Introducing WorthwhileAdventures.org

Photo courtesy of Alison Mae Photography

We excited to announce the launch of WorthwhileAdventures.org

As we enter this new season of ministry, we recognize the size and scope of what we are doing no longer fits well in just the contents of this blog. We find we are being asked many of the same questions over and over, which tells us we need to do a better job communicating.

Our hope is having a more-accessible platform to share our ministry may help us better share a) what God is doing and b) what we are doing to help.

Don't worry -- this blog has been fully transferred, so you're free to take a walk down memory lane. We also will continue to make regular updates, just not on Blogger anymore.

The Longest Layover

Josh introduces Asher to some of his Anabaptist roots at Yoder Department Store in Shipshewana -- the heart of Indiana's Amish country. We also grabbed some sweet corn seeds for the garden at the church in Barcelona.

Grandma and grandpa Denny get some Asher time in Anderson.

After a busy two weeks in the Midwest, we've finally arrived and moved into our Arizona home -- well, home until we return to Barcelona.

While we want to give thanks to all who hosted us throughout our travels, it truly feels great to no longer be living out of suitcases!

Asher chills outside Frisch's Big Boy in Anderson.
He was able to meet a lot of his extended family
from the Denny side.

Already we've been surrounded by folks who tell us that our being back in Phoenix brings with it a sense of "the good ol' times." Although we've never thought of ourselves as the stuff of nostalgia, we are truly excited to spend some time with friends and family who we've only seen in brief stints the past several summers.

After all, we weren't running away from the lives we had built in the United States when left to serve in Lithuania. Rather, we were running towards the lives and ministry God had been planning for us.

And we continue to run forward with God guiding our steps. Our destination: Barcelona. Our layover: Phoenix.

When flying, a layover is often a place you need to stop on your way to your destination. It's easy to think of it as, at worst, an obstacle to your goals, and, at best, a necessary evil.

But it doesn't have to be that way.

Last summer, our flight path took us from the United States to Lithuania with a five-hour layover in Frankfurt, Germany. We've had many layovers and, before that trip, we'd always waited outside our terminal, praying the time would pass quickly. But this time, we decided to check our luggage into storage and have an adventure.

The photos speak for themselves:

An afternoon in Frankfurt (clockwise from left): Alisha's culinary dreams come true with some Bavarian standards, a group of street performers wow the crowds with their acrobatics, and we spied the world's most interesting man.

What a fun layover! Needless to say, we had had a good time AND we made it to our destination safely.

Towards the end of his ministry, we see Jesus traveling from the region of Perea to Jerusalem. In the middle of his journey is the city of Jericho and Jesus and his students stop there. However, this wasn't just for a casual meal. From the moment Jesus approaches the city with the crowd to the moment he leaves, he seizes the opportunity to build the Kingdom of God. He does the following:

• Teaches his followers about the nature of his kingdom (Mk 10:35; Mt 20:20-28)
• Restores a blind beggar's sight (Lk 18:35-43)
• Meets Zacchaeus in a tree and dines at his house (Lk 19:1-11)
• Heals two more blind men (Mt 20:29; Mk 10:46)

Jesus saw his layover as an opportunity, was present in the moment, and continued to build the Kingdom of God. We hope to follow his example as we adapt to life back in the Valley of the Sun.

Settling In

We asked for help with getting reestablished and many of you have helped in amazing ways! We still have some needs, but read below to see the way God faithfully has provided through his community:

• A Place to Live: While in the Phoenix Valley, we need an affordable place to call home. If you have a spare room, consider letting us join you in community! Thanks to Brian and Natalie for your generosity here!
• Home Furnishings: Do you have an extra couch, bed, or lamp lying around? Although we are fine "camping indoors," basic home furnishings would help make the rental house feel like a home. For the most part, we're covered. It would be nice to get a real mattress to replace the blow-up one we're currently using, but it could be worse!
• Transportation: Phoenix is not the easiest place to travel using public transportation. Add a baby to that equation and things get downright challenging. Do you have an extra vehicle we could use? We're covered through early September. Leads for something more long term would be appreciated.
• Part-Time Work: We have saved some money for resettling, but we'll be able to stretch it much further if we can supplement it with some additional income. Leads on flexible, part-time jobs would be much appreciated!
• Baby Things: Although we have plenty of clothing, we are keeping an eye out for other things babies need, such as a car seat and stroller. Asher officially has more places to sit than adults do at our house. Thank you Beka Mast-Gibbs!
• Help Networking: Are you connected with a church community? Maybe you can introduce us! The Trinity Mennonite Church community has faithfully supported us as we served in Lithuania the past four years. However, our work in Spain will require a larger budget to cover the increased cost of living and our additional family member, so we need to expand our fundraising network. Help here would be incredibly significant!

