Making Light of the Load

Salta la Linda

Salta la Linda!  Beautiful Salta, a city nestled in the Andes Mountains, where we spent two years of ministry and home to our household belongings.  A beautiful morning and a fantastic view of snow covered mountains welcomed us to our next step of the journey.  And what a journey it has been . . . allow me to fast forward 2 1/2 weeks.  

Thankful for some great helpers!

Wow!  We're finally done. Twenty years of life in ministry, sentimental memories, accumulation and junk . . .  gone, sold, thrown away and given away.  The load is so much lighter now, oh, but the MEMORIES!  How can I even begin to express the emotions that we have experienced these past two and half weeks.  We knew this job would be difficult both physically and emotionally, but God has been so good to help lighten the load.  When we first began to unload all the barrels, boxes and trunks, the job looked daunting and I personally just wanted to "crawl" into a corner and cry.  How could we accumulate sooo much in 20 years?!  How do you let go of precious items that bring back so many fond memories?  I have a collection of children's artwork, souvenirs from every important event in the lives of our family and friends, baby blankets, binkies, recipes and photos.

Binkies belonging to Andrew, Aaron and Nathan

  How could we possibly get rid of all this stuff?  So thankful for the use of modern day equipment and communication, we snapped photos of the sentimental things and then threw some of the stuff away or donated it, then we set up a FaceBook event page, again snapping pictures of our more valuable items with our smart phones and loading them onto the page thanks to the use of our neighbor's wi-fi.  We invited our Argentine friends to the event page and we immediately began seeing positive results.  People actually wanted to buy our "stuff."  Then we began separating out those things we deemed garage sale items.  We set a date for the sale, Saturday, July 5th.  Saturday came and so did the people!  At the end of the day, we marveled that a room full of 20 years of accumulation was reduced to a few odds and ends, and even those things sold quickly the following week.  Some of you must have prayed, because the impossible, became possible!  Thank you!  
Yesterday, as we finished our packing and readied ourselves for the next part of this journey, we sold our last item, a portable children's pool (no one wants a pool in the middle of winter!), to a family with whom we became especially close during the process of this sale.  We had to pause and thank God for His goodness to us.  Our hearts are full, we have no regrets.  God is good!

Today's specialty: Cooked Aphid Soup and a case of Ades

Cooked Aphid Soup

With gusto, Toy fixed a soup after arriving home.  Broccoli was the main ingredient.  Delicious of course!  As we ate away, Andrew calmly says, "There are aphids in the soup!" Why, impossible!  This soup is delicious!  As we continued to eat and now observe more closely, we realized that all the little dark flakes that we thought were pepper or some other spice were actually aphids.  Not just some of them but, yes, all of the specks.  The whole aphid family was right there in our bowls of soup.  Protein packed.  But we put it away, aphids and all.   Then we washed the whole meal down with a box of Ades.  Simply delicious!  Kind of reminds me of the missionary joke . . .

Ades Orange Juice

Ades was one of our favorite drinks while we lived here in Argentina.  Unfortunately it has lost status on our list of favorites now that we understand the ingredient list.  It is soy based, orange juice "flavored" (6.56%) and sugar-packed ;(

First Impressions

Smoke Filled Air and Traffic Jam

Reality sat in as we deboarded the plane and walked across the tarmac.  Winter was in the air and our short-sleeved summer wear was just one thing out of many letting us know that we were not in "Kansas" anymore!  Customs was uneventful although we found ourselves to be the last ones checked through.  That's just par for the course for the Mast Family.  It was so good to see the Weinerts waiting for us on the other side of customs.  The guys grabbed a taxi and Nathan and I climbed into the Weinerts car and we quickly headed onto the highway.  

Protest

We hadn't gotten far before the traffic started backing up and smoke filled the air.  Awww, a protest was happening further up the highway as burning tires and people blocked traffic.   Police were all about, fully outfitted with large guns.  "Welcome back to Argentina," I whispered to Nathan.  Eventually we were able to move around the protest and continue on to the Weinerts home, passing 

Cordoba's Famous Arch

Cordoba's famous arch, representing entrance to the city.  After 26 hours of traveling, it was good to have our feet on solid ground and beds to lay our exhausted bodies.  Milanesas and lomitos were on the menu for that day as well, great welcome back foods after a four year absence.

