New Ministry Opportunities

Before getting married, I really feel that the Lord used Mrs. Betts to speak a word into my life. That evening as Emily and I learned how to make Chinese rice, bourbon chicken, and strawberry jelly, we soaked in Mrs. Betts's wisdom and knowledge. Her word to us was that we be careful our first year of marriage to stay focused on our husbands and learn to have the kind of marriage God wants us to have and not become too over-involved in ministry at the church. If we were to get involved in ministry, she suggested that we only involve ourselves in ministries that we could do with our husbands. I could sense the Holy Spirit speaking to my heart through this word of wisdom and knew that this first year would be about establishing good habits in my marriage and focusing on my relationship with Marvin so that we might learn to be an effective team for God's glory.

Our first year has been just that. While the Lord has given Marvin and me constantly many, many, many opportunities to serve and minister to people, we have not been committed to a full-time ministry. We have spent more time together than your everyday couple. We have grown so much in our communication and love for each other and for the Lord. We have gone through some hard trials together and have rejoiced together when Christ has proven victorious through them. We have worked together, done business together, cleaned together, played together, eaten almost every single meal together, traveled together, and the list goes on and on! It has no doubt been a year of growth and preparation. I must admit, there were moments that I felt unsatisfied because I just wanted to be doing something "important". And the Lord continuously reminded me in those moments that no, this was the important thing He had called me to. I am so happy now.

Now, a year and 3 months since we said our vows, the Lord has started to open up some ministry doors bigger than I would have imagined. We feel blessed and, at the same time, recognize the challenge, our lack of ability, and our need for the Lord to accomplish the tasks He has clearly set before us.

Last month we held our first Missions Night at our church, IDHC. As the Lord has fanned the flame in Marvin's heart and my heart for Missions---THE Mission to extend the good news of salvation, He has also been faithful to allow us to move forward in our desire to share that passion with others. Jesus told his disciples to "Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field." For "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." (Matthew 9:37-38.) We believe that God is wanting to send workers from Honduras to his harvest field and have the desire to be part of a team that motivates and prepares people for the Mission Field. We also desire to be able to communicate effectively to the church their part in sending/supporting those workers. Our desire is to see Honduras become a Mission force. Right now we will be studying and preparing to give the Perspectives course at our church--a study that takes you through the biblical call to Missions, Jesus's example as the ultimate missionary, strategies for Missions, and trans-cultural considerations. We are really excited to dive in.

Along with that, another prayer is preparation for another great task at hand. This Sunday we will be presented to the church as the new youth leaders of IDHC. This is something we have been praying about and talking about with our pastor for a while now. Our prayer is to allow the Lord to have the wheel in this new phase of ministry, allowing Him to be our guide and our leader. There are about 200-300 youth at our church--in fact, 66% of our church is made up of youth! Yet the youth ministry has not been an area of strength at IDHC. More on that later.

We thank the Lord for the doors He has opened for us and beg Him to equip us to accomplish what He is calling us to do. Please keep us in your prayers as we strive to please Him.