As we started our journey to Calpulalpan we scheduled multiple stops with various Pastors, friends and church plants from Calvary Rosarito along the way. As we crossed into the first state, Sonora, we stopped in San Luis Colorado where we got to have lunch with Pastor Asuncion (Pastor of Capilla Calvario San Luis Colorado) and his family. We also got to visit with our friends Lalo & Linda and their kiddos. ...
(Español Abajo) Praise God we had a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s together with our families! It was sweet for all of us to be together, especially because we don’t know when or if we will all be together next Christmas. The cherry on top was that Brittany’s brother, William, drove down from Glendale, AZ to celebrate with us. We were so blessed during our sending weekend at Calvary Rosarito! At all three of the services Brian was given the opportunity to share about a few verses (John 12:24-26) that God used to confirm our calling to plant a church in Calpulalpan. Praise God we were able to sell t-shirts with our church’s name, and sell food to raise funds for our trip to move down and start the church. We are so grateful for the people who came up to us and encouraged us, supported us financially, and prayed for us. Talk about feeling loved! It was definitely hard and sad to say goodbye to our friends, family, comfort, security, stability, and more. On the other hand we have had so many people encouraging us that God will do great things through His work in Calpulalpan. God has continued to confirm our family’s calling through so many things and we are confidant that we are doing God’s Will for our lives. ...
(Español abajo) We are so grateful for your partnership with us and for helping us to send Brian on the mission’s trip to Peru! Brian was able to go for basically a whole week, including travel. It was such a blessing and an encouragement for Brian to be able to see the church and the Bible college and how they are working together to raise up Christians to be future missionaries and church planters. At the missions conference Brian was so encouraged by all the people he met there from many other different countries. He realized that he has the same desire as them for church planting. They are people who are going through “normal” life struggles just like us, but they are on fire for reaching South America. There were 12 countries represented by the 270 people who attended the conference. The teachings were amazing, but what Brian enjoyed and was encouraged by the most was creating relationships with those people from all different countries. Being able to pray for them and also to have them pray for us. Brian was inspired by Calvary Trujillo and also their CBI for the work that we will be doing in Calpulalpan. We would like to especially thank Pastor Cory Kilgus & his family for their support and encouragement; and also to Arlin and his wife Rosemary who let Brian stay in their house while he was there. ...
(Español abajo) This time has come to a close and looking back we are so grateful for everything that God allowed us to do and experience throughout this summer. Even though we are not very busy with teams at Connections House, we have been keeping busy with ministry and preparations to move down south. The Lord has continued to bless us in many different ways, and we want to share a little bit about that with you. One thing we have begun to do is serve more at our church Calvary Rosarito. Mainly we have started serving in the worship ministry along with Brian’s brothers Kevin and Aldrin. Brian has also come on staff with Calvary Rosarito to get a better feel for things and learn more as we are preparing to move down south in December to plant a church. ...
(Español abajo) The summer has come to a close with some amazing and encouraging things these past weeks. We went to the Church Planting Conference at Calvary Rosarito. Right before the conference started I (Brittany) was able to go to a Pastor’s wives brunch. It was very encouraging as each wife was talking about how it has been for them personally with their church plant. While I was there God revealed a vision to me. I have been struggling with a lot of doubts of myself, and in this vision each of these doubts or lies in my head were like these pillars that were coming up from the ground and surrounding me. Then Jesus appeared and wrapped His arms around me and protected me. God later gave me these verses while at the conference: Isaiah 43:1-2 “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.” God encouraged and strengthened me through the conference, through many people I spoke to personally and through the speakers. One lady from Culiacan also shared this verse with me: 1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” ...