Trusting God when plans change….

This year has been a “case study” in changed plans for all of us, we’re sure. This lesson continues as we’ve been in the US for about 6 weeks now, and very little has gone according to our plans.  Here are some highlights:

  • Ben was able to meet us in Houston as we flew in and we were able to see some dear friends right away in Texas. 
  • We were able to spend our first two weeks in northern Arkansas under a modified quarantine where we were able to relax and unwind a bit and we were even able to do some fishing!
  • After a brief quarantine to be sure that we hadn’t brought the dreaded C-19 with us from Honduras, we were able to spend a few days with Dave’s side of the family. We were the grateful guests of some dear friends in Bull Shoals, AR and really enjoyed our time there!
  • As we left to go to Colorado to see family there, we were able to pass through Tulsa and see more dear friends, John and Penny Alden.

One of the reasons for our visit was to spend time with Marinajo’s brother Archie, who has been in and out of the hospital over the last year with illness.  The very same day we arrived in here in Colorado, Archie went into the hospital after taking a fall down the stairs and was transferred to the ICU at Denver Health Medical Center.  Archie spent about 20 days in ICU, where he had several complications from his fall and his poor health.  We were so thankful to be here and be able to visit him and begin to help with his care where we are able. We are now trying to help with his placement in a skilled nursing facility to help with his physical rehab and then also assist in getting him placed in an alcohol rehab when he is well enough to go. Archie needs your prayers. Please pray with us for physical and spiritual healing as well as emotional wellness.   

Marinajo and I are continually amazed at God’s provision in our lives!  We will (with the Lord’s help) be able to finish classes for our Master’s in Pastoral Counseling in the spring and then look to complete an internship in summer of ’21.  We are praying for the Lord’s direction about how to incorporate this new ministry into our work as missionaries.  We are asking God to show us how he wants us to proceed.  We’re so excited at the prospect of God allowing us to use our own life narratives to help others.  We’d like to share some of the scriptures that have been especially meaningful to us as we consider our new counseling ministry.  Would you please be in prayer with us for clarity and direction and that God would use us for his sake in every area of our lives?

Hebrews 4:16 ESV

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Joel 2:25a ESV

I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,

Philemon 1:6 ESV

and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.

As we talk about transition, many of you have asked if this means that we are ending our time at Loma de Luz.  Our answer is that we truly do not know.  We can say this, we do not believe that God has us leaving LDL in the near future as we have not received clear direction from God to go elsewhere. Perhaps we will add the counseling ministry alongside what we are already doing.  Obviously, current roles would have to change or lessen in order for us to be able to do new things.  We’ve spoken with our leadership and they’ve affirmed this new direction with us, so we are waiting on the Lord to clarify and we are excited to continue to serve in Honduras. 

Right now, in these moments, we are committed to being here for Archie.  We don’t know how long we will need to stay in Colorado in order to serve him, but we want to be sure and do everything we can to help him recover. So, God has us in a place of trusting him and not knowing really what tomorrow holds.  We are just trying to be faithful with each day by being content that God is:

  • In control
  • Able to complete the good work that He began in us and…
  • Building His kingdom

We can’t wait to see what God has in store!

We enjoy staying connected with many of you through the photos that you share on FB. Here are some photos to show you how much we are enjoying our time here in the US. Thank you – each of you – for your Love, Prayers, and Support.