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"Sometimes LOVE is the Opposite of Convenience"“

10/22/2019

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“Sometimes LOVE is the Opposite of Convenience”
By Tammy Berkman

Medical missions are amazing when you see how much suffering is alleviated.  At our house, we have a saying, “Sometimes Love is  the opposite of convenience.”  In mission work, that is so true!   Our missionaries have worked for months forming friendships, planting churches, and training pastors in the mountain villages around Gracias, Honduras, to earn the trust of the people, for such a time as this.  Because of this trust, we were welcomed in to these communities to conduct a free medical and dental  event. Our missionaries arranged to have translators and pastors from churches where they serve, when we arrived. Our team of 15, plus our full time missionaries and some Honduran locals, joined together to form teams consisting of a doctor, a church representative, a community member and a translator.  They fanned out into the villages going  house to house, to see patients in their homes. Other team members were stationed at the village church for a dental clinic.  Every day our people set up a reception area,  a makeshift pharmacy and a makeshift examination room with makeshift treatment tables and other tables equipped with instruments, supplies, syringes, meds and bandages, and a dental chair out of reclining lawn chairs with instruments and a sterilizer and a generator.  Then the people came.  With people lined up to receive much needed help, more than 200  toothaches were fixed or pulled, and even more medical problems are solved.  One man had a hernia down to his knee. For real.   He had been suffering for years. Lice, scabies.  Children with cases of warts gone wild.  All treated or referred to a surgeon in town. Some days our team was  so busy they had not one bathroom break. Jesus, the healer, sent our team of doctors, dentists, nurses, EMS people, church members, a worship leader and Norman to lead us. Our team made hygiene packets and one led a hygiene class to show moms how to prevent illness and infection.  One team member spent  $1000 of her own $ in supplies.  Others took off work and traded paycheck or vacation days for the privilege of being Jesus’’ hands for 5 days. One braved the trip with a physical condition that causes major fatigue and pain. One spent all day filming to record what is really impossible to fully capture on film: The love of Jesus in action. One  team member braved the darkness within the walls  of a prison to remind prisoners God has not  forgotten about them and there is hope.  Our missionaries hauled tables, drinks and lunch up to the village for our team each day.

Most of the team stayed in a hotel, but the Slyker’s had the “teaching team” stay with them.  This meant their whole family had to share their bedrooms with us and Richard slept on the couch.  At the Christian school, 113 children were taught the whole storyline of the Bible and labeled the 66 books of their  Bibles with the 8,000 Post it flags. 8,000 Post-it flags that were donated. The names of the books of the Bible were reinforced by kids singing and dancing to the Bible Book Bop. Then we met with all 9 teachers in grades PreK-4 to train them in the use of the rest of the Bible  Curriculum for the year, and supplies were given.
Next, we were surprised to learn that a Junior high school student is translating our “Teach the Whole Bible” workbook into Spanish, and we met with a group of 8 high school students and their adult sponsor who plan to teach the Spanish version of “Teach the Whole Bible” to neighboring villages.
Thank you, God!  We all celebrated our last night  eating out at a “nice” pizza restaurant in town.  Until the lights went out all over town and the pouring rain came sprinkling through the roof onto our heads!  No problem for the waiter, just move the table! When the rain slowed down, we raced to the car, running down the cobblestone street, which was now flowing like a stream.

The next morning, our caravan of 5 trucks (3 rented) departed at 4:30 am. As our truck turned onto the highway, we hung onto the seat as we sped up and swerved back and forth around the never ending curves on the road. The next 15 hours included nausea, lost suitcases and phone; delayed flight; playing cards on makeshift tables at the airport with lots of laughs; dragging luggage across airport;  a missed connection flight; renting/driving the rest of the way home; and pure exhaustion. What an adventure!!!

