2013--A New Beginning

It's absolutely amazing to admit that 2012 is coming to a close. I'm not sure where the year has gone. So many things have happened...both good and bad...but in all, lessons were learned. I can even say that I feel more prepared for this coming year and all the adventures that are in store. Once again my time in Mexico is coming to an end; I'll soon be heading home for Homeland Ministry Assignment. Though my heart breaks at leaving Mexico, I am looking forward to visiting with some awesome individuals who share my burden for God's ministry and the people of Mexico. Thank you for all the support you've been in the past several years.

I just realized 2013 will mark my 15th anniversary with World Gospel Mission!  Can it really be that long ago that I headed out to my first church meeting, scared out of my mind and cried myself to sleep ready to resign in the morning? Oh, how God worked that following morning and showed me that through Him all things are possible.  Praise God I didn't give in to the fear. It's been a joy and blessing to serve Him these last 15 years.

God took me around the US, protecting me each and every moment. He was with me at Rio Grande Bible Institute while I studied Spanish. He led me to Saltillo (northern Mexico), to Irapuato (central Mexico) and back to Saltillo again. These last three years, while living in Saltillo, there have been shootings abundant, people terrified by the drug lords fighting over territories...and yet, God has taken care of me in every moment. Just blocks from incidents or minutes separating me from danger. Thank you, Lord, for your hand of protection!!

During these 15 years I've seen many come to know Jesus, others begin to look for Him, and sadly some reject Him without even searching for understanding. I've been involved with several churches beginning and have participated in many ministries throughout Mexico. One great joy I had was taking a small group of 5 youth to Stockton, California for a short term missions trip. What a blessing to see my dear "disciples" learning and going forth to share the Good News!

I think that if I was to sit down and actually write out a list of all the great things I've seen God do over these years, I would never be able to finish!!  Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!  I can not sing your praises enough.

This morning I read Psalm 149. Here are the first 4 verses:

Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
And His praise in the congregation of the godly ones.
² Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
Let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King.
³ Let them praise His name with dancing;
Let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre.
⁴ For the Lord takes pleasure in His people;
He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.

"The Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation."  I pray, Father God, that you have taken pleasure in me this past year...these past 15 years!  I praise you and thank you for your salvation!  May 2013 be a time of deeper "beautify-ing" and "taking pleasure". This new year belongs to  You!!!

A Wonderful Visit

I am amazed at how the Lord works, how He blesses us when we aren't even looking for a blessing. Yesterday I shared at Nashannock Community Church in New Castle, PA. The last time I was there was 10 or 11 years ago. It was exciting to visit with the now young adults I've written to for so many years. Several of them are getting married in the next couple years!! After a beautiful time of praise and worship and a little visiting before Sunday School, a couple took me to a Chinese buffet. What an added blessing in that we were joined by two of their sons and several of their grandchildren and their friends. I was able to meet Amy Lynn's fiancee, Aaron and chat with Jamie about Jim. I'm so glad they are desiring to serve the Lord in whatever way He calls them to. I also had a blast visiting with Trish, another one of the grand kids. She is a riot...there is no lack of adventure in her! It was also a blessing to stop and see Kayleen, a friend from college days. She just got a puppy so there was added adventure watching Kayleen and her mom and dad take care of the four-legged toddler! Besides the great day visiting with long-lost-friends, God's hand of protection was on me as I drove through a terrible blizzard. All of us driving were pretty spread out and basically bouncing from left-lane vibrator strips to right-lane strips. It was terrible! I thought about stopping, but was afraid to pull off the road. I was worried a car would slam into me! Thankfully I was able to pull into the driveway at 10pm...and no harm at come to me or my vehicle. Thank you, Jesus!

Happy Trails

Well, I'm off to Columbus this weekend. It has been a good couple of weeks at home sharing with different individuals and getting some office work done, but I'm anxious to travel and visit with some more of my ministry partners! I'll be heading to Peace United Methodist Church where I've visited twice before. Each time the church has had a new pastor and this time is no different. I'm excited to see old friends and visit with Pastor Ben. From my chat with him, he's enjoying the church and learning much from his congregation. It will be good to fellowship with them all. Another blessing about this trip is that I'll be staying with my brother, Gary. I have yet to see him since I've been home. Hopefully we'll have a good time together. ;D Well, off to bed...have a busy day planned for tomorrow! Until next week...

