Passover in Guasave

Ryan Van Deusen
Apr 3
4 min read

Hi friends!

We just finished celebrating Passover here in Guasave. What a wonderful experience to do it with several new families who never have before! While those who were able to help us prepare were few, we were grateful, especially for our kids. Cyrus was a great help in the kitchen helping me make the matzo ball soup, while the girls helped Ryan get the cafe/church ready.

As Ryan went through the Seder explanation, it was wonderful to hear the gospel foretold over and over again, the significance of the cup of (wine/grape juice), the bitter herbs in salt water, the jaroset, the matzo made without yeast and its appearance, and how Jesus used it to describe himself and his sacrifice. As I listened, my heart was filled with gratitude that we were able to celebrate with those who had never heard the true Passover Seder celebration. Ryan explained that as believers in Jesus Christ who forever is Jewish, we have been grafted and thus need to see how our inheritance comes through their lineage, and how the church does not replace Israel, but by God's grace we get to enter the new covenant that Christ made once and for all, for every believer of every tribe and nation. As I looked around at those who came, I could tell the majority of them were hearing this for the very first time. And at the end when Ryan held the matza bread that had been broken, hidden and found again, Ryan took the time to thoroughly explain how Christ was represented in that unleavened, broken bread, stripes and punctures, and all. And how every sin except the sin of not believing in Him was paid for at the cross. He explained how all time and all existence crosses through the cross, and that moment felt like a moment in time that would forever be etched into all those there that heard, because they heard and they were explained in such detailed ways of how Christ came and gave His life for them, gave His body for them, whether they ate the unleavened bread as just part of the meal or with faith and awe at how this annual celebration from thousands of years ago foretold of His coming and redemption.

-New Connections-

This past month a young couple showed up at the cafe and shared with Ryan how they were part of a bible study in a village nearby where their pastor taught verse by verse. They were enthused about our style of bible teaching and came back with their pastor and wife. Soon after, we were invited to the pastor's house to meet his family. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and warm hospitality as we heard their testimony (and also shared part of ours). It was a great comfort to us to get to know them. We appreciate your prayers as the Lord would direct our steps of any way(s) we are to connect in working together in Guasave. This pastor, though he lives in Guasave, teaches at a village nearby where apparently a Ukrainian household was praying for a church in their village!

-Spring Break Plans-

Our kids are currently on a two week break from school. We were hoping to use some of our accumulated mileage points to take just a few days in between our Sunday and Wednesday church services at a hotel with a pool in the next city nearby about an hour away in Los Mochis. For whatever reason, we have been unable to book online or by calling. We are praying for God's guidance, as getting away while the kids have time off seems good (and needed). Often in these moments where we don't know if its God trying redirect our steps or if its the enemy trying to interject, I'm reminded of a quote from one of Pastor Chuck Smith's books...."We cannot help but sometimes misinterpret the meaning of our immediate circumstance. We cannot read our life's plot from one event or episode. We cannot say whether an event is working to help us accomplish our goal or is threatening to sabatoge it. But we can know this: if we surrendered to God, all things work together for our good."

Please know that we truly appreciate all your support. Some days are tougher than others, as sometimes emotions seem to detonate like bombs within. But God has always been so faithful to meet us in every cry and every frustration (like murky water filling up our washer of a light load and staining favorite pieces of clothing). Though I have not played many video games, I often feel like I'm in one. Like Mario or Luigi, just racing down a path, trying to run through every coin to gain the "energy" to keep going, not knowing how many more loops are ahead, but knowing that God will faithfully supply the strength no matter how spent and drained we momentarily may be. And we rejoice. Yes, some days have lows and the unknowns may be tempting to entertain in our minds, but we choose daily to disengage and put on Christ. He is our life. His glory is the only glory worth seeking.

Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for believing Christ to prove Himself faithful in and through us.

We love you and wish you a refreshing and Happy Ressurection Day!!

-The Van Deusens