I guess Love really is the opposite of convenience...at our house, AND in Honduras, AND at the Houston airport!  How is it- that being inconvenienced - could produce so much joy and fun friendships?  God is amazing in how He does things that way. So thank you, Lord, for all the inconvenience, for our team, for Richard and Bridget Slyker, for Billy Perez, for our  translators, for Norman, for our drivers, for all the people who donated the $ to fund our trip, the healing, the follow up pain meds and antibiotics, the teaching and the joy!  Father, You are the BEST!

Tammy Berkman
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Stockings Filled with Letters to Jesus

12/27/2018

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In 2015 we made a new family tradition. I was determined to start a Christmas tradition--something intentional and purposeful and I found just the thing that required zero artistic talent or crafty ability. At the New Year, before we put away our stockings, each person writes a note to Jesus to express their hopes for the coming year…areas we hope to grow in; personal goals. The following Christmas we get the stockings out to hang and read our letters aloud. Isn’t self reflection powerful and as a family to help hold each other accountable and know how to pray for each other? We laugh some and encourage where we see the Lord working and growing each person.
I have to admit, sometimes we feel like a failure as we come up short and lacking and I see a pattern. We all want to devote more time in God’s presence; alone, seeking, praying, being still to hear His voice and soak in His truths. The question is: Will we be disciplined to reject the distractions that pull us from that still place where our eyes are fixed on Him? The reality is, we can not do it in our own power. I can not be a better wife, friend, mother, nor have patience or wisdom and insight to offer those in need, in my own strength. I need to abide in Christ so that I will walk in the spirit. Will we choose to be led by the spirit and not the flesh? Wow-there is a whole study there and so much on walking in the spirit and flesh vs. spirit. (Here is an article by John Piper on the subject.)
https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/the-war-within-flesh-versus-spirit

We have been going through the Enneagram Personality Diagram, and people are just fascinating…..and complex! God made us so unique and diverse in the details of our personality. We have strengths and weaknesses, and all of that comes into play as He is refining us and making us more like Him.
I see the invitation all throughout scripture, for deeper fellowship, bolder faith, richer praise and intentional abiding. Jesus is all about relationships. Relationships take time, energy, devotion, patience, presence, vulnerability and intentionality.
How are you growing in your relationship with Jesus? What are you willing to devote or sacrifice, to know Him more this year? Where are you needing to step out in bold faith? Who has the Lord been prompting you to share the gospel? We are pondering this as we prepare to write our notes for 2019 and tuck it away in our stocking. Praying you will Know Him More in the coming year. Ephesians 3:14-19

“This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3
Colossians 3:1-3 “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
John 4: 15-11 ”Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”

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It’s Bigger than Basketball

8/5/2018

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Photo Left: Bilingual School Gracias  Middle: HS National Winning Team  Right: Carter practice Roatan
I might burst with joy at God’s goodness! My red headed, first born, 15 year old son has been drafted to play basketball on the high school Honduras National Team, to compete in a tournament in Panama, against 6 countries, for the Central American Student Sports Games.
When Carter left his friends, family, school and hometown, it could not have been easy, just entering high school.  If you asked him what he would miss most, besides friends and family, he would have answered his basketball team. He had a great coach, excellent program, a school that supported basketball, and they were just really starting to gel as a team. He left that behind, being obedient to his families’ call to cross cultural, full-time missions. To a 15 year old young man, he was leaving behind his passion for basketball, headed into the unknown. Something we learned quickly….it’s all about “Futbol” (soccer), here in Honduras. Let’s just say, we were grateful to even have a basketball team at his school.

7 months after moving to Honduras, making friends and building relationships, Carter’s bilingual school basketball team in Gracias, won their regional game to compete in the Capital, for the High School National team of Honduras. Our school team came in third, but the National winners from Roatan could draft two players and our Carter was one of them! 

It would be easy to see the external factors and think “Cool opportunity. Fun. Way to go. This will look good on a college application…"
Not this mama! There is more going on and I don’t want to miss our God and how personally and uniquely He chooses to connect to us; grow us; and give us opportunity to know Him more in a way that reaches our hearts right where we are. Carter has an opportunity to reflect and share Christ to a team of strangers while he spends 4 weeks training with them in their hometown. How many situations may be presented over the next 4 weeks for him to stand firm in his convictions? This is a moment for growth and courage.

