Obedience in All Seasons: A Tale of Two Laborers

2019 was not a path I would have chosen for myself, if given the choice. As Rick and I began our quest knocking, seeking and asking God for His leading and blessing with missions in April, we had no idea what or who to expect. “Incidentally,” the day of our first conference call vetting a mission’s agency in May, we bumped into a very wise pastor-friend. He advised us, ‘Make sure you know their doctrine, statement of faith and stance on controversial issues like marriage and abortion.’ Upon talking to the rep, it was very clear, not all mission's agencies are created equal. We scratched them off the list, fast. Our next call was with a family from Italy. Night and day – they were very friendly, lively and sound. They also indicated the team’s need is long-termers. Many come and go, but not many come and stay.

In June, we began hosting a weekly home bible study and potluck on Saturdays with 4 couples. We learned so much about the differences between hosting and hospitality (using our home as a place for ministry).  

In September, it was recommended to consider Spain, since Rick and I are fluent in the language. One of the families went so far as offering us their home and vehicles during our visit, even though they would be out of the country – mind you, it was our first Skype call.

In October, I began and finished my application with ABWE – it took me at least 12 hours to complete over the course of three days. To my shock, upon submitting it via a shared link, it vanished. To say I was mortified would be an understatement. I cried out to the Lord and BEGGED him to allow the IT guys to be granted wisdom and skill to retrieve it. I also told the Lord if he did not choose to restore it, I would take His answer as a closed door with ABWE, because I did not have the strength or grace to do it again. To His glory and praise, it was restored…one week later. Hallelujah!!! You do NOT even know! We also hosted our first monthly prayer meeting, and the Holy Spirit began convicting me of lethargy and luke-warmness, in my own heart (see last month’s article). Shortly after, Rick purchased our flights. And I began experiencing strange testing with ministry I had been serving in for years. A Pastor told me it was preparation for full-time ministry...

In November, after confronting some brothers and sisters on some inconsistencies, I received a call where someone in leadership cautioned me with overstepping my authority discipling and teaching. Thanksgiving morning, my grandmother passed away…

Come December, my husband and I were united in switching home churches. Leading up to our last day, Friday, December 13, I told the Lord His timing was flat out rotten. No reply. Was He aware of our monthly needs and upcoming mission’s trip that was just 18 days away? Wednesday, December 18, Psalm 42:

As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?” My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration! Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again- my Savior and my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you- even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar. I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. “O God my rock,” I cry, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?” Their taunts break my bones. They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?” Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again- my Savior and my God!

But God was so gracious and faithful feeding me with His word and carrying me by His Spirit, in spite of my questioning, grumbling and complaining. At this point, only a dozen friends/family responded to our request to be a part of our sending team, and we had not even received 75% in funding to cover our flights. Discouragement was heavy. But a blessing and confirmation came on Friday the 27. Early in the afternoon, a girlfriend texted that she was praying for us – this text, among many others, were the arms of Jesus and warmth of His presence. Later in the evening, a family we became close to had found out about our recent changes and wanted to pray for and bless our family and upcoming mission’s trip, ‘Under heavy prompting of the Holy Spirit,’ (we did not even reach out to them to be a part of our sending team). The husband began, ‘You guys are authentic and we know God will bless your family wherever you go. We are for you and support you.’ After further conversation, encouragement and laughter, he pulled out a large envelope and gave it to us. We prayed together, and they left. Our boys got ready for bed, and Rick and I lingered in the kitchen talking. Their love and encouragement were more than enough, given how stretched and down I was, emotionally and spiritually, because it felt like everything I touched was falling apart. I opened the envelope and was speechless. They provided more than half of our monetary need!!! Sunday the 29, the sister I previously mentioned above let me know she wanted to support us, financially, but the Lord gave her family a no. Instead, they were called to pray for one generous gift. Four days later, we were off to the airport, so humbled by God’s faithfulness, at the eleventh hour. It was not until after we were back that we found out we were provided the last 10% we had requested and some. In the end, God provided a faithful prayer team, transportation to/from the airport, groceries and dinner upon returning, meals, transportation and lodging while abroad, a car-sitter, stand-in callers with our boys and more than 100% of what we requested for our trip (some money even came from people we had just met and others we did not ask). As a result of everyone's generosity, we were able to provide financial gifts to our missionary host families.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020, we arrived to Madrid and were greeted by our missionary friends and hosts we had only met via Skype and email. Yet, conversation and fellowship were effortless. Friday, Rick and I attended a meet and greet luncheon with 13 missionaries on the field, throughout the City. Each person shared their favorite and least favorite thing about Madrid. The trend for favorites was the people, contrasted by apathy and resistance to the gospel. Another highlight was attending our first church service in Coslada. Their excitement to praise, learn and pray for one another was profound. Not to mention my understanding and nostalgia of when my grandmother would take me to Spanish mass, when I was very young. Lastly, we attended a home bible-study, taught by a Spaniard, and the message was FIRE! It was a beautiful tone to leave on and shift to Italy.

