--we must delay initialization until the server tells us it's ready to begin
local initialize_client_modchannels = minetest.mod_channel_join("initializer")

local function recursive_startup_attempt()
    local ready_to_go = initialize_client_modchannels:is_writeable()
    if ready_to_go == true then
        --good to begin
        initialized = true
        initialize_all()
        initialize_client_modchannels:leave()
    else
        --try again
        minetest.after(0,function()
            recursive_startup_attempt()
        end)
    end
end

--begin initial attempt
recursive_startup_attempt()