.”
In Mexico, I noticed the needs. Jason and Nicole were very, very busy. Traveling to the villages, preaching, visiting, entertaining guests, and providing medical care pulled them away. A lot. Responsibilities while they were gone were shared by several young brothers and sisters. But there were no resident papa and mama; someone who was always there to kiss the boo-boos J, keep the boys focused on their chores, befriend the teenagers, and all the other things that papas and mamas do. Jason and Nicole were awesome when they were there but they couldn’t always be there. Some things were falling through the cracks.
Jason suggested at one point that it would be easy for us to move to Mexico, since I know Spanish and have experience living in the third world. I countered, “But I have nine kids at home; how could it be right to expect support for such a large family on the mission field?” He responded, “We’re a lot already. What are a few more?”
We got back home. Life settled back into routine. But people would ask, “When are you moving to Mexico?” I think Mala and Ms. Dossie kept the rumor alive; they were part of the group who visited Mexico and knew the needs.
Another thing that was holding me back was my job at the Evergreen Farm Dairy. The Hayberts had been very kind to me over the years. I had helped them get into the dairy business and didn’t feel good about just pulling out.
In February, Jason and Nicole visited us in Tennessee. Jason spent a day with me at the dairy. That very day, Walt told me that he was going to have to shut down the dairy. Interesting coincidence. I felt free to consider Mexico.
But I still wasn't sure. God had to take me through some particularly stressful and painful things with my family and work until I got the picture. One day I got it: I’m acting like Jonah. If I don’t do what God is asking me to do, this storm will continue and this ship will go down.
Yes, God, I will go with my family, to Mexico.
