Just doing a bit of reading about communication.  From Wikipedia:

“Communication is the activity of conveying information”

“Communication has been derived from the Latin word “communis”, meaning to share.”

“Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender’s intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast distances in time and space.”

“Communication requires that the communicating parties share an area of communicative commonality.”

“The communication process is complete once the receiver has understood the message of the sender.”

“Feedback is critical to effective communication between parties.”

Ok, so I take that and relate it to this blog and to the fact that I haven’t written an honest to goodness post in quite sometime (without looking at the logs I’d say since before Christmas).

Communication requires a sender (me), a message (could be anything), and an intended recipient (you), and when it happens in the context of this blog, it is definitely occurs over vast distances of time and space.  Our area of communicative commonality could be that you are family, friends, interested in living internationally, interested in international Kingdom building, or any number of things.  When you have understood the message from me, the sender, communication has been completed.  And, your feedback is critical for effective communication between you and me.

My intent with the blog was to comunicate clearly the Hiebert family journey so as to live it with you.  That you could could enter into it with us.  That somehow we would be united whether through shared interest, through prayer, through joy and triumph, through pain and suffering – through unfolding story. But there won’t even be a chance of that happening if first I don’t communicate.

Most of my energy these days goes into communicating in one way or another but frankly speaking, I have failed miserably communicating with you, our blog readers.

This is not an apology.  This is not a pity party.  This is me thinking with my finger tips knowing that this thought process may be made public.  (To my defence I write a lot more than I post and at this moment, I haven’t decided yet if this rambling is worthy of appearance).

The first writing I can remember doing is in grade 6.  I had a green ink pen and had to come up with a one page loose leaf story in maybe an hour or so.  I feared these assignments yet took great pride in having completed them.  I kept most of them too and they’re locked away in our shipping container in Canada.  Maybe I’ll have to pull them out in a couple of years and throw them up here on the blog. . .

The assignments continued to grow in scope and scale and by the time the final years of high school came around, I pretty much hated writing.  I only realized after two years of Bible College that there were education endeavors that require a lot less writing than theologic studies.  The fact that I had to pump out paper after paper played a role in quitting Bible College after two years (not without a degree though and I eventually came back to finish a B.A.).  So I hated writing.  I wasn’t particularly bad at it.  I just hated the exercise.  Ironically, I did love the form and structure of papers and Turabian’s manual for paper writing was my constant companion.  My margins and spacing and footnotes were perfect!  Every time!

Something changed in me and I decided to explore the world of writing with my first blog that I started 6 years ago.  It was an experiment to see if 1. I could do it and 2. I would enjoy it.  The jury is still out on number one but I found that in fact, I did enjoy it.  I’ve been writing and posting things here and there ever since.

Another change has happened recently, however.  A year and a half ago I began learning a second language – Spanish.  Now that I live in Caracas, Venezuela with my family, communication is an arduous task.  I don’t thing there is a more painful endeavor I have voluntarily subjected myself to than the exercise of learning and, hopefully someday, mastering the spanish language.  It is definitely not without it’s rewards.  For instance, I was out for coffee today with a pastor friend sharing life, stories, hopes and dreams, and praying for each other – the meeting lasting almost two hours being bound by another commitment I had to get to.  I think we could have carried on for quite some time.  And of course, though my speaking and understanding was disjointed and rough, we were communicating.  Believe me, this is progress.  And progress is for me not letting it get to me when people are frustrated with me or don’t have patience to deal with my ineptatude and I have not arrived at this yet but I’m progressing.  There is a cashier at our local bakery that laughs at me every time I go to search for change and she says something to me that I haven’t figured out but I laughed back and say my speech about “I’m new here and though I don’t understand very much spanish, I am learning” and she has been kind. Next time she laughs at me, I’ve decided I’m going to ask her what it’s all about and this is progress.

But really, and I’m not being hard on myself, I’d be lucky if my level of communication now in spanish is halfway close to my level of short story writing back in grade 6.  It’d be fun to compare.

I gave or led or however you say it, my first Bible study last week at a young adults cell group.  It took me a whole day of work to piece together a 10 or so minute talk from Jeremiah 17:5-8.  I don’t know what anyone took away from it but for me it was a reminder to trust the God of Creation, the God of Communication to do His Holy Spirit work in me and the listeners.  It could have been more painful than it was: in latin culture or here in Venezuela at least, people really want you to succeed so rather than be critical or disinterested, they are helping me with words, helping me finish sentences and encouraging me on the whole time.  The same happens when I pray in groups of people.  There is no better place to learn a language.