This is a special photo -- four generations of Garbers sitting together. From left, they are Josh, Asher, Jordan (he's single, ladies), Jerry, and Grandpa Bob. We had a great time reconnecting with family at the lake in Michigan!

Barcelona: ¿Si o No?

Josh and Gabriel share a few words after the church community's meal on Sunday. Good conversations have been plentiful and helpful in discerning our future in the region.

David, in blue, discusses Saint Francis of Assisi, the idea of being God's
instruments of peacemaking, and shares LCC's Ukraine-Russia "flag story"
as an example. Also, Josh was asked to sit in for the worship music.

It's official: we're serving with the Mennonite community in Barcelona!

For the past several months, we've been talking about Spain and, more specifically, Barcelona as our ultimate destination for service after working in Lithuania for four years. However, nothing was final until the church community had a chance to get to know us better and decide -- via consensus -- that they want us.

In upcoming posts, we'll describe in greater detail what our roles will be, but one excerpt from the proposed job description illustrates why this decision was being made with such caution:

We want to offer (and look forward to) blessings, enrichment and mutual growing -- both personal and communitarian -- in maturity and in number, working together in our hardest issues and improving our mutual abilities...as we become “one body.”

Asher proves he can lose his hair and still be cute. There
has been no short supply of community members seeking
to hold him and give him lots and lots of love.

In other words, could the local church community commit to us in the same way we vow to commit to them?

This makes the fact we were accepted without any reservations all the more significant!

To say we are excited would be an understatement. Both the metaphorical and physical embrace from the community has been unreal and it only stokes the fire that God ignited within us long ago. Whether you describe it as identifying your vocation or your calling, we feel like we're right where we're supposed to be.

The past week has been filled with so many meals, meaningful conversations, laughter,
singing, exploration, living in community, and prayer. Language has not been an issue -- Josh's Spanish is serving well, Alisha is learning lots, and Asher's cuteness overcomes all boundaries.

Next Steps

The first Sparrows concert in Barcelona just outside the church building.

In less than a week, we will be back in the United States. Between now and then, we will continue to meet with members of the community and take inventory on what life here will look like.

While we are quite excited about our future work in Spain, we are also eager to take advantage of this chance to reconnect with our North American family, friends,  and other supporters.

Our current travel plans are as follows:

• July 12-17: Northern Indiana/Southern Michigan
• July 17-24: Central Indiana
• July 24: Phoenix Valley (Arizona)

If you're interested in connecting, please let us know! Just e-mail JoshuaSGarber@gmail.com or AlishaGarber@gmail.com and we'll work something out.

No mic stand? No problem!

We also are still working on some needs and would appreciate any help we can get:

• A Place to Live: While in the Phoenix Valley, we need an affordable place to call home. If you have a spare room, consider letting us join you in community! Thanks to Brian and Natalie for your generosity here!
• Home Furnishings: Do you have an extra couch, bed, or lamp lying around? Although we are fine "camping indoors," basic home furnishings would help make the rental house feel like a home.
• Transportation: Phoenix is not the easiest place to travel using public transportation. Add a baby to that equation and things get downright challenging. Do you have an extra vehicle we could use? We're covered for Michigan and Indiana!
• Part-Time Work: We have saved some money for resettling, but we'll be able to stretch it much further if we can supplement it with some additional income. Leads on flexible, part-time jobs would be much appreciated!
• Baby Things: Although we have plenty of clothing, we are keeping an eye out for other things babies need, such as a car seat and stroller. We're set for Michigan and Indiana!
• Help Networking: Are you connected with a church community? Maybe you can introduce us! The Trinity Mennonite Church community has faithfully supported us as we served in Lithuania the past four years. However, our work in Spain will require a larger budget to cover the increased cost of living and our additional family member, so we need to expand our fundraising network. Help here would be incredibly significant!

Like Sparrows We Fly

Being grounded to take flight

How do you walk away from four years of relationships? For us, it is by taking one step at a time.

Our final weeks in Lithuania felt like a victory lap. My father and brother made their first visit and we took a whirlwind tour throughout the country. During that time, we had a final opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful locations and people that have defined our past four years.

From left, Dalia, Kipras, and Goda pause their work at Herkus Kantas, our
"social headquarters" in Klaipeda. These friends and this place will not be
forgotten.

Immediately after, Asher's passport arrived and we booked our plane tickets for just one week later. Commence the long days filled with packing, sorting, downsizing, and cleaning. For a second time in our lives, all our possessions fit into a handful of suitcases (plus a couple guitars).

Experience has shown us that it can be painful getting to that point...but that it is also incredibly liberating. When you have less holding you down, you can fly freely and swiftly, which is exactly what we are doing now.

Asher's name was just one of many things to come out of
the "love bird booth" at Herkus Kantas.

