My Bible and God's Faithfulness

The other day I (finally) accepted the fact that my long-time study Bible needed to be replaced: the binding has come apart, pages have been detached, and Proverbs and Isaiah have become almost unreadable:

 

My parents gave me this Bible around my 18th birthday. The black leather cover was impeccable, the gold lining on the pages was shiny, and the cover fit perfectly.

At that time, I had not yet traveled outside of the U.S. and Canada or gone on any mission trips, I didn't have a boyfriend, and I hadn't taken any linguistics courses. I did know that I wanted to serve in some kind of mission work, that I felt increasingly drawn to Latin America, and that this new Bible was more than a kind gift - it was my guide for whatever the future held.

Twelve years later, this Bible is marked and underlined, and the cover bulges with prayer cards, pictures, cards and notes, notecards with verses, bookmarks, and more. (There is also a mosquito who met its demise somewhere in Psalm 119.) Here are just a few:

I have taken this Bible with me to 13 countries and on airplanes, trains, buses, taxis, pick-up truck beds, canoes, and the back of a burro climbing a mountain path. With adventures, transitions, new roommates, and good-byes, it has represented God's faithfulness and that His Word is unchangingly true, His presence unendingly constant, and His message deeply needed at any time, in any culture, and in any circumstance - whether accompanied by optimism and a morning cup of coffee, or questions and Kleenex (actually, a roll of toilet paper in most places!) in the middle of a sleepless night.

I have tucked away evidences of God's faithfulness in this Bible that remind me of His good gifts and prevailing purposes:

• A tiny hand-sewn Cuban flag.
• A stand-by plane ticket that gave me the last available seat just in time.
• Notes from linguistics students from Mexico, El Salvador, Brazil and Peru, some of whom are now learning Hindi, Mandarin, and Nahuatl as they serve around the world.
• Small cards from unforgettable people who have hosted me and welcomed me into their communities in Mayan towns in Guatemala, or in capital cities.

I am thankful for God's Word in my language and for how He has taught and guided me in the midst of adventures, uncertainties, and changes. I am equally burdened for those who have not yet heard and believed His Word, and for those who are like the Ethiopian in Acts 8 and are waiting for someone to help them understand, grow, and make disciples of others.

Here is my new Bible:

See how the pages are clean and intact? (And I doubt there are any mosquitoes trapped inside yet.)

I am looking forward to the next leg of the journey.

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! :)

Trip to Oregon

We just got back from spending a fun week in Oregon seeing family and friends. Here are a few highlights:

 

It was great to catch up with some good friends/roommates from college. A big thanks to them for their hospitality!

 

We spent several days with my dad's family... but, sadly, I was too busy talking and laughing to remember to take pictures until it was too late! I always enjoy seeing my uncles, aunts, and cousins, and this time it was special that Fernando could meet them. I am very grateful for all they did to make us feel at home, and for all of the fun conversations we shared. I already miss them! Here's a picture of Fernando with the newest member of the family:

 



From there we visited good friends who also continually bless us and those we work with in Honduras through their prayer and generosity. We enjoyed fishing with them on a lake, as well as sharing about what is going on in our lives.

We also had lunch with one of my mom's college friends and her husband. Not only was it good to see them, but it was special because God used her life to lead my mom to Christ.

Before returning to Washington, we enjoyed some time at the Oregon coast so Fernando could see the Pacific Ocean. You might notice we are more accustomed to the warm, breezy Caribbean, and not the cold, windy Northwest coast! But, we still had a great time.

We thank God for safe travels, good health, and the family and friends He has given us, who have encouraged us and are such an important part of our lives and ministry.

As we gear up for a busy month of August, with a full schedule of meeting with friends and supporters, we invite you to pray that:

• We would walk closely with the Spirit and keep our eyes on Jesus in the midst of busyness.
• God would use us to encourage everyone we spend time with.
• God would prepare opportunities for us to share about how others can be involved in helping Garifuna pastors receive adequate ministry preparation and supporting the growth of the Garifuna church.
• The Holy Spirit would clearly lead those He calls to partner with us, and that God would richly bless them.

Thank you for your prayers, care for our lives, and support for our brothers and sisters in Honduras!

Praises and Happenings from Our First Weeks in Washington

Hi everyone! Here is an overview of what our first few weeks in Washington have looked like:


Piles of Paperwork

• We've been compiling information for Fernando's citizenship application are looking forward to the day when immigration paperwork is a thing of the past!

It feels endless...!

• Fernando has been studying for his driver's license test and will soon start studying for his citizenship civics test.
• We mailed out our summer newsletter along with an updated brochure about our work in Honduras and a prayer card with a new picture. Amidst all the stamps and envelopes (!), it was fun to write personal notes to people. (Please let us know if you are not yet on our mailing list and would like to be added! We'd love to send you a prayer card.)

Involvement at Church

• We have attended both English and Spanish services at my home church, Grace Community in Auburn, and it's been fun to see lots of people and introduce them to Fernando. Everyone has given us a very warm welcome and made us feel at home!
• We shared about our ministry with the Hispanic church family, and Fernando gets to play soccer with the men on Sunday afternoons.