Laura, Toy and Luz

The Weinerts run a residence for university women.  They currently have 8 residents.  Laura, one of our youth from Resistencia lives there, while Luz, another one of our youth from Salta, rents in town.  It was wonderful to catch up with these girls again.  Laura is studying psychology and Luz, English and missions.  We are so proud of these young ladies and their apparent love for the Lord.  We consider it a privilege that God gave us the opportunity to be their youth leaders, mentors and friends while ministering in Argentina for 20 years.  After 2 days in Cordoba, our next stop was Salta, a beautiful city located 500 miles to the north.  

God Is Good!

Wow!  It's been since August that I last wrote in our family blog.  (I warned you that I'm not a very disciplined journalist!)  As I read back on last year's entries, I marvel at what has transpired in our lives and how God has been faithful in the midst of change.

Andrew left for Kentucky Mountain Bible College (KMBC) in August.  He is now nearly finished with his  freshman year.  He has enjoyed the adventure of living in another state, the convenience of driving home during breaks, excellent biblical teachings, new friendships, and being able to remain debt free.  He has become a responsible and respectable young man.

Aaron is a junior in high school.  His confidence has grown tremendously this year.  We knew he needed this time in the States to be able to "find" himself.  He is an excellent student and a dedicated athlete.  His desire to "better" himself is clear as we see him press forward academically, physically and spiritually.

Nathan is in the fourth grade.  He idolizes his brothers and shares many of their interests.  He loves life and has many friends.  He also takes his responsibility as a student council leader seriously.

So by now you should have figured out that we did not return to Argentina.  After much deliberation we decided that the "restless" feelings that we had been feeling were God's way of telling us it was time to stay "home" for a while, a leave of absence.  Many factors helped us to make this decision along with much prayer and input from respected friends and family.

The transition has not been easy.  Having served 23 years as missionaries in Argentina was a familiar routine.  Now we find ourselves trying to juggle ministry with making a living.  Ministry for us WAS making a living.  Making a living WAS ministry.  It was one and the same.  So . . . "how do you teach an old dog new tricks?"  How do you not allow the worries of this world to consume you?  Hmmm, I see I still have much to learn!    . . .  Ah, but God!

Yes, God has been faithful in the midst of change.  He has taken care of our children, He has met all of our needs, He loves us and He has helped us to put all these things into perspective.  We are clothed, we have a comfortable home, we have food for our table.  We are blessed!  I can truly say, "God is good all the time . . . All the time God is good!"

Leaving the Nest

I've been pondering this subject for a LONG time.  Even during our previous term in Argentina, did I dwell on the fact that my oldest was growing up.  There were many benchmarks along the way, moments that I knew that this would be the last time that we would do certain things that had become daily, weekly or even yearly rituals shared as a family.  I would inwardly grieve each benchmark, knowing that the dynamics of our family would soon change.

Family has always been important to me.  I was the oldest of two children growing up in my parent's home in northern California.  I was somewhat adventuresome and enjoyed spending my summers with my grandparents and my aunts and uncles.  I loved the great outdoors of northern California with it's pine covered mountains and pristine lakes, but there was something about the big city that lured me during those summer visits.  I didn't think twice about leaving home during those summers; it was an adventure.  I eventually left home upon graduation to live with my aunt and uncle in the big city.  Later I moved nearly 2,000 miles away to attend Bible college in Iowa.

Most children never realize the emotional turmoil their parents suffer when "leaving the nest."  I didn't.  I knew what I felt as a young girl leaving home, excitement and adventure overshadowed by a few painful moments as I waved goodbye to my parents.  I never fully comprehended their loss, until now.

Recently I was sharing these thoughts with my own mom and dad.  Mom reminded me of those summers long ago when I would leave home to spend my break with extended family.  She told me how she grieved those summers and then later when I left for college, she said, "It was the saddest time of my life".

