The Peace That Guards Us

Hey y'all!

We are in the middle of the three weeks of the year where we celebrate 4 birthdays (out of the 6 in our family), and it's a great time to rejoice at the tremendous blessing each life is to our family. With the way things go here in Mexico, we are often reminded how many things in the U.S. we tend to take for granted. The struggles we've faced here combined with the trials and sufferings of others has definitely helped our perspective on this life to change. Certainly, for each of us (those reading this update), our perspective will continue changing as we keep going through life.

But isn't it so sweet when our hearts can fill with gratitude instead of indifference or fear?

We know the Father's faithfulness and love is steadfast and secure.

Amidst the unknowns, God has secured us with a sense of safety that can't be put into words. And even though that sense of saftery will no doubt be tested again and again, because God wants our faith to keep growing, there is a peace that keeps us from worrying. There's a joy that's so real because we know the Father's faithfulness and love is steadfast and secure.

Years ago, we bought a banner at a 99 cent store. Now, I keep looking at it, and seeing my need to surrender my understanding to what it says,

The LORD will work out His plan for my life - for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever.

(an extraction from Psalm 138:8)

It has anchored us in the moments we feel stretched, homesick, unequipped, vulnerable, upset, etc.

There is one thing we feel secure in offering our church and the Guasave: teaching the whole Word of God. Everything else is up in the a

ir. Between that and prayer, it's what keeps us going in those moments where one congregant from church shares how she's getting a divorce (and apparently here it only takes days to get one) and another who shares about her husband's waywardness and the heartache she's going through. How difficult it can be for men to rule their house well in the word of God.

Through our years living and serving here, we look back and see how much we have changed. We also see those parts of who we are that may never change, and perhaps it is unnecessary. But in those very moments where we feel the struggle, we ask, who else?

I (Ryan) have often wondered, "Why us?" I'm sure there are more qualified individuals. Perhaps they were unwilling. Perhaps they became disqualified. I mean I am a pure-bread American, I'm not Mexican. These are not my people. Yet, they are loved, bought, payed for, and gifted by my Father. That makes them my brothers, and those for whom my Savior died. He is worthy. Nevermind my qualifications, my desires. His desires, his glory is what truly matters.

God is capable of raising more laborers -- qualified and willing. We do desire this with the locals. Yet, we trust the Lord to be the One who brings the increase, the One who calls and equips, the One who already had those good works in mind for each of us to do before He created the foundations of the world. He's given us those good works. We want to make sure we finish them well.

Would you pray we too would continue to find true satisfication in doing the will of the Father as it comes with times of depriving the flesh? Like eating a delicious meal on an empty stomach. Satisfaction like Jesus had when he talked to the Samaritan woman at the well and and they rest of the town of Sychar who came because of her eagerness to share.

Jesus said to them, 'My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.'

John 4:34

After the birthdays this month, we have Thanksgiving that we will continue to use as an outreach to the community. Please

be praying!

Prayer

For those who financially support us, we are so, so grateful!!

May the Lord richly bless you all!!

Church

• People to hunger and see their need for the milk of the Word as much as their daily bread.

• Teaching of the Word to stay sound in doctrine.

  • A proper balance of milk and meat for people to grow spiritually strong, healthy, and discerning of anything that would deceive them.

• Esther's connection with the women through prayer

  • Transformation in Spirit and Truth

Calvary Coffee

The Lord's definition of success in reaching the people of Guasave for His glory.

• Hector as he is trained for this.

• Each person that enters to encounter the Spirit of the LORD, and the Truth of the LORD.

• He would divinely draw people.

• That the ministry would fulfill its financial goals as well.

Thanksgiving

• Logistics of all who will come. (We definitely want people to come!)

• Amount of turkeys and food.

• Ability to successfully deliver digital copies of How Can A Man Be Born Again by Chuck Smith (in Spanish) to each person.