He has never been away from us 4 weeks, much less in a foreign country… with strangers.
You better believe I’m believing Psalm 34:7-8 “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.”

I love how Jennie Allen in her book "Restless" puts it: "Our God is big, but He moves into the small. He cares about eternity, yet He cares about every detail and second of our lives. If we only see God as big and about eternal things, we can miss Jesus, His Spirit and God’s creativity.  We miss that Jesus loved each individually and deeply and met their unique needs. We miss how creatively he pursued each of us until we believed. We miss his vision for his church; one body, many unique parts coming together to make a difference with their small moments.” 

I am blown away to know families and individuals who are living by faith and fully surrendered lives, reflecting His glory in the most unique and creative ways. Serving fisherman in Alaska; playing soccer with a muslim community in Houston to build relationships and share Christ;  Adoption; Journey of home school; starting an Arts Academy to connect with Christ through the arts; caring for elderly parents; coaching; writing a book; running for office in the local community.
God takes the time to write intimate, unique moments for each of us…..why? Because our God pursues us and we have the privilege to reflect His glory with our passions for His purposes! What gifting is God calling you to trust Him with today? How is God calling you to use your passions for his glory?
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"Free to Be Me"

6/8/2018

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     We recently led a 6/7th grade bible study called “Free to Be Me”. It was a great opportunity to speak truth into these girls- the message that is so contrary to what the world is saying. Everywhere you turn, mainstream culture is saying to young girls, “Look like this; worry about this; you can’t be happy without this; you aren’t good enough or smart enough…..on and on. And, God says, “I made you in my image; I knew you before you were even formed in the womb; I have prepared works in advance that you would walk in them; You are created with a unique personality, gifts, and drives. You were created to be fruitful. multiply. increase. You are my masterpiece-I did not make you to be someone else.”
     We looked through a National Geographic Book that captured some of the most fascinating photographs of landscapes all over the world. They truly inspire and astonish. We recognize that God’s creation is vastly diverse and you can not compare the islands in Greece to the mountains in Wyoming or the jungles in Costa Rica. We don’t expect Norway to look like Australia, nor do we want it to. We respect and admire God’s diverse creation of the world. Then why is it that we think that when it comes to His creation of man, we are unable to be free to be diverse and unique in the details of how He put us together? I want to say to these young girls, “Trust me-life is short-don’t waste your time being anxious over things that don’t matter…there’s so much joy in being YOU. Don’t worry what people think!” It’s easy for me to see that many of the issues the young girls are concerned about, will surely pass in time and they will move beyond the pressures of this season. But, the next season can present new challenges and new doubts. We must continually fight against the idea that somehow we are not measuring up to a certain expectation according to the world’s standard.
     Satan knows that once we belong to Christ and have made him Lord of our life, he can’t take us from Him, but he will do his best to render us ineffective for the kingdom of God. One of his tactics is getting us to believe a lie that says we don’t have what it takes to make a difference; to impact; to love well; to influence and share. I can relate. Even now, I must cast out thoughts that I may not be the missionary that others expect. Just like these 6th and 7th grade girls, my heart is yearning to be, “Free to Be Me”. How I love to read about the missionaries that have gone before and lived a life of faith. Their example gives us an imagination of what God can do with a yielded life. It is inspiring. But each story is different. Not one looks the same. How they got there; what they accomplished; their gifts; talents and personalities—all different. There are no formulas. The Lord is writing a unique story for each one of His children. We were created with a craving to contribute.
     In Matthew 25:14-30, in the Parable of the Talents, the scripture says that the master entrusted talents to each servant, according to his abilities. The talents are the resources from the master, which are our spiritual endowments that God gives us. And they are given to us according to our abilities and capabilities. The servant that buried his talent had a wrong idea about the master. He didn’t really know him at all. He said he buried his resource out of fear because he knew the master to be a hard man who harvests where he has not sown, and gathers where he has not scattered seed.….” In fear of losing it, he buried it…he declined to work with what the master had entrusted to him. He didn’t take the risk. The master referred to him as wicked and lazy. He didn’t produce, contribute or multiply. That is our mandate.
     Do we have a wrong idea of our master? If we know Him, we know that He has equipped us for every good work; He loves us with an everlasting love; He is gracious, kind and slow to anger; He is compassionate and just; and that He is for us and not against us. We also know that He is powerful and His Word accomplishes what it sets out to accomplish. Are we going to work with what we have been entrusted, for His glory? I do not want to be afraid, and bury the resources that have been entrusted to me by the master. I love the way Beth Moore puts it, “We are a masterpiece of emotion, experience, personality, intellect, skill, talent and supernatural gifting, meant to spread benefits of heaven to people on earth.” All of our uniqueness, coupled with God’s spirit and His resources come together to make us profoundly effective! It was part of His plan. So we can stop trying to be someone else and allow Him to be profoundly effective through us for the kingdom of God. What is God asking you trust Him with right now? To risk for the kingdom?
​     My mom and sister will be here to visit in less than a week and I get giddy just thinking about us all together! There is something about family and being in the presence of the ones that know you and celebrate you for who you are. Even your quirks and idiosyncrasies! The kids and I have been playing some of Mimi’s favorite jams and we know that there will be dancing and celebration, because…. well, Mimi seems to have found the joy of being comfortable in her own skin no matter the setting. She doesn’t feel the need to adjust to fit in. And that’s what we love about her. She gives us the freedom to be ourselves in her presence and it is sooo freeing!!! So there will be lots of celebrating because we value the way God made each person differently and we can find freedom in who He has called us to be.

