Life Is Sometimes Soooo Hard!

My heart is burdened this afternoon.  There are many friends and family members in my life right now who are going through some pretty rough situations.  Two of the families are in Chile and it is hard to be here and not be able to comfort them during these really hard times in their lives. 

I feel like God has blessed me beyond measure so much in my immediate family and I so want that for loved ones in my life.  Sin is running rampant and the enemy has deceived many.  Today I am asking God to have mercy on those who are now hurting and crying out to Him. 

So many people are hurting and they try to keep it to themselves.  Why do we do this?  We need transparency so that our brothers and sisters in Christ can help us along life’s toughest times.  Father help us get rid of the pride and humble ourselves, because then and only then will they receive the healing they so desperately need in their marriages and families.

If you are hurting today, don’t be afraid to let it show and ask for help!  God CAN!

Michele

Filed under: Family, Uncategorized

Coming Home

Well after 2 weeks we are finally settling into the United States again.  I can’t believe that our first-term is over, time flew by soooo quickly.  We begin itineration this Sunday and we are pumped and ready to go.  We had a fantastic first-term and God moved greatly. 

The girls have settled into their new school and have begun to make friends already.  My girls are so incredible and have adjusted well to the missionary life.  They are happy to be home near their grandparents during our furlough and of course are enjoying all of their favorite American snacks

Please continue to pray that God will move mightily during this upcoming year as we face many challenges ahead, but nothing is impossible with our God. 

Michele

Filed under: Family, Prayer

Packing & Moving Again!

Well we are coming down to the end of our first term, can you believe it!  We have only 17 days left in Santiago, Chile and have begun packing and selling all of our things.  This is the part I dislike the most.  As a women, putting my life into boxes and shipping it on a plane is just the worst. 

Stress levels have been high as we still have lots of ministry left to do in the middle of selling off furniture and packing.  I am right in the middle of preparing care packages for the orphanage I have been working with.  Tonight I went out and spent $500 on personal items needed desperately by the girls.  This money was provided miraculously after sending up a prayer.  Another pastor in NJ provided the girls with beautiful bibles that will also go in the care packages.  God is sooooo good

Despite the stress of these last days in Chile, God continues to meet our every need.  Thank you churches for your faithfulness!

Michele

Filed under: Evangelism, Family

The Lord will prepare the way!

Wow, we only have about 6 months before we return home on furlough.  Our term really flew by quickly.  We feel like ministry doors have opened up so quickly and now it is almost time to go.  Bob is currently restructuring the church plant and I have been working at the orphanage home.  There is so much yet to be done, but we know that the Lord is in control of it all. 

We have been on the phones making calls trying to fill our 2009-2010 speaking calendar and are excited to be able to come home and share what the Lord has done here in Santiago, Chile.  My girls are excited to be able to see grandma and Opa again soon but will definitely miss all of the friends made here in Chile. 

Please continue to pray that God will open the hearts of many pastors so that we may be able to go and share our passion for Chile with their congregations.  Thank you.

Michele

Filed under: Family, Prayer

Hurting Hearts

I just got off the phone with my dad and boy is my heart hurting.  My dad and I have never really had that close of a relationship and lately my heart has been aching to get to know him better.  I have tried over the years to build a better relationship with him but I always end up at the same spot.

My dad is not a Christian and does not understand why I am in Chile.  I long for him to have a relationship with my girls, but I don’t even know if that will ever happen.  I often dream of the relationship that I would like to have with him and wake up with a longing in my heart.  I know that God is the father that I need, but it is so difficult having an earthly father that you don’t really know.

Things are often magnified on the mission field, especially being so far away from home.  Friends I need your prayers to get me through this rough stage in my life.  Family is extremely important to me and there are so many unspoken needs in my family right now.  Would you pray with me, that God will give me the strength to rely on him and let him fill that gap within my heart.

