Now What?

On By MitchenersIn Angela5 Comments

Here it is.  Our first update from the Dominican.  I feel like I should insert something profound here, but I honestly don’t know what to say – except that the last couple of weeks have been such a whirlwind, and I’m not sure I know which way is up.  The insanity started back before we even boarded the first plane.  For awhile there, I was living on adrenaline.  If it weren’t for help from our families, a couple of well-placed “angels” on the flights, and an amazing welcoming team on this side, I am convinced we would not have physically, emotionally or mentally made this move.  There are so many cool stories I could tell already of God’s overflowing blessings and provision for our family – and we’ve only been here a week!

Two awesome bits of news – we have a house and a vehicle!  The SUV we found is especially a big deal.  Procuring a good vehicle is often a more difficult part of settling in here.  I’m also excited that I’ve already met a few of our neighbors – hope they don’t mind that I’ll be practicing my Spanish on them over the next few months.  🙂

Home Sweet Home
Our Backyard

So we’re here.  Finally.

Now what?

Next steps – officially move in to the house, start language study, and help out with ministry stuff whenever possible.  Looking forward to the months ahead!

Packing Up and Moving Out

On By MitchenersIn Dominican Republic2 Comments

It’s official!  The plane tickets have been purchased.  Our belongings are slowly being sorted and packed away.  We are on our way to making the Dominican Republic our new home!  Thank God we have reached the point in our support raising where moving is a reality.  Come the afternoon of Monday, May 21, the four of us will be on Dominican soil for good.  While we’re not nearly 100% funded, we’ve never gone without our needs being met.  We trust that God will bring in the rest of our support over the next few months.

People are asking us how we are feeling.  There is no easy answer to that.  We’re excited about this “next chapter”.  We’re heartbroken to be leaving family and friends.  We’re relieved with each task we complete.  We’re nervous about adjusting to a new culture and way of living.  We’re eager to really build some relationships with people.  We’re dreading the exhaustion of the move with two little dudes.  We’re anxious about learning Spanish.  But we’re content in knowing that we are loved and cared for by One who is our source of strength and peace and joy.  Above all, we’re hopeful that Christ will use us as He wants.

With that said, we’re packing up and moving out!  Onward…

1000 Miles (And 3 Supporters) Closer

On By MitchenersIn Dominican Republic, FamilyLeave a comment

What a weekend.  We’re home again after a long trip to Virginia. Over the last 4 days, we drove about 22 hours and racked up 1000 miles.  Thankfully that just means we’re 1000 miles closer to moving to the DR.

Noah and Leyton had fun hanging out with some families who are currently supporting us and who were gracious enough to host us.

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Want to hear another reason we’re closer to making The Big Move?  We gained several new supporters over the weekend!  It is unbelievable how God continues to bring us the people and funds we need to continue on this journey.  None of this is by accident.  And none of this is from our efforts.  Again and again, God has shown us that His timing and His will are perfect.  This experience hasn’t always been easy or pleasant.  But we want for nothing.  And we praise Him for everything.

Next step – buying those one-way plane tickets!  Still praying for a May leave date.

Word of the Day

On By MitchenersIn AngelaLeave a comment

So every day I get a Spanish vocab word sent to my email address.  And you know what makes me really happy? When I already know the Word of the Day.

We’ve obviously got a lot of work to do learning the language our first year or so in the Dominican.  Knowing a few vocab words is just the beginning.  That means we need to get there as soon as possible.

Praying that God continues to provide!

Angela

Struggles

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(I’ve gone back and forth about publishing this post.  I’m afraid I seem ungrateful for the ways God has so richly blessed our little family.  I know these struggles are petty and unimportant in the grand scheme, but this is me – being as honest as I know how.  However, I also want to convey that I am beyond excited to be moving to the Dominican Republic and taking part in what God has planned for us and for these precious people.)

