Let Me Tell You What Love Does

Stuart and I spent a glorious weekend at Tri-County Assembly (TCA) as a part of their spring missions convention. 

First, Pastors William and Janelle Rodriguez invited us to share our ministry and preach the word on Saturday evening at their church Esperanza de Vida.

O, how we have missed being surrounded by Latino voices worshiping and praising God. There's nothing like it! What a beautiful group of people who love and pray for one another with abandon. 

Muchisimas gracias!

Here's someone many of my missionary friends know. Monica has been praying for our family and sending birthday cards to our kids since we were missionaries in Jamaica. She is a delightful woman with a genuine heart for missions and intense love for missionaries.

On Sunday morning, after a fun time of sharing in Sunday School, Randy Hurst encouraged and challenged us through the preaching of the word and with numerous testimonies of what Love Does in response to the Lord's leading in our lives.

At the close of the service, everyone prayed and considered their responsibility in the Great Commission to give, to send, and to go. The young people and kids of TCA set a big example by being the first to bring their faith promise cards to the altar.

Thank you Pastor Brad & Angie Rosenberg, Pastor Hugh & Joan Rosenberg, and the whole TCA family. You have supported us since the beginning of our missionary journey and you continue to amaze us with your kind and generous hearts. You are an example to all of us as to what Love Does:

Love prays, love remembers, love cares, loves gives, love sends, and love goes!

Spring 2015 Newsletter (It's the whole enchilada and then some)

The Button of Destiny (Not really, but you won't know where it leads unless you push it)

Until the Whole World Hears

Wow, what a wonderful service last night at New Beginnings Assembly of God with Pastor Brian and Sheli Correll. 

The theme of freedom wove its way through the worship and prayers, as well as through Stuart's testimony. As it usually happens, others came up to us afterward to share how God set them free of drug addiction and alcohol abuse.

As I preached last night, the compassion and hope of Christ motivate us to go into all the world, but it is the power of the Holy Spirit that sets the captive free from drug addiction and sets at liberty those who are oppressed by the sex trade.

Let's continue to share the Father's love, the compassion of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit until the whole world hears of his freedom!

Missions Convention continues all week at New Beginnings.

We're looking forward to hearing from fellow missionaries Bernie and Brenda Smith on Friday at the Missions Celebration Banquet. 

Hope to see you there as well!

Don't Forget!

Play a part in March Madness all the way to Mexico City.

Your monthly commitment will help get us through 

the Final Elimination Round.

Look for updated totals later today and throughout the week.

Thank you!

Forgetfulness and Freedom

 Yay, no snow day for us this weekend! We arrived in Portage, IN on Saturday in preparation for Crossroads Family Church's missions convention on Sunday with Pastor Michael and Paula Bean.

Saturday we were fortunate to greet the youth, share a little about Speed the Light, introduce our ministry and hear all about their exciting missions trip to Guatemala.

Did you notice? I actually remembered to take some pictures this weekend!

No danger of letting this little accomplishment go to my head though, as I accidentally skipped over a page of my notes during our presentation. 

Such is life.

Sometimes you remember. Sometimes you lose your head.

Big thanks to Pastor Bean (2nd from left) for his gracious invitation to attend such a wonderful missions convention. To Jonathan Vitale (far left) who shared his heartfelt call to the ends of the earth. And to Jason Morrison (far right) missionary to the Czech Republic who challenged us to sacrifice more intentionally for the sake of freedom. A freedom that guards us from distractions as well as a freedom that liberates us to give extravagantly to God's missional cause. 

Now this I won't forget!

Andrea Morrison with the little guy. It's been a long day for this MK.

But Wyatt manages a smile regardless :)

We are pressing through to raise the last bit of our financial budget. Please consider a one-time gift or monthly commitment to help us proclaim freedom to the captive of drug addiction and set at liberty those who are oppressed by the sex trade. Every heartfelt offering (no matter the amount) brings us closer to our return to Mexico City. Thank you!

Compassion and Missions: a match made in heaven

 When compassion is integral to our mission, people see a disarming glimpse of a loving, present, seeking God. Dr Beth Grant

Last week, I had the privilege of attending this year's AGWM Compassion Forum in Springfield, MO. My heart is bursting and my mind is still processing all the pertinent information shared and relevant topics discussed. 

AGWM's Compassion Link hosts a variety resources like online journals, webcasts, and weblinks to give a theological basis for the integration of compassion ministries in our mission and best practice principles. Check it out!

