Carjacking

This evening we were at the video store, picking out a new movie for a family night. The kids and I got bored as Dad and Demar continued to look through all the movies, so I grabbed the keys and headed out the door to our van. The kids and I hopped in and I quickly asked each of them to lock the doors. I double checked and asked them again and tucked the keys under my thigh so that no one would know I had them.

It’s crazy, but I play the carjacking scenario in my mind every time we are stopped in the car and George is not with us. My thought is that if the doors are locked and I don’t have the keys (I usually ask George to take them with him) then the carjacker has few options. Without keys the poor carjacker has picked the wrong car. The truth is, I could care less about the car, it’s my precious cargo. My kids. Whatever it takes, no one will easily take my kids.

So as we wait, I play the scenario again in my head. The kids know why we lock the doors, but they do not know how often I plan the escape or how my mind wonders. I was regretting having the keys with me as I looked at the strange men visiting the tiendas next to the movie store.

Then I smiled and remembered a blog I never posted. The blog was about how a friend made the comment that our lives here in Guatemala seem so American. As I’m remembering her statement, my mind flutters to the thought “I think this is the same place the music teacher was driving as gunfire surrounded her car.”

My mind quickly goes back to the strange men… perhaps they are Christians; maybe they would be the good Samaritans who would run to our rescue if someone threatened us. Or is one of them drunk and desperate. Desperate enough to harm us.

My mind snaps back to the truth…I could plan scenarios, I could continue profiling the strange men or I could do as I always end up doing…I could trust God.

You know, it’s interesting. I never hid the keys or sent them in with George in Colorado. But here or there, we are called to trust. Trust the one God who saves!



If you would like to support what God is doing through us in Guatemala, click here. Follow our journey at www.GodCalledUs.com.

If you have questions or just want to catch up, do not hesitate to contact me directly. You can email me at vondasisneros@gmail.com or call our Magic Jack number in Guatemala, 970-449-9449 (local call for you). I would love to hear from you!

Deep and Wide are the Prayers that cover us.

My parents were visiting. Their first time to Guatemala. I could tell my
mom was looking for stories, things to tell all the friends and families
back home.

As she looked at me with eager eyes, I said “Mom, tell them to not
grow weary in prayer.” We are doing well and things are as they
should be. “We do not take this for granted. We see the covering...
we feel it.” I held my hands up and apart... “if I listed the blessings,
the provision and the protection we see it would be about this thick... it
is good and it is comforting. But what I know is that the blessings, the
provision and the protection is SOOO much thicker than we see or
feel. We don’t even know how deep it goes... but God does.”

The story is not new... but it is true as ever. Someday in heaven
someone from Guatemala will walk up to you who have prayed for us
and say “thank you for praying for the Sisneros’ family. Their strength
and obedience came from God because you prayed. I am here
because you prayed!”

If you pray for us, please do not grow weary. We are so thankful, and
know that battles are being fought on our behalf.

Our requests are simple at this point.

Pray for Guatemala. The people, the children, the small town of El
Rosario, the hungry, the homeless, the corruption.... Pray as the Holy
spirit leads.

Pray for discernment. We have a lot of decisions to make. Decisions
that concern our family and decisions about our ministry... what
exactly it will look like. How is God specifically equipping us to
minister? We want HIS place, and HIS time. We pray that each
choice we make pleases God.

Pray for continued confirmation. We are so human... always wanting
to be reminded that we are on the right path :)

Pray for our marriage. We are strong and in love... but we know that
our marriage is worth protecting at all times.

Pray for our children. As we move forward in ministry... we pray that
our kids hearts confirm the calling and that they know they are right
where God wants them. Doing his will.

Pray for protection and health. We know that our lives are in Gods
hands... it seems so much clearer here that we must rely on Him to
“live and move and have our being”. Nature and humans can destroy
it all so quickly.

We want to pray for you too...not growing weary goes both ways. Our
family wants to know your requests and we will pray!

Love,

Vonda

If you would like to support what God is doing through us in
Guatemala, go to www.GodCalledUs.com and click on the link
“Support this mission”.

