One More Month

We have less than a month left of formation.  Part of me wants to stay in the Mission House longer, soaking in all that I am learning.  Another part of me is getting the itch to leave, to experience what we are hearing about from others who have missioned already.  I am so humbled by how much I  thought I knew coming into the program, compared to how little I actually know.

We are also preparing for Jessica's first communion on May 13.  She is so excited.  She is asking so many good questions and is more attentive during the Mass.  All our kids seem to really get that they are not just going because their parents are going, but that they too have been called.  I have a feeling that I will be learning from them how to settle into our new life in Cameroon.

I have let go of so much, yet how can I condense my life into two suitcases for 3 years?  The process of surrender happens in all kinds of arenas.

God keeps revealing just the tiniest hints of what is around the bend.  I can't wait to experience it for Him and with Him.

-Joy

Kids at the Mission House

Greetings!  My name is Joshua Newburn and I’m going on a mission trip to Cameroon for three years in about three months.  Before my family and I came to The Mission House (the place that all of the people that are going on a mission stay and prepare to go), I learned that there would be a kid named Joshua Powers that would be staying with my family and all the other people staying here.  At first, I was a bit uneasy around him and his sisters, Madison and Caroline, but after a while, we became more comfortable with each other—I bet I could put a slug in Caroline’s shirt, but I’m not allowed to come into her room.

It’s a cool coincidence that the ages of the Newburn and Powers’ kids are so alike.  Josh (P)’s birthday is March 9, 2001, and mine is March 19, 2002.  Currently, Jessica is 7 and Madison is 8.  Emily and Caroline are both 5.

           

Most of my free time, I spend playing basketball, chess, and piano with Josh.  We’ve been writing this cool love song called My Girl, and I’m dreaming to sell it and have thousands of people silently singing verses of My Girl while listening to the song on their iPod device.  Ah… that would be the life.

You know, I want to write more, but look (↓), the page has almost run out, and right now I’m feeling a feeling to follow the feeling (say that 10 times fast) to go and play a computer game, so bye! 

-       Joshua Newburn

Formation Program

Hi from the Mission House.  We are about 2/3 of the way through our formation program.  We have had an impressive array of teachers as we learn in the areas of theological formation, personal formation and cultural sensitivity.

Learning to live in community has its challenges, but as we work through our differences, I can feel the Holy Spirit working in me.  The kids love having three kids to play with after school.

Both Pete and I have attended a small faith sharing group back in Rancho Cucamonga, which has been such a blessing.

I traveled home for a few days to visit my mother on Cape Cod after she fell and broke her leg, just a few weeks after she had a hip replacement.  It will be hard to be away from family while on Mission, but my call to go has not wavered.

-Joy