As a parent, I now understand why people want to give their kids the best in life.  Dominican preparations continue, and I’ve found that I’ve been struggling with the idea that my boys will be “missing out” on certain things because we’re moving to another country.  When we visit a church that’s advertising their AWANA or VBS program, I think about how much fun Noah would have singing the songs and doing the crafts there.  And with his second birthday coming up in a few months, I wonder how exciting it would be to plan a party with friends and family, complete with Elmo cupcakes for all the guests and a plethora of presents for my big boy.  When we go on fun family excursions, I can’t help but think, “Will this be the last time Noah and Leyton get to play at the park?”  Or “How many more trips will they take to Grandma’s house to get spoiled?”

In my head, I know my boys don’t need certain things or experiences.  But there are times I still struggle with wanting to give them those things.

Over the past week, God has really been helping me change my mindset in this area.  And I’m realizing some very important truths.

1.) Giving my kids the “best” doesn’t mean they need the cutest clothes or the neatest toys.  It’s not that I’ll never give them anything nice when I’m able, but there is a balance.  Last time I checked, loving them and teaching them to love God and others doesn’t require much money…

2.) The things I want for them are exactly that – the things I want.  What’s most important is what God wants, and I’m pretty sure He’s not so concerned about the brand of clothing on their backs or the size of their playroom.  In a way, I’m relinquishing control.  (I think I’m going to be working on this whole “letting go” bit for the next 18 years or so.)

3.) My little dudes aren’t actually going to be “missing out”.  They will simply have different experiences than I had – hopefully some experiences that broaden their horizons and make them better people.

Just my thoughts recently.  The next couple of weeks are going to be huge for us in figuring out if we’ll actually make our projected May moving date.  Eager to get to DR soon!

The Nitty Gritty Details

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Last week was a busy one for us – we spent most of the week in Ohio.  A friend from college contacted us about presenting the ministry at his two churches.  That email alone was encouraging.  We haven’t had much success “cold” contacting churches because most places already have their missionaries and ministries set up that they give to.  Meeting the sweet people in these two congregations was a big blessing, and we had a great time sharing our hearts and catching up with college friends.

Pastor Caleb and his wife Cindy

Afterwards, we drove on down to Columbus and stayed with Ang’s parents.  There we spent a good portion of two days in state buildings getting official copies of our marriage license and Angela’s birth certificate.  Then we visited other state buildings to get our certificates stamped a second time, proving that the first official stamp was actually… official.  (Confused yet?)  Although it was a bit frustrating to spend that much time and money (over $50 for a couple of official stamps), it felt good to check another task off the “to do” list.  Now we’re waiting on Leyton’s passport and Noah’s “officialized” birth certificate from Virginia to come in the mail.

While we were in Columbus, we also made the plans to sell our little green car that we’ve had for the first three years of our marriage.  A couple months back, the transmission finally decided to die on us, so we’re borrowing my parents’ car until we move to DR.

Saying goodbye to the Mazda

Noah decided to get his first ever flu bug during the week, so he spent some extra time with his thumb and blankie the last few days.  He was quite the trooper though, and he still found time to terrorize Grandpa’s kitty cats and go for a wagon ride.  We’re thankful he’s been a pretty healthy dude over the past 18 months.

Noah calling Grammy

Well, those are the nitty gritty details of last week.  Praying for more monthly supporters this week.  Can’t wait to make The Big Move!

– Scott

Eleven More Weeks

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So we’re inching ever closer to The Big Move.  Over the past few days, three new couples have committed to support us monthly!  What an absolute blessing to have people invested in us and in what God’s doing in the Dominican.

A month or so ago, I came across this little gem while I was reading.  Luke 8:1-3 states,

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

How cool is that?  While Jesus and the disciples focused on their teaching, they were cared for by these women who followed them from city to city.  These men were provided for because some people saw a very real need and were obedient to do their part.  So in an odd sort of way, the women mentioned here were the first “monthly supporters” ever.  Out of their own means, they sacrificially gave (of their time, money, etc.) so that the gospel could be given to others.  (Kind of like our supporters do for us.)  And I think that’s pretty awesome.

Can it be that we’re only 11(ish) weeks away from making The Big Move?  It’s becoming more of a reality daily. All because of our Savior’s faithfulness and because of your continued prayers and financial support.