Of course, I also enjoyed the added bonus of seeing my kids and eating a great dinner at That Lebanese Place :)

As the director of this Fellowship's overseas efforts, I want the world to know that the reason we do these [acts of compassion] is because Jesus Christ did them. The reason we love people is because Jesus Christ loved them. We have no other motive than that. 

J. Philip Hogan, former Executive Director of AGWM

Sunday morning, I and a host of other missionaries celebrated missions at Fort Wayne First Assembly. Then Stuart and I attended a small group last evening to share about Motivation, Ministry, and God's Challenge to Mission. Tonight we will be a part of a Missions Team Dinner for anyone interested in learning more about ... well you know ... missions teams.

While I attended Fort Wayne First Assembly yesterday morning, Stuart traveled to New Life Assembly of God  in South Bend to minister with Pastor Ron and Kristy Gorsuch. 

Thank you, New Life, for your support!

• Please, prayerfully consider partnering with us to proclaim release to the captives of drug addiction and human trafficking, and to set at liberty those who are oppressed by the sex trade. You can give a one-time gift or recurring monthly commitment. 
• Let's make a difference together!

It's a jungle out there!

At least it was in Muncie this past weekend when we spoke at Northside Assembly of God during their missions convention!

Deep in the Northside jungle, we shared the gospel among all kinds of wildlife :)

Apparently though the turtle and fish had quite the adventure that night when their pond sprung a leak. Word has it the turtle survived the field trip, but the fish may not have been so lucky.

After meeting with the teens, the adventurous young adults enjoyed a buffet of missionary food, including octopus, seaweed, pig's feet and other delicacies. 

Stuart & I had a wonderful weekend with lead pastor Carl & Diane Bowden as well as youth pastor Casey, and children's pastors Stephen & Elizabeth. Thanks so much for your heartfelt prayers and generous support!

You too can partner with us to proclaim release to the captive of drug addiction and to set at liberty those who are oppressed by the sex trade. Let's make a difference together!

Unexpected visitors, a last minute invitation, and other nice stuff

Friday evening we received an unexpected call from friends and fellow missionaries to Mexico City, Peter and Delia Breit. They were on their way to Fort Wayne for a missions convention with the Midwest Latin America District of the Assemblies of God.

So before we headed out to the northwest section of the State on Saturday, Stuart jointed Peter at Templo Aposento Alto with Pastor Samuel Castillo, who hosted the event.

Here are all the cute Breit kids posing for the obligatory MK photo. 

Alas, I remember those days, as do our kids :)

Stuart greets the pastors of the Midwest Latin America District.

He enjoyed worshiping in Spanish once again, as well as the challenging missions message from Peter to the congregation.

Thanks for the invitation!

Yesterday, we joined Hobart Assembly of God with Pastor Ryan and Rebecca McDowell. We shared both services with Larry Tomczak before heading down to children's church.

If you see them, ask the kids about the parable of The Lost Peso.

Big thanks to Pastor Ryan and Rebecca, and Hobart Assembly for their warm reception as well as Larry Tomczak for his prayers and words of encouragement to us. 

We have a busy, busy week this week. Please pray for us as we travel to Michigan tonight, Princeton, IN tomorrow, Merrillville, IN on Thursday, and Kendallville, IN on Saturday morning. 

Feliz Día de la Independencia, México!

Please partner with us prayerfully and financially so that we can proclaim release to the captive of drug addiction and human trafficking, and to set at liberty those who are oppressed by the sex trade. 

We can make a difference together!

It's been a couple of weeks . . .

Now for a little catching up!

Yay, Olivia and I graduated from Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU)!

No better way to celebrate than with friends and fellow missionaries, Nelson and Rennae de Freitas, their son Marcus, and SAGU Travel Coordinator, Joshua Evans at a Mexican restaurant.

The next day Stuart and I took in the sights and sounds of Waxahachie when we happened upon a Cinco de Mayo festival. How cool is that?!

Our busy weekend continued in Indianapolis for our district council. General Superintendent, Dr. George Wood prays over our fellowship.

Last Wednesday we joined Pastor Orlando Soler at Life Point Church in Hammond, IN for their missions convention. 

We are so thankful for their prayers and support over the last 10 years.

If you are ever in the area, visit Life Point Church and tell them we sent you :)

Yesterday we ventured out early to travel down to Lifeway Church in Indianapolis with Pastor Neil and Michelle Bell. So thankful Stuart and I had the opportunity to pray over so many women (of all ages) responding to the call of God on their lives. I'll give you the best advice I ever received: Go for God's best!

Thanks to all our supporting churches and individuals who partner with us in ministry. As we itinerate, your generous offerings help offset the cost of travel so we can raise the needed funds and return to Mexico faster. Every little bit helps!