background

Friday, June 15, 2007

Disappointing Day

I don't want this to be one of those "Poor me I'm a missionary and my life is so hard" spots. Truly I feel honored to be a missionary and I have no idea what suffering is. There are people all over the world who go to bed hungry, don't have any food to feed their children and are literally tortured for no other reason than they identify themselves with our Lord. So, I will attempt to keep my whining to a minimum seeing as how I have a blessed life beyond belief. However today we did have a disappointing day. We went to meet with the owner of the apartment we hope(d) to rent. We thought we were going to sign the contract and begin moving in at least by early next week. Instead we met with the owner and a couple of 'homeowner association' leaders who had concerns about the size of our family, that our kids would be at home all day and not go out to school, that we would use too much water (which is a commodity in Coch), and that we might be too noisy. Amalia and Antonio who are both Bolivians that work at the SIM Bolivia office (here: Mission Andina Evangelica) went with us to help us out with the meeting. Amalia with translation and Antonio with advice and help with the contract. Amalia told the ladies what a good family we are and that our kids are well-behaved, that we run a well disciplined ship, and we are 'tranquil'. (Ok, so she doesn't know us too well yet.) After voicing their concerns and hearing our answers and Amalia's sales pitch, the two ladies relented and said they thought we would be okay. They said they could tell we were good people (read: have money). At this point we were hesitant though. We don't want to move in where we're not wanted and don't want to be blamed for anything that might go awry at the apartment building. We met with Amalia and Antonio privately and asked their advice. They both agreed that it wasn't a good way to start a relationship with the people in the apartment and they might just be complainers and find opportunities to complain about us even if we don't give them reason. We agreed and decided to tell them now we weren't sure we wanted to live there. After the two ladies left, the owner stayed to talk with us. She said she had no problem with us living there and that we would have no problem with her. She said she wouldn't rent the apartment to anyone else until we decided what we wanted to do.
So now I guess we're back to square one. Tomorrow we begin looking at houses again. We've been in the guesthouse for 4 weeks and 1 day today. We're really ready to find a place and settle in here in our new home. We know that God is in control and He will provide for our needs. We are not wavering at all in our belief that Coch is exactly where God wants us. He is the One who rewarded us with our children and He is the One who will provide for us all. We know in light of eternity this is nothing and it really is only a small setback. But as Joe said we can know we are right where we are supposed to be, that God will provide for us, that we will find a house and look back on this as a small 'blip' and yet today we still feel sad and disappointed.
On a happier note, we met a man who owns a store in La Cancha and it seems to us that God is at work in his life. He found out we were here as missionarios and wanted to know what we believed. He said that he did not consider himself a Christian, but that he did believe in God. We are praying for him. His name is Ismael. Please pray along with us. He agreed that we could come by and talk to him some more. He knows very little English, but is eager to learn and said he would help us with our Spanish. Pray that God will continue to work in his life and that his eyes would be open to the truth.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Mrs. Holman,
I don't know if you remember me or not. I was at Sandy Cove last year for the homeschool week for the first time, and hung out with your boys a good deal of the week. I just wanted to say that your family is in my prayers... and you guys have guts... It's kinda sad how us americans are spoiled with our hot all the time hot water. I hope things get better with the housing situation.
In Christ,
Mary

Schellhases said...

terWow. We are SO excited for you guys. We've just gotten back from Texas, saw your email, and wanted to write a quick note after just reading part of your blog. We will be praying with you - that you find the right housing situation. We are truly living vicariously through you! In His care, Debbie

Discipula said...

Denise,

Great to see the new blog. We will be praying for you and Joe, especially for your housing situation. If you need a housing reference, we will gladly lie and tell them your kids are always quiet.

We will check in regularly to keep up.

In Christ,

Rick and Kathy

Janice Phillips said...

Hi Mrs. Holman!!

Lovin' the fact that ya'll are online and have a blog. Will definitely read it regularly and pray for you guys, too!

Love from California,
Janice Phillips

Anonymous said...

Denise,
We've been praying for you all nightly and love to read the newsletter and now the blog. We will reallly miss seeing your faces at Sandy Cove next week. It just won't be the same without you, but I know things are just as they should be. We'll continue to lift you all up.
Love,
Jim and Kerri Megna(aka: The Italian guy and his wife)

D&P said...

Hi,
Just read about disappointing day.
We are still praying that you will
find the perfect house that God
is going to provide for you. Just
returned from Kentucky tonight.
Will e mail you tomorrow. Have
a great night.
Mom

Beth said...

Hey Denise,

We love the blog. Love the stories and your openess. I feel like I am right there with you.

Will continue to pray for you guys and especially the housing situation.

In Him,
Beth

Unknown said...

Hi Joe and Denise,

Nancy and I are praying for you guys. We have enjoyed your newsletters and now your blog. We'll be praying especially for your housing situation and for the pastors who are being persecuted. We miss you, but we rejoice that you are in the middle of God's will. Please send us your blog. Blessings, Bill Wilcox (for Nancy)