a few recent updates / June 2023

rolling along
things are moving along here in Quiché. it's been a good season. somehow, even though we're in the "calm before the storm" before opening the academy, we stay very busy. this season has involved training new missionaries, preparing for new ones to come, building new curriculum for our work-in-progress bible institute, serving and teaching in our local church, weekly soccer clinics, staff bible studies, hosting visitors, traveling stateside, remaining involved with the other academies, and lots of connecting with the locals here in Quiché.

jake's graduation
jake graduated college in May. technically he has one semester left and will finish after the fall semester. but he walked during the May ceremony and by God's grace we were able to be there. what a journey his college career has been! after losing credits when transferring from JU to Cedarville, and gaining an eligibility year because of Covid, he will have been in college 6 years when it's all said and done! he had hip impingement surgery on both hips in late january and has been focused on rehab. its a tough rehabilitation. but he's hopeful to be at full strength for fall season.

we're so proud of him. God has stretched and grown him during his college years. through it all jake has held fast to the Lord. he has known God from such a young age, but during college his relationship with Christ became his own. i think God used the years at Cedarville - far removed from family and comforts - to draw jake closer to Himself. in addition, Jake has a girlfriend, hannah, who has been a blessing in his life as well. we're excited to see whats next.

family vacation
after jake's graduation we had the opportunity for a quick vaca in tennessee with all our kids and grandkids. we drove down with jake and hannah, rolfes drove over from austin, spires from jax. it was the first time we've all been together in 3 years! we hiked, swam, played games, worshipped, grilled, sat around the fire pit, and had lots of snuggles with grandkids. so thankful to God for these moments. literally could not have been a better time!

local church
we have been attending a local church in Quiche for several months. we really like it! the pastor genuinely loves God's Word and is committed to teaching the Bible verse by verse (something we've rarely seen in local churches here!). i'll dedicate a specific post to this soon...

mens team
we hosted our first team! some good friends and their sons made the trek all the way to Quiche. we hosted a soccer camp where we played games, fed tons of kids, and taught the bible. we engaged with lots of people in the park (who were in shock at the sight of our group!) where we played more soccer and shared the gospel. we watched the Lord move in more ways than one. thanks to the 2023 mens team for being flexible and patient while we worked through our "first team wrinkles"!  it was a great time, can't wait to have our next one 

ligonier conference
a bunch of the guys from BVSA met in orlando in March
for the ligonier national conference. founded in the early 70's by rc sproul, ligonier has been a resource for biblical studies for over 50 years. in addition to enjoying a great 3 days with the other missionaries and hearing a bunch of great teaching, a highlight for me was getting to meet one of my favorite bible teachers, voddie baucham.


luci
this girl. she's an absolute gem. her joy is at a 10 every moment of every day! she loves life, loves our team, loves God and his loves his Word. her memory is ridiculous. she wins all our bible memory contests. she recalls catechism studies from weeks prior. she sings constantly. if she's not singing she's talking or laughing or bouncing or skipping or tapping lol.  her energy level is off the charts. sometimes i'm like 😳 but i still praise God for it! can't imagine our life without luz.

land
we have identified a piece of land for the future academy and bible institute, and are in negotiations! please pray with us. we're excited about it but don't want to get ahead of ourselves. praying for God's will to be done.


Comments

Vicki said…
I'm snowed. How precious it is to see the work you are doing for the Lord. Love, Grandma
Vicki said…
Praying always for you! Thank you , Thank you!