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“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”

Acts 13:2&3

On February 11th, 2024 we took part in a church tradition that has been around for nearly 2000 years. Grace Baptist Church banned together around us, laid their hands on us, prayed for us, and sent us out!

As we prepared for our commissioning service weekend, Kathleen and I, were often paused for a moment of reflection on the greatness of God and how blessed we are to be part of an eternal ministry. Missions has a far greater impact than just on sending us to Paraguay. We have been called as believers in Christ to make disciples of all nations and that means impacting lives for eternity. We have simply been called to do this very thing in another country as missionaries. As we sat and prayed together, we were humbled regularly in amazement that God would call us to such a task.

The weekend started with a dinner on Friday evening as family and friends came to join in the celebration. It was a great blessing to have representation from several of our supporting churches joining us for the weekend. We had great fellowship, food, and were challenged from the Word of God to consider our Samaria. Pastor and President of Adelphos, Patricio Oliva gave the charge that we would consider what might be our Samaria and how God has purposed the gospel to go to all nations.

Sunday morning was a great morning of memory making. Director of Adelphos-USA, Shawn Haynie, gave a charge to Grace Baptist Church as our sending church. They were charged from 2nd Thessalonians 3:1-5 to “keep praying, keep pure, and keep growing.” We were then charged by Pastor Dupignac as missionaries from 1st Corinthians 4:1-2 “Be Found Faithful.”

As missionaries, we agree to:

• Pursue holiness, humility, and harmony with team members, partners and supporting Christians as well as submitting to the authority of Grace Baptist Church.
• Demonstrate agreement with their sending church and Adelphos-USA in doctrine and practice.
• Communicate regular ministry updates and needs to leadership, prayer and financial partners.
• Communicate and consult Grace Baptist Church and Adelphos-USA regarding ministry choices and changes early in the decision process.
• Be a teachable servant and lifelong learner, engaging in development recommended by Grace Baptist Church and Adelphos-USA.

We praise the Lord for the work He has done, for the work He is doing and for the work He has prepared for us to accomplish. Our prayer is to be found faithful. If you missed the service I have attached it below and pray that you find it a blessing as we have.

As I work through the semester, I am excited for what the Lord has ahead for us. I have been paying extra close attention in classes to how the themes are taught and what methods are used in teaching. Please continue to pray as I take these courses that my understanding would continue to increase. I am very thankful for the men that God has brought together to aid in our further training.

We continue to make progress toward getting to the field. Please pray for Pastor Juan Carlos Escobar and his wife as they travel to the United States. We look forward to meeting up with them this month to discuss some of the details as to our arrival on the field. Also, please continue to pray for our partners in Paraguay as they seek housing for us on the field. The housing market has continued to be difficult, but we are confident that the Lord has the perfect place instore for us.

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing. Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

Psalm 100:1-5

We have so much to be thankful for not just because it is the month of November but because we serve the Lord who is good, whose steadfast love endures forever and whose faithfulness extends to all generations. That means as believers in Jesus Christ, we should be filled with thankfulness! The kids got to share from 1st Thessalonians 5:18 “Dad gracias en todo!” What a great reminder that our thanks to God extends to all circumstances.

We are thankful for the opportunity to socialize with believers in Jesus Christ. Anytime Latinos can gather to celebrate they will, and this month was no different. Because of the diverse cultures on campus you never know what is going to end up on the table. For us that usually isn’t a problem. Sometimes we have to be a little cautious because of allergies but you can always find something. We were looking forward to the collection of foods that would arrive on the table at our Thanksgiving feast on campus and well, it was filled with turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and vegies. But no gathering would be complete without a bowl of rice!

We are thankful for brothers in the ministry. It was great to have Shawn and Tina Haynie on campus the end of October. We always enjoy our time together and while it was busy with missions conference, we are thankful they were able to take some time to just catch up! One of the other things we got to do this month was to video a quick update to our brothers in Paraguay! It was a great joy to be asked and to spend a moment putting together a quick thought to share with them. We even sent the video in Spanish!

