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!

What does God require?

 What does God require from us?

With what shall I come before the Lord
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God..(Micah 6:6-8)

While serving on mission trips I learn a lot. I am humbled by others' love for God despite their condition. I should be so grateful.


I am also reminded that I need to be on the mission field daily....everywhere I go.... to treat people justly, be merciful and to remain humble before God and others.


How can I serve you today Lord?

Partners in Missions Ministry

 We cannot do it alone . . . we need our partners in missions ministry. 

Paul stayed in Corinth for almost two years. In that time, he had developed a deep and trusting relationship with Priscilla and Aquila, so much so that he took them along as he began his third missionary journey. The three sailed first to Ephesus, where Paul left the couple to serve as teachers and guardians of the gospel.

Ministry isn’t meant to be done solo. We need partners in the mission who can strengthen us when we’re weak and share with us in the work. Like Paul, my wife and I have had so many partner with us over our twenty six years of missions ministry to at-risk youth, single parent families, homeless, and those suffering from natural disasters. Our local church, businesses, individuals, students, schools, and yes, even county governments have supported our in-home and outreach ministries over the years. 

Yet it remains a challenge to convince even fellow believers of the need to support missions work both locally and over the waters. 

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. (Philippians 4:12-18)

As I embark on yet another mission trip to serve in Puerto Rico with my students, I want to thank each of you, our partners in missions ministry who supported us! May God grant it to your account!

What does it mean to really serve others?

What does it mean to really serve others?

This is a great question during this time of prayer, spending time with God, and evaluating how we live. Yes, this is the Lenten Season and many give up things . . . mainly out of ritual and custom. But as believers, isn't our life supposed to be sacrificial? 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith . . . (Romans 12:1-3)

These verses give us something to ponder . . . so ponder deeply and honestly today.

Why does God have us here . . . right here . . . today?

He provides!

I never get tired of praising God. How can I when He continues to provide time after timeI It is not always money, or things, but many times it is just knowing that He is right here with us! Again and again He reassures us that he loves us, He cares for us, He knows our needs and our wants, and He provides!

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

Twenty-six years ago God allowed me to marry the most wonderful woman I could ever imagine. If you know our story, it was purely His grace! A year later He called us into the mission field . . . can you believe that? He called us to serve Him! That alone was grace. To give two sinners an opportunity to serve Almighty God . . . wow!

Here we are twenty-five years later still serving because He keeps providing . . . in plenty and in want. I know what Paul wrote about: 

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13)

Again this week, He has provided for or team of thirteen to serve in Puerto Rico. This is our twenty-second mission trip since 1997 and He has provided for every one! He is still Jehovah Jireh . . . the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob . . . just as He was with Moses, Aaron and others, He has been with us. 

He still provides!

God notices you!

God notices you.

Can I be transparent today?

As local missionaries, and even teachers, we seldom get noticed for what we do whether in public or behind the scenes. We are not world-wide travelers doing some great work in Africa, China, or some war-torn nation. In fact, many in our home church do not really know what we do or even consider us as ministry workers. As we enrolled our son in a CHRISTian college a few years ago, he could not receive the missionaries' child scholarship because we did not work overseas! It is a though we work under the sea! Even as teachers, we are not the Math, Science, or English instructors, nor do we make any impactful decisions for the schools. Yet I keep telling myself, "God notices you."

What about you? Feel invisible at times? Does your work go unnoticed? Don't worry. Don't seek the spotlight . . . it can do a lot more harm than good at times! Simply seek God and His attention. It will work out in the end!

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. (Matthew 6:1-4)

Who is my neighbor?

Many of you know we have partnered with churches in Puerto Rico to assist in rebuilding from several disasters since 2018; hurricanes, earthquakes and Covid-19. Well, they have been hit again! 

Do we really care? We are so caught up in world news and the glamour of it all that we forget our own. We have family hurting, friends in need, even neighbors right in our own backyards, yet we are so concerned for things like the Queen of England's funeral! 

One of my students asked me the age old question the other day: "Who is my neighbor? " 

 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10: 25-29)

Please pray and consider supporting our efforts to help our Puerto Rico neighbors and fellow Americans! As you pray, please commit to helping our team of teens to serve: https://gofund.me/72033ec1

Who(se) are we anyway?

 After serving just a few days in New Orleans with Urban Impact Ministries, I was once again reminded of these crucial verses form the prophet: 

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly,
to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

We hear it often, but have trouble living this out . . . Love God/Love people. Jesus repeated the message when asked about the greatest commandments: 

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

Love God/Love people. Can we focus on these words today and ask the Lord to help us live them out, so the world will know who sent us and that we can be one? (John 17)

Who(se) are we anyway?

 

 

Pray for us!