Pray for us – we’re speaking at church here in Indiana tomorrow morning.  And we’re working on all the time-consuming parts of this process – like getting Leyton’s passport, extra birth certificates, shot records, and so on.  Exciting stuff!

Breaking News – Freedom Missions Team Grows by One!

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Introducing… our newest little missionary.

Leyton Reid Mitchener was born on February 3 at 8:59 am.
He weighed in at 7 pounds, 14 ounces and measured 21 inches long.

Things are finally starting to settle down here in the Mitchener household.  There has been some adjusting to life as a family of four, but Leyton has been such a great baby!  We are so blessed to have another healthy little guy.  He has already changed so much in these three weeks.  Noah loves his little brother already, and minus the occasional poke in the eye, he does a great job “helping” with Leyton.  Thankfully we’ve had help from our small group from the church.  They’ve been bringing us amazing, delicious meals – and these couples have busy families and responsibilities of their own. Talk about being the hands and feet of Jesus to us right when we need it.

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It’s hard to believe we are three months out from moving to the Dominican, God willing!  We’ve gained a couple of new monthly supporters over the last week or so (yay!), but we still are in need of others to join our support team if we are to make it by our target date.  You can pray for us this weekend as we head to Illinois to present the ministry at a church there.

Scott and I are trying to learn more Spanish vocabulary and “basics” as we get ready for language training when we hit the ground at the end of May.  It’s been slow going, but we’re attempting to keep a good perspective on this area of our preparation.  Dominican Spanish is different in many ways from other Spanish-speaking countries’, so we won’t fully “get it” until we are immersed in it for awhile – this is another area in which we could really use your prayers and support.

2012… The Year of the Big Move

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The holidays are over.  We absolutely loved every minute we were able to spend with our friends and family over the past month, but I am so thankful to be home.  Traveling pregnant (and sick at times) was a little taxing, yet I made it.  God’s abundant faithfulness and blessings were simply overflowing throughout 2011.  A year ago, we were living in our “cozy” little one-bedroom apartment in Virginia with a 5-month old wondering what exactly our future held for us.  Now we’re in Indiana preparing for the arrival of Baby Boy #2 next month.  Two  kids under 18 months will be a challenge, I’m sure, but we’re ready to get to know our new little guy before we make The Big Move (as I’m now calling it) to the Dominican Republic.

Speaking of The Big Move, let’s get to the good stuff!  As of last week, we are at 59% of our budgeted support to move to the Dominican!  That’s basically a 10% jump in three weeks. Pretty awesome, right?  I’ve said it before, but this “support raising” chapter of our lives has been quite the roller coaster emotionally.  Right now, Scott and I are so excited to be moving in a forward direction.  In fact, we have tentatively set a date (month) for The Big Move!  As God continues to provide, we’re aiming to be on Dominican soil in May.  A lot of preparation has already gone into this decision, and we still have much to accomplish to reach this goal.  But it feels encouraging to be making more defined plans.  Besides finishing up raising support, we’ll be starting on plans/paperwork for our living arrangements, Spanish study, residency, and so much more.

For those of you mathematically inclined, here are some really cool and really important numbers for our family:
5 – The number of weeks before our second baby makes his debut
4 – The number of months before The Big Move
40 –  The number of $50/month supporters we still need to reach 100% support (That would break down to 10 new supporters each month from now until May.)

Thank you – to the new members of our support team, and to those who have been faithfully praying and giving since the start.  You all are helping make God’s call on our lives a reality.  I am still learning the lesson of trusting God completely in every aspect of life.  We’re looking forward to sharing more good news with you in the coming months!

Ang

Around Freedom in 60 Seconds – November Video

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While in the Dominican for three weeks in July, we met Wander and Francis, two young men from the sugarcane village of Lima.  Since returning to the States, we’ve learned that Francis has accepted Christ and has grown in his faith!  Now, Wander, Francis and Yuleisy are working hard teaching and building relationships with even more kids as our team is now involved in a third village called Cabeza de Toro.