If you have questions or just want to catch up, do not hesitate to
contact me directly. You can email me at vondasisneros@gmail.com
or call our Magic Jack number in Guatemala (local call for
you) 970-449-9449.

Dreaming in Spanish!

A few days ago I woke to a sweet voice telling her dad “I dreamed in Spanish and I understood what I was saying”.

I knew my kids would learn Spanish faster than me. It was my goal to keep up with them.  I can no longer keep up with them.  In less than 4 months their little young brains are just so much spongier than mine.  

I have now resolved to learn Spanish like I run.  Steady and slow.  Continue to train... stick to the schedule, make it a priority and just watch my body or in this case brain adjust to the ability it has.  I will receive no award, but I will become strong and I will finish the race. I will learn Spanish.  

I too will dream in Spanish!

We are here but we have not arrived!

When you completely surrender and give your life to Christ… the truth is He will do AMAZING things.  The other truth is that we are still human and we often fail to recognize what He is doing. We fail to recognize truly how amazing He is.  Many factors play in to the reality that what He is doing or has done does not match up in our minds and hearts.  Sometimes it is time that causes the equation to fail, sometimes it is health, it may be hunger, other times it is circumstances or even a lack of sleep.  I’ve come to realize that it is always combined with our feelings.  Those stinking feelings… I also know that Christ is not limited by any of these things!

We had some training and we read several books before we left.  I was ready to tackle the “culture shock” head on.  It reminds me of when I found out I was pregnant.  When I make big choices or find myself in big circumstances. I do my best to go into every situation with my eyes wide open.  I would feel like a fool if I didn’t look at both sides of the coin… if I had not prepared myself for all possibilities.  So three months in I can say this… just like having a baby and reading all the books, as wide as I open my eyes I always find out I missed something.  I will not go into details about what I missed while preparing for mother hood.  However I can tell you that as far as moving to another country… only one book slightly mentioned the words “culture fatigue” and I read that book the first week we were here.  I had no idea… I think it took its biggest toil on me. The kids are resilient, and George well he takes it like a man.  I however have been exhausted. Honestly I cannot think past this moment.

Many of you know I am serving at the Christian school that our kids attend here in Guatemala.  This is a blessing because I get to spend the day in the same halls as my kids.  However it has been a huge challenge to go back to work after 12 years of being a mom and homemaker.  This I know we no longer do what looks good and feels good.  We now do what Christ asks of us or least we try!  

George has been studying Spanish, seeking God, and visiting small outlying villages. We are ministering to those we meet and have come to know, but we also realize deep in our core that we are not with the people group that God intends us to serve. We are here but we have not arrived. Our plan was for George to visit many villages.  However circumstances out of our control… but in God’s have allowed George to visit one small village of about 1000 people 5 times.  Yesterday was my first time.  Oh my goodness.  Words cannot describe how I felt, what I saw and what I know.  As I sat on a stool on a dirt floor amidst six to eight little buildings made of brick and corn stock.  I felt like I was on a survivor TV set.  Who lives like this? I grew up with much less than anyone I know, yet so much more than anyone here. A great grandmother was sitting over in the shade while the Grandma and her five daughters sat around talking to George and I.  Their 22 children giggled and smiled and repeated every English word I said.  All the men were at work.  They pick and plant black berries I think.  They have no cars; they have no means to go far.  The town has a little packed out school house that serves the kids k-6^th.  The school house is a reflection of the corruption of a nation.  Each little building that surrounded us belonged to a portion of this large extended family.  Each little building had just one or two rooms.  Each room was either a “kitchen” or campfire in my eyes, or a bedroom.  Each bedroom had one or two beds. Each bed held three to four people.  None of these were double beds and none of these had box springs. There were ropes hung in the corners with clothes hug over them, a makeshift closet to hold the few extras they had.  It was like survivor… only the participants knew nothing else, no one is watching them, and no one is getting voted off. There is no prize at the end of a season.  This is life and this is living.  This may be the people group we will serve.  (The reality is more than half of the people in Guatemala live in similar conditions.)

It is strange and difficult.  It is obvious that new roofs and running water would make life better, but these people are not asking for anything, at least not for themselves.  However they are hungry. They are hungry for physical food and for spiritual food.  They are lost. They are stuck. They are surviving. They are not thriving.  What is the difference between surviving and thriving? It is what I said in the beginning.  Thriving begins with surrender…..

