It’s About the Man Next to You

Wow. God is good, isn’t He? Look around yourself. There really is so much to be thankful for, especially in this new year. No matter what your circumstances are, as a believer in Christ, we MUST always remember that we have victory IN HIM! Trust us when we say, of course it’s not always easy to come to this mindset, in our flesh, in this world here on earth. The reality is we know that we will experience hurt, suffering, oppositions and sometimes defeat. But, pick…yourself…up! It’s a new day! It’s a new start! Start it off well. In persistent prayer, in communication with your heavenly Father and lift up your eyes to Him and hear from Him in His Word.

"...holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain." Paul, Philippians 2:16

What are we going to do now – is the question that we find ourselves asking a lot during these most recent days and especially in our most recent position. The door to this service that we believe was led by the Holy Spirit has been slightly closed again (during the time of Covid was another moment that we’ve experienced before), our family serving the people in the Dominican Republic. But yet again, GOD IS GOOD and He is not finished with our story, His story.

THANK YOU! MUCHAS GRACIAS! To YOU!

In our blog for this new year, we want to continue being an encouragement for you. We are so thankful for so many of our family, supporters and friends that have lifted us up in these last few days and we pray always for you all that overflowing blessings will come upon you wherever you are because of your love in action, with encouragement, prayer and your financial gifts. We consider that you all are exactly what Paul shared to his supporters during his missionary living:

"Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to HIS riches in glory by Jesus Christ." Paul, Philippians 4:18-19

We love being in this together with you, as we walk together in the spirit! The Spirit of the Lord is the reason why we came and we will move forward! Why? How can we do it? Why would we want to when there’s hurt, confusion and still many unknowns? Listen, seeking truth for us is always the best place to start. Truth is found in His Word, the Holy Bible. Asking questions is our God-given creativity that He designed in us as His creation. It’s something that helps us to grow in our relationship with Him.

In our day to day living, it’s even interesting to how we’re lead to specific truths. For example, in a recent movie, we were reminded and encouraged through what our mission as Christians is all about. So with the new year now, let’s take it back to the beginning. Did you ever read our first blog back in 2019? We love movies!

Especially war movies and Black Hawk Down was the chosen movie for entertainment one night with our teenage son. So, just to bring you up to speed, it’s based on the true story in 1992 of the US government getting involved in the Somali Civil war and sadly it ended in an unpredicted battle that cost the lives of 19 American soldiers and over 1,000 dead Somalians. The fight was brutal but even towards the end there were those willing to go back in…(WARNING-There is some profanity)

In this scene, as overseas missionaries, we could see in Hoot’s position and statement, an overarching theme that connects to even all our lives as believers in Christ. One might ask you- why do you believe in Jesus? Why do you put yourself out there? Because…we were given a mission and we believe in that mission. We loved Hoot’s words – “There’s still men out there…it’s about the man next to you. And that’s it. It’s all it is.”

""For there is no partiality with God." Paul, Romans 2:11 
"...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Paul, Philippians 2:9-11

With our family, it’s to be here, specifically in the Dominican Republic. For you, wherever the Lord has you today.

We are to sacrifice our own desires and worldly pleasures and in our armor from God, we continue to fight the dark forces of this world that we are in and we do it all for those that are lost. Those that haven’t found Him yet. Those that are suffering, hurting and in need of a Savior. Yes, most times, people are not going to understand. But we continue on and we have faith to do it anyway because of the truth we found in Christ and the gift that He has given us with the Holy Spirit.

"...for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." 
Paul, Philippians 2:13