Reaching a bit closer with my hands (10 Minute Read)

“…let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (Heb 12:1-3, ESV)

Reading at a coffee shop one Sunday morning.

When came to Uruguay I did not realize what it all meant. I know that I wanted to make a difference with my life because of Jesus. 

I did not know what it all meant to plant a small church in country far away from all the familiar. This past year has been a time when God has called me higher in my faith because of prayer. As I listened to him, I am finding out more what walking by faith means. I realized that it is not about what I want, God wants something greater in me.

There have been times when I have felt the ‘sentence of death’. When the internal struggle is so hard and I feel despaired that I want to quit. 

I realized that it is not necessarily what I want. God will use whatever means to make me depend on him! What I need is greater faith!

A good brother from Argentina shared this with me:

“Don’t forget, this pain you  are experiencing now is selflessly necessary to create Christ in me. That is everything! That is touching heaven closer with your hands, it is getting closer by a millimeter to be like our model Jesus.”

These words have been so comforting and encouraging to me!

Prayer time in Montevideo

Visiting a friend in Salto, Uruguay 

Visiting Iguazu Falls between Brazil and Argentina

Early this year, I was able to take a trip on bus to Iguazu Falls. It was an incredible experience to see one of the natural wonders of the world. It is such an impotent and inspiring view of God’s creation. 

After a long 20 hour bus ride and two stops from Montevideo, I arrived to the border. The temperatures were in the 90 degrees with a lot of humitidy. The experience was second to none. 

Iguazu Falls from the Brazil border

Iguazu falls - one of the natural wonders of the world

The iguazu falls are 2.7 kilometers wide and heights between 60 an 82 meters.

Iguazu is the world’s largest waterfall.

The Iguazu River is a tributary of the Parana River in South America.

The waterfall is part of the Iguazu National Park (Argentina) and Foz de Iguazu (Brazil)

A long waited dream for me, was to create a web page for my business doing work in Architecture and Engineering. Here is my selling pitch: MAE Design exists to provide a positive and friendly way to design your building. We work to find the desired space where you, your family or your team can live, work and play. We use the latest software in the AEC industry. We use local building codes and local city ordinances to design any space.

Check it out. It’s on the infants stage, but hope to continue growing this business while in the mission field.

www.MAEDESIGNAE.com

Every year, the international churches in South Florida meet with church leaders, missionaries, and interns from all over to get trained and inspired for a whole week. I was able to come this year and spend sometime learning about God, his spirit and his work in the lives of his people. 

About 150 people in attendance.

I was also able to see my mother in Miami. 

Sunday morning church in Broward Church

Spiritual Formations Class from Roberto Carillo

 

Roberto Carillo shared some incredible perspective about the spiritual growth of every Christian. Life is a spiritual journey.  As Jesus’s followers we will be perfected through what we suffer. From the elementary teachings and knowledge of Christianity we are being transformed. We are being tested and refined to create love, faith and peace. Our responsibility is to remove the false self to become our true self (Imago Dei). Confident, known by God, Guided by the Spirit, Kingdom Builder and Secure Surrender. 

In the spiritual journey we go through the wall, the dessert and the dark night. For example, when we hit “The Wall” there is a process of spirituality, honesty, forgiveness, acceptance/surrender and love. We all have phases where we learn, grow, or stop. All this part of a critical journey that is necessary for the work of God on disciples of Christ. Check out Roberto’s website for more information: Thewayministry.global

My favorite part of the conference was to spend quality time with disciples who are fighting to keep faith and the flame the gospel shining in Latin America. It was a familiar place with many who are walking the same path.

Eating some of my favorite chicken 😋

All nations represented!

Afterwards, I had the blessing to visit my home-home, Honduras. It felt led by God and his spirit encourage me with different conversations and events. One of the main reasons to go was to visit one of brothers. Also, my dad was able to join us for some time to enjoy each other and grow closer. 

During my first Sunday there I visited the church in San Pedro Sula. I was also able to witness a baptism. The disciples in Honduras are so welcoming and loving. It is hard to put it into words how encouraging it is. It was a worthwhile trip!

It is always a joy to hang with my brother

Dad, brothers, uncles, cousins and second cousins

Baptism

Some of my friends in Honduras

Honduras is such a wonderful place. I feel really fortunate to have been born there. I don’t understand a lot of things that make Honduras difficult for a lot of people. But the one thing that touches me every time its the heart of people even though there are many needs. The opportunities in Honduras are very scarce and many are not able to get health care, education and work. It is heartbreaking at times to see the ways that many live and survive. But I appreciate some of the things they have; their simplicity, joy, perseverance, peace and a sense of family.

During my visit in Honduras, I was able to visit a very remote community with one of my cousins. He works for a non-profit that provides opportunities for a lot of families in rural Honduras by empowering them with tools needed to rise above poverty. It was such an amazing and heart felt experience to witness the inauguration of a project to bring wifi internet to a very small school. Check out their website for more information: Solohopehonduras.org

As always, I ask for your prayers

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Lord, give me strength and peace even in the storm, pain and uncertainty. You are in control and you are sovereign for all things are yours. Amen.

Until the next time!! 😀🙏

Strong in the Grace

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.

