On A Mission 2018

We have been attending language school in San Jose, Costa Rica for the past year at an Institute called ILE, Spanish Language Institute.  It is a school for missionaries to learn Spanish language skills to serve the Lord into the mission field.  We have developed many close friends over the past year from the school and from Costa Rica. It is so amazing to be with other missionary friends that are in the same place as us, and we are all excited for each other and for what God has for us on the mission field.  The body of Christ is so important as the Word of God says in 1 Thessalonian  5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”  I think that the hardest part of it all is leaving these amazing friends, but Praise God for Facebook and WhatsApp so we can all keep in contact.  During our time in Costa Rica we become members of a local church called “Esperenza de Vida” and this is going to be the church that is supporting us on the mission field in Nicaragua.  

Pastor Luis and his wife Priscilla are special friends to us and have mentored us over the past year.  We will miss our time with them in Costa Rica. The exciting thing is that we get to see them very soon, because they are coming to Nicaragua for a short term mission’s trip.   Thank you for letting us share a little bit about our life in Costa Rica.

After Costa Rica we went back to New York for a few weeks to spend Christmas with our family.  Both our girls, Casey and Kristine, were married this past summer and are doing great with their new husbands.  This is a picture of us together during Christmas. We had a great time while in New York.

 On January 4 we left New York to return back to Nagarote, Nicaragua where we were two years ago.  Our original flight was for the morning of the 5th from JFK, but the forecasters were predicting a huge storm, so the airline let us switch our flight to leave at midnight on the 4th.

 We had a good flight without any complications and arrived at Managua, Nicaragua at 10:30 AM.   Two years ago we made many amazing friends.  One of them was the family of Alejandro and Elizabeth and their son Alex and daughter Kevlin. The reason we are telling you about them is because they are the ones that picked us up from the airport.  You know you have good friends when they drive to get you and then take you to run errands.  We made a quick stop at PriceMart (Costco)  and then we were off to the city of Nagarote.  We are in the same house we stayed at two years ago which is an amazing blessing. Our bedroom has air conditioning and is a great blessing for us. If you know us or anyone in ministry you know that sleep in important.

We had a great first 10 days here getting settled in and waiting on the Lord. As we all know, waiting on the Lord can be difficult at times, but we also know the waiting period is so very important because it is the building process for our lives.  We both feel we are getting accustomed to the rhythm of life and the hot weather - which is kind of like an oven that is at 350 degrees. Lol

Proverbs 27:9 "Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice."

We want to say thank you to our special friends and neighbors, Freddy and Lesbia. We spend many hours hanging out together just talking about life.  We have also started doing Bible studies with them.

                                                                    

Alejandro, Elizabeth, and their kids Alex and Kevlin have also been very special friends for the last couple of years. We have a great time hanging out with them, as well.  Sweet friends that restore the soul. They are a lovely Christian family and they are a great Christian example to the people of Nagarote.

The primary reason we are in Nicaragua is we felt the Lord calling us to help and fortify marriages in Latin America.  We felt this call on our lives about three years ago.  We have been working with Pastor Francisco from the Assembly of God Church in Nagarote.  He is a special pastor and reminds us a lot of Pastor Raynor, our former pastor at Shirley AG. This pastor has a huge heart with a passion and fire for God, who wants to see the lost found and the sheep that have gone astray to return back to the house of God.

This pastor wants us to assist him with marriage counseling and reaching out to the lost. We have two dates in February to do a marriage seminar.  We are currently preparing for this and think we should have about 50 couples, but God knows it all.

 We have learned to wait on the Lord and his time. As we all know, sometimes that’s not fun and it requires trusting that God's plan is much better than ours. The waiting is the hardest part, but it is the best part.

Psalms 37:7 "Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently on him to act."

Psalms 27:4 "Wait on the Lord, be strong and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait on the Lord."

