"I object!"

Now that we've started revealing our plans to move overseas as missionaries, we've encountered a range of different reactions to our news.  Most people are excited for us to go share the Gospel in another country.   But, in addition to the support and encouragement of our friends and family, we've also come across several objections to the idea.   Some of them are very...American...in nature.  Some of them are kind of funny.

1.) What about Dan's job, benefits, 401K?
Well, to begin with, Dan's current field is in the oil industry, which (contrary to what the Obama Administration would have us believe) is going nowhere fast.  We feel confident that when/if God is done with us in Belize, and He sends us back to the U.S., that Dan could find work in the oil industry again.  If that wasn't possible, he would do lawn care/construction/whatever it took to keep food on the table.  As far as benefits and 401K stuff, we don't have those anyway, so no worries there.  (In this economy, it seems like it's actually becoming less common for jobs to even offer those, unless you're in a higher paying white-collar job.)

2.) What about health insurance, medical care?
Well, again, we don't have health insurance right now anyway.  We've gone without health insurance for quite some time.  We pay cash when we absolutely need to go to the doctor or hospital.  We paid our midwife in cash for Z's birth.  We try to treat minor issues (ear infections, urinary tract infections, stomach aches, even the chicken pox :-)) at home, using several methods.  Essential oils, garlic, cranberry juice, and prayer are all in my medicinal "toolbox".   When we have what appears to be a severe issue, beyond the scope of what we can handle, we go to the doctor or call our doctor and ask him to call in a prescription for us.

3.) What about your kids? 
What about our kids?  Hehe.  No, really, they're fine.  They are mixed, some excitement, some nervousness.  But, overall, they're looking forward to a new adventure.  Our children are surprisingly flexible when it comes to moving and traveling.  It might have something to do with the number of times we've moved and the crazy trips we've taken with them.  Not sure.  :-)  They will miss seeing their TX friends frequently, but we hope to soon have mission teams coming down to visit us & that will be tons of fun for them.

4.) What about school?  Won't they get behind?
Well, we homeschool.  So, we won't be pulling our kids out of a school, or trying to hurry and get down there to enroll them in the local Catholic school.  I have already contacted the Home School Legal Defense Association (which I highly recommend joining), and asked them what they knew about homeschooling in Belize.  Their research didn't turn up much, other than it's not illegal.  Especially since we'll be living there as US citizens.  "It looks as though homeschooling is protected by Belizean law, even though it is likely uncommon. Your place of permanent residency should not affect your ability to homeschool."
We will probably pay for their HSLDA international membership if we gain residency status in BZE.  In the meantime, we will just buy next year's curriculum and keep on doing what we're doing.
  
5.) What about the weather and the bugs? 
Yeah...  Well, honestly, I think living in southeast Texas was just our breaking-in point.  The humidity and mosquitoes are pretty bad here & it wasn't much worse down there.  It will be rainier there, so that will take some getting used to, but hopefully we can be adaptable.   I'm already imagining citronella plants all around our house.  :-)

These are just some of the questions we've been asked so far.  I'm sure there are many more to come!  Do you have anything you'd like to ask?