Way back before we had kids we heard this missionary family at a church in Stanley. They were looking for financial support to work at a Christian Camp in Spain.
Many years go by and they are back in the states and this time they are looking for a place to stay while they are raising their support in our area. Jesse got the email and we talked about what we could do for them. To be honest my first reaction was "I can't..." "I don't..." "My house is too small..." That particular week we were suppose to be going back to schooling full time (we had been just doing 2 days a week since having Madilyn as kind of a maternity break for me) plus I had a lot of extra activities scheduled and I was already a wreck trying to figure out how we were going to get it all done.
We thought about it for a bit and then we were both like - we have to do this! This is the least we can do for them. Max can move out his room and they can stay in there. All my stuff can wait and it will all work out. We invited them to stay with us and they were so thankful for a place.
They were coming on a Wednesday night - which I had an Abiding Care Meeting and the kids had Awana and I needed to volunteer at also. Jesse just happened to have a slower day and so he was going to be home and able to host them until we all got home.
Wednesday came and the kids asked if they could skip Awana so they could meet Pedro & Viky and hear their stories. I was able to do my meeting via video and so we all were able to be here for them. A blessing I never saw coming.
It ended up being such a blessing to us having them here. Hearing the sacrifices they make and how the money they have is only by the support they raise while they are here. They told us that they don't know how they do until months later after they get back. As of right now, before they came, they are $700 short every month. It was the least I could do to open up our home, cook them warm meals, and pray for them.
They were in the Green Bay Area before they came by us. We didn't know anyone in that area so we asked them if we could get them a hotel. They said yes. The hotel we ended up having them stay at just happened to be the same hotel the Packers were staying at! They use to live in the Rib Lake area and work at Forest Springs Camp so they know about the Packers and their kids are big Packer fans. Their daughter, who was back in Spain, wanted them to get pictures. Pedro joked that the Packers had just lost a game and so he didn't think they would be up for any pictures. They never did end up seeing any players, that they know of, but they did see all their gear and luggage!
Pedro & Viky were both born and raised in Spain. They spoke English very well. And it was such a neat experience for our kids. To hear what they do. To meet someone who can tell us first hand what it is like in their country. Like how it is illegal to homeschool. If the government finds out your homeschooling they will come and take the children away from the parents. It is legal, however, if you in the circus or military. I was telling another homeschool mom about that and she said, "We would join the circus then." and we started laughing so hard because really it feels like a circus some days anyways so why not make the circus a lifestyle too!!
Did I get school done? Nope. But you know what - I decided that learning real life and learning to love on people was far more important than school books that week! We have far more days to get out the books and learn!!