Our first Sunday in Nagarote, our pastor asked us to give our testimony in front of the church of about 350 people.  Of course we were a little nervous since it was our first time speaking in public after language school.  But, as always, God is so faithful to see us through. With the power of the Holy Spirit we spoke with confidence and the presence of God.  After our introduction and when church was over the pastor asked us if we would be willing to help and counsel couples while we are here over the next three months. Of course our answer was a yelling YES - that’s why God called us here.  He asked 20 couples to come to meet us at the church so that we could share our testimony.  We were shocked that 10 couples showed up and we were able to make 10 appointments.  We have been able to meet with 7 couples over the last few days which have been an amazing time of building and trusting our faith.  During our times with each couple we sense the presence of the Lord which is needed since each situation is different.  We have had great conversations and time together getting to know wonderful couples and helping with their marriages.  We both know it’s important, because we have had many people in our lives help us through the years.

Thank you for your prayers and support.  Please continue to pray for our lives here, for our health and that we can show the love of Jesus to the people of Nagarote and strengthen many marriages. Pray for our sweet friends here that we continue to show God's love to them and that as we spend time in the Lord, he will keep showing up.

Habiamos asistido a una escuela de idiomas en San José, Costa Rica durante el año pasado en un Instituto llamado ILE, Spanish Language Institute. Es una escuela para que los misioneros aprendan español antes de ingresar al campo misionero. Hemos desarrollado muchos amigos cercanos durante el año pasado de la escuela y de Costa Rica. Es tan maravilloso estar con otros amigos misioneros que están en el mismo lugar que nosotros, y todos estamos emocionados el uno por el otro y por lo que Dios tiene para nosotros en el campo misionero. El cuerpo de Cristo es tan importante como dice la palabra de Dios en 1 Tesalonicón 5:11 "Por lo tanto, aliéntanse unos a otros y edifíquense unos a otros, como ya lo están haciendo". Creo que la parte más difícil de todo es dejar estos increíbles amigos, pero Alabado sea Dios por Facebook y WhatsApp para que todos podamos mantenernos en contacto. Durante nuestro tiempo en Costa Rica nos convertimos en miembros de una iglesia local llamada "Esperenza de Vida" y esta va a ser la iglesia que nos está apoyando en el campo en Nicaragua.

El pastor Luis y su esposa Priscilla son amigos especiales de nosotros y nos han guiado durante el año pasado. Perderemos nuestro tiempo con ellos en Costa Rica. Lo emocionante es que los vemos muy pronto, porque vienen a Nicaragua para un viaje de misión a corto plazo. Gracias por permitirnos compartir un poco sobre nuestra vida en Costa Rica.
Después de Costa Rica regresamos a Nueva York por unas semanas para pasar la Navidad con nuestra familia. Nuestras dos hijas, Casey y Kristine, se casaron el verano pasado y están muy bien con sus nuevos maridos. Esta es una foto de nosotros juntos durante la Navidad. Nos lo pasamos genial en Nueva York.

 El 4 de enero dejamos Nueva York para regresar a Nagarote, Nicaragua, donde estábamos hace 2 años. Nuestro vuelo original fue para la mañana del 5 de JFK, pero los pronosticadores estaban pronosticando una gran tormenta, por lo que la aerolínea nos permitió cambiar nuestro vuelo para salir a la medianoche del día 4.

 Tuvimos un buen vuelo sin complicaciones y llegamos a Managua Nicaragua a las 10:30 de la mañana. Hace 2 años hicimos muchos amigos increíbles, uno de ellos era la familia de Alejandro y Elizabeth y su hijo Alex y su hija Kevlin. La razón por la que te estamos hablando de ellos es porque ellos son los que nos recogieron del aeropuerto. Sabes que tienes buenos amigos cuando conducen para atraparte y luego hacen recados. Hicimos una parada rápida en PriceMart (Costco) y luego nos fuimos a nuestra nueva ciudad de Nagarote. Estamos en la misma casa en la que estuvimos hace 2 años, lo cual es una bendición increíble. Nuestra habitación tiene aire acondicionado y es una gran bendición para nosotros. Si nos conocen a nosotros o a alguien en el ministerio, saben que dormir es importante.