“When you completely surrender and give your life to Christ… the truth is He will do AMAZING things.  The other truth is that we are still human and we often fail to recognize what he is doing. We fail to recognize truly how amazing He is.  Many factors play in to the reality that what He is doing or has done does not match up in our minds and hearts.  Sometimes it is time that causes the equation to fail, sometimes it is health, it may be hunger, other times it is circumstances or even a lack of sleep.  I’ve come to realize that it is always combined with our feelings.  Those stinking feelings… ”  Just as we need to understand that Christ loves us right where we are in spite of our circumstances or feelings.  So do the people and children of Guatemala.

Please pray for us. We need the Lord to confirm this community, make it clear that this is where He want us!  We need support and discernment.  At what point do we move into to this little village? What will this look like for us and our children?  How will we ever show these people  the lover of their souls?  How could we walk away and not invest our lives... the truth of Christ's life into a group of people who have no way out? Please pray for us!

^{"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?" Romans 10:14,15}

Avoiding the Desert!

I have not written in a while.  I have not written because I have been avoiding something. I didn’t know how to put into words what I was avoiding, and well, I was not proud of how I felt… the feeling brought me to tears.   So I have done my best to avoid it.  Because we are away… few knew I was struggling. George could see right through me… and it frustrated him.  Why would I cry?

It has taken me over 4 ½ weeks to wrap my head around my tears. It has consumed my heart and my quiet times… which have been impossible to find.  I could blame it on the move. However the move has not been that hard.  I love it here, and do not miss Colorado.  Things are different, very different… but for me and my family a good different that we are embracing and loving.

The truth is… I have been discontent and frustrated. And if I was honest with anyone I would cry… I have been wanting more… and feeling stuck. I was not happy and finally because I asked for His help.  I felt God whisper “…stop avoiding the desert, I am providing.  You know it and you see it.” What desert you ask?  The space between today (or 4 ½ weeks ago) and the Promise Land of sorts.  It is hard to talk about because I will probably cry and it feels wrong to call what I am doing with my life right now, the desert. I am learning to find my comfort in God and His provision and not in how I feel or where I wish I was!

In the book of Exodus, the Israelites were headed to the Promise Land after being freed from slavery.  To get to the Promise Land they had to go through the desert. With each need, God was faithful.  Cloud by day, fire by night, manna and quail to name a few.  Really they had all they needed to get through the desert comfortably.  At the end of the day I don’t think they were really ever complaining about the lack of comfort… they were complaining about the desert itself.  They wanted the Promise Land.  Funny part… they had never been to the Promise Land. I really don’t think they knew what they were missing (as I don’t!)  What they did know is that they did not like the desert… simply because it was not the Promise Land.  It was not good enough… it was not what they wanted. They wanted to avoid it and get to the Promise Land or go back to slavery… how sad is that?

How does this relate to me? First, I do believe my family has been brought out of a “captivity” of sorts to Guatemala. Second of all, I know deep in my spirit and heart that He has a “Promise Land” of sorts for us here.  I am not talking a life of earthy comfort… I am speaking of a place our souls rest at peace knowing we are serving in the place and with the people that God created us to. I know this because each time I catch a glimpse… I want to cry. I tear up… I desire more.  There is a place that will feel like it is meant for us even amongst the hard days, sick mornings and crazy unbelievable sights and sounds.

