So long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu

As LCC Staff/Faculty depart, they are presented with a beautiful embroidered sash -- a traditional Lithuanian gift. Thank you to student-photographer Evaldas Daugintis for the beautiful photo featuring my "turkey timer."

Going into "Farwell Mode"

You don't have to know me well to know that I'm not exactly a musical fan. Please don't try to change my mind-- no matter how many times I attempt to enjoy 'The Sound of Music,' 'Into the Woods,' or *gasp* 'Rent' I just can't find myself humming along. However, God has a sense of humor and has placed a certain nauseating chorus into my brain and I can't seem to get it out. So for those of you who can't get enough of their beloved Rogers and Hammerstein, here you go:

This song has been on cerebral repeat as we prepare to end our time at LCC International University. These past four years of missionary service have been equally challenging and rewarding and it's clear that God has been preparing us for what is next [read more about that here].

You can't, however, begin your next big adventure without concluding the current one well.
Our calendar has been filled recently with the usual farewell parties and gatherings that you would expect from an academic institution. We've been blessed to say our "proper goodbyes" to the colleagues, students, and friends with whom we've shared our lives.

These 'goodbyes' will culminate on Saturday with the Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies at LCC. It's more than just an "Auf Wiedersehen" to these students -- it's kind of like our graduation, too. When we arrived on campus four years ago, we joined the ranks of the class of 2016. While we won't be crossing the stage and receiving a diploma -- although that would be awesome -- we too have experienced the growth and wisdom that comes with four years of international life while here in Klaipeda.

These students arrived as freshmen with us and will soon graduate, with many leaving Lithuania behind as they embark on their next journey. We've seen them grow from the oblivious first-year students who always, and I mean ALWAYS, set off the fire alarm in Neumann Hall into wise and experienced leaders ready to tackle the world. We've laughed together, cried together, and built a bond that will long outlast our time on campus. Through both the tough conversations and happy memories, their lives will forever be interwoven with ours. 

A few snapshots from the year. It's hard to believe a few of these guys will be walking across the stage on Saturday!

To the LCC Class of 2016: Thank you for helping shape Josh and me into the missionaries we are today and the people who are not only ready to tackle our next missionary posting in Spain, but also PARENTHOOD!

Baby Baby (i'm taken with the notion, to love you with the sweetest devotion)

Josh constructed a "Sidecar Sleeper" - handtools only.

OK, that's clearly an attempt to switch earworms from my current 'Sound of Music' tune to one of Josh's favorite artists - Amy Grant. You'll have to ask Josh all about his childhood love affair with a certain cassette tape to get the full story on that one.

We're clocking in at 38 weeks and three days, so this little guy could make his appearance any time. The only thing we know for certain is how much we don't know. I think accepting that fact as first-time-parents-to-be is an important step. We have, however, done our research, read the baby and breastfeeding books, and attended birthing class. 

We'll even tour the Klaipeda Birthing Center on Friday with our doctor. (Yes, we're having the baby in Klaipeda. No, we're not worried -- babies are born here every day.).

We're stocked up and ready with all the baby essentials. The hospital bags are packed (to include TP and a tea cup) and the infant car seat has been installed. Thankfully, through the generosity of friends, we've had to spend very little to outfit the nursery for the incoming "Roni" and many of these things will remain in Klaipeda to bless the next baby to arrive on LCC's campus after we've long gone.
If you are looking for ways to support us as we anticipate the arrival of our first child, here are a few suggestions:

• We'll be stateside in a few short months, so consider delaying shipping any baby gifts. This will prevent us from having to pack them back into suitcases and check them when we fly across the Atlantic later this year. We'll have time scheduled in both the Midwest and Arizona so you'll be able to meet our new addition and we can celebrate together in person.

• We'll have considerable resettlement expenses when we are back in the US to fundraise for our next adventure. Consider one of these options: 
• Make a deposit into our personal US Bank Account (JP Morgan Chase). Email us directly for information about this -- alishagarber@gmail.com.
• Consider a gift card. These will surely come in handy when we are back stateside.
• Hold on for a little bit longer. We'll be sharing details about how to make donations through Mennonite Mission Network for our next missionary placement in Spain shortly.

• If you are in the Klaipeda area, consider helping us out with meals / laundry / house-hold chores / sanity breaks after the baby is born. 

More than anything, please support us with prayers. The love will surely be felt across the miles. I must continually remind myself that this is a high-risk pregnancy. With two past miscarriages and my age, we were already in the danger zone. Add to that Gestational Diabetes, anemia and Strep B we know that we're in for an uphill battle in the delivery room. We hope to have a natural birth, but recognize that the baby's health will come first.

Please pray that when the "D-Day" comes, that we have the patience and grace to manage our next big adventure as best as we can -- in God's timing and not in our own.

