Stained - Glass Reflections

Dear Ricardo and Beth,

Last week we returned to the seminary campus that was our home for six years. Even though we still live in the same city, I hadn’t been back and was pleased to be greeted by four new and beautiful stained-glass windows at the library entrance! One of our friends in the physical plant, the same man who made our bookshelves and my desk when we moved to Colombia, skillfully made them…and I can’t get them out of my head!

Honestly, this year the pace of life, ministry and travel has seemed fragmented, like all the little pieces of glass in the windows. Since the first of the year, Ricardo has presided over four annual meetings in four different countries (see here in Ecuador), together we attended a ten-day Wesley tour and hosted an eight-day Strategic planning retreat in addition to welcoming a group from Asbury Seminary. Each piece is important and brings joy, but at this pace, if it weren’t for the solder compound of God’s call on our lives mixed with His grace, we couldn’t keep all the fragments together.

Another great thing about stained glass windows is that no two pieces of glass are exactly alike. Just like the people God created, they come in different colors, shapes, and sizes. Putting them together creates the artwork! This was especially apparent during the Strategic Planning Retreat. 25 leaders from eight countries did the hard work of evaluating where we are, dreaming of where we think God is leading us in 5 years, and then determined what steps need to be taken to get us there. The diversity of culture, perspective, and experience really helped make the work complete!

Finally, the true beauty of stained-glass windows can best be seen when the light is shining through them. We have been blessed to witness from afar God’s light shining through thousands on the Asbury University campus during the Outpouring. But we are also seeing the Holy Spirit shine through Latin Americans as we dedicate ourselves to prayer for revival! This week, all Latin American FM churches were invited to take prayer walks. Since Ricardo had to leave at 4 a.m. this morning for Costa Rica, we did our prayer walk in our own neighborhood last night. What a special time!

Speaking of Costa Rica, that brings up one last link between stained glass windows and ministry…sand. Ricardo is leading the 360 Mission District’s annual meeting this weekend and will be preaching on the beach this Sunday!

Thanks for taking a few moments today to look through the window into our ministry today. And thanks for continually being an important part. You are a great encouragement to us!

Blessings,

Ricardo & Beth Gómez (Juliana & Jonathan)

Windows into Ministry

Asbury Agreement

VP Gregg Okesson, Dr. Steve Gober and Dr. Steve Ybarrola were in Medellín to explore a possible partnership with the FUSBC this month. They were also here for Ricardo to sign an agreement for a cohort of 35 students from many denominations from all over Latin America (half of which we hope will be FM) to take a Masters of Ministry. Classes will be on-line in Spanish with the one week residental classes will be held in Latin America rather than Kentucky. Together we are investing in the next generation of well-prepared leaders for this region!

Annual Meetings

As Ricardo travels around to conduct the annual meetings, he is blessed to see the ways that God is at work. He got to Peru (pictured here) in the midst of major protests, tourism is shut down in Machu Pichu affecting many members of our church's livelihood. Yet, God is at work.

In Ecuador, in the drug-war zone of Esmeraldas, God is multiplying the church and Ricardo said that Pastor Jeferson Burbano is visibly filled with with Spirit of God!

In Paraguay, International Missionaries Juan Carlos & Yaneth are planning to help develop healthy leaders for the next generation of leaders in that country!

Pray

with us

For each of the leaders in Latin America.

For traveling mercy, wisdom & strength.

For revival in Latin America.