Let me tell you a few of the ways God has provided during this self called “desert”.  A home… we almost missed it and then we didn’t, God had our backs and we have the home we prayed for.  It is just big enough with comfortable beds and plenty of water… hot, cold and filtered (a blessing you would understand if you lived here).  Our neighborhood is safe, reasonably quiet (aside from the dogs, roosters, and fireworks… it just wouldn’t be Guatemala without those) and it seems we mostly have Guatemalans for neighbors.  That is what we wanted! It has at least 3 tiendas (little stores… with almost everything… kind of like a 7-11 in someone’s garage… again very Guatemalan and very convent!)  Our home is less than 4 minutes from our school.  The school is small.  230ish students k-12.  Our kids all have less than 20 students in their classes.  It reminds me of Elbert School (where I grew up) only it is a Christian school.  I believe in and am thankful for the public education that we all received in Colorado… but the kids actually breathe easier knowing that every one values Christ as they do.  It is beautiful to see a bible on the supply list and watch my kids enjoy bible class.  They love their new school. I have also been blessed with a full time position at the school.  If you know me well you know I LOVE BEING WITH MY KIDS… so I spend most of my days helping all the elementary teachers however they need me to.  I am an elementary aide.  I also help in yearbook, and have been challenged to teach a photography class to middle school kids.  I suppose all of this may not seem so miraculous.  However they are blessings and just what we prayed for.  On the flip side we have seen true miracles too… not everyone gets lost in Guatemala City with their kids and finds a safe way out (a long crazy story for another day)… thank you Jesus.  And not everyone goes down a mountain side and has an urge to stop just before the steepest part only to get back in the car and find out that the brakes are gone.  God is faithful we see his mercy and protection and provision daily. 

I am just like those Isrealites. God has provided, I see it everywhere… However I know there is more and I want to be their not here. “Lord Forgive me… have mercy and please forgive me!”

Did you know that the Israelites could have shortened that 40 year trip through the desert to less than 11 days?  I think that is crazy… On a HUGE scale I have heard it said that life on earth is our desert and heaven is our Promise Land. On a small scale I feel like I am in my own little desert amongst all the amazing provision… waiting for the Promise Land. Will it take me less than 11 days or 40 years?

“Lord I thank you for the Promise Land… it keeps me pressing for more of you and your perfect will.  Lord I thank you for the desert for it is here that I know you provide!”

What I know is that it doesn’t matter if it is me, or you, or the Israelites.  You cannot get to the Promise Land without traveling through the desert! It is my prayer that my choices do not cause me to take the 40 year route… I’m good with 11 days or less!  And so I will praise God for the provision and the desert!

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above. Coming down from Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.  James 1:16 & 17

TCK and what does this mean for us? (3 weeks in Guatemala)

We are now among those who know what TCK’s are.  Third Culture Kids.  Our kids have just begun the journey because we are raising them in a culture that is not their own, and not their parents.  They will become what is called a Third Culture Kid.

Raising our children in a culture that is not their own, and not ours brings certain advantages, and certain challenges (according to the experts). What exactly does this mean for us? 

*They will be bilingual. Potentially multilingual… this can be a disadvantage educationally because although they will be able to socially get along just fine and seem fluent to most.  When it comes to a Spanish education they could easily be challenged.  It takes 7-10 years to become academically fluent!

*They will posses Cross-cultural skills!... however this can lead to a rootlessness.  Many TCK's just don’t feel like they belong in either culture.  We have and will continue to teach our kids that their identities are to be found in Christ, in who God made them.  Not in a culture.

*They will have an expanded world view… this can lead to unease in both cultures.

*They will be more mature… this causes them to be “out of phase” developmentally. (This same thing happens when you have an older child due to a summer birthday in a class full of kids younger. We have already experienced this… it leads to an awkward feeling.)

*They will have a pre-disposition toward new experiences! Adventurous!... This can produce a double whammy.  TCK’s can seem arrogant & some have a hard time settling in.

*They will be independent & resourceful… this can lead to insecurity in relationships, and difficulty maintaining long relationships.

*They will make friends quickly (they have no choice)… this leads to superficial or transient friendships (this is not a result of making friends quickly, but in the TCK’s world they could be moving or their friends could be moving anytime… so it stinks to have your heart broken again and again by losing good friends again and again. Mourning the loss and missing is part of the process.)

*They will have strong ties to their nuclear family… weaker ties extended family (obvious reasons).

*Their patriotism will be more intellectual than emotional.

*They will be less materialistic (over time).

I just received this list. I love this list. With every good thing come certain challenges.  I feel blessed… nothing on this list overly concerns me. These are things we will keep in mind as we grow. These are things my kids will understand and use to strengthen them as they grow.  The surprising yet comforting thing about this list is that I already see most every one of these characteristics in my children.  I see this list as a list of strengths as I raise them to maneuver through the challenges of each area. I believe with every strength comes a weakness. It is our job to recognize these weaknesses and not allow them to overtake the strength given. 

