What’s up with us: a new ministry, new friends, a graduate and a new daughter.
About 7 months ago the leadership of our mission asked Brent and I to be the new member care coordinators. Humm you may ask. What is a member care coordinator? Well, we asked the same question. After much prayer we decided that this was God’s will for our lives; however, we admitted we knew nothing about member care and would need some training. So a organization that PAZ is partnering with for member care suggested we go to a 2 week training in PA with a non profit organization called Heartstream Resources. We were really excited to learn what God had to teach us. SO in April we arrived in Liverpool, PA at the peak of spring. It was so beautiful. Now, understand neither Brent nor I had seen God’s glorious springtime for 7 years!!! We were in awe of the beauty. Every tree that blossoms was in full bloom with pink, white, purple, lilac, and red flowers. Then on top of that, all the spring flowers were arraying the world with their beautiful colors. Liverpool also sits on the Susquehanna River with hills all around so besides learning so much about member care those two weeks we enjoyed the beauty of Liverpool, PA.
The view from our bedroom window.
The Member care course is taught by founder Dr.Lois Dobbs who with her husband served as missionaries with Wycliffe Translators for 23 years. They have 30 years in the care and training of missionaries. She has a doctorate in counseling and her late husband was a medical doctor. After returning to the United States from Peru the Dodds began Heartstream Resources in 1992. Lois is a very insightful, wise woman with much experience in cross cultural missions. Her knowledge about member care comes from decades of experience. We learned the practical side of member care, the foundations of member care and then how to implement member care in our situations. There we learned SOOO much and realized this is only the tip of the iceberg, and there is so much more to learn, and we are very excited to learn more.
Our group was made of 11 with much diversity. We had 3 Korean women, a couple from Thailand, one young woman who was Cambodian Kiwi now living in Canada, one from England, one from Scotland. Then the last two were stationed in the US but do missions literally all over the world. We quickly became good friends with everyone.
our group with the staff 
Our precious friends. SaRangHae!
Laughter is good medicine for the soul!
When we had sessions of prayer it was so beautiful to hear each one pray in their various languages. It brought me to tears to think, “This is what heaven will be like! Every tribe and tongue crying out before the throne, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty…”..I can only imagine…..
This past Sunday my son Micah, who is now 23, and Lidiane Castro, 22, made their engagement official in front of our congregation. It was truly a joyous moment. Many of their friends gathered for their declaration of commitment and love. I asked Lidi if I could begin calling her my daughter (a minha filha) she smiled big and said, “Yes.” So now I have a daughter! She is a godly young woman who truly loves Jesus. It is so beautiful how God has put their lives together. She is the fruit of literally 23 years of prayer for Micah’s wife. God is so faithful and has heard our prayers. I know God has wonderful plans for their lives as they serve Jesus together.
Micah and Lidiane
Beginning their lives together with prayer.
David graduates from high school in June. Way to go David!
Wow. Is that really possible!? Where did the time go? Do you find yourself asking that same question about your life? When David graduates, my role as teacher will end. It’s been apart of who I am for 16 years. This will be a BIG change in my life, but I know God has plans for that time I spent teaching already ordained.
I am so thankful God is in control of ALL things, He already knows what is ahead and He has ordained my days so I know I can trust Him. Recently a friend blessed me with this scripture from Psalm 37:5 .
Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him.
Well, that’s what is new with us. Let me know what’s going on in your life, ok. Love ya!!
I LOVE what God is doing in your lives! Blessings to all the new beginnings.
PTL Martha!!!!! Miss you.
I am so very excited for you, Micah! To think, I knew you when … How wonderful to see you boys grow into such godly young men. David, with the graduation from high school, a whole new phase of your life begins. May God bless you as you serve Him in the future. Brent and Connie, I look forward to hearing more about this new venture God has you on, how it will come to play in your work in Brazil, and what it all means. I am looking forward to seeing you all soon, and spending some time with you. I love you all.