But I wonder if I could ever write in Spanish.  If I will ever write.  If I will ever write like I do in English.  I would like to.  I would like that exponentially more than preaching (I’m preaching for the first time on March 25th- aaaahhhhh!)

Boiled down – I like to communicate.  This is different than saying “I like to be heard.”  Communication is a two way thing.  And though my energies are spent largely on and learning how to do it in spanish, I would love it very much if you could afford me some patience like my Venezuelan friends do.  In turn, I will increase my efforts to communicate through posting more of our daily lives with you.

morning

steps on pavement

“buenos dias”

hot sun

cool breeze

seeking

peace

birds singing

silence

“buenas”

green parrot

conversation

smiles

gratefulness

blue sky

green everywhere

white clouds

rest

refresh

ready

In my head this morning…
One of my all time favorites…
Step by Step by Rich Mullins

Thank you soooo much for reading our blogs and newsletters, making comments, loving us and for praying for us!

I know we can be our harshest critics. Most days we are working hard at learning and studying and making an effort to talk as much as we can with the people we meet – whether in the grocery line or in a meeting. We know we have made progress because we are living our lives in spanish. Everything we need to do or want to do, we do in spanish. But that being said, after coming home from a meeting last week, when Chris asked me how it went, I burst into tears. After spending a day with 5 wonderfully patient and kind women, I was so frustrated with my lack of being able to communicate well.  I understood almost all (progress!) but I could not put words together fluidly to contribute (in my opinion!). The time actually went really well but it was so hard and humiliating to not be able to communicate the way that I wanted.  I know this will be a continual battle for me. People are life-giving to me. Good conversations are life-giving to me. And for the last year and a half, it has been more work and even after that much time, there are days where I still come home exhausted as my brain has been working so hard at listening, understanding, and then responding…

Even though I am impatient with my learning, I am also encouraged.  We are slowly getting to know people.  We  have been meeting with people and asking questions.  We are hearing and understanding the stories they share of their lives. So, while I may not be able to respond with the fluidity I would like,  our understanding is growing daily and I am so thankful that people are willing to talk slower and use a different word to explain something if we don’t understand. They are so patient and willing to help us.

So, while I may sigh when you ask “how is your spanish coming” as I reply “good”, I am still so incredibly thankful for the gift of being able to learn this language.  Today my language tutor was explaining the use of several words to me that in english we only have two choices for.   The reason they have so many choices she told me is because they love to express themselves so they’ll use the words for varying degrees of emotion depending on how they feel – even though technically they are similar and could be used interchangeably.  This is amazing stuff to me and I love it! My love of learning has totally been inspired as I am a student of this language.

Praying in spanish is perhaps the most difficult for me but as nervous as I am when asked, I am so thankful for how God connects our hearts through His Spirit as we pray.   My heart is full even now as I think of my last opportunity to pray for one of the women in our church.  My spanish may not have been pretty but my heart was connected to this woman’s, even in spanish, and I was reminded through His Spirit as He filled me afresh in that moment that HE understands my chunky gibberish.  I am beyond grateful that He allows me to be here, to learn this language and to know these people.

In language school, we often heard of the stories of the students who were given the gift of language and were able to communicate in an amazing way by the time they left. I have asked God often to give that to us(!) but I am realizing the lessons that I am learning – the joy in the perseverance as I continue to work every day.   So I will continue to work and continue to pray that God gives us what we need and that He grows in us fluidity and fluency. And…trust. And the ability to surrender this to Him….after all, its never been all about the spanish.

So if you are wondering, don’t be afraid to ask us how our spanish is going. But please pray for us too as we continue to learn and also that we would be willing to be stretched and make mistakes and laugh and try again.

This afternoon we went with another Venezuelan family to the symphony of the youth orchestra. It was the boys’ first experience and it had been a long time since I had had the pleasure of listening live to such a high quality orchestra. I’m not sure of how frequent but at least a couple of times a month, they have free concerts and by the diversity of people I saw tonight, people love to come out to support the youth of Venezuela.

During one piece, they had a special guest violinist who has played all over the world and the composer of the piece was actually in the audience!

While we there, we met another family that we know! In a city this huge, it is always a surprise for us to actually run into people we know!   We are so thankful for these opportunities to learn, experience and enjoy more of life with people. (and of course keeping working on our spanish!)

Finally, being postfoundational does not mean we are timid.  Our confidence is not in ourselves and our wonderful ability to grasp and see reality, but in knowing that God knows all things and has chosen us to be part if his story.  He has revealed the beginning and the end, and asked us to be his loyal representatives in his world.  This good news takes the focus off of ourselves and our existential search for meaning-because we know the source of meaning and our identity is secure-and allows us to spend our efforts in boldly serving others for the common good.