Life has now come full circle.  "Leaving the nest" is bittersweet.  I recognize the spirit of adventure has been passed down to my son and I would never want to pull him back to the safety of the nest.  I have taught him everything that I know to prepare him for this adventure and he is ready to take flight.  For this I give God the glory!  Yes, I'm sad to see him go, I cannot deny the feelings, but mostly . . .  I'm PROUD.

Random Thoughts from a Sleepless Mother

Another sleepless night . . . grrrrr, I strongly dislike these kind of nights, but I won't complain.  Many thoughts cross my mind as I lay awake and think back on life.  Nine years ago today I had another sleepless night . . . the night when Nathan was born.  How can nine years pass so quickly?  It was a stormy night just like the one we had last night, but even more so.  Seems like all my boys were born on stormy nights.  I'm just so thankful that they haven't lived "stormy" lives.  

God is good and we have been blessed with good kids who love and respect us and who love the Lord.  

My mind wanders to Andrew; he'll soon be graduating from high school.  I worry about this next step in his life.  Is he ready to step out on his own?  Will college weigh him down with endless debt?  Have we prepared him enough to be successful in life?  My thoughts consume me.

What about Aaron . . . he's comfortable here.  With just two more years left in high school, colleges are already knocking at his door.  He's an ambitious young man and won't settle for mediocrity.  It shows in his grades, sports and friendships.  Will I be able to give him all that he needs in home school once we return to Argentina?  I wrestle with this question daily.

Nathan is still young, but he is growing up quickly.  He's a happy boy who loves to have FUN.  I worry that I'm not taking enough time to instill within him God's precious Word like I did when the older boys were his age.  What can I do differently to carve out that time with him?

So many consuming thoughts gather in my mind, none-the-less, precious thoughts, for they prompt me to seek my Heavenly Father who is interested in each one.  I am reminded of a favorite verse, "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you" - 1 Peter 5:7.  Thank you Lord for another sleepless night.

A Tale of Two Electricians

Kelly was a man who was interested in doing the will of God.  He came on a work team to our city, Resistencia, in 2001.  The work was not out of the ordinary.  What they had come to do was not going to turn Argentina upside down, but part of what needed to be done was electrical and Kelly's trade as an electrician would fill an important spot in accomplishing the task at hand.

As we worked, children from the church stole Kelly's heart and God (with the help of a couple of missionaries), began to talk to him about possibly changing careers.  He investigated missions but it was apparent that the doors were closed.

A year or so later, we were in another building project in the city of Resistencia when Gustavo came looking for work.  He said he was an electrician.  I was a bit apprehensive, but asked if he would be willing to dig a ditch.  He obliged, pulled off his shoes and began digging.  Seeing his willing spirit, he was hired.  Some weeks later he asked if he could come to church with me, to which I was delighted.

Gustavo and his girlfriend, Maria, became Christians.  When I went to their home to begin discipleship I was surprised to find a humble abode made entirely of cardboard roofing material.  Soon I realized that Gustavo was "worth his salt."  He just needed someone to give him a chance.  When our project was finished, it was easy to recommend him to a neighbor as a worthy and honest worker.

While we were on furlough, missionaries David and Rachel Kerney took Gustavo and Maria under their wings and began encouraging them to further their studies.  Not only did they study some theology and Bible, but they also set out to finish their grade school and high school studies.  In 2006 Gustavo and Maria were married.

Before leaving Argentina in May 2010, we went to Villa Escolar, Formosa, where Gustavo is pastoring one of our WGM churches.  He is loved by the townspeople and the church is growing.  He and Maria not only received their high school diplomas, but Gustavo had become a certified electrician.  At the time of our visit he was head electrician in a school building project.  Now he is head superintendent on another school construction project.

Last month we were in Kelly's church in Michigan.  We participated in two great worship services, perhaps some of the best services I have been in.  God was certainly there.  Kelly gave up his electrical business, set out to study theology and is now the pastor of his home church.

While he interviewed us as missionaries during the service he shared with the congregation that it was because of one missions trip, ten years earlier to Resistencia, that he was their pastor today.