Today

I haven't written very much here lately.  Why?  

Busy?   Yes.

Is everything okay?  Yes.

Is there anything happening?  Yes.

Even being busy, I've always been able to fit in a few minutes here or there to update/share.

But the last few months have been a time of keeping things and pondering them in my heart.

It's been a time of growth in every way.

A time so hard yet so sweet just as when Jesus saved me.

I do know that many of you that read here do pray for our family.  You do care for us and the ministry here.

Forgive me for not keeping you better updated these last few months.

I do want to do better.  I have always loved sharing what the Lord has done/is doing in our lives and the lives of the people here.  If he can use me to encourage another here, I am humbled.

But this past year, he has opened my heart so much more to the ministry here.

The needs stare me in the face and burn within my heart.  So many need the gospel.  So many so new in their faith.  So precious and sweet.  

So many friends, neighbors, children I weekly visit, so many come our our door, so many come to our church.  So many without hope and without Christ.

My ministry is my home...my husband and children.  And when time allows, we minister to the people here together.  And the work is endless.  The fields are white unto harvest and the laborers are few.

This is only a work of the Lord.  If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.  

God has made me/is making me new.

I would be content to stay in my home cooking/cleaning/washing/teaching/sewing/serving all day long.

I was content to do little and let others do much.

I am shy.  I am awkward.  I struggle with Spanish.

But Lord, if you can use me, here I am.

And He won't let me go.  My heart has been opened.   The burden of my husband's heart not only toward his family but toward the people here has become mine.

Most days you will find me at home doing what I always do...teaching, cooking, cleaning, washing, training, loving, playing, laughing, making our home a home.

But those days are full of prayer, tears, and love for the people here.

Late nights staying up with my hubby talking about our days, the children, our concerns, our joys, and the ministry.

This afternoon, after school, I took a couple plates of homemade cinnamon rolls to Clementina.

Anyone remember the grandmother that I talked about during last years Christmas shoebox ministry?  That's her name...Clementina.
She needs Christ.  She lets me come and witness.  She listens.  She doesn't understand still.  Her Spanish is poor like mine.  She speaks a dialect.  But last week when Daniel and I went to see her, she cried.  

Some of her grandchildren hate us.  But we love them.  And Jesus loves and wants to save them.

We have to go.

I went to see Jaquelin (age 16).  She got saved and baptized last year, but hasn't been at church for weeks.

Just to love her, encourage her in the Lord, hear how the Lord has been working in her heart.

I then went over a few streets to see Guillermina and her new baby.  And then to see Cristina who is due to have her 3rd little one in December.

Our church bought property this fall.  After 7 years and 5 different locations, we finally have a place of our own.  

We are getting ready to move out there.  Planning to tear down our platform and the walls of the Sunday school rooms we built at our current location and use them to put up some sort of structure where we can meet.

It was our church's idea for us to move out there.  There is nothing there, but they want to go by faith.

I remember when we first moved to our property here in our little travel trailer.  It didn't even fit us all.  The 3 oldest boys had their "bedroom" in the van.  Daniel said someday we would build a real house. 

We had no idea how.  But the Lord provided and there is hardly a day that goes by still that I don't think how grateful I am for our home.

I know the cold season is coming and there are many mothers with little babies in our church.  But I know the Lord knows are every need and He will provide.  

So much work to do.  So much JOY in serving Jesus!  

I wish you could all be here to see it all.

But I'm thankful that the Lord has you just where he has you. 

So much JOY to serve Jesus just where you are.  So many need Him!

Thank you so much for praying.  Please, please, keep praying!