Our One-Year Anniversary

Yesterday marked our first year here in the Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. At this point we are preparing for another phase of what God has us doing. While we do feel God has made Merida our home, at least for now, we feel the Lord is having us take some more steps in getting settled in here.

When we first moved down I believe that the Lord showed me that we had approximately 2 years to get settled in. At this point I can say we have made several steps forward in learning the culture, the language and in fellowship. The scriptures say the following:

"God sets the lonely in families..." Psalm 68:6

We have seen this dynamic in our lives as we have been here. The Lord has set a family around us. The Body of Christ generally functions as a family, a body and an army. While the definitions of each one of these overalap to a degree with the other two, their is still something very basic and purposeful about family. Help with daily living, communication in the same language, help with errands, helping with each others kids, showing one another how to live on a daily basis, eating together.......All of these things fall into the category of "family" as I see it. And God has given us a family here and we are very grateful for it.

Yet we still have more settling in to do. If we are going to be here long term we are going to need to consider whether we are going to stay on an FM3 visas or shift over to FM2's. Once an expat from another country holds an FM2 for 5 years you can apply for inmigrado status. If approved, an inmigrado becomes a Mexican citizen except that you do not have the right to vote in political elections on any level. You can also adopt Mexican orphans if you have an FM2. This is something we are praying about at this time.

There is more I could share but for the sake of expediency I won't. I would just ask that you would pray for us to have wisdom, understanding and knowledge as to how we are to continue settling in here in the place we believe God has told us to call home. If we come to your mind please just pray for us to have these things along with the Grace of God. We very much appreciate it.

The boys are doing well. Christine is doing well. All of our new pets are doing well. I think I am doing well. We hope and pray you are all doing well. God Bless and keep in touch with us. If we can pray for you please let us know how.

God Bless,
Jay and Family
http://www.miraclesinmerida.blogspot.com/.