Just like with Spain, our missionary friends and hosts were also waiting for us at the Turin Airport. One of the days, we toured a neighboring church in the City of Avigliano and hear about God’s faithful provision and building there. On Sunday, we attended our host’s home church service and monthly “Agape,” or koinonia. Our Spanish helped a lot with reading and following along, but I still struggled understanding and expressing myself. Like in Madrid, the congregation was warm and loving. Most notable, they were hungry for God’s word and fellowship. Later that evening, fatigued from two weeks of being on the go, but too early to justify going to bed, Rick and I decided to go for a walk. It was one of two times we had alone time (the other was when we got lost on a train going the wrong direction for 45 minutes in Spain). All was calm and quiet, and we felt safe getting lost surrounded by picturesque houses dimly lit, people walking their dogs and strangers echoing “buona note,” or good night. For the first time, we began to process and digest the wealth of what we had been fed. We will press forward and await upon the Lord to confirm our calling to be missionaries in Western Europe.  

 

                                             

On our flight home, my body and brain could not endure more – I can say I was fully poured out! Rick and I began to watch a movie, “The Birth of a Nation.” There is a scene when the main character, a slave, is picking cotton in a field. At first the camera is very close, and he is young. The camera then pans out, he is grown up, and you see the cotton field like clouds. Looking out the plane window, I could also see clouds. And I heard the still small voice of the Lord, ‘The harvest is ready, but the laborers are few. Pray, therefore, the Lord would send more labors’ (Matthew 9:37-38). 

Once we returned, we could not wait to share with our brothers and sisters all the many things the Lord had done before, during and even after the conclusion of our trip. During a lunch between my husband and the generous donor mentioned before, they were standing in line waiting to order. A random man that worked there began asking Rick if he was a Christian. He said yes and then shared a bit about our trip. They got their table, and the gentleman ended up sitting with them and engaging them in spiritual conversation. They also exchanged phone numbers. January 23, Rick shares a text from the brother, “Good morning brothers Ricardo and X. This is your brother in Jesus Christ. We had a good conversation about God the other day at my restaurant. My prayer for you guys is that our Lord Jesus continues using each of you to minister to others. “Jesus said in (Luke 10:2) The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray the Lord of the Harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” We have to continue praying, God bless you brothers.”

I am clinging to many different scriptures but especially Romans 8:18-39. God knew exactly how 2019 would start and end, and the same applies for 2020. He is working everything together, including the bad, for my good and His glory. As we continue walking by faith in the direction of full-time missions, would you join us in prayer for us to remain faithful where He has us and to continue seeking God’s direction as we prepare to go?

General takeaways (from 45 pages of notes from meet ups, devotions and teachings over 14 days):

•        Be willing to listen and observe from others more experienced
•        Missions is a lonely ministry and life (importance of feeding self and feeding current relationships)
•        Children have the attitude their parents do
•        Marriage and family are strong witnesses and tools for evangelism (marriage is uncommon; loving and faithful marriages are even more rare)
•        You do not always get to go back to the same places you have journeyed
•        What do you have to bring?
•        Hard to leave/say goodbye once church is established – you get very close
•        Living in the community you serve is very important
•        Unity in calling, as a married couple, is imperative
•        Hard times come, but they also go
•        Calling is full-time
•        Ministry takes place in conversation
•        For matters so important, speaking in heart language of people, regardless if they know English, is CRITICAL!
•        Know your culture
•        Rhythm of life is different; teach people how to live within these rhythms, as a Christian
•        Sharing gospel is informal, doing life together, staying involved/active, natural outflow of who I am; social is natural way to meet people
•        Translation matters – saved by faith (understood as works) vs. saved by His faithfulness (Christ’s work, not our works)
•        I am also a participant of the church I am shaping
•        Just because you start ministry does not mean you have to do it forever/complete it
•        Hospitality comes in different shapes and sizes; my home can be a place of ministry
•        Accept brokenness as a gift à relate to other broken people
•        Genuine affection is key
•        Know how to disagree
•        Be very specific but flexible
•        Sending churches needs missionaries just as much as missionaries need them
•        Come for the people you will serve, not the people you will serve with
•        Individual success is obedience to God’s calling