Psalm 139:14-18
"I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths
of the earth;
Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.
How precious also are Your thoughts
to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I should count them,
they would outnumber the sand."

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Video -Glimpse into the Joys of Ministry in Honduras

5/25/2018

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​https://youtu.be/kyM09gmZu9o
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Feliz Dia de Las Madres

5/13/2018

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When asked what I always wanted to be when I grew up, in a questionnaire for my 10 year high school reunion,  I replied, "A mother".  My answer is still the same. I have found motherhood to be my greatest ministry. Motherhood has provided the truest of joys since my first child was born 15 years ago. I wonder if anyone else teeters between bursting with joy and bursting with frustration. I have learned so much about God's love, His patience, and how He must hurt when we go astray, make bad choices, and when we suffer. The Lord in His great love for me has used motherhood to reveal areas in me, that need refining, softening and growth. There are plenty of times I think I am failing; not doing enough; losing my patience. But, soon enough, the Holy Spirit reminds me that although I am not perfect, He is and His grace is sufficient. Honestly, there are times where I am blown away that God would trust me with these little people's lives and that He would desire to partner with me, to show them who they are in Christ, and how great His love is for them. 
I am in awe at the creativity God gives to mothers and how He fashions each one specifically for their unique family. I have found the most freedom to be myself within the walls of my little Slyker Team, with singing, dancing, and celebrating God's goodness and His amazing creation. It doesn't mean that life is perfect- but rather,  that through His spirit, we can bring joy, peace and beauty into our home. He created the first home that expressed His characteristics of creativity, beauty, color, majesty, art and tranquility. He invites us to dine at his exquisite table that He prepares for us. I am so thankful for the mothers and grandmothers that have passed on a legacy to their children and allowed the Lord to take their unique gifts to be the mothers that He created them to be. God can make something beautiful out of any yielded life to Him. 

