Mexico

Rita, Grizz, Wayne & Carol at the Georgia State capital in Atlanta

A time for everything… If you get a chance, read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 to familiarize yourself with the whole passage. It will be easy to see where to apply “a time”, to many things going on in our world today, the hard and the good times. For us, in this season, it has been the uncomfortable realization of the “time to die”. Many of you would have your own experiences with death, and the sorrow that relates to it. Early, in our first fews years of ministry here in San Diego, we lost our ministry partner, and mentor Mark McCoy. Then, a year later, we lost another dear co-leader, Sherman, in our church who was also a great supporter and encourager in our marriage and ministry – including a father figure to Wayne. I remember Carol’s dad telling us that we were much too young to be having friends pass away. Fast forward 20+ years and there have been many other co-laborers, friends and family who have passed on. Naturally, this includes our current season, where losing Carol’s father would have been more than enough to handle. Sadly, however, we just returned from a celebration of life this weekend, of another fallen ministry partner. Our dear friend Larry Grizz Brown, an elder in the Native American community, passed suddenly and unexpectedly. We had just spent time with Grizz and his new bride, our friend Rita Bear Gray, in Georgia, and again in Pennsylvania. Another dear brother in our worship community, Dan Simonek, passed recently as well, and we will gather to remember him at the end of the month. They all are in heaven, which is amazing and truly wonderful for them!! It’s just a little hard to stay on that reflection for those of us left behind.

I know this letter may seem like a downer, but we wanted to be honest about where we are at in this season of our lives. Perhaps you are there right now as well, or have been there at one point in your life. We live in a very difficult time – standing for our families, our nation, the world. We know to keep our eyes on Jesus. We know His promises. We know that so many things we endure, would be hopeless without Him. The Bible also says in 1st Thessalonians (4:13) to ‘not mourn as those whom have no hope.’ Our hope is in the Lord!!! But we do need one another, to be reminded of that. And yes, we all endure these hardships and sorrowful times, so that hopefully we grasp a deeper empathy and compassion for others in their day to day struggles. Ultimately that has always been my (Wayne) goal – to use the areas in my life that are the weakest—or yet to be healed—to motivate my compassion for others. Work for our salvation? NO. But work OUT our grief, trust and salvation? YES! These life setbacks, discouragements, and shortcomings make us stronger. His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses. (2nd Corinthians 12:9). His grace is sufficient. I trust these promises to give me hope. I hope you do too! Yes there is a time to mourn. But there comes a time to dance as well! (Ecclesiastes 3:4) Always remember that, dear friends.

On the ministry front…

We are in the process of returning to our regular routine and schedule in Mexico. Sorting out the usual customs issues. However we have made some strategic trips across the border. We attended the wedding of a young woman we have known since she was a small girl! Our ministry partner Vicente’s daughter got married. Through a VOB sponsor, this young woman has received saxophone lessons for years, a skill we hope will help her take a small step higher in economic advancement in her life and culture. Her instructor, a sax player in the Tijuana symphony, played her bridal march at the wedding, and joyously celebrated with us.

Nurse Angelica – The oil lamp in Angie’s hand is an international symbol for nurses widely known to symbolize Florence Nightingale and her transforming work in the nursing profession. Her lamp became synonymous with **goodwill, reliability, and compassion**, which are all attributes that are highly desirable in the field of nursing today. [Google]

Also, we were able to deliver a large amount of medical supplies to a missionary nurse about 2 hours south of the border. This missionary nurse works with disabled kids and their families in Maneadero, a very poor area south of Ensenada Mexico. Our hope was to share the many things we collected while caring for Carol’s dad. This dedicated nurse has alread y written us, and spoken of how deeply appreciated, in particular, a donated pair of special soft booties were to a 12 year old boy who is bed ridden with pressure sores on his legs and ankles. These booties are a resource they would have not had available to them otherwise. It is a real blessing for us to be able to provide relief for another, through resources from a difficult experience of our own. Lastly, though we did not get to attend her graduation which happened while we were away, another young woman (whom we have also watched grow up) who VOB has sponsored with your help, graduated from nursing school! We are so excited for Angie’s future! Your partnership investment is one of the highlights of what we get to do. Making a difference for one who can make a difference for many.

What ELSE Have We Been Doing?

Getting back to the more ‘normal’ gatherings of worship, pre-covid, will come soon enough, we hope. In the meantime, we are excited to let you know that VOB has been partnering with our good friend and colleague, David Gereghty, in the launch of an international worship platform online, called The Global Tabernacle of David. GToD has been meeting regularly, for the last 6 months, cultivating times of worship and prayer with folks from, literally, around the world, all on the online platform, Zoom. VOB is honored and blessed to be a part of this global gathering, and we look forward to inviting others into these gatherings, as we adjust to the medium, and grow as a team. Our times of worship and intercession have been quite profound. GOD never ceases to amaze me….

VOB has, thankfully, been able to continue to support other ministries around the world, during these strange and unpredictable times, and we are so blessed to be able to do so. Your partnership with VOB, not only helps us do what we do, but also assists in some mighty ministries both international and national including (of course), Mexico, Native America, Thailand, India, the Philippines, and naturally, in the United States. Worship and Compassion, the two arms of Voice of the Bride, support those around the world, who have the same values and make the same efforts that we do, through serving the poor, through worship, intercession, as well as discipleship and counseling. We are honored to assist wherever we can, and we certainly want to encourage you that, when you support us, you are sowing into world-wide ministry. The treasures you are storing up in Heaven, will be more than you an imagine!

All for the glory of GOD!!!!!

*While these three may look like they are posing – they are actually huddled in a corner of our yard because they do not know what to do with an open space much less grass.* They learn to trust a little more each day. And they are learning to enjoy freedom.

Ok, this is a personal, “Wayne and Carol” note, rather than a VOB thing, but it’s still part of the work of the Lord, stewarding His creation: After Franki June passed away in March, we made the decision to start fostering rescue organization dogs, helping them find new homes. We had so much love in our hearts for Franki, and we wanted to apply that love to animals in need. We had sort of ‘accidentally’ taken in a foster HORSE at the end of January, so it made sense to add a few dogs to the picture. We have had the joy of merging our heart for those in Mexico, with our love for animals, and began fostering 3 dogs through the “Friends of Humane Services in Tijuana.” You might not know this, but the plight of many dogs and cats in Mexico is pretty grim. Of course, it can be very grim here in the US, as well. But the boots on the ground help in Mexico, is severely lacking, and sometimes, it can be downright hard to see. That being the case, assisting this rescue group based in TJ, so wonderfully dovetails with our missions heart, and allows us to continue our mission of helping those who are ‘right in front of us’. Both the equine rescue, and the canine rescue continue providing medical, and financial support for the animals, and we are able to provide a loving, safe home for these formerly neglected creatures. This is a real joy for us. And we think the dogs are happy too! Side-note: many rescue organizations need help with foster homes. It’s a super way to contribute. Check out your local rescue groups for info.

UPDATE:

You know a bit about our truck repair travails of late. We are happy and thankful to let you know that all trucks, (minus one still in repair) are back in action, sound and serving. Thank you to everyone who prayed and who donated!! This has been very trying, but the Lord has provided so wonderfully, and we just say, “Thank You Jesus!”

Thank you to each one of you for standing with us, and continuing to support us through these turbulent months.

May the Lord give both joy and peace, as we all move forward.

Update #2 one of the repaired trucks failed again this weekend. It will have to go back in the shop for a 3rd time. Thank you for praying for an immediate resolve.