Florinda

Florinda is a precious young lady in our church who got saved about 2 years ago. She and her brother, Esteban (who got saved about 7 years ago) are Tzotzil Indians and come from the village of Pacanám. The church in Pacanám was started by Bro. Sebastian, a man who got saved many years ago under Dad’s ministry, and who has started about 9 churches among the Tzotzil Indians.

Esteban is the second from the left

I remember when Esteban started bringing Florinda to church…she was a little shy. After she got saved and baptized, she slowly began to get involved in church activities. After she went to camp two years ago, I noticed a change in her, and she began to grow steadily in her Christian life. Not long after that, Mom wanted someone from the church to help her out in her house. I suggested Florinda, whom I knew was needing a job. Florinda came to help Mom, and has been nothing but a blessing!

Since Mom has been gone for a few months, Florinda has been helping me with my housework (she comes once a week) and goes over to Liz’s house to work there, as well. Florinda is responsible, reliable, joyful…such a delight to have around!

Today is her 17th birthday, and being HER SPECIAL DAY, I wanted to introduce her to my readers.

Please pray for Esteban and Florinda. They both attend public schools and are often harassed for not participating in the ungodly activities that take place among their classmates. They earnestly desire to please the Lord, wanting to keep themselves pure and clean. As the Teen Girl’s Sunday School teacher, I have visions in my mind of what the girls in my class could one day become. What can God do with a group of girls who surrender their lives to Him? May God give us many more Florindas…purposing in their hearts to live for God, willing to pay the price so that God will be glorified in their lives!

Florinda and me. (She made this blouse for my birthday last month. Can you see the beautiful stitching?) --Excuse my messy hair-do!!!--

Nine Years.....

Nine years ago today, on March 23, 2002, at 5:00 in the evening, I became the wife of my beloved Andrew. We were married in the church here, and my brother, Philip, officiated the ceremony.

My sister, Elizabeth, doing my hair...


A kiss for the bride from my beautiful Mother

My sister, Sarah, was the maid of honor; and my bridesmaids were my sister Elizabeth and a dear friend, Anita. My sweet sister-in-law, Jolene, played the piano, and my brother, David, was the Best Man…Andrew’s best friend since they were teenagers. We requested that Philip preach a salvation message, as we knew there would be many unsaved friends who would be attending.

My maid of honor, Sarah....

...and my beautiful bridesmaids, Elizabeth.....

...and Anita

My sweet little flower girl, Esther....

(who, by the way, has grown into a lovely young lady

and is now faithful and active in our church here)

Dad and Mom and the happy bride!

The handsome groom with his parents

Andrew with his best man, David

Jolene at the piano

As the bridesmaids and groomsmen walked down the aisle,

she played a beautiful arrangement to

"To God Be The Glory"

As Andrew and I lit the unity candle....

...Sarah and Andrew's nephew, Joel, sang a song I wrote....

..."Whither Thou Goest, I Will Go"....

Just Married!

Our reception was held on the beautiful lawn of a dear friend, just around the corner from the church. He told me he prepared that lawn in hopes that his only daughter would be married there. However, she suddenly died a year before we were married. Through tears, he told us, “I would be honored if you would hold your reception here.”

Coming into the reception

It was the most beautiful wedding and reception. I will forever hold dear the memories of that day, nine years ago….

Singing at our reception

A trio from another Baptist church in town sang during our reception

As we were getting ready to leave the reception,

Andrew picked me up in his arms and carried me to the car.

I suspect Philip was in on this...see him in the background?

We spent our honeymoon in Cozumel

My wonderful husband has shown me his deep love for me through his faithfulness, his deepest devotion and most tender care throughout the last nine years. I have watched with admiration as he has faithfully honored the Holy Spirit’s guidance through His Holy Word.

Andrew and me in the village of San Antonio. 2002

One of my favorite pictures of my husband and our baby son....

At Agua Azul, 2004

The Lord has blessed us far beyond what we deserve, much more than we would have ever dreamed. He has given us the opportunity and privilege to serve Him in different areas in the ministry; He has allowed us to live together through some exciting adventures, mostly in the Indian villages; He has given us two beautiful children, whom we desire to train up for His honor and glory; He has been very close to us…providing in times of need, protecting us in times of danger, giving us joy and laughter, leading us with his ever-loving hand in the valley and on the mountaintop; He has continually loved us even in our imperfections, and shown us His never-failing care when we have needed it the most. His Almighty power has been demonstrated to us time after time, giving us the strength to continue on…together.

My most sincere desire is that I can be the helpmeet that my Beloved needs, and that he most assuredly deserves. It has been my joy to walk beside him for the past nine years, and it is my earnest desire that God would give me many, many more years as his wife….lover and helpmeet… strengthening and encouraging him through my prayers and through my faithfulness, obedience, and submission to him.

Happy Birthday, Pastor Philip!

Friday, March 4th, was Philip’s 37th birthday. Philip and Liz are in the States for a couple of weeks, so we invited the church people to come last night so we could call Phil via the Skype video phone….

Many people showed up…I counted about 38. They crowded into the living room, expectantly waiting to see our beloved and missed Pastor.

When we got Phil on the phone, the “rondalla” (young boys’ singing group) sang 3 birthday songs, while everyone sang with them. As I looked around the room, watching everyone sing from their heart to our pastor, I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with emotion at the love these people obviously have for our pastor. He has earned their respect and their trust and their love, as he’s been with them through all kinds of heartaches: deaths of young children, rebellious teens, divorce, and rejection of family because of their faith in Christ….as he has rejoiced with them through the return of a stray son, the reconciliation of family members, the birth of precious babies, and the salvation of loved ones.

As I looked around the room, I thought, “Each of these could give testimony of how their pastor has been with them, weeping as they go through the valley and rejoicing with them as they have been on the mountain top.” Sweat and tears; laughter and joy have been woven into the fabric of the lives of these people as our pastor walks with us, patiently, faithfully leading us on…on to victory in our Christian lives.

“Thank You, Lord, for the Pastor which You have placed here. Thank You for upholding him in Your strength, giving him the strength he needs to lead us.”

And THANK YOU, Philip! We love you…as a brother and friend, but also as a pastor!!!

And We Miss You!