This is my first blog from Mallorca, Spain. So much has happened in the last few weeks...Where do I begin? God is Faithful. He hears and answers even the smallest of prayers. I was so worried about how Luke was going to react on the flight (we had four layovers...which means we had to take off and land four times!!!!) If you didn't know, Luke is high functioning autistic and has speech delay. He usually flips out with loud noises and chaos, so as you can imagine I was worried. I began to pray for him and introduce the concept of the airport to prepare him. He absolutely loved the flight. He sat by the window and stared out the whole time. My heart was overwhelmed at how well he did. Frank and I, on the other hand, were exhausted by the time we landed in Mallorca.
We were greeted by the pastor's wife Loretta and an intern named Abby who were waiting at the airport for us. Our six huge luggage's, three carry-ons, three backpacks, double stroller, and five of us all fit in their two tiny european cars. That was a miracle in itself.
They drove us to our new little apartment which was filled with groceries and a homemade dinner. From that moment on...our new life in Mallorca began. This new life, is a life of COMPLETE dependence upon God. We no longer are in control of our days. We are not in control of our finances. (we are being supported) We are not in control of our surroundings; it is all new to us. Even going to the store was an ordeal because we both did not know how to operate a stick shift.
However, like I mentioned before God is Faithful! He really is. How can I describe how he has met all of our needs. We were given a car, high chair, crib, and clothes. We found car seats, a stroller, a baby bathtub, and toys at the boot sale (imagine a HUGE swap meet!) Just today we found a play kitchen for Luke and Anna at the boot sale for only four euros. He really is so Good.
Frank and I are being blessed by the body here. They are really showering us with God's love. We really did leave one loving family to come to another one.
As I was online last night, I came across another missionary wife's blog. She was sharing how her family was being called to Bolivia. Her circumstances are completely different than mine. But I was able to relate to all that she was feeling as she was preparing to go. Here I am, on an island, with pretty modern technology still feeling weak and insufficient. She on the other hand would be destined to a jungle atmosphere feeling the same way. The unifying thread was the call to go, the obedience to obey, the sacrifice of material possession's, and the pain of being broken.
I will not lie. It has been hard. I miss my family and homeland. BUT, as I surrender my sadness to my Lord, He continually replaces it with peace. He is speaking to me so powerfully about trust. I thought I trusted God, but He has shown me I have to trust him in what I see as empty circumstances because then He has freedom to do what HE wants to do! He is taking us step by step and holding my weak hand though I tend to pull my hand away. He so patiently waits for me to grasp hold of his again.
But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here![b]” Matt. 14:27
I know Jesus is here, in Mallorca, with us.
In Him,
Darleen
Our Fiesta!