We are thankful for the opportunities to make memories! This month has been busy but we have not neglected to take some time to just be together as a family and do some good laughing! We are two weeks from finishing classes and just over two weeks from beginning the journey back to Washington. Our schedule for what lies ahead: Finish classes on December 8th, pack up and clean up December 9th-11th. Our plan is to start making the journey back to Washington on the evening of December 12th. We don’t have set plans for stops and stays along the way. Our goal is to just drive as long as we can and stop where we need to for some rest. Please pray for us as we begin the journey.

Our commissioning service is set for February 11th and we will keep you updated on details as we get closer. We will be in Washington for two months finishing paperwork and preparing for the move. This two-month window allows us to focus on completing school well and not getting overwhelmed by extra things on the list. We are waiting on about 6 other documents to come in the mail. Praise the Lord we have a lot of the process over with, please pray as we work with a lawyer in Paraguay to help in securing our residency.

Kids Thankfulness:

Temperance: Tia (Yesinia) that she is able to take care of us.

Jedidiah: For family and food

Adara-Dasha: God’s creation of trees.

Elijah: Mom and Dad

LuVerna: For Mommy

“He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, through He is not far from each one of us”

Acts 17:26-27

This month was full of celebrations. The beginning of the month we celebrated Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day). It is Latin America’s celebration of the discovery of the Western Hemisphere. This day on campus is very special as all the countries celebrate and share a piece of their history, culture, and way of life. If you watch our YouTube you will see just a little bit of what went into this day!

For missionaries this day is celebrated a little different. We get to share a little of our North American culture but also get to participate with the country God has called us to serve. There were lots of volunteers for team USA, and team Paraguay invited us to join in. It was a real blessing to help cook, decorate, and to stand with Katherin and Miguel while she raised the flag of Paraguay.

It was a real blessing to reflect on the culture we come from. Many of the students in the language program even coming from different backgrounds. Then to see the cultures that surround us here on campus. As we reflect on what God has asked us to do and where he has asked us to serve.

Growing to have a three-culture perspective is interesting. As children of God we have our heavenly home and are blessed to have the Word of God to give us a Biblical Worldview. As citizens of the United States of America we have our place on this earth with laws and government. But as a family who seeks a residency elsewhere, there is a different take-off/put-on principle being applied. We don’t give up our first two to make this happen, but we add to our cultural perspectives (it gets more fun to think about when you consider that each of our kids will have their own perspective). We are excited for what lies ahead and are thankful for what God has used to prepare the way.

The rest of October stayed pretty busy. Kathleen was blessed with the opportunity of sharing a Bible study with the ladies from our church. I lead in the Lord’s Supper at church as well as attended a class on the Israel Palestine Conflict (in Spanish). We packed in as many family activities as we could as well as celebrating our 13th wedding anniversary. It was a month full of exciting things.

As the month closes out we are on a fall break. We have mission conference here on campus that begins Wednesday and have the week off from normal classes. We will then have three weeks of classes, Thanksgiving break, followed by our last two weeks of classes. Hard to believe that in just over a month we will be heading back to Washington. In the meantime, what needs to be done both for school and in preparing for the move to Paraguay continues to be our focus.

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.”

Psalms 62:5-6

Last January when we set foot onto campus the emotions were high but all throughout first semester, we saw the hand of God. First semester flew by! By the time we caught our breath it was time for summer break. We hit the ground running into second semester and now over a third of the way there, we continue to feel His presence in our lives. “He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress;” I love the description used in this verse of where we find our hope.

One of the other things we got to enjoy this month is a lot of celebrating! The month of September celebrates the independence of a couple countries that are represented here on campus and it made for some great festivities. We will add some pictures of some of the events on to our video for the month, so please make sure to watch out for that on YouTube.

