AHHH!!!

Yesterday was the 29th of January! That means we only have 1 month until we leave! Panic!! There is lots to do before we leave and it can be quite challenging to get things done when you have a four month old who is now napping less during the day and wants to be held more! You definitely learn to cram as much in when you have a few minutes here or there or when the little guy is down for a short nap. So, on that note, I must stop blogging to tackle some of the things on my list like getting stuff ready for our travel Doctor appointment tomorrow and creating a packing list of what we will need while we are away. It's a little tricky to figure out what a growing infant will need over the next few months, especially for first-time parents. Plus, I'm not sure what we can buy over there and what we should bring with us. But I'm sure we will figure it out or do without! :) Send us your tips if you have ever travelled with a young child!

~ Sylvie

El Salvador is a tiny country in Central America (about twice the size of Cape Breton). The country's landscapes are filled with corn and sugar cane fields, rolling hills, volcanoes, picturesque towns and a busy city life. The country's highways have practically no shoulders, pick-up trucks are over-filled with people; hot water is pretty much an urban legend... In short, it really is a great country! However, on a more serious note, the country's past is filled with tragedies (earthquakes, hurricanes, civil war, human rights abuses, economic hardship, gang violence).

That being said, the country is also filled with examples of overcoming these hardships. Especially when it comes to natural disasters, it is evident how communities come together and rebuild their country time and again. The reason I am sharing this with you so that you can pray for the country and the people of El Salvador. Pray that we can share God's love wherever we go and with whoever we meet. As much as I am going to El Salvador to carry out my research, one thing is clear: it is God who is sending me there and it is God who will provide ample opportunities for my family and I to share his love wherever we go. We will definitely face challenges as we adjust to our new context - language, food, work-life balance, customs, consumption habits, etc. However, I am convinced that this experience will prove invaluable in the lessons that we learn as a family, in bringing God's Kingdom to earth.

-JGM

A little list

Some of the things I am looking forward to in El Salvador, in no particular order:

• The SUN! Going on daily walks in the sunshine with no snow or bulky snow gear!
• Fresh fruit, some even growing in the backyard and introducing these fruits to Levi who will be starting solids soon.
• Meeting the rest of the family and introducing them to Levi.
• My mother-in-law's cooking! She is amazing and I hope to spend some time having her teach me how to cook traditional meals!
• Seeing where my husband and his family come from.
• Hearing the beautiful, melodic Spanish language all day long...and learning more of it.

~ Sylvie

What's in a title?

I have been thinking about our blog title: Melaras on the Move. It makes me think of The Jeffersons theme song, Movin' On Up! Of course our blog title refers to our travels but it also reminds me of the church, of how the people of God are always on the move. With God things are never stagnant, even when they may seem to be. Sometimes I have to remind myself of this when circumstances seem to remain the same for weeks or months on end. But I know from experience that God is always on the move; Behind the scenes, God is at work on my behalf, aligning things and working them out for my good.

The title also reminds me of my response to God. It makes me think of the pillar of cloud and fire that went before the Israelites in Exodus. When it moved, the people moved. This is how God wants us to follow him. With our eyes fixed on him, we can see when he moves and then pick up and follow. If there is one thing I have learnt in my life, it's that it is much better to be in the centre of God's will than anywhere else. There is no safer place. Though it may not be easy to do what God wants you to do or go where he calls, it is infinitely more rewarding. He does have our best in mind after-all. The awesome thing is that God does not call us to go where he won't; He goes first and he guides us all the way.

So , it is with this in mind that I pack up to go to El Salvador for four months. Whenever I feel nervous that I will be away from home with a young baby when I am still adjusting to this whole motherhood business, I remember that God is going before me. I remember that with Him life is always an adventure that brings joy and fulfillment and that he only asks me to do what I am equipped for. He only asks me to do what will cause me to prosper because his plans are to give me hope and a future. Plus we are only gone for a short time...we'll be back soon enough and with tons of great stories I'm sure!

~ Sylvie

The Melaras are Leaving on a Jet Plane!

2012 will be the start of an adventure for our family, as we get ready to fly to El Salvador! At this point, preparing to travel with the entire family seems somewhat overwhelming. Getting our passports, figuring out what Levi will need while we are abroad, setting up our accommodations, while managing our responsibilities at home, means that the next months of preparation will be somewhat hectic. Thankfully, we have experience travelling, so this takes away some of the pressure (we are a great team when it comes to travelling). We have also loved the idea of living abroad. This will be the first test to see if this is what we really want!

So about the blog... this is where we will document our adventures and where friends and family can see where in the world we are and what we are up to. It is also a place where you can leave us some comments - to encourage us in our journey. This is an exciting time and we want to share our meanderings with you!