Happy 4th of July week!! As we celebrate the birthday of our country, we are especially thankful for the freedoms we have but so often take for granted. Even with her noticeable flaws (since after all, all countries are inhabited by sinful people!), America continues to grant us rights that many don’t have. Let’s celebrate the good and be part of the solution for the bad.

Welcome July with a bang!!

This past month has included a week in Mexico, lots of counseling, some out-of-town guests, and “purging” our “stuff." Though we’ll never really adjust to June not being full of preparation for a summer full of family camps, we are committed to using this time well and getting long neglected “things” done.

The week we spent in Mexico, split between Tijuana and Ensenada, was delightful in every way. How grateful we are to partner with these YWAM bases at which many are trained to spread the good news of Jesus. We’re especially thankful for the opportunity to proclaim the gospel as it relates to the value of Biblical marriage and its affirmation of God’s design. In this crazy, upside-down 2022 world, where confusion abounds and distortions proliferate, God’s Word speaks the Truth with authority. How good to know we have an anchor in our unchanging God, the author of Truth.

Scott and Jamie Durham hosted us at the Tijuana YWAM base June 1-6, and our first time partnering with them confirmed that our hearts are very much in sync. We suspected that, based on our Zoom conversations, but there’s nothing like face-to-face interaction. We instantly felt bonded to them and their four children as we ate yummy tacos at one of their favorite haunts soon after arriving. They have served in Tijuana for 20 years and have had a profound impact on the shaping and leading of the ministry done there.

Their agenda for us included meeting with a small group of pre-engaged or engaged couples, speaking for a marriage conference, and counseling.

*Our “welcome to Tijuana” taco lunch with Scott and Jamie Durham and their four kids was so yummy!*

*The entrance to the Tijuana YWAM base.*

Some of our favorite “jam” is meeting with “unmarrieds” who are seriously considering marriage. We love to help couples think through the reality of marriage vs. the fantasy/myth of marriage. Within the ministry context, there seems to be an increase in vulnerability to not making the best decisions premaritally. Many couples “over spiritualize” the glory of their future life together while simultaneously underestimating the challenges they will face. At each of the YWAM bases at which we’ve spoken, this concern is shared among the leadership and has been confirmed by the counseling we’re doing. It was a joy to spend an evening with these young couples, who really do want to “get it right,” but are prone to minimizing the difficulty factor that their different cultures, life experiences, and rush to the altar will bring.

*We thoroughly enjoyed the evening spent with these young, in-love couples who are contemplating marriage.*

The marriage conference, held in Tijuana but also attended by the Ensenada team, was beautifully done. The committee did a lovely job of “setting the table” with gorgeous bouquets, yummy foods, and welcoming ambience. After a late afternoon start on Friday, the couples all left for “date night,” which was a very creative way to build in alone time for each couple. We reconvened for teaching all day Saturday. Since Paul and I were speaking through an interpreter, we actually only did a half day of teaching. :) The day ended with a Q-and-A time, during which some great questions were asked, followed by a lovely meal.

We loved every minute of it.

*Katie served as our interpreter for most of the conference. Here she stands with her husband behind the appetizer table for opening night.*

*The room was set up so beautifully! You could “feel the love” as you walked in.*

One of the true highlights for us was having Sean and Janet Lambert attend the conference. They are the directors of the San Diego/Baja YWAM team and founders of “Homes of Hope,” a ministry launched in 1991 in Tijuana, which has now expanded to 19 nations and has built over 5,000 homes for needy families. We instantly connected with Sean and Janet and were delightfully surprised by how many points of intersection our lives have. Their three adult daughters, raised on this mission field, are all serving Jesus faithfully, as are they.

We were gifted with a copy of Sean’s book, The Homes of Hope Story, which I consumed before we returned to Boston. Their journey together in marriage and ministry is nothing short of inspiring and I highly recommend the book as a vision expander. Paul and I hope to return to Tijuana with a group of families who want to be proactive in helping the truly materially needy.

We love their mission: to build an earthly home for each family and to introduce them to Jesus, who will give them an eternal home. We’re amazed at the sacrifices Sean and Janet have made throughout their marriage to serve “the least of these.” We are ecstatic to hear the stories of lives changed through this vital ministry.

The blessing was ours.

*Sean and Janet Lambert are the founders and directors of YWAM San Diego/Baja, as well as “Homes of Hope.”*

*This is a great read chronicling the genesis and development of “Homes of Hope."*

Counseling and walking on the beach filled the rest of our time in Tijuana and the grand finale was having dinner out with the Durham family. The next day we drove to Ensenada.

*Scott and Jamie Durham energetically and sacrificially serve at the Tijuana base.*

While in Tijuana, we missed attending the retirement ceremony from the US Coast Guard (held in Washington, DC) of Capt. Rob Warren (HIM Marriage Conference emcee and husband of our most able assistant, Gabby). Thankfully we were able to “zoom” in on it from Mexico and were so glad we could. Rob was duly honored for all the right reasons: his love and commitment to his wife and sons, his influence as a true man of God, and his excellent performance as an officer in the US Coast Guard. How thankful we are for both Rob and Gabby and their large contributions to the ministry of HIM.

