As I sit to write this, gratefulness fills my heart. Looking back over the past year, so much has happened, and so much has changed. Personally, it has been one of the busiest seasons of my life. At the same time, it also feels like a very fruitful season. Jessenia and I see God’s faithfulness in every aspect of our lives, and we can’t help but praise Him.
The fruit I am most grateful for this year has come in our marriage. Jessenia and I have had our seasons of difficulty and tribulation, selfishness and conflict. We’ve walked through darkness–both our own and with others–and been affected by the curse of sin. During our year long sabbatical in 2018-2019, many seeds were planted in our hearts and minds. We received so many blessings from so many people, and the LORD spoke to our hearts and promised us good things to come. While there were glimpses along the way, 2025 was a year of harvest. There has been more peace and more joy in our home than I ever remember having. Even when there are moments of conflict, we respond with maturity and security that were not present in previous years. I can’t say there was any one revelatory moment, rather the steady work of the Holy Spirit in us. It has been beautiful to behold, and I see that beauty reflected as I behold my wife’s face.
Jeruahel and Jadriel are wonderful. They both exude joy and excitement in the purity of innocence under the covering of His Love. Jeruahel thrives at school and loves her classmates well. Jadriel screeches at home, finding delight in being part of a loving family. It is increasingly evident to me that much of their sense of security comes from the confidence they have in knowing they are safe. When I say safe, I’m not referring to being safe from injury or from the dangers of the world. What I mean is that they know they belong. They know there is no danger of them losing their place. Mom, Dad and sister love them and will always love them. The consistency and steadfastness of our love poured out for them is but a murky reflection of the Love of God for His beautiful daughters. He is the source of our love for each other. We are safe in Him, the Fountain of Living Waters.
More than ever before, I look at the Hernandez and Mayorga families and see similar growth and consistency. Despite their mom, Francisca, working in Honduras for part of the year, Jeremy and Vanessa Mayorga seem more secure in who they are and where they belong than ever before. They just finished 10th and 7th grades, respectively, and seem to have more peace than in years past. Ezequiel Hernandez finished 6th grade and we got to enjoy his graduation ceremony. His mom, Alba, has been steady this year, caring for her children and grandchild. Even Margine seems more at peace depite being a mother. We took both families to the beach along with Juan Carlos, Elizabeth and Blanca, who all work with us. Despite many hands to help, Margine still sat with her daughter Camila (previously named Luz) instead of passing her off so she could play in the ocean. When Elizabeth did finally grab Camila from her arms, I enjoyed watching Margine join Bianca as they shared a surfboard, laughing together the entire time they were in the water. It was beautiful to observe these two, who lived as sisters most of their lives, see each other for the first time in a year and not miss a beat. Everyone felt safe.
I made it through my first semester as secondary principal. It wasn’t always peaceful, but I really see the Hand of the LORD over me and over our school. After much conflict the previous year, our faculty had a solid semester and seemed to come together well. They were gracious with me as I made mistakes and learned from them. Students have had to adjust as well as I enforce rules differently than our previous administrator. But when we come together I see a lot of heart in our staff and students. We care for each other well. There’s nothing perfect about it, and we have so much room to grow and better reflect Him, but we really do care about each other. I long for our school to be a safe place.
One student in particular, who I will call Jack, stands out in my mind. Jack has been depressed for several years, and we noticed him self-harming in the Spring. When we returned to school this Fall, we couldn’t ignore the scars on his arms. He missed a lot of school, and even harmed himself at school. We began meeting with his mom, and they both expressed that they had no hope for a better future. The family had never looked to Jesus as their Rock, and insecurity reigned. To make a very long story short, things have improved. I got permission from them to share certain things with his classmates, letting them know that home has not been a safe place for Jack while encouraging them to help school be one. The whole class has come around him and responded lovingly, uplifting his spirits. We’ve met several more times with mom, and I’ve even gone to their house on a couple occasions. She began praying and recently shared that she had a revelation which helped her understand her son. She has chosen to show him more love, and I believe this was an answer to her own prayers as well as ours. Many have joined in prayer for the reconciliation of Jack and his family, and I ask that you would consider praying for them as well.
And there’s more. But there’s always more, because He is always more. Yet I must mention my thankfulness for the Body of Christ. So many of you support us through prayer and finances, and we want you to know we are thankful for you. We thank God for you every time we think of you. He has met our every need, for 20 plus years now, and He has show Himself to be the One and Only time and again. No matter the circumstance, He is greater. So cast your cares upon Him who is Faithful and True, and remember that He didn’t just come as a baby, but as the Savior of the world. Let Him be your Savior, and find safety in His arms.