Our schedule has continued to be busy with classes, ministries, and activities. We appreciate the letters and packages, as well as the emails we receive. They are a huge part of carrying us along in the journey. As we start the documentation process for the move to Paraguay we appreciate your prayers as we get it all in order. We have all the paperwork for the kids passports and are just waiting for an appointment to be scheduled. Some offices are hard to get ahold of. Please pray that we can get these submitted in the next week and then we will begin the background checks for Kathleen and I. Also please pray as I secure representation in Paraguay to help us in the residency process. It can be tricky navigating the right person for the task that also wont cost us an arm and a leg.

When I (Jared) arrived back from Paraguay it was nice to see that many students had already started to return. Things were slowly coming back to life on campus which meant we had people to catch up with, stories to hear, and the kids had friends to play with. Now that we are two weeks into our studies there is plenty going on here on campus and we are never shy on things to get done for classes.

Our classes consist of Grammer, Grammer lab, Public Speaking, Conversations, Latin American Orientation, and Missionary Spiritual Life. It is a full load which also includes chapel twice a week and attending Spanish Church service on Sunday. We spend our mornings in classes and our afternoons practicing!

It is simply amazing to see how God works through this ministry. As stated in previous updates one of the hardest parts of this stage has been finding where we fit for ministry. It has been a great joy to invest in the lives of the students here on campus. We have created many wonderful relationships with single and married students and have seemed to fill our home with opportunities to minister right where we are at.

This semester comes with its own twist as we also prepare for the move to Paraguay! It seems like there are so many things to get accomplished and not nearly enough time to get the list done. But we know the God who has called us and we know that He is faithful to provide us what we need for each day. Please be in prayer for us as we stay focused on what is in-front of us one day at a time. Also please pray for the kids, they have adjusted well to having their Tia and the boys back at the house (it has been cute watching them reconnect). Pray as we connect with students to use our time wisely in serving the Lord.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.”

Psalm 34:8

As July started we were excited for what the Lord had prepared for us. Everyone was excited to see family and to make memories. We had lists of things we wanted to do and were eager to see their faces. There was also the opportunity for me (Jared) to make a trip to Paraguay and I couldn’t wait. It had been 8 years since our last trip, the trip that God used to call our family to the ministry. For this update I want to share a little bit about what God did while I was in Paraguay and things we are looking forward to.

Tuesday would start out at Hope Christian School seeing students, sharing my testimony, and answering some questions. It was a great way to start off my time in Ciudad del Este and to connect with some of the students. Following that Pastor J.C. Escobar picked me up and we began discussing what our family is looking for in a house in Paraguay. We drove around several neighborhoods and took notes and got ideas. We are not picky, but we also want to be in an area where we can be comfortable and with space for all of us.

In Paraguay the best conversations are held around the table. We had been praying for good communication while on this trip. It was important for me to share what was in my head, but also to listen to what they have going on. We had a lot of meals, which meant we did a lot of talking and I am really really full.

There were several things on the radar in going down to Paraguay this summer. One of which was connecting with Pastor Sergio Escobar. Both Pastor J.C. Escobar and Pastor S. Escobar have a great vision “Paraguay para Cristo!” They have a strong desire to raise up men in the local church and to send them out into the ministry as Pastors and Church Planters. I love this vision and the more we sat and talked the more I realized that God was up to something great. Their passion, vision, and projection are spot on with where I feel God calling us to serve and this turned us from simply being brothers in Christ to friends for the ministry. We are very excited for the path that lies ahead.

Saturday I had the opportunity to go and see a new area for ministry. I will share more about Missionary Felix and his family later, but God has opened a really great opportunity for them. Minga Guazú is about 15km from Ciudad del Este and it is wide open for the gospel message of Jesus Christ. Please pray for Pastor Felix and his family as they begin to make connections and build relationships. Much needs to be done, but the Lord has planned a way and they are trusting as He leads them.

That’s Pastor J.C. Escobar to your left and Missionary Felix on the Right.

I left Paraguay very blessed! Having made great connections, had great communication and lots of enthusiasm for the future we are ready to finish second semester strong. I was encouraged to keep focused and ministry will be there when we arrive.