Well done, Capt. Warren!! We’re sure that Rob’s second career as a civilian will be marked by the same level of character and performance excellence.

*The wonders of technology: zooming in on Rob Warren’s retirement ceremony, concluding his 30 years of faithful service to our country as an officer in the US Coast Guard.*

On to Ensenada . . . where Scott Durham passed us off to Tym and Samantha Kemp, the directors of the Ensenada YWAM base.

But first we must eat.

So off to their favorite fish or shrimp taco street stand and their rave reviews were upheld as we consumed one of each. Mouth watering deliciousness. Great start!!

*Fish and shrimp tacos at an unassuming taco stand…beyond!!*

We met with several couples for counseling that afternoon and then had the night “off.” We dined with some YWAM staff, got our 5-mile daily walk in prior to night falling, and retired early. The next morning we met with a group of parents, eager and open to hearing some teaching on Biblical parenting. The challenge is real. We reminded them that God loves their kids even more than they do and helping their children find Him in a personal way would be the biggest difference maker as they grow. Stephanie Murillo hosted the meeting and translated for us.

*The parents’ two-hour meeting was interactive and hope giving. And those donuts were good!*

*Stephanie Murillo, YWAM staff at Ensenada, hosted the parents’ meeting as well as translated for us.*

We counseled all afternoon and that evening, Omar and Stephanie Murillo hosted a small couples’ evening at their home.

And just like that, June 8th was upon us and we made our way back up across the border to San Diego airport, where we caught our “see America the long way” flight(s) home. Three stops and delays later, we landed at Logan at 2 am, where our faithful Uber driver, Richard, met us and got us home.

We’ll try to avoid that routing ever again.

Tym Kemp, director of the Ensenada YWAM base, drove us to the airport in San Diego for our return to Boston. The car ride provided the perfect window of time to dialogue about many things near and dear to our hearts.

Home again, our schedule has been more relaxed than usual. We’re doing about 16 hours of counseling a week, meeting up with friends, having people in for meals, etc.

We had a significant first on June 14 when we attended our first ever 12-step group. Invited by a client/friend who was celebrating the 4th anniversary of his sobriety from gambling, we were moved to tears numerous times as person after person testified of their struggles and successes within the context of that support group. Several made mention of the impact our friend has had on them as he unashamedly declares that Jesus is his “higher power.” Such redemptive work!! It was a highlight for us.

But not quite as high as the next event…the arrival of Derek, Julie, Nathan, and Rachel on June 15th. Except for FaceTime, we had not seen them since Christmas, so hugs were long overdue. Best of all, Derek and Julie had business in Bar Harbor, Maine, so they left the kids and the dog with us (and our dear friend Helen who was also visiting) and…Let the party begin!!

*Derek, Julie, Nathan, Rachel, and Rex trekked up from Northern Virginia for a five day visit. Super fun!!*

And party we did!! Biking. Playing basketball. Going to the park. Swimming at Walden Pond. Walking the dog. Building legos and K-nex. Coloring. Doing puzzles. Reading. Eating. Loving being together.

*One morning we rode our bikes to the Great Meadows Wildlife Refuge in Concord.*

On Saturday morning, June 18th, Paul and Nathan drove up to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary to attend a fund-raiser featuring New England Patriot Special Teams Captain, Matthew Slater. More than anything he’s done on the field (which has been significant over his 14-year career), Matthew is a faithful, passionate man of God and he lives his faith out consistently. Nathan was duly impressed hearing Matthew’s testimony and commented to me, “Surprisingly, he was a really good speaker!” I don’t know if he thought pro football players can only be good on the field but not behind a mic, but his observation was spot on. Matthew is a great speaker!! We’re so grateful for our long friendship with him.

*Matthew Slater, #18, will commence his 15th season this year.*

*Auntie Helen and the gang at Walden Pond on a perfect day for swimming.*

Derek and Julie returned in time for an early Father’s Day celebration Saturday night after having a very successful business trip. They got on the road Sunday morning and we sent them off with teary farewells and full hearts.

*Early Father’s Day dinner on Saturday, the 18th. So blessed to celebrate godly fathers in our family line.*

Once again, God orchestrated the timing of our being home with the timing of an event we would’ve hated to have missed. Ryan Plosker, an HIM Board member as well as a dear friend, lost his mother after a 10-year battle with cancer and her funeral was on Monday the 20th. We are so very grateful we could “show up” and support Ryan and Kelly and family. Only God…

*The Ploskers circle up at Ryan’s mother’s graveside service.*

We’ve just returned from a couple of days at the beach, where we stayed in a friend’s condo. Our souls are refreshed. Early morning and late afternoon walks on the beach, quick dips in 58-degree water, tides which could be counted on to come and go on a schedule controlled by God, sunrises and sunsets… So much beauty.

Life can be pretty discouraging these days when lies and distortions abound, when incivility is acceptable, when contrived narratives gain support, when it seems like evil is winning in many homes, churches, and communities. The “I am the center of the universe and it’s all about my happiness” movement has the majority position, reinforcing the distortion that Biblical authority is irrelevant and driving all manner of unbiblical, counter-design beliefs and actions.

In spite of all of this, how good to be reminded that He is still over all.

Nature will always do what it was intended/designed to do.

Now if only humans could figure that out.