The more you know... and monkey tales...

The more you know…

So as a nesting mama-to-be, the unknown has been getting to me- especially in regards to our missions endeavors. Today we talked to a Covenant representative and asked her a bunch of questions. We got some great information about what the future may look like. The next step in the application process is to meet with a mental health professional to ensure we are “fit.” Only for God’s grace will we get through this part! . After we “pass the test,” our application will be passed on to the director of missions and then to the Africa missions directors for their approval which usually takes a few weeks. So we should know for sure by the end of the year. We also learned that the missionaries in Central African Republic have already been contacted concerning us and were “excited for us to come.” So this told us two things: our assignment will be CAR and we have their blessing! Once we have officially been approved, we can start fundraising. The Covenant person gave us a very rough figure- about $100,000 for the two of us for two years. This includes all of our traveling expenses, health insurance, housing, etc. The figure is actually half of what we thought it would be- so that is nice. In order for us to start our two year journey, we will have to have 85% raised through either upfront gifts or pledges. If we don’t raise it all, we will have to continue fundraising from another country. I am praying for 100% so that way we can focus on our training. Speaking of training, looks like our first training session will be in June in Chicago. This is Covenant annual training for all missionaries. I look forward to meeting people like us going all around the world and to getting prepared for our mission, but it shall be interesting with a 2 month old! Our training will continue probably in either France or Belgium for French language school for 3-4 months. Then a few more months of language study in CAR. Then the real work begins. Looks like the earliest we would leave for language school would be Fall/Winter 2011. I would like to push it back a few more months to January 2012 so that we can spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with family- especially since it will be the first Christmas with the new baby! But I pray that I will be content with God’s timing- whenever that may be!

Monkey tales…
As for the little monkey- I am 16 weeks and feeling great. I have felt the baby move a little bit. It feels like tickling, but from the inside. It is kind of weird and exciting at the same time. We will find out in 1 ½ weeks whether we are having a boy or a girl! We have also started the process of getting the baby room ready. We are converting my office to the nursery which means I have done a lot of rearranging of my stuff into other rooms of the house and also letting a lot of stuff go (putting it into boxes for a yard sale). Which has made me realize how much junk we have and how little we will be able to take with us which is a little sad, but mostly freeing. Today, Josh set up the crib! That made having a baby that much more real!

A little monkey on the safari!

As you probably know by now, we are pregnant! I am 16 weeks and feeling great! One of the first questions people ask when we tell them our good news is, “Are you still going to Africa?” Most people, Christians included, are surprised to hear that this little monkey was all part of the Africa plans. Have you met my engineering husband? We Shinars plan things! We found out we were pregnant a week after we mailed our missions application into the Covenant office!

Yes, that is right- we have officially applied to be missionaries! So far, we have completed the in depth application, background checks, health screenings, and integrity questioning. The application questions included: “Please tell us about your Christian conversion and Christian experience,” “How have you participated in the church?” “What plan do you follow in maintaining your devotional life?” “What is your position on alcohol, tobacco, and drugs?” “What motivated your missionary concern?” in addition to questions about how much debt we have, school grades, and work experience. Then there was the health screening which included crazy detailed questions like “Do you floss twice a day?” “Have you ever had a sunburn?” and at least 20 questions on our sex life! There are definitely no qualms about asking personal questions. The integrity questionnaire asked if we had ever had an affair with someone in our church, if we have ever sexually harassed anyone, if we have been fired from a church for sexual reasons, if we have ever been arrested, if we are attracted to people of the same sex, opposite sex, or both. I see that these are all important questions, but I was just surprised and saddened that they had to ask them. So now you know the preliminary questions to being a missionary!

The next step on our journey is a church interview. A small group of people from our church need to ask us some questions, give us their blessing, and recommend us to the mission board. The person heading the interview has already told us that it will be more of a time of affirming our call and praying for us rather than raking us against the coals.

What happens after that? Well, we are not too sure yet. There are still many unknown steps on our journey to Africa. I feel like Peter stepping out of the boat. Jesus has called and I am responsible for making the first step. What happens after that is up to the Lord! But to be honest, not knowing all the details can be a little frustrating for a mommy-to-be in the early phases of nesting mode! Here is where the trust part comes in!

We would appreciate your prayers in the following areas:
- for the health of the baby
- trust in God during the process towards becoming missionaries
- peace in the unknown
- that we will have plenty of time in the States after the baby is born to recover, get used to parenthood, and spend time with family
- for the preparation of us to spread God’s love
- that God would prepare the hearts of the people we will encounter