At the same time pray for us, too, that God will open a door [of opportunity] to us for the word, to proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I have been imprisoned; that I may make it clear [and speak boldly and unfold the mystery. (Colossians 4:3-4)

To intercede is to pray to

God on behalf of another person; taking up the cause and joining in the struggle of another by advocating for and pleading on their behalf. It is what we did on Sunday of our mission trip in Puerto Rico....walking the neighborhood and praying for jobs, cancer, sorrows over Covid deaths and more. It is a privilege to pray on behalf of others!

How can I pray for you? Can you be praying for someone?

One task....His will.

Jesus said, “My food is to do what my Father sent me to do. My food is to finish his work. Don’t you have a saying? You say, ‘It’s still four months until harvest time.’ But I tell you, open your eyes! Look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest right now. (John 4:34-35)

As believers, we have one task; complete God's will for our lives. We do not have time to wait until tomorrow! Right now is the right time!

When God calls we must answer. This means we must be listening, watching and ready to act. 

What is God desiring of you?

An obedient response

Missions is not a certain trip we may take or support, but a lifetime investment for the Christ follower! We do not simply support someone once and say we have done our mission work. We just don't commit to one short-term trip in our life time and check off the mission box. Missions is a commitment to fulfill the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:18-20) It is an obedient response to God's command!

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

While I realize every believer is not gifted in evangelism or called to serve full-time in the mission field, either locally or away from "home", missions is still to be supported, prayed for, and encouraged. Some go, some pray, and others support as called, but we all respond in obedience! No one is exempt. It is a believer's basic exercise routine!

So what is your role?

https://youtu.be/pscL2sTyfHo

Puerto Rico 2021 update July 14

Prayer

Everyone seems concerned with protection today . . . masks, gloves, sanitizers, vaccinations, no-touch deliveries, elbow bumps . . . yet nothing is for certain. Only God knows what is safe, who is carrying the illness, and even if the vaccine works! He is the only omniscient One!

So what can I put on that will protect me? PRAYER!

Finally, let the Lord make you strong. Depend on his mighty power.  Put on all of God’s armor. Then you can remain strong against the devil’s evil plans. Our fight is not against human beings. It is against the rulers, the authorities and the powers of this dark world. It is against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly world. So put on all of God’s armor. Evil days will come. But you will be able to stand up to anything. And after you have done everything you can, you will still be standing. So remain strong in the faith. Put the belt of truth around your waist. Put the armor of godliness on your chest. Wear on your feet what will prepare you to tell the good news of peace. Also, pick up the shield of faith. With it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Put on the helmet of salvation. And take the sword of the Holy Spirit. The sword is God’s word.
At all times, pray by the power of the Spirit. Pray all kinds of prayers. Be watchful, so that you can pray. Always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me. Pray that whenever I speak, the right words will be given to me. Then I can be bold as I tell the mystery of the good news. (Ephesians 6: 10-19)

During these challenging times, we need PRAYER more than ever! Our personal time with God is crucial for sure. However, daily and constant prayer, communications with God throughout the day, is vital as well. God is not a one-a-day pill, but a constant and consistent source of strength and protection.

We also need to know others are praying for us. The prayers of fellow believers also bend God's ear. The more we doubt, the more we are attacked, knowing others have us in prayer as well indeed fortifies us. 

Little prayer . . .little power . . . much prayer . . . much power!

But the Lord is faithful. He will strengthen you. He will guard you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

Agradicido!

 Agradicido . . . so thankful!

    I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. (Psalm 9:1)

As I relax here at my adopted family reunion, I can only be thankful . . . agradicido Señor  . . . grateful Lord indeed! Grateful for not only added family here on earth but an eternal family from every color and culture as a result of God placing us in the mission field!

He has shown me the beauty of shared music, food, and HIS-tory. I now see the beauty of the Body and understand that in Christ there is no color or race, just CHRIST-followers or not. 

So as I bask in agradicido, I pray, for everywhere He sends and everyone He leads to me, that I represent Him well in hopes of winning some for Him!  

May we all be ONE . . . (John 17)

We move on by faith and trust the Comforter . . . the Healer . . . the Provider . . . our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

 

Give praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is the Father who gives tender love. All comfort comes from him. He comforts us in all our troubles. Now we can comfort others when they are in trouble. We ourselves receive comfort from God. We share very much in the sufferings of Christ. So we also share very much in his comfort. If we are having trouble, it is so that you will be comforted and renewed. If we are comforted, it is so that you will be comforted. Then you will be able to put up with the same suffering we have gone through. Our hope for you remains firm. We know that you suffer just as we do. In the same way, God comforts you just as he comforts us. (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)

One thing I have learned as a result of a life of sports . . . pain follows you the rest of your life: arthritic knees, worn down and fraying shoulder joints, painful feet, broken blood vessels from numerous pulls, strains, and torn muscles. Shall I go on?

But what I have learned from both sports and the last thirty years as a Christ-follower is that pain keeps me humble. Nothing compares to the pain Jesus endured for me! I cannot go back to my teen years when I cold run, lift, and play forever. Yet I can move forward and live the best and most active life for Christ despite the daily pain.

