Crossing Over

Greetings from Iowa!

Thank you for your ongoing and continued support of our ministry. After the last letter we sent, we are thankful and humbled at the overall response and kindness you have all shown us. God is good and we are advancing in the process of repentance and restoration. We thank you for your prayers to that end and have more information to share with you at the end of this letter.

The Ladies were blessed by the gifts given, encouraging them to keep their babies

At the end of June, we were blessed to have a team from Soteria in Des Moines down to serve with us. We had a great time with seven of the seventeen-person team staying in our home. And God did a lot with and through them. They were able to plug in and serve with acts of mercy, encouragement in worship, and teaching where both Steve and I were able to translate for them. Pastor Jared inadvertently was called “Jeffrey”, which stuck with the Peruvians. It didn’t help that his translator leaned into it! LOL (I was the translor😊)

In July, men’s ministry was officially handed off to another with the heart to continue forming a group of men’s leaders. Our last men’s study in early July was tearful as I sat with the men and, completely unprompted, they gave thanks to God for the way He had used our time to impact their lives, marriages, and perspective on what a man of God must strive to be.

Vida Nueva Church, dismissing us with their prayers and blessings.

Debbie and I also had a tearful goodbye with the Peru Field Team of missionaries who gathered for field team meetings. We were so blessed to be able to connect with each of them prior to leaving and are hoping to continue helping them with a few ongoing projects as they head towards completion.

As we prepared to leave Peru, God was very kind to our family. We sold nearly all of our belongings, gifted our dog to some friends, and were able to hand off many of the ministries we had been a part of and led. One unfortunate reality is that I injured my Achilles tendon 10 days prior to leaving, right in the middle of moving…so that was convenient. We were able to navigate moving with some hired help and a few good friends since I was on crutches until just a few days before our flights. Thankfully we were able to limp our way through customs and make it to the US without crutches.

Some good friends saw us off at the airport.

Please pray for us: That our transition to the US would be smooth, That we would have great connectivity with you guys, our supporters, while in Iowa, and that God would be gracious to move us from our furlough to our next season of ministry. Also pray for several men that I intend to connect with while stateside. They do not know Christ but are open.

For those who missed the last letter, please feel free to read it as it will give you context for our the questions below. For those who did, we have heard some consistent questions that we desire to answer and will hopefully bring some clarity to our current situation. We know these questions are being asked with the best of intentions and our desire is to be transparent with you all. When we became missionaries, we agreed to accountability. And our intention is to be just that. Held accountable.

When did you know the Lord was moving you on from the ministry in Peru?

Jan- Feb of 2024, God began leading us a different direction that became obvious to us. Through prayer, time in God’s word, fasting and seeking counsel, we believe the Lord is leading us to be used in a different capacity with church planting in missions, and are excited for the future and how God can use us.

How did the transition go?

As we worked through all the steps towards transitioning, we had many tasks of handing off current responsibilities as well as dismantling our home in Peru. We left over 2 years ago with a 40’ container shipped and came back with some luggage. During the time of handoff and disassembly is where sinful anger gained a foothold and we knew we needed to be held accountable, regardless of how painful it would be.

Why a public admission of sin?

John 3:20-21, 1 John 1:9, 2 Thess 3:3-5, Matt 23:12, James 3:1. God’s word calls us to humble repentance, to humble ourselves, to walk in the light, allow our deeds to be exposed, and as those who teach to be held to a higher standard.

Have you quit the ministry?

No, we have not. Nor is it our desire to do so. We desire to continue serving as missionaries. ABWE has welcomed us as missionaries and we are seeking the Lord's will in concert with ABWE, the Living Waters Fellowship Elders, and the ABWE Missions Chair. We desire to walk in that direction, but not before taking a season of stepping back and making sure we are truly walking in repentance and are in a position to keep going in integrity. Integrity, as our family defines it, is simply doing what’s right, regardless of the outcome. And we thank you for your kindness and support through it.

We thank you for your prayers and understanding as our furlough looks a bit different. Our furlough tasks are filled with transitions, meetings, and service. God has already opened doors for studies with men, so please pray for their salvation. Pray for us, that God continue to use us in this time. That we continue and grow in humble repentance, that God confirm in us the ability to move forward in the ministry, and that God be glorified as we continue to seek to serve Him. Also pray for our kids as they process the difficulties of a cross continental transition for them. Blessings!

Summer sun and Salvation. Glory to God!