Introducing: The Villanueva Family

The Villanuevas are Honduran missionaries that will soon be joining our team in La Ceiba. Raul will serve as a professor in the seminary.  Alma will serve as director of Puerta de Esperanza, our home for teenage moms and their babies.

About us: The Villanuevas

When God calls a family to serve Him, the family can’t go against His will. Our family was called by God to serve Him and His church and we have obediently been doing so for many years now. We are a family of five. Raul is a retired photographer, now a pastor and professor. Alma is a teacher with a heart for children and women. Oldest son Rick studies Business & Math at Bob Jones University in South Carolina. Chris studies International Business & Finances at Unitec in San Pedro Sula. And Jocsan is a senior in high school and currently taking some seminary classes at SEBCAH in Siguatepeque.

 

Rick, Raul, Alma, Chris and Jocsan

What’s exciting about moving to Ceiba?

God opened the doors for us to be part of this team before we even knew about it. We have talked with the brothers at Mission to the World and believe that we share the same vision for God’s ministry. We believe that the bible institute to train pastors and leaders is crucial for the local churches. Puerta de Esperanza touched our hearts as a family, just like the rest of the projects Mission to the World has in Honduras. We believe these projects have a great future and we are excited about growing these ministries for the glory of Christ.

Support the Villanuevas' work in La Ceiba.

Oh Be Careful Little Mouth...

...what you SAY.  Our words carry consequence, good or bad. We've sung the lyrics to, "Oh Be Careful Little Eyes" since infancy, since our days in Sunday School. We sing about guarding our eyes, ears, hands, feet, AND mouth.  It might be the last verse and the most forgotten but it ends, "Be careful little mouth what you say."  Words are important.  We are on the other side of the election and seeing the consequence of careless words, spoken and written.  I whole-hardheartedly believe the words President-elect Donald Trump and Secretary Clinton have expressed speak to their character, their heart, and their plans. Some of those words replay over and over in my head.  Their words were impressionable. Christ says, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."  That's not so pretty, in this case.

We make it not even three verses into the first book of the Bible, Genesis, before we see the power in words.  God spoke. God spoke and the power of His words created the heavens and the earth. The power of His words gave LIFE.  Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat it's fruit."  Our words give life or they give death.  I first heard about "life giving words" back in 2003.  My sweet friend was getting married at Glen Eyrie and the wife of the president of The Navigators was giving her a "bachelorette party" of sorts.  In her wisdom, the wife shared that our words as wives, mothers, friends, coworkers, whatever our role, can build up or we can tear down. We can create life not only with our bodies (yay for babies) but we can also create life with our words.  We should weigh the words before they come out of our mouths (or fingertips for those of us typing them).  How will they be interpreted or received? What affect will the words have? Life or death?     

We will be measured by and held accountable for our words.  In Matthew 12, Jesus claims you can recognize a tree by its fruit.  He proceeds to speak about words. Words are your fruit.  He goes on to say, "I tell you, on the day of judgement people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."  That will make you think about what you say or want to stop talking altogether, yes?!?    Now hear me say, I know we are sinners saved by grace but that grace lavished on us through Christ produces obedience. And obedience to the Word means we can't praise Him one day and spew sin or lies or hatred from that same mouth the next day.  We must bring our words into subjection (1Corinthians 9:24-27). Furthermore, the book of James which could arguably be likened to a figurative punch in the gut about our speech (if you are open to the Spirit's conviction in your life), warns about the responsibility and judgement that comes with teaching.  Many look to teachers, preachers, and leaders for guidance and wisdom. And our words like a tiny rudder are able to steer a vast ship.  Let's not shipwreck all the lives on board because we had not the self control to measure our words.

So I love this but ironically the words, "shut up" are prohibited at our house. 

Proverbs 10:19-21 is the nicer way of saying many words provide many opportunities for sin.

Let us restrain our lips.     

"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" has no clout in the Bible.  In the United States, the affect of recent words from leaders and keyboard-warriors alike has had dire consequences.  Fear has been struck in the hearts of many from words.  Anger has been aroused in many from words.  Misunderstanding from all sides has been stirred up because of words.  What is our response?  Are we quick to listen and slow to speak (James1:19) or are we the exact opposite, joining in the fight?  Our words are like a spark that can start a great fire.  I pray we choose to be bearers of grace, mercy, love, and justice with our words (and then of course, put our money where our mouth is and follow up with actions!).  That our gracious words would be like honeycomb providing sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

He Restores My Soul

This past week, the ladies of Team La Ceiba retreated into the jungle and spent time being restored in the Lord.  The theme of the retreat was "Rest: Satisfy My Thirsty Soul."  As women, our first calling as wife and mother takes a lot of energy all by itself but then adding ministry and missionary life to the hats worn can weary a girl's soul pretty quick.  The days we had together were spent in rest, sharing of our hearts, and prayer for each other.  It was relaxing and rejuvenating and I returned home refreshed and ready to serve my family, our team, and Hondurans.

We entered our rooms to find baskets full of cards, treats, and gifts from our churches, family, and friends in the States.  A deep felt thank you for sending your love.  

Oil diffusing necklaces with the theme.

I am blessed to serve alongside these lovely, God-fearing friends.  

I can say with confidence Christ met all of us where our souls sat this week.  We were encouraged to bow our lives, words, attitudes, and pain to the Lord.  We shared in earnest our struggles and laid them before the throne of God together. It is sweet to live in community and bear each others burdens. Rest was and is found in the soul-satisfying person of Christ, His promises, and His grace and mercy demonstrated towards us on the cross that is present every day.  May you be filled with the same deep seated rest!