It occurred to Amy and I a few days back that we’ve been in Mexico for half a year. Believe it or not, we’re actually closer to the seven-month mark now than six! And crazy as it seems that so much time has passed, it’s pretty cool to look back and see how God blessed our work learning language and culture here in Mexico.
These days it has become harder to point out daily progress in my (Jordan’s) study. That happens because daily changes are a continually smaller part of the whole… but when I compare what I can do and say now with what was possible last August, I am very excited to see so much growth! I’ve started focusing on new areas, such as: advanced verb forms, describing detail in photos, softening my terrible American accent, and learning vocabulary in key Old Testament stories. Our church family here is also helping out, preparing me to take turns hosting our Sunday morning services. (Yikes!)
Since Joel was born, Amy has been working toward meeting her weekly target of 27 weekly hours in language study. Now, she’s hitting (or surpassing) that goal regularly! And her progress is very evident as well. One of her friends recently was quite emphatic on the issue, telling Amy, “No, you need to believe me! You are doing really well, Amy!” I’m sure you can imagine how encouraging that was for all of us.
Our kids continue to grow as well! Just the other day, I asked Elayne where her mother was. Being at church, I spat the question out in Spanish without thinking: “¿Adónde se fue tu mamá?” Before I could correct myself, she answered me in English… and when I excitedly asked if she realized I’d asked her that in Spanish, Elayne was as startled as I to learn what she’d understood! Similarly, we are seeing Titus begin to understand and use a growing Spanish vocabulary… though I hope no-one is too disappointed that Joel has yet to utter a single word of the local language! =)
There are lots of things to work on, and many exciting possibilities just on the horizon as we continue preparing for long-term church planting! We can’t wait to share with you what happens next.
Thanking God for:
- …His faithfulness to sustain us beyond our strength
- …continuing progress in language and culture
- …our amazing local church body
- …ongoing and upcoming opportunities to explore potential groups, locations, and co-workers for our future work in church planting
Ways to pray:
- Continued strength and encouragement in the face of exhaustion
- Monolingual language helpers to add to our awesome existing language team, and deeper relationships within our local community
- Growth in the Lord for each of our family members, relative to where God has us
Barb Barton says
Hi Amy,
just a quick note to say hi, and all appears that everything is going well.
I do follow you guys on my emails that I get.
keep up the good work. and take care.
Blessings, barb
Jordan and Amy Husband says
Thanks so much! =)
Laurie Greenslade says
So fun to hear how well you guys are doing! Way to go! Brought tears to our eyes hearing about the progress you ALL are making!
Jordan and Amy Husband says
Love you guys. =)
Sharon Guldjord (Gramme/GiGi says
It’s so good to see you, even in pictures. Congratulations on 6 months and counting. Only
about 107 days until Norway. I can hardly wait to get my hands on Joel!!! Elayne has grown
so much since I saw her last at Cannon Beach. I know Titus has too. Keep up the good work
there and God is blessing and growing all of you. My love, prayers and hugs are with you
every day. Just close your eyes and you can see “Grammie’s house” and all the love I have
for each one of you in the pictures hanging all over in my kitchen. Smell the food and fun
we always have and soon you’ll be here for real. My Spanish isn’t very good, but I will try
to express my love in English to all of you. Take care, My prayers surround you and go
up to God who can make the difference. He will help you through each test that comes.
I care, I love you, I’m praying,
Grammie/GiGi
Jordan and Amy Husband says
You’re hilarious, Gram – we’ll try to understand your English, and if that fails we’ll just have to fall back on sign language. =) Love and hugs – not too many months until we get that chance to share them in person!
steve kettel says
Thank you so much for being so faithful in sharing the good news of your progress there and what God is doing in you and your families life. Also much thanks for the delicious candy. So not needed but very much enjoyed! Getting ready here for missions conference. Exciting times. We think of you often a pray for you much. Would love to talk budget with you now that you have 7 months under your belt and have a real track record to go on. Hope and know that God’s provision is sufficient. Love you all and hope to see you one dsy soon if God wills. Steve
Jordan and Amy Husband says
Glad to keep you up to date, brother Steve. =) I can’t wait to hear how the conference goes; who is speaking this year? Whenever and wherever we get that next chance to sit down, catch up, and even talk shop… I look forward greatly to your company over a cup of whatever kind of coffee is at hand!