Suitcases, Spreadsheets, and Kingdom Work

Suitcases, Spreadsheets, and Kingdom Work

February has me knee-deep in last-minute details for our upcoming March trip to Costa Rica. I’ll be traveling with Lisa, a fellow high school teacher and ministry partner-in-crime, as we lead 12 students back to Parrita to serve alongside Iglesia Casa de Restauración Manantial de Vida.

Our week will be full: leading VBS, participating in food distribution, investing in youth group, and even sharing the Sunday morning sermon. (Yes, the students are both thrilled and slightly nervous about that part.)

Right now, the kids are preparing—and I am pushing and lovingly prodding. For most of them, this will be their very first missions trip. Watching the anticipation build has been one of my favorite parts. Even more exciting? Five students from our October team are actively planning to pursue missions after they graduate in May. There is nothing quite like seeing seeds take root.

Would you pray for this current team?

• Pray for deep, personal encounters with God.
  

• Pray that their faith would move from theory to lived experience.
  

• Pray for Lisa and me to have the stamina to keep up with 12 energized teenagers. (Coffee donations accepted in spirit.)

La Roca: Growth in Motion

Meanwhile, Centro Familiar La Roca continues to move forward by leaps and bounds in Ecuador.

In just four months, our team has nearly doubled in size. Our Guayaquil extension is currently awaiting government approval to officially launch—a milestone we are eagerly anticipating. We are now a team of 20, training and preparing as a technical team of psychologists, social workers, and family facilitators, while also leading awareness programs in local churches. Read our Project Proposal for more information.

Our goal is clear: to have 10 foster families vetted and trained, ready to begin receiving children by August 2026. It’s ambitious. It’s prayer-dependent. And it’s moving forward.

Healing Before Serving

My current role with the foundation includes leading the Mending the Soul – Explore program for women, while Guido leads the men’s portion. This seven-week journey is the first step for all team members and interested foster families.

My February group launched last week with nine incredible women. Guido’s group begins this Monday. The study gently but intentionally leads participants through personal reflection, spiritual growth, and a deeper understanding of God’s redemptive work.

At La Roca, we believe something deeply: healing precedes healthy caregiving. Before we step into the sacred responsibility of fostering vulnerable children, we step into our own healing. Restoration isn’t just something we offer—it’s something we pursue.

Looking Ahead: Member Care & Partnership

June will take me back to Ecuador for most of the month in my Member Care role. I’ll be meeting individually with each of our 20 team members, investing in them personally, and helping facilitate a team retreat.

We’ll be joined by a team from The Vineyard Church, as well as Jeff, a potential new La Roca team member. Jeff will begin helping us develop a Sponsor Family system—an initiative designed to bring churches in the U.S. alongside Ecuadorian foster families through prayer, encouragement, and tangible support. Hopefully I will be able to fully introduce you to Jeff as our newest team member!

Because this work has never been about one team in one country. It’s about the Body of Christ moving together.

Thank you for praying. Thank you for partnering. And thank you for believing that stepping out in faith is always worth it.

More soon from the road. ✈️