Disguised Miracles

Trust. Share. Be Honest.

It is really easy to talk about these words. It is easier still, to tell other people to apply them intricately into their lives. 

However, to actually be honest and share something terrible – something deeply personal – something scary…that’s a whole other level of trust that most people worry over, stress about and rarely rely upon. 

It’s sad really that even with our closest friends and family we struggle to truly be honest about who we are and what is in our hearts. 

Even more tragic is that by being closed off or afraid to trust, share or be honest we are depriving ourselves of the joy, relief and abundant blessings that you receive when you take that leap. 

I would even go so far to say that even if the person you are sharing with has a completely negative response just the sheer relief in knowing that you have been honest and that your ‘secret’ isn’t a secret anymore - is a joy in and of itself.

I am sure by now that you are wondering what circumstance brought about all of this reflection and seriousness and so here is the story. It actually begins last May 2013. Adam’s oldest friend, Matt Ogden, came on a vision trip to Zamora. He had begun working with an organization called School to the Nations and they were interested in helping our work with the Shuar. Adam took Matt out to Shakay and they had a great trip. When Matt left he said that if all went well he would have a team here in a year to help us out, and he didn’t lie. As this last May began to approach the plans were rolling and everything was falling into place.

We were excited to have the team come but in all honesty we were super stressed and a little (or maybe a lot) worried.  Why you ask? 

Because sharing our lives with Matt was one thing – but opening up our hearts, sharing our lives and our work that had so quickly become a large part of who we are with strangers – that’s scary. 

We had no idea what to expect – no clue as to what would happen and we were being plagued with all kinds of thoughts (not from God I’m sure) such as: What if they shouldn’t come? What if we have made a mistake? What if the Shuar aren’t ready for this? What if we aren’t ready? What if something bad happens? It was never ending really. 

Finally I just said – look they are coming so lets just make the best of it. Its going to be fine, I’m sure.

Well, as God already knew, it was more than fine. 

I can’t even put into words the enormous blessing the team was to us. Matt, Randy, Adam, Scott, Jon & Aaron worked their tails off. The struggled and suffered and did everything that Adam asked them to do with smiles on their faces. 

They didn't let seeing a bushmaster as soon as they stepped off the boat deter them. They raised money and were able to buy and bring us a raft for us to use in emergencies. They sent Jessie to stay with me while I was at home without a car for a week to help me with the kids. She washed my dishes, played with my kids and even sewed them adorable little outfits.

What a blessing.

Now, here is the miracle. The last night that the team was up in Shakay Lucho and Betty came over to visit. 

Please keep in mind that the Shuar are very private people. They are a bit standoffish and don’t really warm up to visitors or outsiders. But because of the transparentness of the team and the pull of the Holy Spirit they came to the house and in front of 6 strange men and Adam they said that they wanted to accept Christ. 

They talked over what that meant to make sure they understood and while they were talking another man, Guillermo showed up and said that he wanted to accept Christ as well. All three of them did – right there in our house. Miracle. What a miracle.

When Adam told me I was speechless. I still can hardly believe it! The kindness of the team didn’t stop there though – they actually let Adam and I have a date night and watched our kids for us! J

We were scared but we shared and we were given in return blessing upon blessing upon blessing.

We went back a couple of weeks ago to visit with Lucho, Betty and Guillermo. We are leaving tonight actually for a 2 month stateside and so we wanted to check on them before we left. Satan is already attacking them, which makes it so hard to leave and not be there for them. 

Guillermo’s wife has left him and the kids. No one in the community has any idea where she is or what she is doing. Betty’s good friend (Deliah’s sister) just lost her baby at 4 months. Betty herself is actually 3 months pregnant with their second baby and she is scared to death. So far she is doing ok but I think she is worried about her health and the baby’s.

Please pray for them these next two months that they will be strong. Pray that the Lord will protect them and their families. That we will be able to get back to the as soon as possible and will be able to disciple them in the way that the Lord desires.

Lastly, rejoice with us in the blessings that we received from the Lord through the School to the Nations team.

Trust. Share. Be Honest.

Who knows what might happen.

Browlio

 Working Hard.

Randy, Matt & Adam and Aaron in the back.

 Jessie playing with the kids.

The 30 minute hike that lasted hours and hours and hours. 

David. 

Boat ride up. Adam, Jon, Matt and Adam.

Jessie with the kids. Sophia and Isabell are wearing the cute clothes she made!

Laughter is always good :)

Randy talking with the kids.

It rained everyday Jessie was here....we finally just went for a walk anyways :)

Mirabel and her baby

the amazing raft they bought us for emergencies!

Aaron in the boat. 

playing with creepy crawlies