When in Rome...When in Riverside: Do all unto the Lord

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This past month, the Lord provided the resources and time for Husband and I to travel to Italy with Jacob and Zach, and we had a good time! We have wanted to take them since Jacob's senior year in high-school, 2019-2020, but were prevented during the shut-down. Our initial planning, then, planted a seed for missions and Italy. 

For that trip, Husband reached out to a missions organization. One church pastor from Italy responded, and Husband asked: "What is the need?" The answer was long-term, faithful laborers. We began to pray about long-term missions and Italy. Then the Lord moved us to Cornerstone Fellowship Bible Church in December 2019. Since then, we have learned a ton about missions and had rich discussions and come alongside several missionaries, lifted countless prayers and gone on short-term trips.

While many doors seemed to have been opening for Rome between 2022 and 2024, they were shut distinctly the week of Rick's graduation from Bible Training at the Training Center in May 2024. We have knocked on other doors, including Spain and Mexico, and those have stayed shut, too. Most recently, He has been opening other doors to disciple, counsel, teach and lead, at our local church and with the IE 66ers of San Bernardino baseball team. 

It was good for me to look back at 2 previously posted prayer requests: "Our lives are surrendered, and we are willing to stay or go wherever and whenever He will send us, through our local church. As we look to the cross, we can rest knowing staying or going does not earn or take anything from us, for all that is ahead is secure in Christ (Ephesians 2:10)" (May 15, 2024); and "As we continue seeking and waiting on the Lord to make clear what, where and when serving Him looks like, our heart's cry is to keep Him central and that He would increase and we would decrease" (March 31, 2021).

While we were in Italy, my husband and I had the privilege of interacting with some friends and locals, and it was consistently stated how difficult it is to find work. And when one does, workers are heavily taxed. We observed the people working so hard, and, because of their labor, we were able to have an ejoyable vacation. My heart went out to them and the local pastors God has placed there. While on the way to work this week, the Lord was gracious to remind me of the needs and ministry He has laid before me, and I was encouraged and thankful. Where does God have you? When in Rome...When in Riverside, do all unto the Lord (1 Cor. 10:31). 

Praise Reports:

  1. Husband and I had the blessing of visiting two local churches in Rome and Messina and fellowshiping with friends we have made over the years; and
  2. A couple in our church offered to come alongside of us, as we journey from parents of a single young adult to an engaged young adult.

Prayer Requests (the Lord's will in all):

  1. Wisdom, endurance & to walk in the Spirit; 
  2. Discipline & understanding, as we continue IBCD training and serving with our church;
  3. Humility as we come alongside others in counseling, discipleship and day to day;
  4. Faithfulness as Husband serves as the Spanish chaplain for the IE 66ers of San Bernardino  baseball team (he has led 7 chapels with 4 to go); 
  5. God's leading with some minor health concerns for me; and
  6. Witnessing and discipleship opportunities.

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