Weakness seams to often come in the form of a feeling…

One of the wisest things my mother ever said to me was “feelings are neither right or wrong… it’s what you do with them!” Clearly we cannot choose all our feelings and it is what we do with those feelings we encounter as we grow that makes them “right or wrong”. 

Raising our children in a culture that is not their own, and not ours brings certain advantages, and certain challenges (according to the experts).  I WILL ASK AGAIN....  What exactly does this mean for us? 

If you are one of the many who pray for us and keep us on the field emotionally… please pray through each of the characteristics above. Pray that our kids are strengthened with each!

*Instead of having “academic issues” due to a new language. We pray that our kids will love and embrace learning.

*Instead of feeling “rootless”. We pray that our kids will fully know their identity is in Christ and never feel as though they don't belong.

*Instead of an “unease in both cultures”. We pray that our kids will love and cherish both!

*Instead of “appearing arrogant”.  We pray our kids will communicate their values and experiences in a way others can learn and enjoy!

*Instead of “having a hard time settling in”. We pray that our kids will find comfort in Christ wherever they are.

*Instead of “insecure relationships & superficial friendships”. We pray that our kids will maintain great friends even over time and distance. We pray that they will be able to fully grieve the loss of relationships and find closure.

*Instead of “weaker ties to extended family”. We pray that our kids  will love the ties we do have and recognize them as gifts along the journey!

*We pray their patriotism will be true and at their core.  We and they are blessed to be Americans!

*& yes we pray they will be less materialistic... materialism is just another form of idolatry that we are all so easily sucked into. 

“FEELINGS ARE NEITHER RIGHT OR WRONG… IT’S WHAT YOU DO WITH THEM!” so regardless of how our circumstances make us feel I pray that our choices create strength!

side note:

I'm missing Colorado tonight... I think it is because a team from our home Church is arriving in Guatemala tonight and they remind me of home. They are bringing treats and things from home!  I am excited to see them... and am so grateful that they brought our kids school supplies and peanut butter!  (BIG thank you to everyone who helped pack those bags!) We will have the pleasure of hosting one of the families at the end of this week in our home! We can't wait to hang out with them! (We are a little scrambled because we have only been in our home for 3 days!!) But we Love our new home :)

So to everyone in Colorado.... I MISS YOU!! XOXO

I Cried Today. (Day 5 in Guatemala)

I cried today. It was the strangest cry I have ever had. It came unexpected and as the tears flowed I was surprised how much I cared, how overwhelmingly important it was to me. They were tears of joy.  I think my maestro did not know what to do with me or what was happening.  I didn’t know what to do except for breath and cry.

Long before I met George, before I married a Mexican man.  Before my children were children of color. Before I knew the life I know now.  I wanted my children to speak Spanish.

Today I knew that my kids would speak Spanish and it snuck up on me.  We each had individual teachers and we were spread around this room at little tables learning Spanish.  Then it happened, I suddenly heard sweet Gabriel speaking and repeating Spanish words behind me.  He and his teacher had moved directly behind me. I did not expect to hear him speak. I was concentrating on my own lesson.  Out of no where I heard a familiar voice a voice so dear using foreign words. I began to cry…

I surprised myself, my teacher just patted me. All our teachers are Spanish speakers. They do not know much English. I did not know how to tell her what was happening… I hardly knew what was happening.  I pieced together a few Spanish sentences that went something like this. “Es muy importante para yo. Mi ninos habla espanol.” I’m sure that is all wrong but she patted my shoulder and did her best to comfort me. 

Honestly I do not know why it is so important to me.  Perhaps because I struggled to learn Spanish in school, and I know that it is easier the younger you are.  Perhaps it is because it is part of my children’s heritage. Perhaps it’s because I know that it will carry them further.  It was and is a desire of my heart.

Psalms 37:4  Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

Muy importante.  It is very important.  Our children will proclaim the Gospel of Christ to the generations to come. Our children will minister to people in both languages. A second language is a gift from God!!

Mathew 7:11   If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!