Acts and Love in Action: BGsEtAl 2020Nov; Vol. XXI Num. 04; Thy Faithfulness…

November: Two things we usually do when we sit to write a journal are: we listen to music and we read the journal of the previous year for that month. Why, you would ask? Because music inspires us and reminding ourselves of the year before gives us perspective on our current situation and hope for the future.

This time has been no exception. Once again, we can see God at work as we hear music and read last year’s journal for November (Giving Thanks). Marcos Vidal is one of our favorite Christian worshipers and precisely as we were starting to write, the playlist started the tune of “Great is Thy faithfulness”, and wow! We can affirm without a shadow of a doubt that great has been His faithfulness to us, always, but particularly this year since that last November’s journal. Back then we were still adjusting to our move back to the USA after barely a year of service to Colombia. My mom’s health deemed it necessary for us to expediently relocate and we were blessed to find a place in Florida that has become our headquarters.

From our living quarters, we have continued our ministry to Colombia and our development of the discipleship and Bible study materials. Carlos went to Colombia last November and our adult children came home for their Christmas breaks. This 2020 started with earthquakes in Puerto Rico that affected the southwestern side of the island. In February yours truly went to Colombia and almost immediately to Puerto Rico for the March annual sessions of the Puerto Rico Baptist Churches. And then, COVID-19 wreak havoc. What a stressful, blessed, challenging, exhilarating, depressive, and hopeful year 2020 has been! And December is still to come… Many are looking forward to 2021 while trying to forget 2020 existed.

Yet, if we have learned anything from the Apostle Paul it is what he teaches in Philippians 4:11-13 (CSB), “I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.” We most definitely resonate with what he wrote and try to apply this in each of our days.

As we continue to learn to be disciples who disciple others, while grounded (as in not being able to fly anywhere due to the pandemic), we have continued serving Colombia, staying in touch with the Wayuu and Arijuna in Riohacha, the Guajira, as well as with the Colombians and Venezuelan migrants in Cúcuta, the Santanderes. We may not be physically there, but we are with them through our prayers, encouragement, and financial support as many of them have lost their jobs, have their housing and basic needs in jeopardy, and feel isolated and left behind as most of them do not have access to government assistance like other countries, like ours. Great is Thy faithfulness in caring for these little ones. Most of them live day to day, seeing by faith where their resources will come from.

Amidst this pandemic, good things have happened. The churches are more open than ever though away from the four walls of the sanctuaries. Virtual services through WhatsApp, Free Conference Call, FB Live, Zoom, or drive-thru style, so many ways for the churches to reach those they were not reaching before the pandemic. His message is reaching corners of the world that had not been reached before. Technology will never replace the expansion of the Kingdom of God, but it has enhanced its reach. And as hard to imagine as it may sound, even discipleship is now being done through these means, for His mission continues as before, during, and after the pandemic. Until Jesus returns, we continue seeing by faith, and trusting His faithfulness to guide us to reach others with His message: His loving care and teachings, hand in hand.

We are not sure when we will be able to fly to Colombia or any of the Iberoamerica and the Caribbean countries to accompany them through discipleship, but until that happens, we take advantage of the technology that brings us close to so many through acts and love in action! Thank you for continuing to provide a portion of our needs through your ongoing support. Currently at 89% of support pledged toward our personalized support goal (PSG), we are grateful for being 11% closer to what is required of us. May the Lord bless you for your faithfulness to Him in providing for us and many of our colleagues in sharing His Good News in the variety of places and ministries that continue amidst this pandemic.

Stretching further toward the goal “grateful for His faithfulness and yours”,
your BGs Et Al

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