As I prepare to share a message of hope to mothers in Honduras, specifically single expectant mothers, I will share with them that motherhood is a divine calling-not just a lifestyle. It has eternal value and is the avenue in which the reality of God's kingdom is passed on from generation to generation.
"
Through our teaching, and influence, morality can be learned and modeled. Love and kindness are taught and received. Purpose and vision are passed on. The real ability of a mother to secure such a spiritual legacy is based on the strength of her relationship with her child. As we tenderly care for our children meeting their needs, teaching them and guiding them. Praying for them and modeling our faith, we are also anchoring their hearts to our home, our values and our beliefs." Sally Clarkson

 We know that when we look around, we don't always see these ideals being lived out, and it's almost paralyzing to see the brokenness and think that our tiny efforts could possibly make a difference.  Jesus said in John 10:10, "I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly." As Christ followers, we are life givers. and we can bring life into our homes as we present the life of Christ in us.  I find great comfort in this and pray you will trust Him to make your ordinary days, opportunities to hear His whispers; see His beauty and redemption; and experience His love. 
​Feliz Dia de Las Madres



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Unexpected Gifts

2/27/2018

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He is the giver of all good things.

Two years ago, it was only an idea put on paper while vision planning; the mere seeds that God placed in our heart. Part of that vision was to host a student; to offer an opportunity to experience missions for longer than a week in the summer; a ministry opportunity- discipleship. Perhaps God gave me this dream because I had tasted a similar cross cultural exchange experience in college, but without the purpose or intentionality. I hoped to get it “right” this time. And just as He always does, God offers something better than I could have dreamed up.
He sends His daughter, Mikah.

In my “vision planning”, I assumed this student would arrive 6 months to a year after our arrival, so that we would be settled... familiar with our surroundings, with ample time to develop relationships and ministry opportunities, and create a rhythm in our home before adding to our family.
Y
ou know... "have it all together."

God had different plans.


Due to our delayed arrival to Gracias, Mikah arrived just a few weeks after us. Without a doubt, we were still figuring things out ourselves. The people pleaser in me wanted to have everything perfect for our guest; running smoothly and welcome her into a well adjusted family. What I could  not have seen or planned was how our family would need this young lady during our time of transition. Right in the middle of finding our way.  The chaos of the unknown. Her joy, love of Jesus and eagerness to share, has set a beautiful example for all of us. She has the ability to bring fun and intentionality to everything she does. Her deep relationship with the Lord and quiet discipline to seek Him in all things has provided a steady calmness to our family, when we could have easily become distracted by the emotional strain of moving; missing family; mental exhaustion of learning a new language and all of the other fun adjustments like bug bites and no A/C. We could have focused on these details, but instead we have Mikah, who knows her 5 month stay will go quickly, and she has no intention on missing out on what God has already established for her here. Time is of the essence, so she seizes the moment, ready to serve, lead or listen. She is open. Pliable. Expectant. A life completely devoted to God’s will for her life.  Her spiritual maturity adds so many years to her,  it is hard to believe she is only 18.

 I was reminded of how Mary stayed with Elizabeth while she was expecting to give birth to the Savior. What an encouragement they were to each other. Everything was changing in her life-and all of the emotions she must have been feeling. The Lord gives a special person to understand and encourage. We have the gift of walking with and ministering beside other Christ followers. We need the encouragement to share in each others trials, joys, challenges. To experience the gifts and strengths of each other.

As a mom who is praying for her children to grow in their relationship with the Lord and desire to seek Him with all of their heart, what more could the Lord do to answer that prayer, than to place a young lady who is chasing after Him with all of her heart, right in our home to live out her faith day to day in front of them? A unique and special relationship. She has the ability to influence them in a way I do not.  Like Elizabeth, I am asking, “How have I found favor with the Lord, for such a gift?”

Susannah has cherished having an older sister in our home. The Lord knew what that would mean to her specifically in this season. Mikah leading a 6/7th grade bible study in our home, has provided Susannah the opportunity to get to know her classmates in a deeper way.  I certainly could not have planned for Mikah to assist in William’s 3rd grade class at Abundante Bilingual school, helping the teacher in a class with 36 students. Will has Mikah, his big sister in his class, and they share stories with us each day about the students and joys and struggles.  And, while Carter has made friends on the basketball team, Mikah just knows how to encourage building relationships in a deeper way; getting a group to our house for game night and fun. 
I know MANY have been faithful to pray for our adjustment and transition here. Specifically, for the children. We don't always recognize and see His hand while He is working, but this is one really big tangible way that He has answered your prayers and ours! Thank you faithful prayer warriors. I pray that  we will have eyes to see the unexpected gifts as our stories play out differently than expected. 


