Welcome!! Please take a couple minutes and catch up with us.

We would love to hear from you. Please let us know what we can do to encourage you in your walk of faith as we continue on our journey. Let us know what you are interested in hearing from us as we rearrange our lives, quit our jobs and move to Mexico to work with kids and visitors in Mexico. Part of our mission is encouraging you! We are new to "blogging" so please forgive the simplicity of our postings. With experience I'm sure we'll be able to ad some zing! For now, just enjoy the sincerity. Blessings, The Hanson's

Monday, September 5, 2011

Now that we are here.....


Disappointment-
You are probably afraid that I’m referring to the Lord’s provision.  Rest assured; I’m not.  I’m referring to myself and how I am responding at times with my attitude.  You know, I think most of us assume that when we reach our goal (whatever that may be) that we’ll be automatically happier and more resilient under stress and pressure.  You’d think there’d be some benefit to finally reaching the “end of your rainbow”.

Melissa and I have had this goal (serving cross culturally) for a long time; over ten years.  I just assumed I’d be happier, less grumpy and overall a “jolly well big fellow”.  Turns out I’m just as grumpy as I was back home.  Furthermore, all the bad little things within my character that I hadn’t dealt with back home, got bigger down here.  It turns out that I’m the same as everyone else, and respond the same way as most people do to a big move in ministry.  So much for being Super Spiritual.  So, one of the lessons are, deal with your “junk” when you realize it.  Don’t put it off for a rainy day.

Melissa and I have been reading a great book and it’s been helping us clarify a number of things as well as our goals down here in Mexico.  It turns out in my own mind I had devalued our administrative role down here which lead to other negative attitudes.  Our admin role will offload our visionary bosses and grow the ministry.  Melissa and I are growing the ministry indirectly; which is an important role.  I guess I forgot that for a couple minutes J.  I’ll be responsible for the management of the vehicle fleet; and Melissa and I together will facilitate the work the short term teams will be engaged in while here.  Melissa is also going to be doing some health screenings and fitness classes as well as helping the kids with homework at night.  She’s busy!  But she loves it.

Secondly, we are going to start a discipleship program with the children from Grace Children’s Home (GCH).  We are going to call it “Camp Out”.  It will be on Friday nights, sometimes at our home; other times somewhere else.  Our hope is to do some fun stuff like camping etc but also have a time where these young people can connect with us or other mentors individually in a small group setting so we can get some issues young people face out on the table.  Yep, small groups; that’s what we are going to try to facilitate here.

Please continue to pray for us as we get into the swing of things down here and move past “transition mode”.  Home schooling is going great but can be a challenge at times.  Pray for Melissa and the kids as they work on their education together.  Pray for the spiritual development of our family.  We’ve switched churches and cultures and that stuff just doesn’t happen automatically.

Today was Sarah’s birthday.  We crossed over the border last night and stayed with our cousins in San Diego (The Linde's).  We went to the Zoo today and had a blast just relaxing and staring in amazement at God’s creativity in our animal kingdom.  What a blessing.

Thank you for praying for us and/or supporting us financially.  It is such a blessing to be here and the ministry can be so full of joy and encouragement as we try to bless others.  Thank you so much for partnering with us!

Blessings,
The Hanson’s

1 comment:

  1. Michael & Melissa,

    You are in our prayers and thoughts! Thank you for the prayers you have sent my way. They are greatly appreciated. Someday soon we will be sitting around a fire pit talking about all God has done. Remember we are only 2 hrs from Mexico. You've passed by our home and haven't even known it. If you want a weekend break - just let us know. We are going to be in the process of updating passports so Matt can come visit and help as needed.

    Please don't beat yourself up for how you are feeling. It takes months to adjust
    to the move you have made. Especially to another country. Honestly, it takes half a year to feel as if you just begun to feel settled. Give yourself time. The great thing that happens during this time are the many things God will teach you about your character and how He wanted to make His own adjustments. I will have to send a longer email and share a few of my insights.

    You have been patient, and now obedient - the one thing God desires the most. He is giving you the desire of your heart maybe just wrapped up differently than you expected. But it's not different than His plan.

    Please give each other hugs from us. We can't wait to catch up more.

    Love you tons!
    Traci

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