Christmas Concert

Lukas' Kindergarten Class with Miss Alli

Mackenzie was a shepherd and while it was a challenge to find him a costume, it turned out great!  (Thanks to a friend for lending us her robe! and the use of pillow cases!)

Mackenzie

The boys’ favorite song was Holly Jolly Christmas!  Here’s a link to the video on YouTube:  Holly Jolly Christmas

The sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas can be found here in Caracas.   It is different to associate some of the things I always associated with the shorter, colder days and snow.

Lights are up and the ever popular inflatable lawn decorations are sold on the hot concrete – including one with snow blowing in a snow globe.   There are snowmen and santas everywhere.    Christmas carols are played in all the malls and stores – some in spanish and some in english.

snow globe

There are Christmas bazar type shops (we call them ferias) set up on almost every corner some with elaborate tents filled to the brim and others with a simple tarp set up all selling “Canadian Pine Trees” and other random decorations.   There is one set up in the parking lot that our church shares with another business and the smell of those pine trees is distracting – it’s amazing how smells can transport you to another time and place.

Christmas Bazaar with Canadian Trees for Sale

another one set up along the highway

We bought a fake tree but only brought 2 ornaments for each person in our family with us from Canada so we have been making ornaments to decorate our tree as we talk through the story of Christmas for advent.   The boys are really into it and while we have been very creative in what we have come up with, we have been having a lot of fun!   The other night we were talking about the story of Zechariah and Mackenzie got so excited and said “I get it, I really get it!”  and proceeded to share what he learned from Zechariah – that we can believe and trust what God says is true.

We are anticipating trying traditional Venezuela Christmas food called Hallacas,which are similar to tamales; however, we have been told they are distinctly Venezuelan! We have already had some Pan de Jamón, a long bread filled with cooked ham and Dulce de Lechoza, a typical dessert served on Christmas.   Dulce de Lechoza is made of green papaya and brown sugar which is slowly cooked for hours and is served cold.

While I miss family and tradition and, yes, even snow.  I think this has been my favorite year for anticipating, enjoying, and truly meditating on Christmas.   Change has been a good catalyst for digging deep and the boys are at such good ages for fun and good chats about what really matters.

I’m curious, for people who have spent time away from your “home culture” during the Christmas season, what part of your traditions did you keep and what part of your new culture and experience did you embrace?

Not only had God been working on *M & *G’s behalf, He had and continues to be working on our behalf.   The day after we committed to purchasing the vehicle, we received two emails from churches telling us that money was on it’s way or had been committed to our vehicle fund.   The day after that another group emailed us saying that a cheque was in the mail to head office. And a few days after that, we were told of another large sum given.   Money had been committed and had been given without people knowing all the details about had been going on!   To this day, we are SO very close to paying off the vehicle…  We have no doubt that this has all been in His timing and through His provision and trust that the final amount will come in.  We are excited for the day we can say “Stop giving to the vehicle fund” but we are not quite there yet.  We need a fresh set of tires, replace a cooling fan and add a few security features that increase our safety as we drive in Venezuela.

I mentioned in the other post that the van for *M & *G had been two years in the making and we know we are also experiencing God’s provision and plan years in the making.

When we began to talk with the boys about leaving Summerland and learning spanish and living in another country as international workers, they asked questions on their mind.  The basics:  What car would we drive?  Where will we live?  We told them that we didn’t know the answers to those questions but that we would go together and that we could trust that as God was making it possible for us to GO, He would also provide what we need when we get there.  When we would wonder how everything would work out – it was the boys that reminded us “God knows what kind of vehicle we are going to have” or “God knows where we are going to live.”   And here we are.  Living in the home that God provided with a vehicle sitting outside that God has provided.   There is so much that is challenging on a personal, emotional, spiritual level in being here but this provision of our physical needs has been a huge reminder and lesson to me personally that God has brought us here – it is only through Him that it has even been possible that we are here.   While some things are difficult and crazy as we navigate our way through these days, He is here.   He is providing everything we need as we cling to Him and keep Him our focus.

Last weekend as we were able to share this story with two couples over skype (our first 3-way video call!), one of our friends shared some verses from Psalm 33 and 37 about how God’s plans stand firm and it is that TRUTH that we are standing in and clinging to as we PRAISE and THANK God for who He is and everything He has done.

And without further ado…..

2006 Nissan X-Trail

Last week one of the stories was an incredible testimony to God meeting a need and not only meeting the need but in an extravagant way!   This story also became connected to one of our stories and we asked permission to share it.