Tuvimos unos excelentes primeros 10 días para instalarnos y esperar al Señor. Como todos sabemos, esperar en el Señor es difícil a veces, pero también sabemos que el período de espera es muy importante porque es el proceso de construcción de nuestras vidas. Los dos sentimos que nos estamos acostumbrando al ritmo de la vida y al clima cálido, que es como un horno a 350 grados. Jajaja

Proverbios 27: 9 "El perfume y el incienso alegran el corazón, y la amabilidad de un amigo brota de sus consejos más profundos".

Queremos agradecer a nuestros dos amigos muy cercanos y especiales. Nuestros vecinos Freddy y Lesbia; son realmente especiales para nosotros y se han convertido en uno de nuestros mejores amigos. Pasamos muchas horas juntas hablando de la vida. También hemos comenzado a hacer estudios bíblicos con ellos.

                                                                     

Alejandro, Elizabeth y sus hijos Alex y Kevlin han sido amigos muy especiales durante los últimos años y también pasamos un buen rato saliendo con ellos. Dulces amigos que restauran el alma Son una hermosa familia cristiana y son un gran ejemplo cristiano para la gente de Nagarote.

La razón principal por la que estamos en Nicaragua es que sentimos que el Señor nos llama a ayudar y fortalecer los matrimonios en América Latina. Sentimos este llamado en nuestras vidas hace aproximadamente 3 años. Hemos estado trabajando con el pastor Francisco de la iglesia de la Asamblea de Dios en Nagarote. Él es un pastor especial y nos recuerda mucho al pastor Raynor, nuestro antiguo pastor en Shirley AG. Este pastor tiene un gran corazón con pasión y fuego para Dios, que quiere ver lo perdido y las ovejas que se han extraviado para regresar a la casa de Dios.

Este pastor quiere que lo ayudemos con la consejería matrimonial y al ayudar a los perdidos. Tenemos 2 fechas en febrero para hacer un seminario de matrimonio en el que nos estamos preparando actualmente y creemos que deberíamos tener unas 50 parejas, pero Dios lo sabe todo.

 Hemos aprendido a esperar al Señor y su tiempo. Como todos sabemos, a veces eso no es divertido y requiere confiar en que el plan de Dios es mucho mejor que el nuestro. La espera es la más difícil, pero es la mejor parte.

Salmos 37: 7 Permanece quieto en la presencia del Señor y espera pacientemente en él para actuar.

Salmos 27: 4 Espera en el Señor, sé fuerte y deja que tu corazón se anime. Sí, espera en el Señor !!!!

Nuestro primer domingo en Nagarote, nuestro pastor nos pide que demos nuestro testimonio frente a la iglesia de unas 350 personas. Por supuesto que estábamos un poco nerviosos ya que era la primera vez que hablamos en público después de la escuela de idiomas, pero como siempre, Dios es tan fiel que nos ayuda a superarlo. Con el poder del Espíritu Santo hablamos con confianza y la presencia de Dios. Después de nuestra presentación y cuando la iglesia terminó, el pastor nos preguntó si estaríamos dispuestos a ayudar y aconsejar a las parejas mientras estamos aquí durante los próximos 3 meses. Por supuesto, nuestra respuesta fue un grito SÍ, es por eso que Dios nos llamó aquí. Pidió a 20 parejas que se reunieran con nosotros en la iglesia para que pudiéramos compartir nuestro testimonio. Nos sorprendió que aparecieron 10 parejas y pudimos hacer 10 citas. Hemos podido reunirnos con 7 parejas en los últimos días, que han sido un tiempo increíble para construir y confiar en nuestra fe. Durante nuestro tiempo con cada pareja sentimos la presencia del Señor que es necesaria ya que cada situación es diferente. Hemos tenido grandes conversaciones y tiempo juntos para conocer parejas maravillosas y ayudar con sus matrimonios. Ambos sabemos que es importante, porque hemos tenido muchas personas en nuestras vidas que nos han ayudado a través de los años.

Gracias por tus oraciones y apoyo. Continúen orando por nuestras vidas aquí, por nuestra salud y para que podamos mostrar el amor de Jesús a la gente de Nagarote y fortalecer muchos matrimonios. Oremos por nuestros dulces amigos aquí para que continuemos demostrándoles el amor de Dios y que a medida que pasemos tiempo en el Señor él seguirá apareciendo.

