Monday, August 1, 2011

On The Move Again!

I can’t believe it has been a year since our last post! We have so much to share as God has once again got us on the move. So, let’s start at the beginning…

Since Enrique returned from Africa in April 2010, we have been seriously praying and seeking God’s will for our future. Since we got married 8 years ago, we knew God had called us to serve Him in ministry together. During the past 3 years, Enrique has been serving God full time through the Salvation Army in St. Paul, MN. Although, Chrissie has joined in and served as she was able, she continued to work full time as a nurse. We knew God had equipped us and called us to serve Him as a team and therefore spent countless hours, days, and months seeking His will for our lives. During our time with the Salvation Army, we have seen God use a variety of methods, settings, and people to share the love of Christ to the world whether that is in an inner city, small town, or overseas. So, after several months of prayer, we realized that God has been gently leading us to full time ministry together as officers in the Salvation Army.

This past January, we began the process of applying for full time ministry with the Salvation Army. It has been exciting to see God continue to lead us and provide in big ways each step of the way. Although, we were unsure of the timing, God knew it all along. In May, we were accepted as officer candidates by the Salvation Army and trusted God with all the details. To become a Salvation Army officer, you are required to attend a 22 month training college in Chicago which begins each August. During this time of training, they prepare you to serve in a variety of ministry settings including inner city, suburban, social services, disaster relief, and cross-cultural ministry. Some of this, we have already done and been trained in and some of it will be completely new to us. Since we both have already attended Bible College and have ministry experience, they will not make us repeat courses, but rather give us opportunities to further our education and experiences by partnering with a Bible college and local Chicago area Salvation Army ministries.

So, what does this all mean??? We are moving to Chicago on August 19th!!! We put our house up for sale, we are selling many of our belongings, we resigned from our current jobs, and we are busy packing. The training college is located a few blocks from Wrigley Field and Lake Michigan! Our new baby girl, who is due on September 24th, will be born in Chicago and our beloved dog, Penny, is moving to New York to live with Enrique’s parents during the 22 month training period. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed in the training college apartments… When the training is over, our ultimate desire is to return to overseas ministry, but we will wait and trust God with our first assignment.

We would love for you to partner with us in prayer during this transition time and throughout our ministry with the Salvation Army. We look forward to hearing from many of you. We will begin to update our blog regularly once again as we move back into full time ministry as a family!

4 comments:

Natalie said...

I want to be the first to comment!! Whoo, whoo!!! So happy for you guys and so happy for me because I can't wait to come and visit. I can't wait to meet the little bean too! Love you guys!

Tells said...

WISHIN U GUYS THE BEST OF LUCK O UR FUTURE JOURNEY(S) I WILL BE PRAYING FOR U ALL I HAVE LEARNED A LOT FROM U AND I CONTINUE TO LET GOD SHOW UP AND OUT IN MY LIFE AS IAM SURE HE WILL IN URS LOVE U GUYS ANDI LOOK FOWARD TO HEARING ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS GOD IS DOING IN UR LIVES

Fetz said...

I'll pour the water, you pour the kool-aid, and together we shall stir!

Brandon and Jenny said...

Wow! That is so great to hear! We know that this has been a prayer for you guys for a while and we are so excited to hear how God is moving for you two to do ministry again together (officially) Can't wait to talk to you and get more info. Wow!!! Praise God!! (Is the salvation army in Guatemala? ;)