 

• Last summer, I met with the small group that "adopted" us as missionaries and prays for us, and now we get to join them each week. They're currently doing a study on parenting, so, as parents-to-be, we are soaking up all we can.
• I've been attending a weekly women's Bible study and really like getting to know them women as we study God's Word together.

Filling the Calendar

• We have been preparing travel itineraries for our trip to Oregon this month and a trip to the Midwest this fall.
• We've seen some family, friends, and supporters, and we're looking forward to seeing many more in the coming months! The best part is hearing about their lives, introducing them to Fernando, and sharing about how God is working in Honduras.

Sharing our happy baby news with my aunt

• We have been blessed by the kindness and hospitality continually extended to us. THANK YOU! Please do let us know if you'd like to meet for coffee or a meal, or if you'd like us to share at your church or with a group of friends. We'd love to see you.

New Experiences for Fernando

It's been fun to introduce Fernando to places, food, and activities that are part of life here:

• My dad took Fernando fishing at a lake in the mountains.

• Fernando and I went up to Lake Tipsoo.

• Some good friends invited us to a BBQ on 4th of July. 

Praises

Thank you to...

• Our friends Morgan and Genevieve for giving us a printer they no longer needed.
• My friend Rachael for giving me some maternity clothes.
• My wonderful parents for home-cooked meals and helping us get settled.
• Our Honduran friends and family who call and email us (we miss them so much!).
• Everyone who has invited us to their home, shared a meal with us, prayed for us and our baby, and made us feel so welcome. We love you!

Reflection from Fernando

When I worked on the Garifuna Bible translation project, one day a good friend and mentor noticed I was becoming consumed by the work and told me, "This is the Lord's project, and He will complete it, with or without you." 

I am still learning this truth. As the time drew closer to leave Honduras, I felt anxious about temporarily leaving the work God had called us to start. It is good to care about and be committed to our projects, but we shouldn't forget that the Lord is more interested in us than in these tasks. I am learning to trust that if He has started the work, He will perfect it, and God has given me this time away from Honduras to reflect, renew strength, and remember that He is the one who works. Sometimes being overly focused on work prevents us from enjoying His presence.

Psalm 27:4 says, "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple."

This is my prayer during this time.

Where It All Began...

After finishing CTEN orientation in Kerrville, we drove to Dallas on June 14 to visit friends and share at a church on Sunday. Fernando and I met seven years ago in Dallas while studying linguistics, before he went to Africa and I went to Mexico. We went back to the very spot we met, right by the mail boxes in the dormitory! It made me miss a lot of good friends I made, but knowing they are serving the Lord all over the world is a great encouragement.

We stayed with my friend Christina and her husband, Jeremy, and really appreciated their hospitality! Christina and I were teammates in Mexico. She had to return to the U.S. due to health problems, but God has healed her, and it was great to see her happy and married to a great man. We are also excited for them as they prepare to serve as Bible translators in Mexico in the near future.

We enjoyed catching up with other friends, and we want to thank them for their kindness, hospitality, and prayers for us, as well. Some, but not all:

Fernando's friend from college 

Daughters of the Wycliffe translators who served on the Garifuna Bible translation project (actually, we saw them in San Antonio a few days before)

Friends from college/linguistics studies and their sweet family

On June 16 we shared at Mt. Sinai Baptist church. It was special to share in a U.S. church together for the first time as a couple, and we were blessed by the kind, warm reception and interest in the Garifunas and our work in Honduras. We want to thank the pastor and congregation for inviting us, praying for us, and making us feel at home.

On June 18, we drove back to Houston and flew to Seattle. We are getting settled in and will share more with you soon! Thank you for praying for our travels!

New Member Orientation ... Two Years Later!

After flying from Honduras to Houston on June 9, we drove to Kerrville (near San Antonio) for New Member Orientation with our organization, Commission to Every Nation (CTEN). Although we have been members for two years, we had not yet attended orientation because Fernando's visa was still in process. During the three days (June 11-13) we met those who work in the CTEN office, learned more about how CTEN started and the vision God has given those involved, and enjoyed meeting other new members, some just starting their journey in missions and others with years of experience.

All staff and participants

We greatly benefited from learning more about practical elements of ministry, such as taxes and financial records, handling interpersonal conflict on the field, and addressing security problems in our countries of service. A key part of orientation we found helpful was partnership development, or support raising, which is what we will be doing during our time in the Northwest in the coming months. Perhaps the best part of orientation was spending time with people who love the Lord, are committed to serving Him and others, and have blessed us in numerous ways since we have been members.

With Richard and Jana Malm (CTEN president)

and Stephen and Tammie Burger (Central America pastoral care couple)

We were happy to see Stephen and Tammie, our pastoral care couple, again (you can read about their visit to Honduras in November), and we are thankful to be a part of the CTEN family. We are particularly grateful for their faithful prayer support, encouragement, and patience as we have had to wait two years to attend orientation and do full-time partnership development; their flexibility has allowed us to serve in Honduras even receiving less than half of our needed monthly support! We also appreciate their integrity in receiving funds donated by ministry partners. What a blessing to a part of this organization.