Branching out

“And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 4:19

Since being back in the states, we have been reveling in the beautiful family we have around us and appreciating what a gift it is. What a joy it is to be among so many family and friends that believe in Christ and try to love and pray for their neighbors. What a joy it is to see people fighting against hate with love every day.

As I read yesterday’s daily readings, on St. Matthew’s feast day, my heart was moved yet again when Jesus said to Matthew, “Follow me,” and he simply “got up and followed him.” He was considered by his people to be a grave sinner, and yet he got up and followed him, no questions asked and no hesitation, simply because he was invited.

Something my mom always said to me growing up has remained in my mind: To those who have been given much, much is expected. We’ve been stateside near family and friends for almost five months now, and I’ve realized that it has been a time of gathering more love and faith and getting filled up for when we go out again, to spread all that love with whichever ‘Matthew’ we can find. To seek out those who might get up and follow him, if only they were invited, no matter how sick or how lost they are.

“It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick.”
Matthew 9:12

Once again we are feeling called to reach out to the lost, marginalized and sick in person. Our roots run deep, and we believe we are called to branch out, to give much and to spread that love again. We have decided to serve this upcoming year in Puerto Rico, and will return to the mission field at the end of October, if God allows.

Although our hearts want to be back at our mission in Costa Rica right now, their border is not open for us currently, and for personal reasons we need to be able to have access to certain things that Puerto Rico can provide. Meanwhile we will be able to continue practicing our Spanish and serve in missions near another missionary family.

*One of our last family pictures in Costa Rica*

Leaving and having to say goodbye again is such a big sacrifice, but we keep our gaze on Jesus. He being our ultimate example, left his family when he came to walk the earth to seek out the lost and draw them into his love. There was so much hate and divisiveness in his day, much like today, and he had to counter it with love. We seek to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, allowing God to invite others to follow him through us.

We invite you as well to join us in the great commission. If you’d like to join us on our mission, please follow our blog, add us to your daily prayers, give us your prayer intentions and/or consider contributing monthly to our mission. Let’s be inspired together by the Gospel and let our branches extend to the ends of the earth in whatever way we can! Let’s conquer hate and indifference by spreading love wherever we are.