While we were out of the country earlier this month renewing our visas our new friends *M & *G had a particularly rough time.   *M has Multiple Sclerosis.   *G takes care of her and his body gave out.  For two weeks, they were unable to leave the house as it was too difficult for *G to be lifting and caring for *M.   During this time, they were crying out to God.  They knew that there wasn’t anything they could do for themselves but were trusting that God heard them and would help.   They just had no idea how. As you can imagine, this was an incredibly difficult time.   Background on this wonderful couple is that when you first meet them, they have a light that just shines out of them.   Chris calls them a “light-house” couple in the church.   They are two years old in their relationship with God and their love for Him and gratefulness for the work that He has done in their lives pours out of them as they share life with people.   For them to be “missing and out of action” for two weeks left an obvious hole.   Because we had been away, we weren’t aware of all these details but when we returned, God was impressing in them on my heart and I felt compelled to pray for them.   In a strong way.

Two weeks ago on a Thursday, *G phoned Chris and shared what had been going on and said that our pastor had come to visit the day before and they had gone to an organzation for helping people with disabilities.  This meeting was both discouraging as there were no resources available to help them but also encouraging as they had a sliver of hope that they could import a wheelchair van from the United States and that this organization would help them do that.   *G knew that we still needed a vehicle and was wondering if we would be interested in buying their vehicle once they were able to get a new van.   Chris and I were excited at the thought as their vehicle would fit us well as a family and work needs at this time.  We knew we didn’t have enough money raised yet but also thought we had some time as they figured things out on their end.   We told them we were interested and would continue to pray for them and help in any way that we could/can.  The next day, Chris met with *G on another matter and he shared with Chris that at a minimum, it would take lots of time and lots and lots of money for them to import a van from the US.   They were wondering if this was out of their grasp.   However, completely unrelated, another person had phoned them that morning (this is Friday) and asked if they would be interested in a wheelchair van and if so, he would bring it over to their house that night to take a look.   They were very interested.

Sunday when we saw them at church, *M was glowing with a huge smile and told us, we need to sell you our vehicle “pronto!” She proceeded to tell us the story…..the man who had phoned them has a son with disabilities.  Two years ago he began the process of importing a van for their family.  Unbeknownst to him, at exactly the same time, their extended family was also importing a wheelchair van for their family as a surprise!   Earlier this month, TWO wheelchair vans showed up for this family at the same time!!!!    They did not need two so they were wanting to sell this one.    This van was perfect for *M and *G.   In brand new condition.   Beautiful!    This man said he was willing to leave it for them that very day and they could pay him when they could, how they could.   It was done!!!!    This van does not only give them freedom and meet their needs, it is extravagantly more….it is new and beautiful with all the extras!   God not only provided but provided in abundance!!!!

Later in the service, both of them shared their story with the church family and there was not a dry eye as we were all able to witness God actively working in their lives through the growing and stretching of their faith and through His obvious provision!

After the service, they showed us their new wheels….we praise and thank God for His good gifts!!!!

showing us the new van! (automatic doors and ramp!)

no lifting needed!

*M and *G in their new van!

a whole new freedom! (the boys were incredibly excited and fascinated by the special features of the van!)

This story two years in the making is also part of our story and we’ll share that part with you soon!

*While we have permission to share their story here on the blog, we used *M & *G for internet privacy!

Here are some of the highlights from our Fall Festival day!

Kelly came to Fall Festival, too!

Chris served pop and juice. Parent volunteers made and served food from their own countries, Korea, Italy, Venezuela, & China. It is truly an international school with Mackenzie and Lukas being in the minority as students from North America.

After everyone was well-fed, the games began! The boys played some games several times!

Each grade was in charge of running a game. The Lollipop Tree was run by the Kindergarten and first grade teachers, as students were older, they ran the games for the younger kids.

All the kids loved fishing for real live fish! Amazingly all the fish seemed to survive the ordeal!

We got our family portrait above on the blog header drawn by one of the girls from 12th grade. She was amazing!

The boys with two of Lukas' friends from Kindergarten

It was so good to have an opportunity to meet some more of the parents of the boys' friends and see the boys interact with their friends and teachers.

Waiting for the prizes to be announced!

At the end of the afternoon, they drew names for different gift baskets and prizes and Kelly won a huge basket of candy!!!!

Since the Fall Festival, the boys have been getting ready for their Christmas concert!  They have been singing Christmas carols for weeks and last week after breakfast one morning the boys began a song and dance routine that immediately after we were told to “forget” as they want us to be surprised on the night of the concert – I’ll just say there were “jazz hands” involved!   Thankful for the smiles and joy they bring us every day.