the wilson family

ryan and the fam, sharing at emmaus church in july

june 2nd, the day before we left for senegal, i got a text from my friend, ryan wilson.  he needed to talk.  in person!

since he lived a couple of hours away, i told him it would be at least a couple of weeks before we could get together.  i was on an early flight to africa the next day.

but he really needed to talk.  asked if kerrie and i could grab dinner if he and his wife laura drove down to jax...

later that night, we were seated at a table at Hurricane Wings.  with tears in his eyes, ryan explained, "God has spoken, more clearly than ever."

quick backstory:  3 years prior, the four of us were seated at my kitchen table in guatemala.  but it was laura, not ryan, who had tears in her eyes.  laura was feeling led to the mission field.  she asked ryan what was keeping him back, and he kept saying, quietly and calmly, "i'm just not there."

i'm pretty sure we all piled on that night (lol)... trying to steer ryan to the mission field.  we had seen his missionary heart come alive on his trips to guatemala.  it seemed so clear that he and his family were made for this!  humbly, he kept saying "sorry guys, i'm just not there."

he committed to laura that he would keep his heart open to the idea, and above all else, would stay in God's word.

...which leads me back to those tears at Hurricane Wings.  he was excitedly sharing how God had spoken clearly - through His word!  there was no doubt in his mind.  he was ready!  it was time.

i couldn't help but look at laura as ryan was sharing all the details.  she had "proud wife" written all over her face!  her soft smile, and tear-filled eyes of her own, saying "that's my man."  such a sweet moment - one of those special ones, shared with friends, that you'll never forget.

i'm excited to announce that the wilson family will be joining bvsa-guatemala in january 2020!  until that time, they'll be training with us in jacksonville, including trips to texas and guatemala.

in addition to their love for the Lord and their servant hearts, the wilsons bring unique gifts to the mission field. ryan is a physical therapist and laura is a registered nurse.  their kids, hannah (14), caleb (12), rachel (9), luke (6), and paul (3) are all excited as well!

please join us in welcoming the wilsons to the Rhino Family!