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I Will Choose Joy

11/9/2017

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I will worship you in this place, within my limitations. I will choose Joy.  This has been a theme since August, after coming up for air and accepting a delay to Honduras, in order for Richard to have a hip replacement and to care for my mom as she began chemotherapy. I wish I could say, that everyday my attitude remained joyful, and that I didn't give in to stress or emotions as I was squeezed. I have had to apologize many times to my children for my lack of patience when I really just needed them to be the “perfect guests” as we live at someone else’s home; and to stay on task when I leave the “home school classroom” frequently, to tend to cooking, appointments, and caring for our two patients.
Lord show me You in this place; in the waiting and hoping; in the sickness and uncertainty. This has been a time of wrestling, seeking, struggling and ultimately choosing to rest in His grace and comfort even when I don’t understand so much. It seems so many we know and love are sick right now.
One of my favorites songs, “First”, by Lauren Dangle, says, “I want to know you, I want to find you, in every season, in every moment.” Experiences make truths come alive as they become relevant to the season we are walking in. Lord, I have found You here. I know You more after walking through this with You. You are the goal. You are the reward.
“Life is but a Vapor” has been on my heart lately. “Teach us Lord to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” There were days that I felt like the chaos of our lives was too much. On a bad day, I might have thought that I was failing my children? Hadn’t I already upset their lives for the last 2 years by moving 3 times and making major changes, just to get to Honduras. Will they make it through these inconsistent school days and ever changing schedule.
What about their emotions? Watching their peers around them engage in the community with theatre, basketball, and other activities that they would have participated in, if we weren’t moving out of the country. I know that the Lord will sustain them in the move, but surely this is too much to be here in a holding place and not able to participate in Honduras or here either? I realize that these issues may seem minor compared to other’s life struggles, but I acknowledge that this is relevant to them, in their context.
And even though these thoughts come to mind on occasion, I am quickly reminded that Jesus is enough. He is sufficient. He will not leave us or forsake us and will give us strength when we are weak; and ultimately we will know Him more. I could not have known what it was like to walk through sickness or disease with a loved one until now. I could not really have understood the brevity of life, and how quickly our reality can change, until the surgeon came out and said that what we thought was a small contained tumor, had spread and was much more serious. I trust that He will use these experiences to grow us and prepare us for the work He has ahead.
So, while the rhythms of our life have been disrupted, I pray that there is a thread of consistency in our days, that speaks louder than the chaos. Laughter, music, God’s word, friends and family. I am choosing to see the sweet moments that God has given us to be together, all in one place—elementary age, junior high and high school; starting our class with bible and our favorite read a loud, “Kingdom Tales”. (How is it possible that with these age differences, we all agree on that book, and ask for another chapter?)  Thank you Lord for that sweet blessing!); We have sung and danced to our favorite songs, “Old Church Choir” and “Broken Things”, which has become our morning routine before diving into spanish class. And spanish!!….the kids are doing amazing with all they have learned in preparation to attend bilingual school. The Lord also provided the opportunity for Carter to attend Worldview Academy Camp, which is a leadership camp dedicated to helping Christians to think and to live in accord with a biblical worldview so that they will serve Christ and lead the culture.
Richard and I have been challenged to keep up good communication when we are stressed and things feel out of control. We have created a “code word” that indicates we are running low on steam, and need each other’s full attention, and understanding. We think this will serve us well when we get to Honduras and experience difficult situations out of our comfort zone.:)
We are praising the Lord for the absolute joy of Richard being pain free for the first time in 2 years, enabling him to be active with the kids in ways that he was not able, because of chronic pain.  How much more prepared is he to walk the mountains of Honduras, with this behind him?
Another surprise blessing in our time of waiting, has been the opportunity that we have had to build relationships with the family of the young missionary student, who will stay with us in Honduras. This wonderful, kingdom minded family has been a source of strength and encouragement, as together we share the excitement of the unknown adventures that lie ahead on the mission field, for both our family and their daughter. It has bonded us in a unique way, and we look forward to sharing in this ministry with them.
And, just in God’s perfect timing, He has orchestrated our hearts to have a peace about leaving for Honduras, on November 28th.  He has turned our hearts back to anticipation once again. We are excited about setting up our home and experiencing our first Honduran Christmas. Our Honduran “daughter”, Nagelly, who spent the summer in the states with us, has promised tamales because she says it’s not Christmas in Honduras without them! Our friend Edwin, who translated for us two different mission trips, has said he will be waiting for our arrival and will help us find our way around town, translating when necessary. God is so good to supply all that we need. It is all about relationships. God has chosen to pass on the truths and the mysteries of His Kingdom through relationships. Thank you for walking with us on this journey of faith.
“There is no single way to serve God, but the point is this: We each have only one life to live to tell a story about Him, about His ways, about His love. And if we are Christ followers, then God calls us to use our gifts, to exercise our faith, and to become salt and light right where we are.”
― Sally Clarkson, Own Your Life: Living with Deep Intention, Bold Faith, and Generous Love
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Our Family is Growing

