Welcome to the Ippel family blog! We're new to the blogosphere, but think that it will prove to be a good way to tell the stories that we encounter while we serve in Nicaragua to you, whomever you may be! We will be moving to Managua, Nicaragua at the end of July to serve as partner missionaries through Christian Reformed World Missions. I (Andrew) will teach pre-school at Nicaragua Christian Academy-- I can't wait to become a part of the community of teachers and learners at this diverse school. We are also excited to spend our time serving others in a variety of ways--ways in which we're not sure of yet! Check back often here to hear more:)
In regards to the title of our blog. . .please don't think we are showing off our Spanish knowledge, which is truly very limited at this point! Despite nights of brainstorming and even a last-minute attempt at a Blog-Naming Facebook Contest (results included "The Ippistle", "Michigan to Managua," "Ipps Nic Trip," and "The Ippels Ripple"), we ended up choosing one of the few Spanish words we did know without consulting a language dictionary. Las semillas (pronounced "las say mee yas") means "the seeds".
I really like the metaphors of seeds found in the Bible and in life. Both the "Parable of the Sower" and the "Parable of the Mustard Seed" speak to a time of beginning, growth (or not), and spread (or not). As we prepare for our own "planting" in Nicaragua, we are keenly aware that we will remain dependent on God for growth and for the eventual bearing of fruit. We want to see the Kingdom spread--we want to plant Kingdom seeds in the hearts of others as well as we build relationships in a new place. As a soon-to-be preschool teacher, I also find the idea that God works in small things (and in very small people!) a good reminder of the importance of my ministry to the littlest ones at Nicaragua Christian Academy. We know God's garden is already going wild in Managua--there are so many people of God in Nicaragua already that we will be growing alongside of. . .and that is something we are thankful for as we head into a new place.
The whole plant metaphor can go on and on. . .we're feeling the pain and exhaustion of pulling up roots as we're planning our goodbyes and our "last" events here in Michigan before we leave in July. It will be very difficult to leave this community here---our church, jobs, neighborhood, friends. . .we've lived in GR for 7 years now and we will miss this place.
We covet your prayers in the transition: we're going to attempt to sell our house in two months--which is a lot of work! We have a lot of "stuff" to deal with. . .this move is a great excuse to downsize, but it is not easy, esp. with three kids. We ask for prayers that our kids continue to handle this process so well. We're going now in part because we can with kids this young--doing this with teenagers might create a bit more family tension! But we don't want to underestimate the fear/unease that our kiddos might experience during this move. Finally, we ask for prayers to keep focused on the sense of call we feel to do God's work in another place. It is already very easy to only focus on fundraising, logistics, selling the house, emailing people in Nicaragua to prepare things for us there. . .but that isn't the main thing.
Thanks for your prayers and your support! Check in with us every once in a while. . .we'll try to be good communicators, because we do feel that part of our call is to tell the stories of God working in another place. Peace,
Andrew and Family