Like the lessons we have learned from nearly twenty short term mission trips and

even in our ministry with teens and families . . . pain is part of life but Jesus overcomes it all! Not Tylenol, not Advil, not even Motrin or Tyenol-3 . . . not Oxycodone or Hydrocodone . . . not even anesthetics can wipe out the pain sin causes . . . only Jesus!

Yet as we serve other people groups we share their pain and their struggles from hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and economic blight. Yes, we offer items to meet physical needs. We have painted, cleaned, taught, rebuilt, torn down, and even played. We hurt many times when we return because we could not fix everything. In fact, their lives would go on as the dealt with tragedy, poverty, homelessness and illnesses. We could only offer hope.  . . . the hope that is in Jesus! Our lives have been changed and we can never go back to our old ways. 

Every mission trip has changed us. Every person we minister to impacts our lives. despite the pain, the strain, even the bleeding, we move on by faith and trust the Comforter . . . the Healer . . . the Provider . . . our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Sin causes severe illness!

 I must admit, on my first mission trips, we worried about things like illnesses, local food allergies, insects/animals, and even some local customs that we may be a bit adverse to encountering. Let's be real, we were travelling to Caribbean islands, New Orleans, New York City, among other areas. We were informed of different cultures, local practices, and even a wide variety of food. While we were not harmed by any of these things in out twenty four years of ministry, we have had to back away from some, avoid others, and adapt to many as well, especially the variety of foods! While we enjoyed digging in to various cultures while serving and sharing Christ, our digestive systems did not always agree. Nonetheless, we are better for the experiences!

There was one thing we had in common with every person in every area we have served however: sin causes severe illness! Even when serving in areas of challenging economic conditions, language barriers, and other cultural differences, we have discovered that sin impacts us all in the same way; separation from God!

    

We know that all that God created has been groaning. It is in pain as if it were giving birth to a child. The created world continues to groan even now. And that’s not all. We have the Holy Spirit as the promise of future blessing. But we also groan inside ourselves. We do this as we look forward to the time when God adopts us as full members of his family. Then he will give us everything he has for us. He will raise our bodies and give glory to them. That’s the hope we had when we were saved. But hope that can be seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? We hope for what we don’t have yet. So we are patient as we wait for it. (Romans 8:22-25)

So no matter where we find ourselves, at home or abroad, comfortable or uncomfortable, strange or familiar, we must represent Christ and share His message of reconciliation. Jesus would visit the rich, the poor, the old, the young, the sick and the healthy, and yes . . . even the different!

Everywhere we go we are on a mission . . .  the Great Co-Mission! (Matthew 28:18-20)    

Reach folks where they need it!

 In my preparation for our mission trip to Puerto Rico July 31, today I was reminded of a daily multi-vitamin. While it may be one pill, it contains a variety of nutrients and needs for the body. Like the Gospel message, it can reach folks where they need it!

I am free and don’t belong to anyone. But I have made myself a slave to everyone. I do it to win as many as I can to Christ. To the Jews I became like a Jew. That was to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one who was under the law. I did this even though I myself am not under the law. That was to win those under the law. To those who don’t have the law I became like one who doesn’t have the law. I did this even though I am not free from God’s law. I am under Christ’s law. Now I can win those who don’t have the law. To those who are weak I became weak. That was to win the weak. I have become all things to all people. I have done this so that in all possible ways I might save some. I do all this because of the good news. And I want to share in its blessings. (1 Corinthians 9: 19-23)

Like the multi vitamin, we must be ready to serve in any way called.  Will it be B-12, Iron, Niacin, Vitamin C or D? Some may need a hug. Some may just need a smile. Others may need us to sit and listen. Perhaps some may actually need a scripture or two. Lord willing, one (or many) will ask Jesus into their lives as Lord and Savior. 

Please pray as we prepare . . . and take our vitamins so we are strong and ready! 💊

Packing to Serve . . . at home on the mission field

As we are preparing to serve in Villa Hugo, Puerto Rico, there are some needed things to place in our bags . . . However, the most vital item we need is His Word!

The word of God is alive and active. It is sharper than any sword that has two edges. It cuts deep enough to separate soul from spirit. It can separate bones from joints. It judges the thoughts and purposes of the heart. Nothing God created is hidden from him. His eyes see everything. He will hold us responsible for everything we do. (Hebrews 4:12-13)

As we go through life, many of keep an emergency box or bag in our vehicles and some even at home. It contains the essentials . . . just in case an emergency arises. We have the first aid kit, portable phone charger, blanket, jumper cables, perhaps even some non-perishable snacks. But what about the most vital item we need to pack everyday . . . His Word?

Are we prepared for anything thrown our way? Are we ready to respond to a need in a way that pleases God? As we "hide His word in our hearts" (Psalm 119:11) we are prepared to react in a much more Godly way to unexpected occurrences . .. whether on the mission field or at home. 

Yet is our home not our first mission field?