jon and layne heller | Casa Ahavá and our Family

Brave Girl, Come Out

A Layne Post

When my sister arrived, she came bearing gifts for all. One of Anaya’s presents was a doll from the new Disney movie Brave. We haven’t seen it yet, but Anaya had noticed my niece’s on Skype and seemed to like it, so being Aunt Boog, she snatched one up and threw it in the suitcase. I saved the doll as a distraction item on safari, so Anaya would have something new to keep her busy. It worked for a few minutes as she inspected her, messed with her crown, and took her shoes off. She named her Brave girl.

Once we arrived home, Brave girl was given a home. She lives under the couch. Do not ask me why, for I have no idea. You can ask Anaya where Brave girl is and she will go get her, look at her a bit, and put her right back where she belongs – under the couch. It seems a little ironic to me, the girl called Brave girl hiding under the couch.

Brave Girl

But sometimes maybe we’re not so different. We, who are meant to be brave, yet living under the couch. There are times God calls us to do brave things. Sometimes God calls us right out of everything that seems comfortable, right out from our dusty dwelling under the couch, and right into our role He’s destined for us. And just when you think you’ve become brave having done so many previous heroic feats, you find yourself comfy, staring at the padding of the cushions above all over again, muscles gone weak.

We’ve been in Mozambique 3 years now, all the while volunteering in Oncology with an idea and hope for Casa Ahavá. We had no children. Then Anaya was born. Then Jovie was born. And now precious number 3 is on the way. We will have a 2 year old, and 13 month old, and a newborn. And I find myself thinking, “Now, Lord? Really? Now?” But His movements are unmistakeable.

So here I find myself once again looking at the Lord’s plan for me, and I am needing to dust off, crawl out, and command the brave girl to come out.

December 16, 2012

Layne

Casa Ahava, Things we're dealing with

6 comments

Questions No One Asked

A Jon Post

***Warning*** This is a pretty long post. Get comfy.

Ok… so… Casa Ahavá, right? You guys all remember that? Remember how we have posted wanting to welcome people here into our house and offer a place of peace, safety, comfort and rest to those friends of ours who have so little of those things?

Well, here’s a few posts about it in case you don’t remember.

1: Back in June of 2010 we wrote about it when we moved into our first house here in Mozambique. Let’s Get to Work.

2: We wrote about it again in September later that year. A Broad Smile.

3: We moved again in July last year and wrote about it for our new house. We’re In.

4: We even wrote about it and kind of detailed it with some pictures in November last year. Casa Ahavá.

Here’s the thing: No one ever asks any questions on here. I know it may seem weird to call us out in a comment and be all public about it but we never even get emails asking “What ever happened to Casa Ahavá?” “When is that supposed to happen?”

Well I’m going to answer the questions no one asked! I know how silly a practice that can be but I’m going for it anyway. I’m in a good mood this week and so I don’t mind employing silly practices when I’m in good moods (just ask my wife about that one).

Q: What (if anything) have you guys been doing to see Casa Ahavá become a reality?
A: We spoke with the director of oncology at the hospital more than a year ago. That director changed without giving us a green light to do it so we spoke with the new director. That director seemed to think it wasn’t a great idea and thought that, if we did anything, we should do it on a completely unofficial basis, not involving the hospital at all (a local lawyer we spoke with advised us that this was a decidedly bad idea from a liability point of view but we decided that we were willing to take that chance and so moved ahead with that in mind). THAT director changed and so we spoke with the newest director about wanting to unofficially invite people from the hospital to stay with us between treatments. THAT director decided that this was such a great idea that we need to involve all levels of the hospital and that I should speak with the director of medicine for the entire hospital about it. Unfortunately he is notoriously hard to sit down in person with so I submitted a letter detailing what we wanted to do and why. After submitting that letter to his secretary, I was told I would be contacted about it when he had a chance to read it over and give an opinion (whew, that took a while to remember all the steps we’ve taken). I never got a call so I began following up with his secretary trying to get a response and get a sit-down with him. Finally, some development started happening when I was referred to the Social Services section of the hospital. After some back and forth (Social Services and director’s office not really being clear about who I should speak to), I was told I needed the head doctor at Social Services to respond to me (there’s more reason to tell you all this than simply boring you with mundane details I promise). More on this in a moment.

