Beyond Belief: The Power of Radical Faith

Living on Faith and $400:  Our Frugal First Months in Puerto Rico You might be scratching your head, picturing our arrival in Puerto Rico with no fundraising, no jobs lined up, and barely any money to our name. How did we even begin to afford life? It's a valid question, and the answer lies in a potent mix of unwavering faith and a crash course in extreme budgeting. After the initial expenses – getting the lights turned on, securing our first month's rent, and the proud purchase of our $800 "Missionary Mobile" – we were left with roughly $400. This small sum had to stretch to cover groceries and gas for what felt like an eternity. And so began our life on a shoestring. It’s crucial to understand that having faith in God doesn't mean sitting back and expecting miracles to fall into your lap. We played our part, embracing a level of frugality we never knew we were capable of. Our new house was a blank slate. No gleaming appliances greeted us. Instead, my wife became...

Arecibo in Da' Moonlight: When Reality Hit in Puerto Rico The humid Puerto Rican air hung heavy around us, a stark contrast to the crisp Michigan breezes we were used to. It wasn't long after the last box was unpacked and the unfamiliar sounds of our new neighborhood settled in that the sheer audacity of what we had done truly hit me. We were here . Officially moved in. Our home was no longer in Hamilton, Michigan, but on this vibrant, Spanish-speaking island. A wave of reality washed over me, bringing with it a potent cocktail of excitement and sheer terror. We spoke virtually no Spanish. Our connections could be counted on one hand, with fingers to spare. We had never stepped into ministry in this capacity before. And to top it all off, our bank account was… well, let's just say lean. I vividly remember one particular evening, the weight of it all pressing down. Our driveway, a slight incline offering an unobstructed view of the vast night sky, became my sanctuary of unce...

From Our Mission Field to Our Home:  Our Unexpected Welcome The boxes were still unpacked, and the to-do list felt a mile long. But as we settled into our new home in Puerto Rico, our minds weren't on finding the perfect spatula or figuring out where to purchase appliances. No, our immediate concern was the quickly approaching Christmas holiday. How could we possibly make it feel even remotely normal for our three kids in this brand-new, unknown land? My wife and I embarked on a mission. Armed with very little money and absolutely no idea where to find anything, we set out to buy Christmas presents and a few festive decorations. Our first stop? A place called "Fallas." For those unfamiliar, Fallas is essentially the Puerto Rican equivalent of a Dollar Tree. Let me tell you, the line was an experience in itself – unequivocally exceptional! But amidst the throng, we managed to snag some basic ornaments, a few sparkly earrings for our daughter, and braced ourselves for what ...