Michele

Filed under: Family, Love, Prayer

The Value of Integrity

One of my favorite speakers is Zig Ziglar and Zig has much to say about integrity.  Integrity is as much important in the corporate world as in the church world but man, do you really have to strive for “INTEGRITY” in our me, me, me society.

Recently, I have seen the effects of integrity flaws first hand and it can do everything from ruin a marriage, to split a church, to Push people out of church.  A pastor has many different integrity situations which he must confront throughout any given week, but if “HE” himself, has lost his integrity, he will never win the confidence of his church nor his community.  Christians are generally looked upon as people committed to integrity and when we intentionally make those decisions that compromise our integrity, just imagine what we do to the community of Christians.

Integrity does not have a price because once it has been compromised, it is almost impossible to win back!  As a missionary, I have a considerable amount of accountability, but I can still choose to compromise my integrity and the decision of integrity is a decision I must make daily.  My commitment to my church, my commitment to my supporters, my commitment to the USA, Chile, and the list could go on for days……  So friends, as I reflect upon my own integrity and realize the importance of my life decisions, remember, it is no longer I that lives, but Christ that lives in me.  Let people see Jesus in you every day.

Strive for that integrity which says, I am committed, sold-out, and on the move for Jesus Christ and today will undoubtedly be the best day of your life!

~Bob

Filed under: Family

Building Relationships in Chile

Making new friends is definately a part of missionary life.  After being here for over a year now, the Lord has blessed me with some girlfriends.  As a missionary and mom I have to squeeze in time to hang out with the girls!  Just recently I planned a “girls night out” and had a great time with some friends.

It is always nice to take a few hours and just have fun and do what women do best “talk” I thank the Lord for my husband who is always willing to take care of the girls when his wife needs some FREE time.

Filed under: Family

Scheduling Services

Bob and I have been making calls again trying to get our 2009 schedule as full as possible.  We will have to raise support again to be able to come back and finish our projects here in Santiago, Chile.  It will be exciting as we will be visiting our Hispanic Churches all over the U.S. this time sharing all of our awesome experiences and what we were able to accomplish on our first term.

We are excited to be able to come home again and catch up with family and friends and we know that God has an exciting year planned out for our family!  Please keep us in your prayers as we contact churches back home that God will open the doors and fill our schedule quickly.

Michele

Filed under: Evangelism, Family, Prayer

Winter Break Over!!!

Well the girls start back to school tomorrow after having a month off.  Silla will be going to 4th grade and Izzy to Kindergarten.  It is so hard to think that my baby girls are growing up so quickly.  They are such a blessing to Bob and I.  We have been talking a lot about how time seems to be going so fast.  We see it every time we see the girls venture out into something new. 

Silla is a wonderful 9 year old who really loves to read.  She is a great big sister to Izzy and they really do play so well together.  Izzy is definitely a social butterfly.  She is always looking for opportunities to make new friends, especially if they speak English

We spent the weekend together just us 4 enjoying the unusual spring like weather.  We are now entering into August, what is usually the coldest month of the winter here in Chile, but God has really been blessing us with some warm and sunny days. 

As a mom, I am going to try and get back to my routine now that winter break is over.  Please pray for me!  I have some new adventures ahead of me and I know that God is really trying to stretch me.  I have been asked to preach in our home church for the next 4 women’s ministry events held each month.  I know that God is going to give me each sermon, so please pray with me that I will follow the Lord’s leading as I begin to prepare!

Michele

Filed under: Evangelism, Family

Girls Reading The Bible

Just last night Bob and I were almost moved to tears as we heard Silla reading her bible to Izzy. Silla really enjoys reading and has just started picking up the bible on her own. It was really funny as they both ran down with excitement in their eyes when they found out that our last name was in the bible. They were reading the book of Ruth and came to chapter 4 verse 12 when they burst into our room super excited!! Read below.

Ruth 4:12 “Also, from the descendant whom the LORD will give you from this young woman, may your family become like the family of Perez“

It is exciting to see that the Lord is placing a passion in their young lives!!

Michele

Filed under: Family, Love