When writing our last update, the process of moving into our house-in-progress loomed large. Challenges certainly continued to present themselves: a dozen leaks springing (literally) to life one evening, unexpected interruptions abounding, and the polyurethane coating our kitchen counters needing over a month to dry in rainy season humidity! Yet, in the end, we did manage to move in before our coworkers Rachel and Katie returned to the village (and their house!). Settling in to our unfinished house is an extended process – more so when our true focus is on language study and a new home school year – yet it is a great blessing to start turning our construction project into a home.
As worldwide coronavirus responses adjust to local changes, we remain grateful for the absence of any known cases in Las Moras and its surrounding communities. The situation has allowed us to cautiously resume corporate church meetings – a long-awaited answer to prayer, greatly encouraging both the Nahuatl believers and our team.
With our entire team reunited in the village, we were able to begin planning for Pete and Liesl’s pending departure from the Nahuatl church planting ministry. Prayerful consideration of team priorities and individual roles resulted in fruitful meetings, and – though several details remain to work out over time – we have a good plan for moving forward. We are grateful for each of you who joined us in asking God for wisdom during these considerations!
Today, our family is back on the road – appreciating the successful completion of our first rainy season in the mountains! After three and a half months in Las Moras, our travel provides a welcome change of pace from the challenges of daily off-grid life. Reunions with family and friends in Chihuahua and El Paso are particularly sweet after COVID-19 extended our time apart, and we look forward to bringing fresh supplies and new furnishings back home – including actual beds for the kids, and perhaps a couch or two!
When we return, life and ministry will continue much as before: studying Nahuatl, building relationships, and investing into the church. Amy will keep homeschooling our kids, I will add Bible teaching to my weekly responsibilities, and together we will hope to someday see that poly on our kitchen counter dry. The rest of 2020 looks to blend continued transitions with a need for daily faithfulness, and we are thankful for continued prayer on behalf of our family, this team, and the Nahuatl church as we each work in the Lord’s service.
Praising God!
- For the house He has provided for our family’s use
- The Nahuatl church is able to meet together regularly again
- That rainy season ended well, and for time with our families
How to Pray:
- Ask God to grant all of us wisdom in the coming days
- For safe travel, perseverance in the tasks ahead, and daily rest in Jesus while adjusting to new roles and challenges
- That we continue settling well into our new living space, finding time for small-yet-significant improvements while focused on higher priorities
Thank you for this update! It is a real joy to read of the ongoing progress. Perhaps at times it seems slow or there may be times of – seemingly – no progress, but this is all part of life and God’s purposes. God with you in all circumstances and in all ways.
Love in Jesus,
Sylvia
Thank you, Sylvia!
Praying for you guys. Keep up the great work! We miss ya. 🙂
Right back at you, brother. 🙂
Congratulations on all your progress and wait times…fir we know, “those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength”. Praying for counter tops to dry soon, ongoing language learning and ministry progress to glorify God.
So true… thank you!
Dear Ones, it’s a joy to read of your progress and ministry there.
It’s a honor to pray and watch God work in and through you all.
I know you will enjoy greatly seeing your family in those areas where you are for this time, I was supposed to go to Texas but COVID took care of that. I miss all of you but enjoy seeing you on FaceTime from time to time and praying for you. Your Newsletter was so good and informative of your doings. Loved the pictures. Thank you for taking the time to send such a great
News Letter. God bless you as you go about God’s work. I love
You all and will always pray you through. Grammie/GiGi
PS how are the pink chairs? When you sit in them remember God’s arms are around you and Granddad’s and mine as well!
Love you, Gram! We miss having you here, and will hope to bring you down to see us in the village and Mazatlan some day… but perhaps one of the next El Paso trips as well. We’ll keep trying, and enjoy the FaceTime opportunities meanwhile!
And Amy and I love the chairs. 🙂 They are a great blessing, both for memory’s sake and practical usage as our reading chairs! Thank you so much for thinking of us with them.