Loading the truck for Comitan.

Pheww…after loading a mango truck and the new van with our belongings, cleaning out the rental house in Arriaga, and three trips to Comitán, we are finally moved into our new house. It was a lot of work but the Lord was with us and the entire process went very smoothly.

When we returned from the US in December we still had no idea where we were going to live. We only had time for one short trip to the area before Christmas and, praise God, He led us straight where He wanted us. On our third morning in Comitán we signed the lease for our new home. The listed rental price for the house was well outside our budget but as I talked to the owner (who is not a Christian) she said, “Two other individuals offered me the full rental price but I feel that God wants you to live here” so she dropped the asking price by one third. After that everything moved very quickly. A brother from the church let us borrow his brand new truck, along with a driver and an assistant to help with the move. He paid for all their expenses and adamantly refused any reimbursement. It was a tremendous blessing.

Some guys from the youth group traveled with us to Comitan to help with the move.

We have been in Comitán a little over a month now. Most of that time was spent getting out of boxes and entertaining visitors (we also took a few days off to celebrate Christmas, New Year’s and Caleb’s birthday). With our house somewhat in order, we are ready to do what we came here to do, “Make Disciples”. Ronnie has a few ongoing projects in various indian villages that will be the subject of future posts. However, we believe our main focus in the future will be ministry here in the city. We are making new friends here in Comitán but we greatly miss our church family in Arriaga and have been truly blessed by those who have already made the effort to visit us. And for anyone else interested in visiting I have added a new page to our website providing more in depth information about the area where we live.

Just click the link to learn more About Chiapas

Our boys finally have a yard to play in.

Our little visitors from Arriaga

Spreading Christmas cheer

The road from Tapachula to Comitan is beautiful. See the new ABOUT CHIAPAS page for more pics and info.

The other day someone said to me, “I don’t know if I would have the guts to do what y’all do” Well, I don’t know about guts, or smarts but we do have faith. This new journey has many needs but on countless occasions we have seen God’s provision in the past so it would be foolish to fear that He will not provide again. His resources are not limited by the struggling economies of any country. While many are worrying today about the future, let us remember that God is the fountain from which everything we need flows. He is our source. He is our security. He is the one that will meet our needs if we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. Concealed in every crisis is an opportunity for God to be glorified. Don’t be afraid to get out of the boat and walk on the water at Christ’s calling.

Here is a picture of the Life Mission’s ministry van. It needs some TLC but we are happy to have it For those who have been standing in prayer with us about finding a vehicle for moving teams… Thank you – God answered our prayers. Now let’s keep believing for everything else on our list… and yours.

Ivonne and I were happily married, had a nice home, good paying jobs, and 2 beautiful boys when the Lord originally touched our hearts to move to southern Mexico. In the natural it seemed crazy. We were comfortable and we knew it would take a small list of miracles in order to happen. But where God guides He also provides. In spite of the poor economy and the multitude of houses on the market in our area, God told Ivonne that we would sell our home without a realtor (or paid advertising) and we did. The third couple to inquire about the house bought it!! We arrrived in Arriaga October 19, 2008 debt free and ready for a new life serving the people of Chiapas.

It has been wonderful to be a part of the work here in Arriaga. In the last three years we have seen the church where we serve (pastored by Bill and Tammy Woods) grow, and the youth group we lead has doubled in size. We have developed many great friendships and a real sense of family with the people here. Yet, several months ago we started hearing a small voice once again saying, “Go”.

We will be in the States for a few months. In early December our plan is to begin raising up a new work in the area of Comitan, Chiapas (about 4 hrs. from our current location). We will greatly miss being with the people here in Arriaga but we are excited about what is coming next. God has already opened doors for us to immediately start working with two indigenous groups the Tzetal and Tojolabal. Just like the first time we again have a long list of needs/miracles, but we are confident in the Lord’s faithfulness, and grateful for your financial support and prayers. We rejoice in faith over what God will do. Ready to share testimonies of his healing power and salvation through Jesus Christ.

Thank you for opening this new chapter with us. Together we shall see the Lord glorified among the nations.

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visiting a drive-thru cavern in Springfield, MO

At my Alma Mater ORU

We came home for a month to rest, visit family, enjoy good times with friends and share about what God is doing in Chiapas. So far on the trip, we have stayed the night in 7 homes, visited 4 churches, had dinner with 14 families, driven 1,200 miles and stopped at 8 different McDonalds. We are looking forward to the rest of our trip. We greatly miss our family in Mexico but it feels good to be visiting the USA. Caleb and Josiah are having a lot of fun.

at the Zoo with some very special friends

with Tia (aunt) Andrea

The Campers

getting to know each other

seeking God

love these girls

Having fun

Having more fun

We had 55 teens join us this year at Youth camp. We had 3 goals, to grow closer to God, get know each other more and have fun. As you can see we accomplished all 3 of these goals. God is so faithful. There are so many things trying to rob these youth from the life God has for them. We stand with them and encourage them to seek after that abundant life that Christ has for them.

Due to our current responsibilities as missionaries in Chiapas, Mexico my family and I couldn’t be there for the farewell service at Covenant Christian Center in Fruitland, MO. We did, however, prepare this small video to be shared at the meeting.

If the above video doesn’t work, follow this link:

Personal farewell message to Pastor Terry Culberson

Psa 127:3  Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Psa 138:8  The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
    your love, O LORD, endures forever—
    do not abandon the works of your hands.

Illegals riding on top of the train heading north

Here, on Mexico’s southern border, the debate over illegal immigration is impossible to ignore as droves of the undocumented travel daily before our door. The trains in front of the orphanage, often overflowing but never without at least a few faces of Central and South Americans who believe the metal frame they are clinging to will whisk them away to the promised land.

Faces mingled with hope and fear, pain and desperation… usually belonging to young men, although it is not uncommon to see older men, women, pregnant women or even children sleeping on the tracks waiting for the next departure. They run the risk of being shot at or chopped down by machetes. Often they are robbed and forced to travel without funds. You can always find them sleeping on the streets.

Regardless of where one stands on the immigration issue, the question arises, “What pushes a person to risk their life in this manner? What kind of hell are they escaping that justifies the sacrifice they are making?” The train ride is free but we know that for these people there is no such a thing as a free ride. Hope comes at a high cost. Nothing has made me love America more than being forced to live far from her shores, yet in these days when the economy is down and unemployment is rising the question is easy to ask,

I am not suggesting that we condone breaking the law. Illegal entry into the US needs to be stopped, it is dangerous for all who are involved… especially for those who are entering illegally. But along with securing our borders immigration legislation must be revised to allow a greater number of honest hardworking individuals to enter the country legally and filter out those who possibly pose a threat to our nation… and if not, then perhaps we should change the words of hope inscribed on the Statue of Liberty …

Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these — the homeless, tempest-tossed — to me;
I lift my lamp beside the Golden Door

–the words of Emma Lazarus inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty