Greetings from Rio Verde! Just as many of you
are enjoying the coming of Spring, we are also happy to be here in the
beautiful climate of these green mountains again! God has created so much
beauty around us! Each day the toucans gather around to sing, and the
hydrangeas and other flowers are in full bloom. The fruitfulness of this area
is impressive, with bananas and plantains, papayas, naranjilla fruit, yucca root,
and lemons, oranges, and tangerines growing in abundance.
We are thankful for God's daily grace. He has brought joy into our lives in these days--in the smiling faces of many of our Awa friends who are happy to welcome us; in those who have come each Sunday with an earnest desire to listen and learn and grow; in the five cute little babies that God has added to the fellowship while we are gone. This last Sunday after church, 17 of us made an excursion down to Paulino's parent's house to pick tangerines....how fun it was to laugh and share the fun together! In these moments God gently re-confirms in our hearts that we are exactly where He wants us to be.
So many of you are praying for the situation with Milton. We have no desire to sound like a soap opera--and yet we wish to update you so you can join us in prayer---hopefully we can somehow balance out those two desires! There is much at stake for the Awa church; literally several hundred people up and down this valley are onlookers in what is going on. At this time, Milton continues in the relationship with his sister-in-law, Delia's sister. Several times he has come to talk to Delia, saying that he is going to
We are thankful for God's daily grace. He has brought joy into our lives in these days--in the smiling faces of many of our Awa friends who are happy to welcome us; in those who have come each Sunday with an earnest desire to listen and learn and grow; in the five cute little babies that God has added to the fellowship while we are gone. This last Sunday after church, 17 of us made an excursion down to Paulino's parent's house to pick tangerines....how fun it was to laugh and share the fun together! In these moments God gently re-confirms in our hearts that we are exactly where He wants us to be.
So many of you are praying for the situation with Milton. We have no desire to sound like a soap opera--and yet we wish to update you so you can join us in prayer---hopefully we can somehow balance out those two desires! There is much at stake for the Awa church; literally several hundred people up and down this valley are onlookers in what is going on. At this time, Milton continues in the relationship with his sister-in-law, Delia's sister. Several times he has come to talk to Delia, saying that he is going to
leave the sister and return to Delia, but we
have yet to see any action behind his words.
We've been seeing that culturally, the Awa people in general (including the believers) believe that Milton has done the unpardonable...that the problems he has created are SO bad...that, therefore, he is stuck in this mess with no possible way out. It's difficult for them to grasp how forgiveness could be applied here in any way. We are thankful for the HOPE that we have in remembering that God is the Great Redeemer, and that no-one is beyond the reach of His great mercy. Please pray for us to have wisdom as we continue to reach out to Milton in compassion, yet wanting to clearly speak truth into his life. We quite regularly feel inadequate for such a task! (2Cor. 3:5)
God has amazed us with a big change in someone else...in Delia...someone we perhaps least expected! Two months ago, when Milton had first tried to return home and ask for her forgiveness, she angrily responded by threatening to kill him, burn all his clothes and belongings, and otherwise do him all the harm she was able to. But over the last few weeks, she has faithfully come to the Bible teaching each Sunday, listening to how Jesus interacted with people with love and compassion. Many days she has stopped by the house here to talk and ask questions, asking us what God would have her to do in this situation. We have seen God working to change her heart. Recently she had a calm conversation with Milton, sharing with him that she has changed, and she is willing to forgive him and to receive him back if he is serious in wanting to follow God and to do what is right. This despite what she is hearing from the rest of her family, as they have counseled her to never allow him to return, and to instead, just beat him up with a big stick! It's been neat to see her earnest desire to do what God would have her to, and the way God has gentled her heart. Her life these days is not easy, as she struggles to feed six kids, and get four of them off to school each day. A special joy in her life right now is baby Sonia, three months old, who is a sweet, happy, healthy baby. She makes Delia smile!
We've been seeing that culturally, the Awa people in general (including the believers) believe that Milton has done the unpardonable...that the problems he has created are SO bad...that, therefore, he is stuck in this mess with no possible way out. It's difficult for them to grasp how forgiveness could be applied here in any way. We are thankful for the HOPE that we have in remembering that God is the Great Redeemer, and that no-one is beyond the reach of His great mercy. Please pray for us to have wisdom as we continue to reach out to Milton in compassion, yet wanting to clearly speak truth into his life. We quite regularly feel inadequate for such a task! (2Cor. 3:5)
God has amazed us with a big change in someone else...in Delia...someone we perhaps least expected! Two months ago, when Milton had first tried to return home and ask for her forgiveness, she angrily responded by threatening to kill him, burn all his clothes and belongings, and otherwise do him all the harm she was able to. But over the last few weeks, she has faithfully come to the Bible teaching each Sunday, listening to how Jesus interacted with people with love and compassion. Many days she has stopped by the house here to talk and ask questions, asking us what God would have her to do in this situation. We have seen God working to change her heart. Recently she had a calm conversation with Milton, sharing with him that she has changed, and she is willing to forgive him and to receive him back if he is serious in wanting to follow God and to do what is right. This despite what she is hearing from the rest of her family, as they have counseled her to never allow him to return, and to instead, just beat him up with a big stick! It's been neat to see her earnest desire to do what God would have her to, and the way God has gentled her heart. Her life these days is not easy, as she struggles to feed six kids, and get four of them off to school each day. A special joy in her life right now is baby Sonia, three months old, who is a sweet, happy, healthy baby. She makes Delia smile!
Recently I went over Jesus' parable of the
prodigal son with the believers. In the Awa culture, where their land has so
much value, it was a terrible thing the younger son did---selling his
inheritance and squandering the money. How amazing it is that the father would
forgive him and allow him to return home! The believers have much to think on
in these days. We appreciate your continued prayers as we seek to impart these
truths to the Awa church. If Milton repents, and returns to Delia, the two of
them will need the encouragement and support of the church here in order to
make it work.
On the family front, we continue to prepare with Kimberly as she hopes to work at Whispering Winds Bible Camp this summer, in Missouri; Kenny continues to work at Liberty in VA, and our family is gearing up toward Keilah and Jeremy's wedding in NH the end of July. Here is a link to their wedding announcement and invitation, for those who are interested; perhaps some of you might join us that day! :-)
In HIS grip,
Kevin & Kathy
On the family front, we continue to prepare with Kimberly as she hopes to work at Whispering Winds Bible Camp this summer, in Missouri; Kenny continues to work at Liberty in VA, and our family is gearing up toward Keilah and Jeremy's wedding in NH the end of July. Here is a link to their wedding announcement and invitation, for those who are interested; perhaps some of you might join us that day! :-)
In HIS grip,
Kevin & Kathy
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