Q: How hard have you been working trying to get all this stuff pushed through offices and approvals?
A: Not very.

Q: Why so little effort?
A: Great question. We’ve thought a lot about it and we’ve come to realize a couple things.

1. After living here for almost 3 years we’ve noticed that there are times when the only way to get things done (especially when dealing with government related issues) is to violently and forcefully advance them and push the Kingdom of God ahead.
2. This was not one of those times.
We weren’t sure why we felt so sure it wasn’t one of those times, we just felt a tremendous peace from God that we were to wait for Him and for His hand to move instead of forcing things to move. This perplexed and, at times, grieved us because we’ve watched so many people over the last 3 years with an acute need for a home to stay, and at times, die in. However… we waited. And hoped.

Q: What is that “More on this in a moment” sentence about up there?
A: Ha, so I’ve hooked my imaginary conversation partner! Actually, I’m just conversing with myself, but it’s a good sign when I’m able to get myself on the edge of my own seat waiting to see what I’ll say next right?

So, I was at the hospital last Tuesday visiting and a man approached me. He mentioned he was from the Social Services department of the hospital and wanted to sit down with me some time and chat about what I do and about how we could work together to best serve the patients in oncology. I told him I’d be happy to get together with him and go over those things. He gave no indication he was talking about Casa Ahavá and, in fact, merely mentioned that he saw me visiting and so wanted to chat about that specifically.
We agreed to meet the next day and so I arrived at the hospital on Wednesday with an extra copy of the letter I’d written to the Social Services doctor about Casa Ahavá ready to introduce him to the idea. As we were walking together to a bench where we could sit down he asked me where I stayed, and I told him the area of town my house is in. He responded with, “Are you at all connected to that guy with the house out there who wants to house patients from oncology?”
Taken aback for a second, I replied, “I AM that guy! That’s my house!”

He seemed equally surprised and, with a smile, responded, “Well you need to come meet the head doctor at Social Services with me then!”

Then followed a couple hours of sitting with the whole Social Services department, including the doctor I had not been able to meet with before.
I was able to express our heart in both practical and emotional terms and even share scriptures that move us to act the way we do and offer what we have.

This is what we have been waiting for.

This is God’s hand moving things we had no way of moving on our own.

At the end of the meeting we set up a time when 4 people from Social Services could come see our house and inspect it for it’s readiness to host patients.

Tuesday morning, if all goes well, we’ll host them here and move a large step closer to welcoming the sick and lonely into our home.

Q: Why did it take so long to get to that?
A: It was supposed to be interesting enough to plough through it all to get to the end where you find out we’ve actually got real things happening with Casa Ahavá!

So please pray with us on Tuesday that things go well, that God is glorified, that we love well, and that favor is given.

We’re celebrating. Our God comes through when He tells us to wait. He has made our spirits bright.

Thanks.

Doorway to Casa Ahavá

December 9, 2012

Jon

Casa Ahava, Hospital Ministry

11 comments

And So We Grow

A Layne Post

The Hellers in Mozambique are expanding once again! I am 8 weeks pregnant with a healthy little life, which already has a strong heartbeat. Isn’t that amazing?

If I’m honest, we were a little surprised at the news, but happiness quickly ensued. We desired a 3rd child soon, so while we needed a little adjustment in our plans, we praise the Lord for His plans. I trust the Lord’s grace will be sufficient, even in parenthood to 3 kids under 3!

I am feeling well, while a little on the tired side, I’ve experienced little to no nausea.

I appreciate your prayers over the coming months.

Thanks for being a part of our family. We are deeply grateful.

November 25, 2012

Layne

Personal, The Kids

4 comments

Letters to My Dying Friends

A Jon Post

Some times I catch myself thinking over a monologue I’d like to give to one of the many friends I have at the hospital who are dying. They end up looking like letters I’ve written to them, if at least in my head.

Tonight I thought I’d write one down.

Dear Manuel,

Did you know I liked you when I first saw you sitting on your bed across the room? You just sat there in silence, a look of quiet kindness on your face and your worn, brown, leather jacket slung over your shoulders as if you’ve known that jacket for years of wind, rain and sun.