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Crystal and I are missionaries to Latin America.  We have been in language school in Costa Rica for the past year.  We are currently in Nicaragua working with Pastor Francisco and the local Assembly of God church.  We have a marriage conference in the church at the end of February and are currently working with about 10 couples individually doing a 6 week marriage course. We are excited for the work the Lord has done already in Nagarote and what the Lord is going to do in the future.

http://www.oldtennisservices.com/

Chikungunya

Unfortunately I think I have Chikungunya.  What the heck is Chikungunya?  It’s virus caused by a mosquito bite and there is nothing you can do about it.  At first I thought I just had the flu and it would go away in a few days, but this is different, because the main problem is severe muscle and joint pain.  I am exhausted the whole day.  We get Wi-Fi from a cyber café across the street, so we have Wi-Fi by our front door in the living area.  It’s sad but I have to rest in the bed to get up the energy to go in the living room to watch Netflix on my laptop on a rocking chair.  I had shingles when I was 20, it’s basically like that.  Crystal wants me to get bloodwork, but I’m being stubborn and do not want to get it.  Weather its Chikungunya, Dengue, or the flu, it’s the same treatment, rest and make sure you drink lots of fluids.

Ok, thank you for letting me complain, I feel much better.

Crystal and I are continuing to live our lives here.  We are getting to know more people and establish many life long lasting friendships.  Two of our friends from Florida left last Saturday after staying with us for a week. (Steve and Angela)  They have been doing short term mission trips in Nagarote for the last 10 years.  They sold their home in Florida to buy a Finca here.  They are building their house here poca a poca to retire here in 5 years and facilitate many mission trips to help the people of Nagarote.  It was a great time hanging out with them for the week and of refreshing our spirits.

The more time we spend here, the more our hearts go out to the people.  They are so lost.  It is so sad to see such a broken society.  In the US, I feel we have a strong vocal minority on fire for God.  Here, there is almost nothing.  Most men over the age of 50 have at least 2 families.  When I say most, I mean most.  I would say upwards of 75% of people I met, there father has at least 2 families.  As in the US, many of these people go to church and claim to be Christians.  There is no fear of God, whatsoever.  Many people do whatever they want for themselves and doing an act of kindness for someone else is out of the question.  The Lord has laid it heavy on our hearts to try somehow, one soul, one family, one church, that a life through the Holy Spirit is an incredible life, so much more than what they have now.

Even though we feel our Spanish has improved and we can speak with anyone.  We both know we need to go to school to get to the level we want to be at.  Next September we are going to try to go to language school in Costa Rica for 7 months.  Please pray, we can find a way to afford it.  After that, and with a lot of prayer to God of where to go, we are planning on going somewhere to tell the people of the love of Jesus Christ and of eternal salvation.

Kids performing in Central Park

Central Park

Daniel and the Lions Den

Good Friends

Shooting of a Music Video

Lava from Momotombo, sorry not very impressive

We adopted our neighbors 3 dogs

Great time at beach near Mirimar

This horse caused a huge traffic jam

Taking their pigs to the Farm to have special fun

Holy Sprit

Most people in Nicaragua, U.S. and in North and South America know the story of Jesus.  Almost everyone knows Jesus died on the cross.  Many people know he died on the cross for our sins.  Many, know Jesus was resurrected 3 days later and is in heaven.

However I think most of the people do not know they have power Heaven, God, and Jesus available in their lives every day through the Holy Spirit.  Christians could do amazing things if we allow the power of Holy Spirit to actively lead us every day.

 

John 16: 7-8

7"But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8"And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment”

Child like faith!!!!!!

