Is a Hurricane Coming?

Is a Hurricane Coming?

Eunice and I grew up in a semi-desert city. I saw tumbleweeds roll past my house, felt the dry wind on my face, and lived through many dust storms that would darken the entire city sky for several minutes.

It wasn't until we moved to Mazatlán that we experienced a hurricane season for the first time. It sounds scarier than it actually is.

We have been through 9 seasons and, thank God, we haven't had any major hurricanes hit Mazatlán directly, although we have spent hours without power and days without water.

In theory, since you know in advance what might be coming, every year you need to be prepared with supplies and everything necessary for an emergency.

It's like saying it started to rain. It can be a good or bad thing depending on the circumstances or how prepared your house is to weather a storm. But rain, to a certain extent, is neutral.

—-— QUICK RECAP

Going from the semi-desert to hurricanes in Mazatlán sounds worse than it is. In 9 years, we've only dealt with power and water outages; ultimately, just like rain, a hurricane is manageable if you prepare in advance.

Regarding our calling to Spain, I knew it would be a season of change, that we needed to prepare, and we have been trying to do just that.

Suddenly, and sooner than I expected, it started to "rain"... major changes began happening in our lives.

For example:

As a family, we celebrated the 16th birthday of Dayna, our oldest daughter. Ammi, our middle daughter, will be turning 15 a few weeks before we leave for Spain. And suddenly, everything starts to become: our last birthday in Mexico, our last summer in Mazatlán, our last Christmas with our relatives.

At home, we have intensified the process of downsizing our possessions (which I didn't think were that many), but you never know how much stuff you've accumulated until you have to move.

In our case, we will only take to Spain what fits in 2 or 3 suitcases per family member.

By the way, our contacts in Spain have told us that it is very difficult to find a house or apartment. One family took about 7 months to get settled.

Late one night, Eunice and I were searching online, looking at some possibilities and trying to gauge how far in advance we should start looking and how much it will cost us.

The next morning, one of our friends in Almería told us that they know someone who will be leaving their house between April and May (the same dates we plan to arrive) and that there is a possibility we could rent there. It hasn't been confirmed, but it is definitely something you can pray about for us.

—-— QUICK RECAP

The move to Spain accelerated the changes. We are already experiencing our "lasts" in Mexico and downsizing our possessions to just a few suitcases. Although finding housing there is difficult, a possible option in Almería came up for our arrival, for which we ask for your prayers.

Another big change is that I am no longer working full-time at Calvary Maranatha, nor receiving a salary.

I am still an Assistant Pastor and the relationship with my pastor Tony is intact. But, after almost 8 years of serving 100% focused on ministry, it has been interesting to enter this transition early. Plus, there is the matter of providing for the family, but God is good and always provides.

The first day I was at home, without going out to work, a job opportunity came up that is still in development. In the meantime, we have seen some miracles of provision.

For example, we usually order our groceries online and have them delivered to our house. Usually, something is missing or extra, so we always have to check it. When Eunice checked it this week, she realized that double the amount of all the fruits and vegetables she ordered had arrived. She called the store to let them know, and they told her to just keep it, that there was no problem.

—-— QUICK RECAP

I had to leave my full-time job at the church. I am still an Assistant Pastor and, during this financial transition, we have experienced God's quick provision through new job opportunities and small daily miracles.

Transitions always involve an initial challenge. But as Christians, we have the confidence that all the changes that come into our lives have a divine purpose.

We are witnessing very clearly the two sides of change: what we are leaving behind in the past, and the blessings and challenges of what is to come.

But we want to have the attitude of Paul: to press on!

I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Philippians 3:12-14

In the beginning, God created the seasons (according to Genesis 1:14), and although we do not have details on exactly how they worked, we can see that changes existed from the start, even before the fall.

It is wonderful that our God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, also gives us new mercies every morning.

God created winter, and we cannot deny that it is the perfect transition to spring.

How can you continue to pray for us?

- That God would continue to give us direction before we leave, during our departure, and as we settle in Almería.

- That God would continue to bring the members of the different teams for this mission (prayer team, monthly supporters, care team, those who will go to Spain) with the same vision and passion to go that we have.

- For the protection of our family's minds and emotions during the process of leaving everything behind.

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