The Hayes Zoo

Our Purpose


- to know God and use our entire lives in service to Him.

- to stand in the gap through prayer, giving and service to viable ministries in Latin America.

- to be transparent helpers of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, using our resources and skills that through the Holy Spirit, we might encourage and equip those who have less.

- to share a living perspective from Latin America to our churches, friends and family in the states and beyond.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

5 years ago....

September 22, 2005

It is a day that is etched in my memory for better or for worse.

It is the day we arrived in Mexico. After 2 weeks in a truck with our life packed in the back of it, we made it across the border to a foreign country and a new life. Yowzers, was I 'green'.

Sometimes it seems a lifetime ago, other days....not so long ago. Familiar feeling isn't it?

We arrived thinking we were there to fill a particular role and be there for a certain time. That thought process lasted about 6 months then we realized things were not exactly as formerly perceived. God allowed us to be part of something bigger, more complicated. Then we moved on...several times - and now we're back in the US. This is NOT where I expected to be five years ago. Heck, it's not where I expected to be 4 months ago. In some sense it seems a giant step backwards yet, I know that everything is preparation for something...if I will let it be.

I will admit to having struggled a bit the last month or so (okay, so 3 months...whatever) in being here....now. I've felt it's all backwards and somehow I missed the correct exit off the highway. Yet, as I look over the last few months I see God's hand in placing us here.

There are pieces of enjoyment and excitement over having reliable utilities, smooth roads, and availability of basically whatever I feel like. I can speak the language without thinking too hard (although I do have to catch myself that I speak in English some days), I have resources for my children, family close, and I can DRIVE here. :)

Even still, I feel a niggling of something at the back of my mind or heart.

There is a scene from the Lord of the Ring Trilogy that haunts me a bit. It's in the 3rd movie 'The Return of the King' and Frodo is wandering through his house after the journey he went on and says this line...."How do you pick up the threads of a former life?"......

Egads. I know I'm short, but geez - that one hits a bit close to home. Maybe I'm more hobbit than I realize. We've seen outside the shire to the bigger world. We've fought certain battles and traveled dark and rugged roads. Seen some pretty evil things and had to stand close enough to get my eyebrows singed. Met new people, gained some understanding and a whole lot of empathy and gratitude for God's merciful hand.

I am glad for the chance we've had to look beyond our own corners but with that opportunity comes some sense of 'not belonging'. Just another peeling of the layers of self that God needs to remove to bring me closer to realizing this world is not my home. So don't mind me if I seem distracted. The last 5 years has not left me the same...thank goodness right?

I'll sign off with this last bit - I read this the other day and it resonated with me like nothing else has for a while. I guess, for today, I can sum up the lessons I've learned with this statement.

"Make God your permanent residence. Everything else is just temporary"

Is it ever.

Faith

5 comments:

S. Elisabeth said...

that last scene hits close to home for me too...has for many years...so, I hear ya!:') prayers still going your way!

The Reader said...

would you believe 3 yrs ago we arrived in Brazil - and I didn't realize the date until I read your post???

Not yet over to that other side thing, but still your post does resonate. Abracos to you, amiga.

Eric and Hannah Avery said...

I love that quote! When I was a teenager(from 12 to 17 years of age)my family and I lived in Mexico as missionaries. I am 25 now, and I still really miss it. Sometimes more than others. Sometimes I catch myself dreaming of certain things there, and I just wish to go back. I am happily married and have a baby here though, but maybe...one day I will return with them! I think I understand some of what you are feeling. For me it was hard returning here. I love your quote at the end of your post by the way! And you know what...now you have access to coconut oil!

Trish said...

WoW!! Girl you and I ARE walking similiar paths.

Praying for you guys!

Jamie Jo said...

I'm just now catching up on some blog reading. (Thanks for posting my prayer request about Tlahui, by the way.)

Here's another quote for you: "Don't cry because it's over, SMILE because it happened...."

That's the way I think about the Hayes zoo being in Mexico with us a short time.