As we look forward to the New Year 2006, I can't help but to think of the challenges, achievements and events of the past year. In June we officially returned to Mexicali hosting a Discovery work group. It is always good to share with workgroups and to share in their excitement and discomfort while exploring a new culture. We were so glad to be back in Mexicali yet there seemed to be a different spirit in the air. Even though we had worked very hard at building relationships the first term, we had to spend time rebuilding those same relationships.

I don't get it….

The issue of women in ministry had raised its head again and I felt like we were going backwards instead of forward. The Mexican pastor's support group that had been made up of different leaders and included both men and women now made it clear that they just wanted to be together as pastors. I asked Rick to continue to attend the meetings by himself because it was too painful for me. I was also too angry and didn't know what to do with those feelings.

God, I don't get it.

There were power struggles within the leadership of the convention and that divisive force of mistrust seemed to be everywhere. Needless to say, both of us began to feel frustrated and deflated. How was God to use us in this environment? Where would we find our strength to continue? How could we minister to people on all sides of many issues? There were so many needs and yet we felt like we were trying to move our vehicle forward while it was stuck in mud and "spinning our wheels."

God, I really don't get it.

In September I had the opportunity to travel to Puerto Rico to do some deputation and to visit with my extended family. It felt good to be able to visit churches, share from my heart and feel that God still used my gifts in the pulpit. I felt like I was breathing again. Yet I felt guilty because I didn't feel happy to be heading back to our place of ministry. How could I be a blessing to others in ministry when I felt like I did. I seemed to be in this rut with no way out.

God, I really need to get it…

Then I received the Christmas Greeting tape from our colleagues at Valley Forge. Many warm greetings and good hearted ribbing were included in that tape. I listened to the voices of many people that I have come to care about in the last five years and just the sound of their voices warmed my heart. I heard the voices of Charles Jones and Jose Norat. Both were warm pastoral voices. Voices that uplifted my Spirit and said to me, "Abound in Hope, don't forget that Jesus faced many obstacles, yet he hoped. He didn't let those obstacles stop him. When Jesus came into this world there were many power struggles, people with competing agendas, and Jesus kept trying to share his message with a people that just didn't get it.

I have come to serve.

In Luke 22.25-27 Jesus says to his disciples, "The kings of the pagans have power over their people, and the rulers claim the title ‘Friends of the People'. But this is not the way it is with you; rather, the greatest one among you must be like the youngest, and the leader must be like the servant. Who is greater, the one who sits down to eat or the one who serves him? The one who sits down, of course. But I am among you as one who serves."

OK God, I get it…Help me to get it every day.

Another colleague, Ellen Brown, also spoke to me through my children's Christmas card. I am copying that "Franciscan Benediction" as a gift to all of you. (Thanks Ellen)

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.Amen

Family Update

As I write tonight, I think of the hope of a new year, and the blessings of having made it through the old one, and more than that, to have enjoyed so much. I think of the blessings of having met so many wonderful folk in the US, who are doing their best to be faithful to our Lord. I think of having returned to work with our Mexican brothers and sisters. As Mercy alluded before, there are many challenges, but it is so good to be able to renew our work, and the relationships that are so important.

I think of the precious people with whom we work. Gilberto was married this year to a wonderful young lady, Rosa Elena, from Primera Iglesia Bautista de Mexicali (First Baptist Church of Mexicali).

I think of Moisés, the pastor of Iglesia Cristiana Bautista Ebenezer, who has motivated his church after receiving a challenge to plant a church. Ebenezer is eight years old, and is growing greatly, so it is more than time to do what they are doing.

And I think of the blessings of my family. Aida, Richie and Joshua are thriving. Aida is doing well in her studies, though the learning curve of High School is a bit steeper than she anticipated. She is in drama club, and continues to write so well. Thank you for those who noticed her poem and her speech in American Baptist publications, and have written to her. We tell her how good her writing is, but "yeah yeah, we're her parents." To have others recognize her is a blessing.

In affirming the Puerto Rican part of her heritage, we celebrated her 15th birthday with a quinceañero, along with her cousin Aida, who also celebrated her 15th at about the same time (It's a long story.) This event was an acknowledgement of Aida's passing from being a little girl to being a young lady. As you can see, she looks like a bride in her dress.

Please, Lord, ten more years would be nice!

Richie is blooming academically, and physically too. I swear that he grows every time I turn around. Pretty soon we will be seeing each other eye to eye, even when we don't agree! It is a joy (usually) to see him grow so, though those who have parented pre-teen boys have an idea of some of the challenges we face. He is getting better and better at chess, and is learning so many tricks with the computer. Both Aida and Richie are now Orange belts in Karate, and are continuing to hone their skills. Now if they would only stop trying to use it on each other!

Joshua is in first grade and is reading very well now. I looked at the wallpaper on the computer screen one night and noticed one of his computer drawings. I asked him "did you do that?" "Yeah," he said, "it was easy. " Speaking of learning curve, being dad is getting more challenging every day, but I wouldn't trade it or them for the world. (Sometimes I'd take 50 cents, though!) Josh is very pleased that the Blue Angels have returned, though he will see them less often because he is now in school all day.

Mercy and I have celebrated 17 years of marriage. I cannot believe the journey we have been on to this point. I don't dare make predictions for the future either!! And I have turned 40. Well, as my mom said, "it is better to be over the hill than under it!" But a week after having turned 40, I awoke with double vision in one eye. As it turned out, it was a minor thing, but my ophthalmologist recommended reading glasses and 81mg aspirin. Oh brother!

There is so much more to say, but we will try to keep you more up to date in this year to come. Again, thank you for the blessings you have been to us though your support, prayers, letters, and for some your physical presence. I truly do "thank God in my every remembrance of you." (Philippians 1:3)

In Christ's love,

Rick