Yesterday, we left LCC International University, Klaipeda, and then Lithuania for a final time. It was hard. I'd be lying if I said we had dry eyes as we flew away and I pointed out to Alisha that I could see Michaelsen Center  -- LCC's gymnasium -- below.

"This was our home," Alisha smiled.

But then we had a moment: looking at each other and then at Asher, we knew that wasn't entirely true. No, as long as we have each other, we're still home. But everything else now changes.

And now some pictures from the final Garber Tour de Lithuania:

...

"Do not worry..."

In his great sermon, Jesus reminds us to remain focused on today's issues rather than dwelling on those of the future:

Matthew 6 

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 

"Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" 

Asher takes his first bath! Also, proof the boy can cry.

We've found this to be true. Sometimes, God provides miraculously: many loaves and fish out of just a few, lots of wine where none remained, life after death had won.

More often, however, it is through God's church that we've seen God care for his children.

As we prepare for our return to the United States for an extended season of fundraising and reconnecting, there are several needs we offer God and his community:

• A Place to Live: While in the Phoenix Valley, we need an affordable place to call home. If you have a spare room, consider letting us join you in community! Thanks to Brian and Natalie for your generosity here!
• Transportation: Phoenix is not the easiest place to travel using public transportation. Add a baby to that equation and things get downright challenging. Do you have an extra vehicle we could use?
• Part-Time Work: We have saved some money for resettling, but we'll be able to stretch it much further if we can supplement it with some additional income. Leads on flexible, part-time jobs would be much appreciated!
• Help Networking: Are you connected with a church community? Maybe you can introduce us! The Trinity Mennonite Church community has faithfully supported us as we served in Lithuania the past four years. However, our work in Spain will require a larger budget to cover the increased cost of living and our additional family member, so we need to expand our fundraising network. Help here would be incredibly significant!

We thank you for all your prayers during this time of change and transition. Within the next week or two, we'll share a bit about our stay here in Spain.

Meet Asher Francis Garber (lots of photos)

Ella Myer shows Asher Francis Garber some love. Ella has been a dear friend of ours during our time in Lithuania and has shared in our ups and downs as we've sought to become parents.

We are in a season of celebration.

Asher Francis Garber was born at 4:13 a.m. May 16, 2016, in Klaipedos Gimdymo Namai (the local birthing hospital).

If you've been following our story the past few years, that statement alone should be enough to explain why we are celebrating. If not, THIS POST from December 2014 should catch you up.

Although the birth itself did not go as we planned, we are excited to share that Asher is healthy, hungry, and happy!

So many photos!

(Right click to download)

...

FAQ

What is the significance of the name?

Regarding "Asher," we liked the idea of a name either from the Bible or from nature. Asher is a name that kind of straddles both categories, with an ash being a type of tree and Asher being one of Jacob's sons and a tribe of Israel.

The middle name, "Francis," is in reference to Saint Francis of Assisi. Known for his love of nature, critique of capitalism, objection to violence, and vitally important efforts in reforming the early Christian church, we could think of no figure (aside from Jesus) whose life and message strikes a stronger chord within us.

What is the baby's nationality?

Asher has U.S. citizenship -- naturalization is not an option in Lithuania like it is in the United States.

What are your immediate plans?

We will remain in Lithuania until we receive Asher's passport and get the OK that he is good to travel. We anticipate this will be sometime July. Then we will travel to Barcelona. As we mentioned in a blog post in March, Spain is our next long-term destination for service and the community in Barcelona is very excited to meet Asher and get to know Alisha better.

After a short stay there, we will be heading to the United States to reconnect with family in the Midwest, attempt to network with additional churches for fundraising purposes, and finally settle back into the Phoenix Valley while we fundraise.

How can we support you?

We have all the baby clothes we could ever need for the next several months (thanks to a particular LCC student) and are, in general, good with baby "stuff" here in Lithuania. That said, if you're looking to support us, you could do one (or more) of the following:

• Donate through Mennonite Mission Network  We have been incredibly blessed by the generosity of many, many people during our time at LCC International University and pray such giving continues as we prepare for our service in Spain.
• Connect us with your church  Serving in Spain (and having a larger family) means we will need to raise more money to serve each year. Our home community -- the people of Trinity Mennonite Church -- has been beyond generous in their support these past four years, but we need to network with more communities in order for our service to be sustainable. If you think your church community would be interested in developing a partnership, please let us know!
• Prayer  We have so much to learn as parents during this season of our lives and are experiencing an incredible amount of transition. We're also not entirely sure what the future looks like for us and a relying on God and God's people for support during the upcoming months. We ask for your prayers as we step out into the unknown.

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

A group photo with the Spanish church leaders. Communities represented were Madrid, Burgos, Vigo, and Barcelona.

 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

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.

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.

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.