Before you read this, keep in mind this is meant to be a letter sent in the
mail. I figured some of you may not be on my mailing list and it was a way
for me to cheat and get a blog posted without extra effort. Don't judge me!
I know Christmas letters are becoming something of the past. However I
still think it is nice to get mail once in a while. This year is the first
time I am writing a letter apart from the Christmas letter my mother writes
where she generalizes my life into a paragraph. This is partially because I
am not living with my parents currently but mostly because God has given me
an avenue to glorify Him by telling you about my year with Him.
2012 started not unlike any other year. I was working for Firestone
Complete Auto Care as an automotive technician. I stayed busy with my job,
activities at church and with my friends. In late January I was accepted
into a mission organization and was expecting to spend 11 months in the
mission field. Shortly thereafter in January I received an injury at work.
My injury allowed me to continue working through the month of February on a
very light duty schedule. In early March I was faced with my first surgery
to correct the injury I received from my work. I had a minimum of six weeks
off work after the surgery in which I spent the majority of my time being a
bum and doing as little as possible. However I did have plenty of time to
work on my support raising for my missionary calling. During my first
surgery they discovered another problem which needed correction due to my
expected lifestyle on the mission field. In early April I had my second
surgery. One week later I returned to work on an even more light duty
schedule than before. At this point my employer found it most effective to
move me into a sales position working in the office.
A few short weeks later in mid May I attended an 8 day training camp in
Georgia as part of my preparation for the mission field. I continued
working for Firestone until the middle of June at which point I quit my job
to have a few uninterrupted days with my family before leaving the country.
I spent a few days with my family in Texas and then went to Boston, MA to
visit Sarah for about a week before my departure. All 170 young men and
women who left with me in July had to report to Washington D.C. on July 2,
2012. On July 6, 2012 we split into three smaller groups and left the
country to be the hands and feet we have been called to be. Roughly 60
hours of plane rides and bus rides later, we arrived at our first of eleven
countries, India. My team of 6 spent the month of July in India working at
a disabled children's orphanage and ministering to the Hindu caregivers. It
is a beautiful thing to see how even when the language is different and the
culture is different, Gods love is truly universal.
Since July we have been through India, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia
and Vietnam. Each country has its challenges along with its blessings. We
have been handed the mixed blessing of seeing the way "the least of these"
do life everyday. In no way do I know what any of their lives are like, God
has simply taken what we see on screens everyday and turned it into
something tangible and breathing. I am expected to continue this mission
through Africa and Europe before returning to the United States. I have
been blessed with good health and good community since leaving the United
States however life at home didn't stop for me.
In July my cousin Amber, the daughter of my fathers youngest brother and
only cousin my age in the Schmidt family was married. Then in early August
my cousin Lydia, daughter of my mothers sister Mary and my only cousin my
age in the Bloemendaal family was married. I hear both events were very
delightful and quite beautiful. On November 20 my maternal Grandfather left
us to join his Father. The family joined for thanksgiving two days later
and celebrated his life on the 24th of November. My bother worked things
out to stay in Minnesota from thanksgiving through Christmas to assist my
grandmother with the adjustment to this new lifestyle and to provide the
services only a strapping young man can provide. Sarah continues her
renewable energy career even when it isn't easy. Mother and father continue
their "American dream" lifestyle in Katy/Houston. All my family has been
incredibly supporting this year as I journey through the kingdom.
"I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! I will lead them. I
will comfort those who mourn, bringing words of praise to their lips. May
they have abundant peace, both near and far," says the Lord, who held them.
Isaiah 57:18-19 Our Lord is our healer and our strength. He leads us and
loves us unconditionally. He has the ability to bring ultimate peace and
comfort. This year has been nothing short of incredible; incredibly
amazing, incredibly challenging, incredibly sad and an incredible blessing.
I pray all of your years have been nothing short of a blessing and I
continue to pray for this holiday season to find you all well.
As He leads me,
Jason