The breathing port jutting out of your trachea made a soft noise as your sharp eyes studied mine. I introduced myself and you put a finger over the port so your voice would carry out of your mouth and I heard your raspy name, “Manuel”. Your smile and firm handshake cemented my respect and admiration for you.

We’ve talked off and on over the last 4 months I’ve known you. You seem more comfortable listening than speaking. I know that speaking brings pain now since that hard metal port has been surgically placed in your throat, but have you always seemed like that? Before you came here and had your voice so irrevocably changed, did you listen so much? Did you laugh so softly?

I can tell that, though you haven’t worked it for the many months you’ve been sick, your farm still brings you much pride. It was my great joy to listen to you speak to my older brother about it when he sat with you one day. Even though it caused tremendous pain to speak for so long, you laughed and spoke in depth about the rice, corn, tomatoes and more that you plant there each year. When you asked for a picture standing by his side, just the two of you, my heart leapt with pride and joy that you two, in 3 short days, had grown to know and respect each other so well.

Now you lie in your bed dying, waiting for another surgery on your wounded trachea. What specifically have the doctors told you? Have they told you your prognosis? Do you still dream of being healthy?

I brought you that picture taken standing next to my brother today. You asked for it earnestly last time. What place does his visit take in your memories of your life?

I’m not sure how to close this letter to you. Hope? Truth? Promises? Just lovingly?

Hope? We’ve spoken of it before. We’ve spoken of the faith you and I share that gives assurance to the hope in Christ and His salvation. There is hope there. There is still hope.

Truth? You are dying. It will probably not take long. I am sorry I don’t know how to say that in person. I’m sorry I don’t yet understand you well enough to speak the words of that truth while speaking of comfort and love.

Promises? I promise that I will pray for you until the truth of this sickness is played out. I promise to visit you and stand with you and bring you cans of Fanta and snap shots of my family until then. I do not promise a miracle, or a healing, but I’ll ask the God who can give them that He does.

Love? There is Christ. There is Christ. There is Christ.

And instead of filing this one away into the rest of my unsaid, unspoken, unwritten letters, I’ve written this one out and I’ll share it with the internet. Will I share it with you? Do I have that courage?

I hope so. Maybe not word for word, but I’ll do my best to bring these words to you my friend.

And that’s what you are.

My friend.

Yours,

Jonathan

October 31, 2012

Jon

Hospital Ministry

4 comments

Jon is 30!

A Layne Post

Jon had his 30th birthday, and I must say, it was epic. His 3 brothers arrived here in Mozambique on Sunday afternoon. (Alright, let’s take a moment and think on the awesomeness of that alone… okay, now we can move on.) They got here just 1 hour before his 80’s themed’ Minute to Win It’ party. To name a few highlights, there was a mullet, leather pants , denim, tie-dye, puff sleeves, neon colors, bacon wrapped pineapple, and wacky games. So fun. Thanks to all who made it happen.

No words, no words…

The bros

For Jon’s big birthday present he was given an indoor rock climbing wall. Seriously? Amazing! When I tried to think of the perfect gift, this was it! Our work is emotional and at times stressful and one of Jon’s biggest outlets is rock-climbing. Since having kiddos it has been a little more difficult to make those trips happen, since it is a 3-4 hour drive and then trying to figure out what to do with the kiddos during climbing time. Because Jon’s bros were coming, I knew they could bring some climbing holds for us, something hard to source here, not to mention so much more expensive. Even in the States, however, it is no cheap project, so I couldn’t do it on my own. I want to give a big shout out to:

Dan and Vicki Heller, Pete and Judy Prescott, Chris and Tara Craver, Stephanie Prescott, Ben and Louisa Heller, Joe and Evie Heller, Paul and Becky Heller, Javan Mesnard, Pete and Jenni Jacks, and Matt and Holly Jacks for making it possible both financially and with some physical labor!

Beginning of rock wall construction

So great to work alongside brothers

Some thinkin’

Here is goes

What are we gonna do?

1st climb

Happy birthday, Jon!

Also while the boys were in town they visit the hospital a few times, spend a morning at a ministry very dear to us Masana, and go fly fishing in South Africa.