How can you pray for what lies ahead: First off pray for us while we finish language school. We have several other things to accomplish while taking classes to make sure we are ready for the move. Please pray we do all this faithfully. Secondly please pray for our ministry partners. They have their work cut out for them! They are looking into homes and have funds to get one furnished prayerfully prior to our arrival. We have been praying about renting for our first year, but have now opened to the idea of purchasing. The market is a little different in Paraguay, would you join us in prayer about this. Thirdly, pray that above all the name of the Lord Jesus Christ would shine bright in the country of Paraguay!

The Heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

This verse means more and more as we approach our time to head to Paraguay as a family. We are assured that God has the perfect plan for getting us to Paraguay and in His time we will see His will. Our focus is to remain to be faithful in service and follow His leading in our lives. As I (Jared) prepare for heading to Paraguay the end of this month to get some things organized we thought it would be appropriate to send out a ministry update as the end of the month might keep us a little occupied.

What a joy it is to serve the Lord here in the Rio Grande Valley this summer. Between connecting with students on campus and serving in the local church we are thankful for the opportunities God has given us. The end of last month we were blessed to be involved with a few ministries in church. That has continued to be the case for us as the Lord has provided opportunity.

We had a great few days with Papa and Nana but their trip was too short. While we wish we would have stopped and taken more pictures of our time together the memories will always be in our hearts and minds. We thank everyone who sent their love with my folks. My mom really worked hard to picture every face that asked her to pass on a message. We really are blessed and refreshed.

We are really excited to have Grandma and Neil joining us the end of this week. They will be with Kathleen and the Kids while I am in Paraguay. They are looking forward to making many wonderful memories together and we look forward to sharing some of those with you all later.

As I stated the rest of the month will be plenty busy. Grandma and Neil come on Friday to begin their time with us. I (Jared) fly out on the 23rd and arrive in Paraguay on the 24th and am returning on August 1st. Most of the trip is around organizing and preparing for our move. Please pray for safety traveling, for great fellowship, and the opportunities to serve the Lord. I look forward to sharing how the trip went once I return.

“The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens”

Proverbs 3:19 ESV

This month has been a slow one. After saying goodbyes in May and as the campus got quiet the heat set in. A heat that the locals say is unusual for this time of year and keeps most people indoors. We have followed suit but not without enjoying time with those who are still hanging around. It has been a real blessing to have some staff and students around to help pass the time.

The School of Church Planting is something that Baptist Mid-Missions offers every year and focuses on a few different aspects. While much of this years focus was on Cross-Cultural or Inter-Cultural Church planting in the United States there were several great takeaways from the conference that will be helpful on the foreign field. Largely because Paraguay has such a variety of cultures that we can minister to. The classes went fast and the information was deep but I am looking forward to time in review once we arrive on the field and can work out some things as to how it pertains to our ministry to the people of Paraguay.

After I returned from this conference the family was ready to get away for a day so we made a trip to the beach. South Padre Island is only about an hour away and it is a nice get-away for the family. Being raised in the Pacific Northwest I had never been to a warm beach before so the experience was new and very fun! We would like to make more trips to the beach this summer as it is close by and the temperature is 10 to 15 degrees cooler there then here in Edinberg.

The month of July will be a busy month and we are excited for what God is bring our way. My (Jared’s) parents will be visiting for a few days at the start of the month. We know that they are really coming to see the grandkids, but we can all be excited that they are coming. We have been getting more involved at church which has opened opportunities for Kathleen to teach in Children’s Ministry and for Me to lead in worship. The end of the month Kathleen’s mom and her husband are coming for a visit to help pass the time while I take a trip to Paraguay. The kids are very excited to see all of the grandparents and to make some memories. Please pray for a good month of memory making.

My tickets for Paraguay have been purchased and I fly our July 23rd. This trip is three-fold in purpose: 1) to encourage the church 2) to take some supplies down and 3) to start getting some things in order for the move. I will arrive in Paraguay on July 24th and will fly out of Asuncion on July 31st. This will be a quick trip and full of activities please pray for all that is involved. It has been 8 years since our last trip to Paraguay and it will be exciting to be back especially as we prepare to make the move.