Hello friends and family!
I definitely cannot believe that we are already into March, but here we are and it's a little past due for an update. As many of you know, these past 8 months or so have been some of the most difficult we've experienced as a family since moving to Chihuahua. We are praising the Lord as it seems as though we may be coming out of that difficult season. However, we're not praising Him just because things are getting easier. We're praising Him because of His faithfulness IN the difficulties and what He has been teaching us THROUGH the difficulties. He is so good! One of the biggest lessons He has taught me personally is not to hold on too tightly to His blessings. I've spent a lot of time thinking about the story where God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac (Gen. 22). God has been trying to teach me the same type of lesson through this season. A blessing from God that we cling to for dear life becomes an idol that hinders our relationship with Him. All we really need is Him. Everything else can fall away, but if we have Him we have everything we need. So my prayer has been that I would hold onto God's blessings with open hands, a grateful heart, correct priorities and an openness to anything the Lord has next. May the same be true in your life as well!
As usual, we're staying busy with family life and with all that God is doing at the church. The Lord is moving in Roca Norte and we're really starting to see some beautiful fruit in the people. People are coming to know Jesus. Others are growing in their relationships with Him as they seek Him like never before. Still others are growing in maturity as they begin serving in the church and shifting their focus from being merely consumers to being channels of God's love toward others. Thank you for your continued prayer and support for our young family and our young church. Your prayer and support is vital in both areas and is having a HUGE impact. As a family we are so blessed by all of you. We love you guys and hope that we can talk individually with each of you soon. God bless you!
-Tim, Priscilla, Josiah, Hannah & Abby
Eph. 3:20-21
Praise Reports
-Our Christmas trip to Colorado was a huge blessing. We really enjoyed spending time with the whole family and resting a little bit.
-I had tests done while in Colorado to make sure everything is ok with me physically (you may remember that I passed out and banged up my face in December). The test results showed that there are no major problems. We've adjusted our diets the last couple months and I've been feeling great!
-Abby turned 1 in January!
-We just finished a study at the church called Pasos Esenciales (Essential Steps) that was geared toward new Christians. We averaged around 10-12 per study with all of them being people that have joined the church in the last year (many in just the last few months). I felt like the Lord really used the study to solidify their faith and connect them more to the church!
Prayer Requests
-Please continue praying for my mom (Susan). She has cancer and is in the middle of chemo treatments. She has felt very weak and things have been hard but she's such an example for us all as she's been keeping her eyes on Jesus.
-For our family in relation to my mom being sick. It's really hard not being able to be there with her during this time and we really miss her and the rest of the family.
-For our kids' continued growth spiritually, emotionally, socially and academically. Praise the Lord, things have been going much better for them at school! (Thanks for praying)! They've returned to doing 50% of their classes in person which has really helped. They're also growing a lot with their Spanish and feeling more comfortable with their classes.
-That the Lord would continue ministering to our family and refreshing/refining our vision, calling and priorities as missionaries.
-For the church (Roca Norte), that God would use us to reach non-Christians and other new people that have started coming and give us wisdom as to how to best disciple the people in the church.
-That God would give us wisdom and creativity for some of the plans we have as a church for April (Baptisms, English Conversation Club Outreach, Easter Service).
-That the Lord would raise up strong leadership in the church.