Brothers and sisters in Christ,
We feel so much joy when we are able to write these updates for you and know that in some distant way we are still connected. We apologize deeply for not having an update sooner. I guess now is a good time to say, “better late than never”.
As always, we will report back to you saying, “The Lord is good.”
Since last we wrote, a lot has happened. As we had shared before, we are still in the process of figuring out if the Lord will provide our remaining support from a church in Seattle. Please pray for our friend, Christine, who is advocating on our behalf, that she will speak the necessary words to communicate what we are doing in Guatemala. Please pray that although the church does not have a direct relationship with us that there will be room for that in the future and a lasting relationship of mutual support and encouragement. And please pray that Steven and I will trust the Lord in all financial matters. That we will be reminded that he who provides the great gift of salvation can provide our daily needs.
A few weeks ago we had Joe DeSapio with us. It was a treasure to be able to enjoy St. Louis in Guatemala. We, along with many of our students, enjoyed and learned from what the Lord taught us through him.
During this time, I have also been accepted into med school and have finished all the preliminary processes. I have already met some classmates and can see how Christ works all things in his timing. As most of you know, I am beginning on a 6/7 year medical program; there have been times when I have been frustrated about starting this program until now, when I could have potentially started 5 years ago. But when I stop and think about my education in St. Louis, the church in St. Louis, my spiritual growth in St. Louis, I feel so incredibly blessed to have waited. I can already see how the Lord is going to use this to help me -because I am about 5 years older than my classmates, even in this short time, I have already taken a “mom” role with some of them. I believe this will allow me to have some influence upon their lives (ultimately so I can share the gospel with them). Although this seems like a small detail, I am already feeling very blessed to be in this country doing what I am doing at this time.
Although we have been very blessed (and although we are blessed by trials) please keep us in your prayers as you think about us as we have ran into some difficulties. We have had a hard time trying to share the gospel with people who have had heard it so many times. It is hard to share the gospel with people who think they are saved but have clearly misunderstood the gospel. We have had many frustrations in this area and we pray that you will keep us in mind. (If you have questions about this -make sure you approach Joe DeSapio).
We have also been blessed to be a part of Iglesia Biblica de Guatemala. (Yes, we still miss FBC terribly.) We have had the opportunity of helping a brother in Christ go to college, we have had the opportunity to aid with certain details at Seminario Teologico Francisco Lacueva, and have been able to learn more about the Word and how it applies in the context of Guatemala’s religious climate.
We thank you for your prayers, your love, your support, and above all for the common salvation we have in Christ and how he brings us together despite the distance.
In Christ,
Gabriela & Steven