I want to write and tell you about a couple of very special people the Lord has placed in our life in the past two weeks.  During these past two weeks, it has been difficult to adjust to the heat and the change in culture.  At times I miss my friends, but I have found that my best friend that will never leave me is Jesus.  When I feel alone he is my comforter, when I feel sad he is my protector, when I am scared he is my fortress, when I feel week he is my rock, when I feel powerless he is my strength and when I have nowhere to hide he is my refuge and a my very help. I am in awe of the Lord, because when you feel all these things, (and I have definitely felt them more than once during this trip) he meets me right where I am and not a minute late.  The Lord uses other people to encourage me at just the right time.  First let me tell you about Chloe, Chloe is an amazing young girl, she is 8 years old, and she is the daughter of missionaries here in Nicaragua.  Chloe is very smart and actually is almost adult like in her thinking.  I went to Chloe’s parents’ house to meet Chloe’s new twin brothers (so cute and little).  While I was at the house of Chloe’s parents I talked with Chloe a lot.  Chloe and I took their cute little dog for a walk; while we were walking we started to talk about life.  Chloe told me that it is hard at times to be in another Country, to talk the Language and not know anyone here.  She said that at times it’s difficult just to say my name is Chloe (in Spanish).  I just about cried in this moment, I was feeling the same way and I am an adult.  Chloe and I talked about these difficult times in our lives, sweet young Chloe and I reminded each other that Jesus will help us through it all.  Yep it’s difficult, but there is nothing too big for our God.  I praise God for this amazing young girl who showed me how to keep trusting Jesus in every part of my life and in the life of little Chloe. Toward the end of our walk when we decided to pray together, this beautiful moment brought tears to my eyes, that the Lord would use a child to encourage me.  Don’t ever put anything past the Lord, he can do all things, and at times he may even use a child.  I am reminded to have faith more like a child.  Thank you Lord for answering prayers and never being late.

 

Another beautiful friend I have been blessed by is Cinthia.  Cinthia is our teacher for Spanish here in Nagarote.  She lived in the States for about 10 years and she can talk perfect English. Cinthia and I talk to each other every day, Cinthia has made Steve and I feel like family. The Lord has allowed me to be blessed by this friendship.  Sometimes when you are doing missions work for the Lord, it’s not always about feeling good and who you can bless.  Sometimes it’s just about trying to make it through that day and learn to lean on and trust in the one and only.  This was one of those days, I wasn’t expecting anything, but again the Lord knew exactly what I was going through and how I was feeling for the past couple of days.  Cinthia again was being used by the Lord and probably had no idea, she is a young woman who loves the Lord and who shows me what is means to be selfless.  She also shows us all the new things in the town each day, which help us to know where the stores are.  When I am sad she comes by to check on me and cheer me up, she is the kind of friend you search for your whole life.  I have been blessed here in Nicaragua with Cinthia.  There are so many moments I have been able to sit back and enjoy seeing the Lord work in ways I never have before.  Being in another country and having no one except my honey and I, has forced us in so many ways to pray, read and rely on the strength of the Lord and not on ourselves.  I see a lot of things here that make me sad, but there are a lot of things in the United States that make me sad too, if we would open our eyes and listen to the voice of God, we could be used in any place at any time in the world.  I will miss many of the people here in Nagarote, but I am so excited that the Lord has prepared a place for us all to meet again one day!!! The promise of the Lord is that he will return again for all of us who have accepted him as Lord and Savior.

I would ask you to please pray for the following people Steve and I have meet here in Nagarote

Please pray for Maria my neighbor friend as she wants to change her life but needs the Lord.

Please pray for Cinthia and her new language school

Please pray for Lesbi and Maria, my neighbors that we have been ministering too.

Please pray for sweet Dorita who comes to our house twice a week to talk to us, she lost her husband several years ago and her son who was 21 died last year.

Please continue to pray for a new generation in nagarote to change the old ways and become more like Jesus each and every day.

 

Thank you for allowing us to share what the Lord is doing here with Steve and I in nagarote Nicaragua.

 

 

Life is Starting to Feel Normal

Life is Starting to Feel Normal

Not sure when it happened, but life here in Nagarote seems more normal.  This is starting to be the normal and life in New York is different.  Kind of like in Narnia, when they saw the light post, and it reminded them of a dream far far away.  Not really, but you get my point.