Hebrews 13:8-9 NLT-

This past couple of weeks I have been learning about God’s grace. Life is difficult, especially during the holidays. Having to spend the holidays in a new country far away from the familiar and friends is difficult. There have been times of sadness, loss, and grief. But God's love is always steadfast and secure in Jesus Christ. 

Main cross street in Tres Cruces, Montevideo

I must believe and be convinced about what Jesus has called me to do here. There are many worries and anxieties. But I must choose to cast all of them on God and rely in his love.

The spirit is always working and trying to use me in different ways here. But sometimes I choose to not listen to his voice. The first century church in the book of Acts relied on the holy spirit for guidance. I must choose to believe that he wants to use me to do his work in this age. I wonder how much do we rely on the Holy Spirit instead of our own ideas and efforts. 

The church and his kingdom are here. Jesus promised to be with us always until the end of the ages. So going into all nations makes all the sense.

Friendsgiving party with a new friend, Guzman

I have been able to make some friends in Uruguay, share my life and to study the Bible with one of them. We all need the grace and the spirit of God in our lives to be able to overcome the world. I see the confusion, pain and suffering in the eyes of many. Jesus is the answer to our deepest desires and hopes, even though we may try to fill it with so many desires. Life seems to demand and want things all the time. Jesus promised that if I seek his kingdom first and his righteousness I will be given all these things also. But, do I really believe that is true right now?

First Bible Study with Guzman

I got the privilege to visit a small church in San Luis, Argentina. They are about 9 christians, led by a couple with amazing hearts for God and his church. I was inspired by their hearts and faith since they are small church like in Montevideo. During my visit in San Luis, I got to share meals with them, serve at a local school and attend their church midweek service. It was so encouraging!🙌🙏

San Luis, Argentina - Worship Practice with Rodrigo and Angeles

Christmas gifts for children at school in San Luis

Children excited to receive gifts. HOPE coordinators Explaining the rules first. 😄

It has been a joy and encouragement to my heart to visit the churches in Argentina. I visited the church in Buenos Aires for their congregations service and also spent time with their youth and singles ministry.

Night out with Singles and Youth in Argentina

Day at the park in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Our small mision team of 8 disciples is doing amazing things in Montevideo, Uruguay. We had a Christmas party where we were able to invite our friends to share food, get to know each other and exchange gifts. The time was incredible and we did such a great job organizing the event. We had close to 50 in attendance.

Christmas Event at Rooftop 

Picnic at the Rambla in Montevideo 

Our Church during New Year's Sunday Service

Sunset at the Rambla in Montevideo

Please pray for me, pray for montevideo church and for South America churches to have a greater impact for God and his kingdom. Until next time! 🙏👋

Running with Confidence & Perseverance (4 Minute Read)

This past couple of days, after being sick for a long time. I came to a good reality check of why I do follow Jesus and responded to the call of coming to Uruguay.

Since young I have lacked confidence in myself and where I am going in life. I have always tried to please people and just do the right thing to fit in. If Jesus is Lord of my life, then it is not about me. Following Jesus after believing his words, was the right thing to do 17 years ago, yet I am not immune to straying away from true faith in him. Jesus has been lord since then, yet I have had difficulties.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT-

It is spring!!
There is such a different vibe to Montevideo now that nature comes alive.

I can relate to the rich young ruler who comes to Jesus with a question do justify himself about his life status and to gain eternal life (Matthew 19:16-22). Following Jesus is not about being a good person and checking the good to-do-list. But is a conviction to run the race he has for me. Even when I am feeling good about myself, and everything is going right. It is having the conviction and strong belief that following Jesus is worth it, even when that means giving up everything and when I fall short.

Going away party for our friend Erin. She returned to the U.S. after serving in our mission team and living in Uruguay.

Time with our small band of brothers (Ricardo and Ben)

Karina's Birthday party

Planning and Organizing time with TNT Productions (Terese and Taylor) 😀 

This month we had the inaugural service for the replanting of the church here in Montevideo. There was planning and arduous work. We came together to plan, have fun, and pray for this time. We had so many disciples and visitors from all over the world. They came all the way from Canada, Dubai, Atlanta, New Jersey, Nashville, and Buenos Aires.

During our worship practice in the Rambla - Montevideo

Visit of popular destination spot in Uruguay - Punta del Este

Monkeying 😄 - Punta del Este 

'La Mano' 'The Hand' - Punta del Este

Rambla - Punta del Este

Sea Lion - Punta del Este

The time during and after the inaugural service was amazing! The love and support pouring in from outside was so encouraging to our souls. It was amazing to be part of the birth of a church in the nation of Uruguay. There were events planned before and after the inaugural church service on November 12th. I felt so fortunate and inspired by the mission of bringing the message of hope and love of Jesus to Montevideo. That it is worth more than anything that we have given up, hoped for or done to this point.

Inaugural Service at the Hilton Hotel in Pocitos with seventy-four in attendance

Sunday morning devotional group

Our worship team! 💪

I ask that you pray for us and for open hearts to the gospel. Also consider moving/visiting Uruguay or anywhere in the world to advance the Kingdom of God. Finally, we need financial support since we are here self-supported or looking for jobs. 

Happy holidays and much love!