Big progress as the summer begins

“How long, oh Lord?”

“How long will you hide your face from me?”

“How long…”

“How long…”

Four times, David cried out to God in Psalm 13 for an answer from the depths of despair and doubt. He needed an answer not to why this was happening but to when it would be over.

David knew that if God didn’t help he had no hope at all.

“Look on me and answer, Lord my God!”

Even though he wasn’t sure that God cared, that God heard, that God was still around, he called God “MY GOD.” That is big, and it proved a turning point for David. By the end of this short 6-verse psalm, David’s despair and doubt turned to confidence in the Lord’s goodness. His problems and pains had not be erased or defeated. He still had his doubts, but after expressing his doubts within a framework of trust, he was able to rest in God.

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Last night I had the opportunity to share an online chapel message on Psalm 13 for a seminary in Peru called Centros Teológicos Bautistas (CTB). A little earlier this week a graduate and member of the administrative team had passed away. As it was online and broadcast live, I didn’t receive much feedback, but the coordinator said that it was a timely message for the CTB team, given the loss of their co-worker and friend.

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Family Updates

Our four kids (Aila-9, Ilana-8, Isaia-6, and Imara-4) are finishing their first year at Potter’s House Elementary school next week. This was their first year learning in English, and it was a real struggle initially. Several of them were behind their grade-level in reading ability and fluency. This was not a surprise because previously they attended a dual-language program where the majority of the instruction was in Spanish. Potter’s House provided some extra support, and the kids showed tremendous growth. We are so proud of all of them! We are also thankful that God opened doors for the kids to attend Potter’s House. It provides a loving, Christian environment in English. We really want our kids to solidify their English skills before we head to Peru, where most of their world will be in Spanish.

On Easter, Aila was baptized! She had been asking for a couple of years to be baptized, and we wanted to wait until she understood what it meant. This year we felt she was ready. An added benefit is that, now that we live in MI (we were in Illinois the previous 3 years), we attend the same church as the majority of my side of the family. So, Aila was baptized in the presence of family and alongside her cousin.

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Progress Updates

Since our last update late in 2024, we have made significant progress in several areas.

Ph.D. Progress Tracker

Dissertation

Yesterday I turned in my second to last dissertation chapter. It was 25,000 words or 76 pages (not including bibliography). No one will call it a scintillating read, but I feel pretty good about (most of) it! With a draft of this chapter done, the finish line has never seemed closer.

I’ve submitted 5 chapters totaling just over 100k words, which is the maximum length for my dissertation. I still have one more body chapter and the intro and conclusion. Once I have a draft of everything, I’ll need to cut and edit down to under 100k.

Comprehensive Exams

In addition, I’ve completed 26 of 37 book reviews for my comprehensive exams and will have the 27th done by the end of the week.

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Ministry Partner Tracker

Since the end of 2024, we have had about 15 new partners join our team of financial supporters! We are honored and humbled by your support and investment in the ministry the Lord has for us. Thank you!

One of my favorite songs is called “Andar sobre el agua” by Santiago Benavides.

In the chorus he sings:

Benavides alludes to Peter’s short stroll on the water in Matthew 14:22–33. It can be so easy for us to think that faith and trust are needed in the hard times. But Peter and Benavides remind me that all of life is walking on the water. May our gaze always be on Jesus!

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Please Pray

• Please praise God for the ways he has provided for us financially, spiritually, through the kids school, etc.
• Please praise God for Aila’s baptism and passion for knowing God.
• The last several weeks have been quite intense for me as I work hard to finish my dissertation. Please pray for energy and creativity to finish strong and for God’s sustaining presence for the whole family
• Please pray that God would continue to provide new connections and supporters.
• Please pray that this summer would be refreshing and encouraging, particularly for Adriana and the kids.

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