 

4 days a week from 9 to 11 we have Spanish lessons with our teacher Cynthia at the Bilingual Academia.  We ride our bikes everywhere since this is our means of transportation.  The school we attend is a school for students to learn English, in Nicaragua if you know English hopefully you can get a better job.  After class we do a little shopping at the local market, (Pali) or around town. It is always an adventure and kind of is like city living. Everything is close to us.

 

We find it amusing, that time has a different meaning.  If we say 5 for dinner, literary it could mean 7 or 8.  Nothing ever starts on time.  Nothing.  If you simply adjust your clock in your head, you get used to it.  There is not a whole lot of rushing here.

 

We signed up at Claro (similar to Verizon) for internet service for our house about 3 weeks ago.  We have no idea when they’ll show up.  We buy data for our modem to at least be able to use the laptop.  However, everytime we go to Claro, it takes about 2 hours, but at least they have air conditioning(prob the only place in all of Nagarote that does).  Just need to get used to the pace here.  It is definitely hard to get used to life without constant wi-fi.  It’s a change not to be able to listen to music, tv or talk to our kids whenever we want.

 

We have become really good friends with a family down the street who has a business making backpacks, and school uniforms.  We hang out with them alot, eat dinner together, pass time and get ice cream.  They are Christians, love the Lord and we have really clicked with them.  They probably also have been the biggest help in learning Spanish, since they know no English and we only speak in Spanish. There names are Alejandro and Elizabeth.

 

Milo and Raquel have been away for 10 days in Costa Rica to be with their home church and Milos brother’s wedding when we first arrived here. We did 3 kids services by ourselves. One lesson on Jonah and the Big Fish, and 2 lessons on Joseph and the coat of many colors.  All the crafts from Eastport Bible Church and Shirley Assembly of God were a huge help and all the kids love doing the projects.  We are getting to know a number of the kids better and their personalities.  It is now our routine to do the children’s class every Saturday and feel we are getting more comfortable doing it.

 

I play basketball once or twice a week at the local basketball court.  Guys usually meet around 4 or 4:30 everyday to play pickup basketball.   It is great exercise to play basketball in 90 degree heat. The level of basketball is surprisingly good.  We usually play to about 6 when it gets dark.  It’s usually about 15 guys that show up, and the same as home, the winner stays on.  We play zone instead of man to man, a little different.  I usually play center in the middle since I’m the big guy.  I have to admit I like being considered tall.  However, they play like little babies and call fouls constantly.  They smoke pot on the sidelines when not playing and are always arguing.  Since I’m the older one there, there all 20 year olds, I seem to get along with everyone. 

I was asked to join the basketball league and our first game is on Sunday, with refs and I got a uniform with my name on it.    I get to march in the parade to start the league; I’m the first Gringo to every play on it.

We have met many of our neighbors and have been able to get to know them.  So many people have made such a big impact on our lives.  They think we are a blessing to them, but they have no idea what a blessing they are to us. 

 

However it is much more difficult to be here than we both realized.  I think I had preconceived notions of the culture here. (Food, family, religion, personality, etc.)  Much of it from TV, mistakenly thinking all of Latin America is similar to Mexico, or from people that are from Latin America, but are American.  It seems the culture is completely opposite to what we expected.  I’m not saying it’s bad but we just had different expectations.

 

The other difficult part is at times we feel lonely and isolated.  We have our Spanish classes in the morning to help us get out of the house, but during the afternoon 12 to 4 the heat is oppressive and we have trouble doing anything. 

The other main difficulty is at home we are involved in our church and our social structure is based through church.    When church has been such a big part of our both our lives for the past 40 years, it’s hard and we miss it a lot.

Continue to pray for us, that even though I feel we are improving at learning Spanish, it can be very intimidating and tiring.  At times, it is a little lonely, that we can’t have truly deep relationships until we learn the language better. 

 

During this time here I have truly learn what it means to trust in the Lord for everything.  It has shown me the importance of the Holy Spirit working through my life on a daily basis.  Jesus has become so much more to me than simply a story in the bible that happened 2000 years ago.  Jesus is alive; He gave us the incredible gift of the Holy Spirit to do incredible things in our lives and in the lives of other people.

