Safely Back in Guasave!

Greetings family in Christ!

We are back home, unpacking and tidying up our current home on earth. We are thankful for the protection the Lord has provided all the way. For all the traveling abroad and the ability to pass through two money-checking stops on the road back home. Yes, twice we had our vehicle and wallets inspected to see how much money we had on us. The second time one of the men wanted to know exactly how much cash we had in the car. It definitely stirred up a "that's-not-right" kind of anger but knowing it won't produce the righteousness of God, we held our peace. At the second stop, one of the men kept saying he wanted the pastor to invite him to a coffee. I thought he heard about our coffee shop or wanted one of the coffee cups we had in the car, but when Ryan pulled out a 50 peso bill, he exclaimed "Eso!" and left our vehicle happily. (Thus far whenever they hear that Ryan is a pastor/we have a local church they ease up on their investigation). But oh, how these people need the gospel!!! To see two police men using their police truck barricade the road so they could stop everyone on the road with a group of men seeking opportunities to steal cash from people is heavy!! Yes, we are grateful for God's protection and that we already knew to keep minimum cash on hand (we still needed it for all the toll booths), but it was an intense awareness that the gospel, not politics nor humanitarian aid, is the only hope to change human hearts. And the heavy weight that lingered on us is perhaps God's gentle reminder that the kingdom of darkness truly is dark and wicked! And we must continue to lay aside the weight and sin that so easily ensnare us, so that we don't grow weary but run this race with endurance. Oh, the temptations that come through various moments to cause our hearts to grow heavy, cold, doubtful, and apethetic because of what we experience in life! But may it not be so!! May we continue to stir one another to that deep, pure love and those good works God already planned for us to do!! May our faith and the way we prove we live by it continue to please the Lord, because He is coming!!

As far as recapping the month of July, these are some of the highlights:

• After arriving in Arizona we were blessed to visit with a group from CEF that were a sweet blessing to get to know! All of us received training on sharing the gospel through the wordless book; even the kids had one-on-one training - in the efforts to extend our evangelism network and improve our resources to those towns where it is difficult to obtain resources to teach the Bible and bring the gospel in an effective way to the people, and especially to the children in many situations where reading is not the highest of priorities.

• We then were graciously taken to the airport by Esther’s brother Paul as we made our way through the night to Charleston, South Carolina. There we visited many childhood memories for Ryan and connected with churches to encourage them in true discipleship in the Word of God.

• We visited Northwood Church, and spoke with the pastor over lunch, who was once a missionary living in Loredo, TX and traveling all summer into Mexico with his family. It was with him and his family that Ryan went on all of his first mission trips to Mexico.

• We visited with a couple of Ryan’s friends from high school and it was great to be able to catch up, reflect on memories from years gone by, and pray and encourage one another in the Lord.

• While there our kids participated a couple of days with their children in their church’s VBS way out in Ridgeville.

• We were also contacted by Ryan’s former youth pastor who needed someone to fill in preaching for him while he was out of town. So, we took the 2 hour trek down to Hilton Head, South Carolina and were blessed to be able to share the impact and importance of the word of God with Unplugged Church.

• We visited with a pastor named Larry, who leads a Messianic Bible Study where

Ryan’s parents and close family friends attend. We treasured the fellowship and ability to share our experiences with them, and encourage them in the teaching of the Bible verse-by-verse.

• All between our visits the kids were having a blast going to the pool at Grandma

and Grandpa’s house, going to downtown Charleston to see and learn about the

one of the most historic towns in the US. They looked through Ryan’s old toys,

baseball and basketball card collections, and trophies. It was good to see them

enjoying the things that he enjoyed as a boy. More importantly though we want to

connect them to the roots of how our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ began his work

in Ryan’s heart years ago.

• As we left South Carolina, there was a real sense of the need to be sure we are

visiting more frequently and to be sure that Ryan’s parents are taken care as they

begin to enter their later years of life. It is important that we treasure the ones who

paved the way for whatever legacy will live on in us, especially when that legacy is

honoring to God.

• We were only back in Arizona about a day and a half before we set for California, but

that was enough time for Ryan to take Jasper out on what she’d been looking

forward to for a long time—riding a trail on horseback. It was a beautiful 4 1/2 hour adventure through the southern hills of Phoenix.

• Our lodging situation was a bit different in California as we didn't stay just in one location, but it proved to be a great blessing! Beyond the wonderful hospitality, the fellowship and ability to get to know others in the family of Christ is truly priceless.

• Our kids enjoyed their VBS time at Calvary Chapel of the Harbour. We were grateful to once again unite in worship and the Word, with precious brothers and sisters in the faith!

• Meeting with family and friends in California and Arizona was refreshing! The list is too long to mention, but we are truly grateful for the ability to see and spend time with dear ones!!

• Ryan took a weekend flight out to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he got to visit with his brother's family and Real Church. Another great blessing to share what God is doing in our lives and connect with precious people of God.

• We were very relieved to get our vehicle's a/c working again in Arizona and be able to do our last shopping errands and end of the trip with air conditioning blowing instead of hot air. Praise God for His many blessings!!

As we get back into the swing of things (we actually found our cisterns were low in water supply and needed a new pump when we returned and still working on getting a build-up on tiny rocks removed from our kitchen faucet) we appreciate your prayers! Each trip we see not just growth in our lives, but the continued need for it, to stay humble and seek the Lord's guidance in all the details we make decisions on, and to remember that we have a mighty power at work within us. Not for us to manipulate and use to our personal advantage, but as we take on the mind of Christ, who left all the glory of heaven, we too can do all things (hard ones included) through Christ who strengthens us!! And that is our desire for you!! Grateful that we are family!! Thank you for the way you have blessed and encouraged us!!! To God be the glory!!