PR '24 . . . the hardest part of the week.

But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire 🔥shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in . . . (Jeremiah 20:9)

This is the hardest part of the week. We must wrap up our actual labor within the community. After a night of fellowship, games and food, we pack up to leave the Canovanas community and Pastor Abraham's congregation and head to our mini-retreat in Fajardo, PR. 

On this final day of work in Puerto Rico, God is reminding our team and me that our work does not end just because the week of labor here in Canovanas, PR is ending. If we truly want to honor God, we must realize that the work is not simply a planned week of ministry, but a lifelong journey with God. 

If we know say, "The work is complete", then like Jeremiah wrote,  we will become "weary of holding it in"! That same fire 🔥we feel today must continue to burn as we head home this weekend. We must continue to seek out the lost and assist those in need at home. Do not allow the fire to burn out! 🧯

Can we do that? Can you do that where you are today?

Most people who know me know that my goal is to coach, mentor, teach and inspire the people (especially our youth) that God leads my way to consider a life of ministry and missions. . . . to catch the fire! 🔥The work has to continue or many will be lost. I do not want that on my soul. 

Please keep praying.

PR '24 . . . What an honor!

But it is good for me to draw near to God;I have put my trust in the Lord God,
That I may declare all Your works. (Psalm 73:28)

Every morning before dawn, on this mission trip in Puerto Rico, I have the honor of sitting in the sanctuary of Primera Bautista Iglesia de Peniel (The First Baptist Church of Peniel). It is indeed special to be alone in His place seeking His face!

What an honor to be able to sit with God,  talk to Him, and listen to what His Spirit has to say. For the past twenty-seven years now, my wife and I have trusted God to care for us and direct us in ministry and in life in general. He has not failed us yet and will not in the future. Any failures are on me!

It is my prayer that each of us will feel His presence today, all day and every day! Trust Him!

PR '24 . . . work day 2

As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Romans 10:11-15)

It is great to be used by God! To have Him call us and then send us . . . just think about it for a minute.

The Creator of the universe . . . the God of eternity . . . has stepped down and interrupted our selfish plans to call upon us to share in His work. It is not like He needs us or anything, He just loves us enough to say, "Hey . . . join me!"

So here we are in Puerto Rico with a bunch of teenagers serving God. Even though we have had a lot of rain lately and plans have changed, there is still work to do . . . service to render. There is always work to be done in the Kingdom even a menial as cleaning a bathroom or emptying trash.

So as we partner with Praying Pelicans and Pastor Abraham Morales and the Primera Iglesia Bautista de Peniel here in Canovanas, PR, we are willing to do whatever task we are asked to do. Our labor is not in vain. Only what we do for Christ will last.

Imagine doing it for a lifetime . . . .

PR '24 . . . work day 1

“For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” (Acts 13:47)

After an exciting day of prayer and praise in church yesterday and walking he neighborhood around the church visiting families, we now begin the hard labor. We never really know exactly what work we will be doing as we go out, but we do have a general idea. . . . painting scraping, moving, building. Above all else however, is our desire and God's desire to use us to share Christ and represent Him to others in need. 

Many in the community are suffering from various illness such as dementia and diabetes, some have suffered injuries, and some are living in fear of violence in their neighborhood. As we work, we take time to stop and talk to neighbors and then pray with them. Our desire is to bring comfort, hope and the love of Jesus Christ. 

Please pray with us today!

Puerto Rico Day 1 . . . Let's Go!

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)

Well, we arrived In Puerto Rico without a hitch yesterday (Saturday), met by our friends from Praying Pelican Missions, Christian and Jorge, loaded up the vans with our luggage and headed to Primera Bautista Iglesia de Peniel in Canovanas, PR. We met three others from a school in Minnesota who will be working with us. It was quite a reunion with or ministry friends (family) here on the island. After a stop at the beachside food vendors and the island specialty of pinchos, we unpacked and set up our bedding at the church. The team met with our leaders for trip logistics. After a dinner of chicken tacos, we then made a stop at WalMart for needed items. Finally we settled in for the night. 

The real work begins this morning as we worship and have bible study with Pastor Abraham and his church. The kids seemed to have adjusted to our sleeping arrangements (even the occasional bug). I am the only one up at this time. 

I have to reflect upon the verse above from Isaiah as it was these words that drew my wife and I to missions some twenty-seven years ago just after we married. They ring just as true today as they did then . . . send me Lord!

I am as excited now as then, to serve both at home and abroad as God leads us . . . within my home, in my neighborhood, in our local area of the DMV, and anywhere else He calls us. God has kept us and used us as a family in so many ways. We are forever grateful.

So let's go!