Camp Sychar

July 29th and 30th were spent in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, at a holiness family camp: Camp Sychar. The first time I attended the camp was in 1991. I absolutely loved it!! Though the camp has changed a lot over the years, the people remain the same. It's wonderful to go back and visit with old friends and make some new ones. The 29th was Missionary Day at the camp and I was able to hear some OMS speakers along with WGMers Barbara Pinkley (Kenya) and Ubaldo and Teresa Salazar (Nicaragua). Ubaldo, Teresa and I were on the Mexico field together for a little while. Their work in Aguascalientes, a city just two hours from Irapuato, resulted in a new church plant. Today Felipe and Ana Coronado, a Mexican couple, are pastoring the church. Please lift them up in prayer! I'm now at home again trying to put things in order. There's tons to do around here! I think one of the biggest plans is a huge lawn sale. Dad has an acre and I think we just might fill it. So, if you're in the area, come on over and make a purchase. I'll post dates later. Blessings!

Fun Meetings?

Yes, they most definitely were fun! Returning WGM missionaries spent the first two days talking about experiences from our perspective fields and how the United States has changed in the last four years. For the last four days some new missionaries joined us as we talked about differnt ways to communicate our missionary story. Here's a picture of our gang...minus one family who had to leave for a family emergency. I would appreciate your prayers as we've gone our own ways to share our story and raise support to return to our fields. Thanks!

A Long Drive with a Quick Visit

I left McAllen, Texas, on July 8th and was only a little behind schedule. (I left at 6 instead of 4am.) I was surprised at how well I felt driving after so much travel! After about 12 hours of driving I stopped for the night in Muskogee, OK. It was nice to be able to rest and not be in a rush nor responsible for anyone else. Okay, maybe it was a selfish moment, but it was fun!

Wednesday I headed for Jefferson City, Missiouri, to see a friend from Asbury College. Natasha and her family had just moved about two weeks before and were still getting settled into their new home. I don't know how it happened, but I didn't get a picture of the whole family (sorry Natasha and Justin!). I did get a pic of the youngest, Paul.

I then headed on to Marion, Indiana, on Thursday in order to begin a series of meetings at World Gospel Mission headquarters. It was good to be there and catch up with several mission friends. I only see them about once every four years and they do so much for me while I'm on the field. Thanks guys! You are very valuable ministry partners. I'm sorry I don't say it often enough!! Life in Marion will have to wait for another time. My long trip had several quick visits, and each visit was a huge blessing. Thanks for the hospitality!!!

January Update

The following is my January "Chronicle's" Postcard. I figure those who look at the blog can get the full update. Enjoy...and thanks in advance for the prayer support! Another year on the field has come to an end...and a new one is to begin! 2008 is sure to be a year of change and adventure. I've come to learn one needs to ask of the Lord and then patiently expect Him to work. So, I've asked...and now am waiting. Join me in prayer and grateful expectancy as God works His wonders...as only He can. The following are goals and prayer issues for the coming year. A major concern is my support funds as my account continues to decrease. If you are able to send a financial gift, thank you. I hope you will also take time to lift up these projects and requests. That way, we will be able to rejoice together as He answers. Be blessed wherever you are and let me know how to pray for you!

• Complete a Sunday School program for Transformación, my home church in Mexico.
• Attend LeaderLink, a leadership conference in Florida, March 1-6, 2008.
• Finish editing SIETE manuals for lay-leader training and Sunday school use.
• Prepare a national Mexican team for ministry in El Salvador.
• Raise funds and take Mexican youth team to WGM Peniel ministries in Stockton, CA . The trip is scheduled for June 25-July 5, 2008.
• Prepare for Homeland Ministry Assignment. I will be leaving Mexico in August 2008 to begin a year of traveling and sharing.

Hope to see you!