One year ago this week I was in Iquitos with a team from RMCC, Evan and the kids were celebrating Noah's birthday at home, and home was in Peru. It's amazing how things can change in just one year. We would not have predicted that one year later we would be in the states, but we wouldn't want to have it any other way. It's not that we prefer life in the states, but we want to be where Jesus wants and right now this is it. This means we believe He has a plan that includes the works He has for us.
For us, this includes the challenge of "living out" verses like Jeremiah 29:11, Acts 17:26b, and Ephesians 2:10. Do we really believe what it says and do we really trust Him to lead our family in this?
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
"...He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. " Acts 17:26b
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
We celebrated Noah's 11th birthday in typical Bensler style. That means we spread out the celebration over many days, with many small celebrations. On Friday evening we went to Five Guys Burgers for dinner (Noah's choice), and then settle down for some chocolate pudding cake and a movie with our housemate, Stephenie. On Saturday night we had a small, impromptu celebration with friends. Noah felt well celebrated! We feel blessed to have such a great kid!
Stephenie is the newest member to the Itec team. A recent grad from the University of Florida, Stephenie will be assisting Itec with video production and translation. She speaks fluent Spanish, which is a real asset to Itec. Stephenie has a longstanding relationship with the Saint family and with Itec. In Steve and Ginny Saint's book, Walking His Trail, they record this story. You can read the amazing story of how God transformed Stephenie's family here.
I'll include a ministry update in next week's post.
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