Discover Video

Here's a video we put together to sum up our time with the Discover program. We're still processing all that we experienced. It was just 4 1/2 months but we've found since being back that our beliefs and way of life were stretched and challenged. Out of that a strong foundation was laid and lifelong friendships were made. Thank you for walking through life with us and for showing us Christ's love in so many ways. We are truly blessed.

Mucho Diversión (Much Fun)!

Here's a glimpse into all of the fun things that have been going on the past couple of months!!

OLD SAN JUAN (touring on segways)

BEACHES (San Juan and Vieques for 1 year Anniversary!!!)

PARTIES!!

Surprise birthday party for Todd and Hung's mother cooked Vietnamese food for everyone!!

Personal Growth

Classes are keeping us busy. Here's some little nuggets we'd love to share with you from each of our classes:

Perspectives: (we suggest looking into taking one of these courses even if you don't think you'll live overseas at any point. It's taught us so much about Christianity past and present.) One big thing we've taken is the ability to impact the world anywhere we are. Internationals, esp. in the US are one of the most neglected people. Can you believe that most have never been in an American's home? Imagine the impact you could have if you opened your home and life to them, showed interest in their culture and shared the love of God with them. They would be best suited to go home and reach their family and friends in their country.

Life Calling: "Everyone ends up somewhere in life. A few people end up somewhere on purpose." Vision brings everything we do into focus. We'll gain passion, motivation, direction, and purpose. Each of us has been given a unique purpose from God. So what's God showing you and are you praying and preparing to take action when he says the time is right? We're still learning to identify our specific vision but it's been fun and is stretching our faith!

Foundations for Christian Living: We've been discussing healthy relationships. I highly suggest reading the book Peacemaker. It's about having a right relationship with God, understanding his grace and how that plays out into our relationships. It includes things like forgiveness. This has been very hard to apply. We've just realized how we don't fully understand God's love for us and how nothing we do can make us love us more or less. Of course this affects how we treat others too.

We had a "Living in Grace" seminar where a few speakers came and the whole team, including wives were able to come together for the weekend. The biggest thing we pulled from it is that right now and even after we leave God has us in a time of preparation. We are going to focus on learning more about the bible, growing in character and prayer, and practically learning how to do ministry wherever we are.

Relationships

I was blessed with my friend Melissa. We met in the cafeteria on campus. She speaks great English and is teaching me Spanish each week. It's been fun to get to know each other better and God has blessed us with the ability to be vulnerable with one another. Please pray that although we only have about a month and a half left that we would go deeper and that I would love her as Christ would and not hold back truth because I'd fear her rejection. And that God would soften her heart to the gospel.


Jason was able to go to the World Baseball Classic with Jonathon, a friend that he met in the gym in our neighborhood. They of course had a lot of fun at the game and Jason was even able to share about how he came to have a relationship with Christ. His father is a pastor and we will be going to church with him this Sunday. Please pray that he would take ownership for what he believes and not base it on what others tell him is true.


Our friend Andre left for boot camp two weeks ago so we had a farewell party. We had ice cream and brownies and played games. He's someone that has spent quite a bit of time with and developed close relationships with people from the team. He is still searching when it comes to spiritual things. We've grown to love him. Please pray that God would continue to pursue him and that he would no longer resist Him. Also that God would put people around him in the Navy that love God and would share that with him.

Super Sunday

We attend a few churches in the area, but because they are planting a church they occasionally have a community fellowship time. We are going to being hosting these in our home twice a month. Anyone is welcome to attend, members of the team and any Puerto Ricans that we know. We worship together through song, prayer and an informal time of discussing a portion of scripture. Afterward we grilled hot dogs and visited. It's a new and fun for us to experience since we're so used to participating in established churches. Please pray for the community of believers here -that they would be united and that many would be added to their number from people in the area.

The same day Jason and I had the privilege of Holland staying to play. Through this we learned how children can really help in ministry. He wanted to go and meet the children that were riding their bikes in the neighborhood. They only spoke Spanish and were somewhat hesitant at first. As usual with children though, by the end they were all riding together and talking to us. We were able to meet their parents. It's just one more relationship that we were able to build. Jovanka is their mother and speaks good English and the children are Tatiana and Jeovante.

Please pray for more opportunities to talk with these neighbors and that the Garcia's (owner's of the house we live in) would have favor in their eyes when they return through our investment in them. Jason also met a guy named Santiago that was working on his car in the driveway. They found that they had similar interests and Jason hopes to have the opportunity to talk with him again. Just a little example of how naturally we can reach out to those that God has already placed around us if we'll just be watching.

Back in San Juan

Things are in "full-swing" here. We've started classes and had 319 pages of reading to do by Thursday! Pray we're able to absorb all that we're taking in. But we really love all we're learning so it's worth the work. God's already challenging the way we view him and proving more and more that He's commanded us to GO and reach ALL nations from the beginning of time. If any of you would like to know more detail about what we're learning let us know and we'll send you a few emails about it as we go.
We've gone to campus, Inter Americana is the name. There isn't much student life but people do hang out in the student center and there are ping pong and pool tables as well as dominoes. We're doing surveys to help the long-term team here learn more about the culture and also to hopefully build some relationships while we're here. But our primary role is that of a student in seminary.


We hosted a Superbowl party at our house. (Go Steelers!!) A family we're getting close to, the Truongs, and some of the single guys came as well as 4 Puerto Rican friends they have. Hector- who recently became a Christian, Diego, Andre, Lillian and her children- a single mother that the Truong's have been getting to know well.














We also had a day of prayer and evaluation at the Grand Melia, a beautiful resort. Thought you'd enjoy looking at how beautiful it is here!!