Buehlers on Mission

On Friday, we found out that Ava was selected as the 4th grader that best demonstrated the character trait of the month: courageous. Doulos focuses on six codes of character throughout the year as part of the work to truly develop disciples of Christ. For the trait of courageous, Doulos emphasizes, “We risk doing what is right and good when faced with challenges big or small. (The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous are bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1)”

Ms. Johnson, Ava’s 4th grade teacher specifically stated, “Ava has been so courageous in live class by speaking and sharing out in front of the class. Being new to Doulos this year, she has done such a good job by participating and reaching out to the other students online.”

Ava received her award at our monthly school-wide celebration, Revolution. We are so proud of the courageous actions that Ava has engaged in and the witness she is to her classmates. She has truly embodied great courage throughout our entire transition and we pray that she will use this same courageous spirit to pursue Christ throughout her life.

Yesterday was a cast away of the best kind. After four weeks of being side-lined with a broken arm, Brennan got to throw his full cast AWAY. What a happy day for all of us!

The timing of his injury has been a source of discouragement for him this past month, as he has been unable to get it wet or fully participate in our new island life. His heart was already struggling with leaving friends and family; this injury really seemed to be the tipping point of plummeting his spirit on many days.

The good news, however, is that we are two-thirds of the way there. He will wear a shorter splint for another 13 days and then have total freedom to be a crazy boy once again! We even found some rainbow chip frosting for our cast away celebration cake. Score!

It’s the small victories we didn’t even know we’d celebrate. 

Like clean laundry after almost a week. We’ve quickly discovered that there are a handful of things that must all work together to achieve a beautifully strung line of clothing. 

Because what seems like a “given” is not always so. The power goes on and off, sometimes daily, for no apparent reason. And the city of Jarabacoa shut off the water after the tropical storm. And though we were stoked to have the water come back on after a couple days, we discovered that it wasn’t like before. It was muddy and murky, coming from the river following the abundant rainfall.

Tonight I choose to be grateful for clean(ish) clothes!

We’re moving to the Dominican Republic! Sometimes when I say it out loud, I can hardly believe it myself. It’s been a long journey. It’s been just shy of 7 years, in fact, since Mike first told me the news. He had unexpectedly woken up early one morning and felt drawn to spend some time alone with God in the great outdoors. What seemed like a calm way to start the day ended with a crazy revelation…God was calling our family to serve overseas.

A mix of shock and terror, my response was less than stellar. With two kids? The developing world? Away from my family? I didn’t think I could do it.

Mike is the person I admire most on this planet. He has this amazing way of being gentle and loving, yet kindly firm in his leadership and with truth. Never once did he demand that I get on board. But never once did he waiver on this calling. He chose the sweet spot in the middle of asking God to change my heart and fiercely loving me in the process.     

And this was not a quick process. For five years I wrestled. I really did want to obey, but I was afraid. I desperately wanted to have joyful surrender, but even white-knuckled obedience was a challenge. It was in the spring of 2018 when God used a missions related retreat to create a beautiful breakthrough. God made me painfully aware that I was paralyzed by fear. And this time, I was ready to change. I was tired of wrestling and wanted nothing more than the freedom that comes with true surrender. I committed to embrace this radical calling with boldness and we’ve been on the move ever since.

Within 7 months of my surrender, the door swung wide open for our family to join Doulos Discovery School, a thriving gospel centered ministry in the Dominican Republic. Doulos provides a path out of poverty for 265 pre-K through 12th grade students each year. Our visit in August 2019 allowed us to see that there is a definite Buehler shaped hole at Doulos that we have been called to fill. We leave in less than 6 months and are so excited to continue this crazy adventure in the DR!

You can learn more about how Doulos is changing lives or how to join our team through our partner with us page.