A very special goodbye gift presented by the Student Life Department on Tuesday. This custom woodcut plaque includes the emblem of our favorite pub in Klaipeda-- Herkus Kantas. Our "home away from home" that includes so many special memories for us like Christmas / birthday / anniversary meals, staff who became like family laughing and crying with us through difficult times, very important tests, visits with friends from the US and Spain, concerts, innumerable delicious beers, and the naming of our son (no spoilers)! This place will be sorely missed when we leave Lithuania in a few short months.

Spain: Seek and You Shall Find

Josh bringing a message of hope to the church in Barcelona with translation aid from Ester, a youth in the church.

For this post to make sense, I suggest you read our LAST ONE first.

In short, the trip to Spain was very good. Incredible, even. But I wasn't going for leisure. I was looking for answers.

When I read the Bible and see these conversational exchanges between people and God, I struggle to relate. It's never worked like that for me. There are very few times I would point at a moment and say, "I know that was God speaking."

However, I went with one prayer -- that it become abundantly clear if Spain is where God most desires for us to serve or not. Nothing in between, just "yes" or "no."

The answer was overwhelming: yes!

Between conversations with church leaders in three very different communities, personal observations, affirmation during the leader's retreat in Madrid, and a consuming sense of inner peace, it's become clear Spain is the right direction for us.

Conversations

Between my Spanish and their English, there was no problem communicating with the various leaders from the three communities I visited -- Barcelona, Vigo and Madrid. I was able to learn about the unique needs of each community and could feel my heart jump into my throat as words like "worship," "youth leadership," and "art" came up over and over again.

It was powerful to see a similar reaction as, after hearing these needs, I revealed Alisha and my giftings.

Perhaps this is how God speaks to us.

Josh, left, and Abel participating in a very local, very fun Catalonian tradition that revolves around eating a spring-onion-like vegetable fresh off the barbecue.

Observations

At each stop, it wasn't difficult to see the potential in each city. Each has ministry connections that make them very important, powerful forces in their communities: aid and housing for low-income families, loving minority groups (Muslims and "gypsies"), and education for kids are just a few examples.

It also wasn't hard to see the factors keeping that potential from coming to fruition. In one community, it might be an overworked pastoral team that has their hands too full with the week-to-week needs to develop other parts of the community that want to grow. In another, it might be competent youth and worship leaders who are approaching burnout.

Regardless of the nature, I observed a real need for help.

Perhaps this is how God speaks to us.

Affirmation

Pastor Davide in the church building in Vigo after receiving a great deal of food for local needy families.

It's one thing to think you hear God's calling. It's another for others to share that they hear it, too.

At the retreat for the Anabaptist church leaders, I had a chance to speak with lots of different people and was also asked to share a bit about our current ministry in Lithuania and also our hopes for the future. I was able to ask many questions and I answered many, too.

By the end of the retreat, five churches had formally extended invitations to serve with them as long-term mission workers.

Perhaps this is how God speaks to us.

Peace

When we announced we would no be returning to LCC International University for a fifth year, our view of the future became very blurry. This, combined with the knowledge we will soon be parents, knocked the forecast completely out of focus.

The moment we allowed ourselves to say, "Spain is our ultimate ministry destination," a significant part of that future came into focus and we were filled with a sense of peace. Not just the peace that comes with making a choice, but the peace that comes from making a blessed decision.

Perhaps this is how God speaks to us.

Next Steps

The Sunday-morning worship service in Barcelona -- full of passion and love

While in Spain, there was one community in particular that seemed to have a "Josh-and-Alisha-shaped hole" in it. The others certainly had need, but they also had people in place who, with the right resources and support, can fill those needs.

We are in the midst of conversations with the community in Barcelona and Mennonite Mission Network (MMN) to ensure we're all on the same page and will continue to establish what a long-term project with them might look like. Nothing is confirmed yet, but we are hopeful this is a good direction both for us and them. We will continue updating as things continue coming into focus. Prayers, in the meantime, would be greatly appreciated.

(CLICK HERE to see photos from Josh's most recent visit to Spain.)

(CLICK HERE to see photos from Josh and Alisha's first visit in October.)

A special thanks to MMN for making this trip possible. About three years ago, we began developing our relationship with MMN and it has been through their support and guidance that we had the means to travel to Spain and connections with so many incredible communities.

Pregnancy Update

Super pregnant, super sassy -- now featuring artistry!

Alisha is super healthy and super happy. Maternity leave has been good for her: she's been diligent in reconnect with her artistic roots and has allowed herself as much rest and relaxation as a pregnant woman can experience.

She's also been feeling the love. You can check out photos from her surprise baby shower HERE and from her surprise birthday celebration HERE.

Due date is still mid May, but we all know the kid will come when he comes.