Hello everyone,
Well, we've made it to the end of 2020! Congratulations! :) Also, Merry (belated) Christmas! For our family, this year has been bitter-sweet. Like most, we've faced a lot of difficulties this year--especially with sustaining a new church-plant in the midst of the pandemic/shut-downs and with far too many hours spent in front of a computer screen for virtual classes. However, this year has also been good for our family. We have spent more time together than ever and had lots of fun and many laughs along the way. Priscilla and I have really enjoyed our growing relationships with Josiah and Hannah as they mature in their childhood. They are great kids! (I know it's written in the parent contract that I'm supposed to say that hahaha, but we really do believe it). :)
One of the greatest blessings of all is that the Lord allowed Priscilla to get pregnant and that she's been able to carry the baby to nearly full-term (we only have about 2 weeks left!) The baby's due date is January 27th but since Priscilla has to have a c-section, we will set the date sooner. We have an appointment with the doctor next week where we will schedule the date. We can't wait to welcome Abigail Joy into the family--all of us are really excited! The fact that we're able to have another child has been a huge blessing to us and an answer to prayer. As we've shared with you before, Priscilla had three miscarriages in the last few years, so this was our last attempt at having another one. There were some scary times during the pregnancy (the torn placenta and few weeks of bed-rest in the middle of the year being the scariest), but the Lord has blessed the pregnancy and kept both Priscilla and the baby safe. Priscilla is at the point of being VERY uncomfortable and ready for Abby to come already (even joking about doing some morning runs next week to help speed up the process) but she and I praise the Lord that He's allowed us to get to this point. He has been so good to our family!
There are some big praise reports and prayer requests in regards to ministry and the church, but I didn't want the bulk of the email to be too long. So please check them out below. We thank you so much for praising the Lord with us and also for lifting up our family and the ministry in prayer as well. We know that your prayer for us has had a major impact on our family and the ministry over these last few years. God bless you and Happy New Year!
-Tim, Priscilla, Josiah, Hannah & Abigail
Eph. 3:20-21
Praise Reports
- Priscilla and the baby both seem to be healthy and we are getting all set for the birth in the next few weeks!
- God has been so good to Roca Norte, providing for all of our technical needs throughout the pandemic! (Shout out to the Chihuahua HC at New Life Houston for the computer and also CCSJC for the screen and tablet! Thank you guys so much!!!)
- God has provided amazingly for the needs of our family during the pandemic.
- Our family vacation to California in Oct/Nov was a huge blessing for us and a much needed time of rest!
Prayer Request
- For a safe and smooth delivery of the baby. Also, please pray for protection over Priscilla and I that we don't catch Coronavirus in the upcoming weeks as that would complicate things greatly for the birth.
- Please pray that God would guide us and provide all of the finances necessary for a building for the church. We currently don't have a building and although that is ok during the current shut-down, we will obviously need one soon for when we are able to open back up.
- For Chihuahua in general in regards to the pandemic and quarantine. The city has been hit very hard by the virus (like many places) There were even a few weeks in November where the hospitals were beyond capacity and Covid patients were put on waiting lists to get medical attention. Many things (including churches) are still currently shut-down, but we are praying and hoping that things will improve soon and everything will start to open back up.
- For the Lord's wisdom and guidance as far as ministry at UACH. I am praying about taking a break for next semester so that I can support Priscilla/baby and so that I can focus more of my attention on Roca Norte. Actually ministering to the students has been really hard with everything becoming virtual. It's also been really hard to devote the time needed to lead the church well. It's a big decision because I still really have a heart for the university.
- For God's wisdom and guidance as far as organizing and equipping leaders in the church.
- For God's help with homeschooling the kids well as we also balance the birth of a baby and all of the ministry commitments we have.