6/4/2017

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God Is At Work All Around Us-Meet Mikah 
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One of our long term visions in cross cultural missions, is to offer an opportunity for American students to come walk with us, and experience the mission field, where students intentionally grow in their relationship with God and others, own their personal faith and beliefs and discern God’s call in their lives. What we didn't know is that God had already selected that student and He divinely brought her to us before we ever made it to the field!  Mikah is a precious young woman who has been anointed from a young age to share Christ's love with others. She is passionate about foreign missions and has been praying about a long term experience on the field after she graduates high school. She will join us January 15th and become a part of our family. Before we ever met Mikah, we prayed for an extra room in our home, so that we could host a student at some point. The Lord knew exactly what we needed and provided that very detail. If we look and see with our spiritual eyes, He is working all around us and providing everything we need to walk in faith and bring Him glory!
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Dare to Dream

5/25/2017

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Well, I am squealing with excitement! I feel like I can finally rejoice freely now that we have a date and tickets are purchased. August 11th, 2017 is move date!
I have thought and dreamed about this day for so long. There is something so powerful when we take a step of faith into the unknown and say yes to a calling, that requires complete trust on God to see it through. There is so much we can do on our own, and I was craving that kind of faith.  From the time we said yes to the calling to serve in cross cultural missions, there has been one opportunity after another to trust Him completely with all of the uncertainties. For the last two years, we have been learning that we truly are in control of nothing. It is humbling because we know we could not make this happen on our own. He has worked out all things for His purposes and in His timing.

One of the words of wisdom from the missionaries on the ground in Gracias, is to be careful not to "romanticize" the mission work and missionary life. I heed these words because I am a romantic! Thankfully, I have been there enough times now, to have a "glimpse" of how raw it can be, emotionally and how vast the needs are. But today, I am celebrating and praising the Lord not because I think it will be smooth, easy, adventurous or any of those things that may look appealing from a far, but because God gave us a vision two years ago and it is coming to fruition. He is faithful! I often ask my children, "What is your dream? How do you think God will use you in your generation to bring light into this dark world? How will he use your gifts to make His name known? Do we have an imagination to dream of what that could look like? He is personal and relational- He has made us uniquely and will give us a unique calling that is so fulfilling! I dared to dream and it has been so worth it!




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    Bridget

    Wife, mother of 3, passionate about following and growing in Christ; coffee lover, inspired by heroes of faith; music, dancing and books fill our home; loves all things Latin and talking with accents

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