Why Nicaragua? Part 2

Part 2
The long awaited Part 2

Looking back on the time that has past since we first decided we wanted to go where the need is great, we would have to admit that there have been set backs, doubts, and even times we wondered if we would ever reach our goal before the New System. (seriously, it felt like forever). However, the time has given us much to look forward to, an opportunity to share our goals with others and to do lots of research.

We knew that Eli needed to get his citizenship finalized just in case something happens. Being a US citizen has incentives and protections for travelers-better safe than extradited! And now with both of us working part time we got on the Pioneer list (YAY!) This was something both of us had talked about doing for years but we never felt like we had the circumstances. The blessings have been numerous: my parents and their willingness to help and work around our service schedules, all of the friends in the hall constantly reminding us of our goals and encouraging us to continue trusting in Jehovah for whatever we may need now or in the future, the many young ones in the hall who encourage us with their willingness to work long days with us in service and who constantly remind us that they are coming to visit or more.... wink, wink, and of course, Jehovah who has shown himself to be generous in so many ways.

One of the most memorable ways we think Jehovah has shown us his favor is when we were deciding to purchase our tickets. So here were our dilemmas: 1) Money- (600 per ticket) 2) Timing-most of the flights we found were in the middle of the night and not very convenient for travel in the city or for friends to pick us up 3) Layovers -most of the flights we saw had layovers in Mexico for over ten hours 4) Decent Airlines- we heard crazy stories about Spirit and didn't care to chance it.

So this is how it went down....
We had been searching for weeks for a flight that was a straight flight with no layovers and an airline that wasn't Spirit, and if we could get a great deal that would have been helpful seeing that every time we saved, something would happen that need our immediate attention and well ....money.
One time.... One time I saw got a notice from Trip Advisor saying we could get a flight that fit our very description for $311.... If we left in July and if we bought our tickets immediately. Needless to say we didn't have the money or the time to make the trip that early. It was really disappointing that we weren't able to take advantage of such a great deal! So we resolved that when that deal came around again we would be really ready. We were more careful with our budget and started looking for more clients to work with. But in all honesty it wasn't any of our efforts that made what happened next happen.

In July, we had the C.O's visit. We were super excited because it would be our first visit while pioneering together and it was special for us. We had been checking on flights for weeks again and no results that worked with what we needed. One day while we were in service, we got a notification from the bank that our rental payment was paid 2 weeks early, and the next day we would be paid from our day job. If only the tickets were $311 we would be able to buy our tickets that day!!! So Eli and I talked about praying very specifically about what we needed. We asked Jehovah for a straight flight, at a normal time of day, on a reputable airline, and the kicker was we asked that the ticket cost $311. We knew that if they were there before Jehovah could make it happen if it was his will that we do this. So we agreed to pray separately because we were still in service. After a very anxious and excited prayer (honestly I have never asked for anything so specific from Jehovah) I keep hitting refresh on our flight search. I had read many times that the best prices on flights were flights out Tuesday and Wednesdays so that's what I searched for. However, when we got to the Hall before the afternoon meeting for service, I sat down but I didn't see Eli and I was seeing the same prices and flights as always. So I asked myself why am I relying on mans advise about the Tuesday and Wednesday thing... I started to check out other days. Then Eli sat down and I hit refresh.... and wouldn't you know it .....$311!!! United Airlines, in the middle of the day, straight flight, and bonus: one free checked luggage each. I couldn't help contain my excitement. Needless to say we bought the tickets after the meeting:)

We have no doubt that Jehovah maneuvered things for us. Experiencing him answer our prayers gave us all the confidence in the world that he would help us in our Nicaraguan need greater adventure! We can't wait to see what else he has in store for us!

We love you all and hope that you can continue following us as we share our experiences with you!

Why Nicaragua? Part 1(First post and many more to come!)

Hello everyone! Eli and I are so excited to visit Nicaragua and help where the need is great. Every one of you have been so supportive of our goals and we appreciate you all so very much for all of your encouragement. We will miss you very much and we hope this will help us keep in touch.

 This year makes 10 years since Eli and I have been married. There's no better way to celebrate this occasion than to finally reach our goal of serving where the need is great! Jehovah has blessed us in so many ways throughout the years but this one is the best yet. He helped us buy a rental with an amazing tenant who is a dear sister and pioneer. He allowed Eli to quit his job he had for 10 years and for us to move to Louisiana. With the help of Jehovah and my parents we were able to start a business online and this will hopefully continue to support us for many years of service to Jehovah where the need is great.

You may wonder "What in the world made you choose Nicaragua?" 

One day during pioneer school, during lunch several of our classmates were asking Sister Hendershot (whom I didn't know yet) when she was leaving for her trip to Ecuador. Excitedly she talked about going where the need is great and the many other places she had been before this trip. This piqued my interest so much that for the rest of the school I enjoyed asking her more and more about her plans and finding out about this wonderful avenue of service I hadn't considered before. This encounter rooted a desire deep within my heart to serve where the need is greater.  

When I got home I discussed this desire with Eli. But neither of us could see how we could ever save up enough money to serve where the need is great. We didn't have many debts but we were living paycheck to paycheck with utilities and rent leaving little to no money to save. Saving enough to travel  to a foreign country where there is a greater need seemed impossible. But nothing is impossible for Jehovah.

As time went on, we began to discuss ways we could simplify our life.  Renting wasn't something we viewed as a waste of money because we knew that one day we would be able to serve Jehovah in a more full capacity and we didn't want anything to tie us down.  However no matter how we tried we couldn't see how we would reach our goals with so little savings. So we began to consider buying land and a small home to fix up and then rent out providing us with income.  Eli's parents helped us out tremendously while we were buying the home and other friends in the hall helped us with fixing it up as we had no idea how to do many of the things the home needed. These friends hold a dear place in our hearts as they helped make our current situation possible.

In January 2014, I began working remotely with my family's business. This set the foundation for the work we will be using to support ourselves in Nicaragua. I spent many hours talking with my mom about how we could make this transition. The family needed help in caring for some of the business and we needed to rent our home out and to begin selling our things. My parents very lovingly arranged for us to stay with them in a small apartment behind their home while we made the arrangements to move to Nicaragua. So in September 2014, Eli put in his two weeks notice and we moved from Texas to Louisiana. I was very glad to be in my home town again in the very congregation I grew up a part of. And Eli was glad to be no longer rubbing shoulders with the world at a refinery job. 

Part 2 of the story to follow.....