What Do You Think of Washington?

"What do you think of Washington?" Many people have asked Fernando this question, usually followed by, "Isn't it beautiful?" This makes us smile because it happens frequently and because we truly are enjoying summertime here. This is what we have been up to:

We've been seeing friends and supporters in the area, learning about how they are doing and how we can pray for them. In turn, we get to tell them about testimonies from Honduras, challenges and needs there, and how to pray and help. Thank you to all who have taken us out or invited us to your homes for meals!

After visiting a friend in Bellevue, we stopped at Coulon Park on Lake Washington.

With my long-time friend, Heather, at Kerry Park in Seattle.

We spent a weekend in Bellingham, where I attended college. It was fun to show Fernando around and spend time with friends. We went to church with some friends, and the pastor invited us to give a presentation this fall about our ministry. Hearing about how our friends are actively involved in their churches and community encouraged us, as well.

Spending the evening at Boulevard Park.

We spoke at a church in Tacoma that partnered with me when I was with Wycliffe and has prayed for me during the past seven years. We appreciated the warm welcome and the pastor's encouragement during this time of support-raising.

We visited a Garifuna congregation in the Burien area. It was beautiful to worship with Garifuna brothers and sisters in Washington, learn about how the church began, eat a great home-cooked meal, talk to people in Garifuna, and meet relatives of good friends in Honduras. The pastor has invited Fernando to preach there sometime this fall, so we are looking forward to seeing them again.

 

 

Worshipping at the Garifuna church (video).

 

To celebrate Fernando's and my parents' birthdays, my grandma and aunt came over for dinner and cake. Here is Fernando with his gift, a Seattle Sounders soccer jersey:

 

 

 

Our baby is growing well, and the second trimester is going great. A close friend of mine is expecting her baby next month, so my mom convinced us to take this picture together at her baby shower:

 

 

Here are some prayer requests and upcoming activities:

• Fernando's citizenship application is being processed. Please pray for everything to go quickly and smoothly in the coming weeks, as we wait to find out when he will be interviewed.

 

• Praise God for several people who have responded to God's leading to be monthly financial partners. This a huge answer to prayer! Please pray for our monthly support level to increase (we are at almost 50%).

 

• The Hispanic congregation at my home church, Grace Community, offered to help us hold a fundraiser dinner; proceeds will go to special ministry projects. The ladies will make a traditional Latino dinner, and we will give a bilingual presentation with pictures, videos, and testimonies. It should be a fun event! We are so thankful for their willingness to help in this way! It will be held Friday, September 6, at 7:00 P.M. **Contact me via email, Facebook, phone, or the comment section of this blog for more details and/or to RSVP.** Please pray that God will be glorified and bless those who are making this possible!

 

• Pray for us as we prepare to share with churches, community groups, and youth groups in the coming weeks. We plan to spend a weekend in Spokane next month, so **let us know if you or anybody in that area would like to get together!**

 

Thank you for visiting our blog and praying for us!

 

P.S. What do you think of Washington? If you don't know yet, you should come visit! :)