Even though this experience is so much more difficult than anticipated, I am so much more excited to do amazing things for Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Praise You Lord, You are never Late

Never one minute late or one minute early, Our Lord always answers on Time!!!!!

 

Steve and I had a great day today, we spent time studying Spanish and doing our devotions.  We do not have internet here in our home, so Milo and Raquel have been sweet enough to allow us to spend time in their home to watch movies or facetime our family.  It is nice for the mind to rest and not try to think in Spanish.  We have found a few shows we really like on Netflix and this has been a blessing to watch TV once or twice a week.  I am finally adjusting to the culture, I love the people, but most of all I love that in every situation we find ourselves in, we pray together.  It doesn’t matter where we are or what we are doing, we see the importance of finding Jesus in every part of our life.  My devotion today was in Hebrews 10:16-18 and 22&23.  While reading this, I found myself being thankful that he chose me, a sinner.  His word says that he has forgiven all my sin and that he does not remember them anymore.  I love this for so many reasons, 1. I remember things at times, he remembers none of it. 2. I can’t forgive myself at times and he forgives me all the time.   Praise God for bringing us here; Praise him for never leaving me, or forsaking me.  I am so honored that he has a great reward for us at the end of this life in Christ Jesus.  He is never late, he is never early and his timing is so perfect.  Sometimes we want things now, but the Lord knows the exact time that is perfect for us.  This same night Steve and I left Milo and Raquel’s to bike ride home, this time we went a different way (Gods Time is amazing).  We came to our home from the other side of town, and a little down the road was my friend that I say hi to each day.  Her name is Maria, I have invited Maria to church and for some reason we just like each other.  I don’t fully speak the Spanish language, but the language of Jesus is always evident in a person’s life.   Maria would smile and I would smile back, we knew that we were always thinking of each other.  I know she is busy as she has two children and a business, but I don’t know her personal life.  On the street, in that very moment Maria saw me and she ran up to me and started to cry, tears we flowing down her face, I had the best medicine in that moment I had the power of Prayer.  I started to pray for her in Spanish, pray that the Holy Spirit would comfort her, and pray that whatever she was going through only Jesus could heal.  Maria told me that she was broken and that she wants to come back to the first love of Jesus.  She told me that for a year now she hasn’t been to church.  One minute more, or the same route Steve and I normally take and we would have missed it we would have missed Maria.  I didn’t get to stay and talk to her late because she had to go, I did pray that whole night for my sweet friend.  The next morning was our normal routine of school for two hours, but I know that the Lord had a different plan.  Cinthia, our beautiful teacher we have talked about before texted me and asked me if we could have class earlier or if we would want her to come to our house this time.  I said yes, this would mean longer in my PJ’s and less time riding my bike in the hot sun all the way to class.  Timing my friends in everything, Cinthia came to our house at same moment she arrived, Maria also arrived.  Cinthia and Maria did not know each other at the time.   Cinthia is so smart so she knows fluent English as well, (wow Lord not a moment late, not a moment early) Cinthia didn’t know it at the time. But she was being obedient to the Lord as well.  She is a Christian and I am so excited to see her being used.  This was another amazing moment, Cinthia and I talked to Maria, she cried a lot and we together were able to comfort Maria and find out exactly what was going on.  One thing I want to say, the Lord will never forget you, He has always loved you and he always will.  Maria and Cinthia are coming over tonight to pray together and talk about forgiveness and we will also be spending time in the word of God.  Thank you Lord for using a sinner such as me, Thank you that when I asked you to forgive my sins, you cast them as far as the east is from the West, NEVER TO BE REMEMBERED AGAIN..  I know that when we press on, even when we are tired and want to give up, this is probably the moment when the Lord is going to turn things around.. Fight the good fight; don’t give up encouraging one another in Christ.  Don’t give up meeting together to encourage each other.  The Lord is coming back soon for a church without spot or wrinkle.  Be found in him, and seek the timing of the Lord and not the timing of yourself.  This result will be perfect as you wait upon our soon coming King.

I make this chocolate chip, banana cake almost everyday for my friends