This year there are so many important things happening and we need the support of our family and friends more than ever. This seemed a good way to get the word out...WE ARE MOVING TO BELIZE!!
In the last 3-4 years God has been moving in some amazing ways in our family. We took our first family mission trip, Steven went off to college, Michael started Seminary and Laura, well Laura is growing into quite the beautiful young lady. The one dark blot was Todd's wreck September 2012, but even that difficult time, God used.
Our family, (except Steven whose Troy schedule has not cooperated yet) has been going to Belize on mission in the southern district of Stann Creek with Kidzkonnect 4 Jesus http://www.kidzkonnect4jesus.org/ since 2011. The first trip was to our church's partner school, Light of the Valley. On that trip the thought hit me, I could actually do ministry here! The possibility was terrifying, I'm no missionary! but because the language is English and there was need of nursing and discipling children I could just begin to see it. Todd...not so much. All of you know of my insane love of the beach, I began to fearfully consider God may have placed that heartsm desire there Himself! The beach is beautiful even 1-2 miles from poverty.
With each trip back a little more of Gods plan has unfolded, relationships with teachers and parents have developed, and the children! Knowing them by name and hearing our names on their lips, they have stolen my heart for sure!!
Todd has become the logistical and administrative expert for our mission team and that will be a part of his role with Kidzkonnect. He has developed friendships with some men in the church and at the school which opens the opportunity for him to disciple. Our friendship with the missionaries there, Karen and David Rhodes has grown closer with each return visit and we began seriously talking with them about moving down there...one day.
The wreck. The wreck put Todd on his back for 6 weeks, caused us both to be shaken with the reality of life's fragility in a PERSONAL way. We were surprised at the speed and certainty that conviction set in that maybe our lives were not lived in obedience of faith, but obedience of convenience and comfort. We were not really risking anything in our serving, giving or going...was being willing enough or was God requiring more of us?
In March 2013, our 3rd trip back Laura left with the idea she would homeschool her Jr year, in case we moved to Belize her Sr year, she could come with us. We thought that was just precious and encouraged her to google it. I really never took her seriously, but....another "never" swallowed, she is doing just that and fabulous at it, I might say!
In June 2013, Todd and I returned to Belize, staying with Karen and David to get a taste of "real life" in real heat:) after picking us up at the airport and lunch on the beach, they drove us to a camp, they had signed ownership papers the day before. We toured around the grounds; mango and lime trees, bunk houses for 64, a kitchen/dining building, caretaker cottage, worship area AND a three bedroom/ one bath house...ours for the taking, if we would just move down. Once we realized God was opening the door for serving full time in Belize we had to choose to walk in obedience or not.I'll not bore you with more details. Lord willing we will move down in March 2014, we will plan extended trips home 3-4 times a year, it's only a 3hr flight to Atlanta.
Please pray for us. Todd will leave Flowers after 31 years of employment and a lifetime of relationships. We will be shipping household necessities over, selling our home, and I'm sure there are details we can't fathom at this point. God is faithful, we can take this step of obedience without knowing exactly how it will all work, because we know he is the one at work in us to will and to act according to his good purpose.
In case that is not enough excitement, Michael is engaged!!! To a precious girl, Amy Hannum, they will marry April 19th and we couldn't be happier! Steven will graduate May 9 from Troy, with his degree in Finance and has applied to the IMB for a Journeyman position. Please pray for the Stone family as often as we come to mind! We are humbled and grateful for the roles you all have played in our journey and don't take lightly your investments in us.
Our Needs:
PRAYER For physical and emotional strength and health- leaving is not easy!
Approval for the Qualified Retirement Program, which allows us to import our household items without import taxes.
Packing.
Spiritual preparation...meeting with other long term missionaries, reading, reading, reading!
Learning ways to multiply disciples in another culture
Selling/renting our house.
Todd's job-now for handing off a job he's done for all of his adult life, he leaves Flowers on Feb 28th. He will begin the hunt for a new job when we return for the wedding and graduation. For now, his eyes are wide open for the opportunity God will bring.
Please help us be on the look out for deals on :
Queen mattress
Queen futon
Full bed with twin upper bunk
20 ft trailer
2 tankless water heaters
Boxes and bubble wrap
In a few months we will need:
New 4 WD vehicle- Belize will only allow import of vehicles younger than 36 months
Boxes and packing bubble wrap
Our desire is you will join us on our walk into obedience of faith and visit our blog with our updates!
Much love and joy!
Todd, Shirley, Michael, Steven and Laura
