Personally, I don’t really like to write blogs that often. I don’t really particularly like to journal, and I’m not that great when it comes to writing thank you cards. But it never fails that after I finish writing a blog, a journal, a thank you card, or whatever I feel better about it and I’m really glad that I did it. It’s almost like exercise or something, I never want to do it, but once I start I’m enjoying it and when finished, I feel accomplished.
But writing is important. It shows you (and me) how far God has brought us. It gives me the chance to express how thankful I am to all of you that support us and it serves as a reminder in the future of God’s faithfulness in everything so if I’m ever doubting His call, His plan, His sovereignty, I can come back to the stories of His never-ending faithfulness and love.
That being said, I want to join Whitney in expressing our thanks to our supporters and specifically I want to thank Grace Christian School and particularly the class of 2005, my graduating class.
I went to Grace Christian School (GCS from here on out) from Pre-Kindergarden through 12th grade. Along the way I learned almost everything I know about God, memorized a lot of Scripture, and got into a lot of trouble. The first person that I’d like to thank is my principal Dr. Dan Brokke. Dr. Brokke always told me when I was in trouble that “the Bible says “Whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth”” (Proverbs 3:12, Hebrews 12:6). He taught me that because the Lord loves me so much, He wouldn’t allow me to be like some kids who could just get away with things but that I’d get caught and that when I was punished it was out of love. I didn’t get it then, but I do now. God put that school in my life to mold me into a man that would seek after God and would answer His call to the mission field. I could go on about this and tell stories of how this showed itself time and time again in my life but I really want to thank the people in my graduating class.
We were a class of 19, only 4 girls. Four of us spent 14 years together and over half at least 10 years. We were and are brothers.
Last year when Whitney and I were ordering t-shirts, we were trying to sell as many as we could because if we could sell over 75, the price would go down pretty significantly and we would be able to raise more support. Out of nowhere, a classmate who had moved shortly after high school and someone I hadn’t kept close contact with, got on board. That’s a brother. He told me his interest in helping us and after I explained some of the boring details, he decided to buy t-shirts for our entire graduating class along with a few extras for his family. Just like that. He saw a brother in need, found out how he could help, and met that need. Thanks to him we were able to order over 75 t-shirts and were able to raise much more support than we ever could have without him. He wanted to remain anonymous in the past so I’ll continue to respect that. Thank you for serving the Lord by serving a brother.
My next brother I’d like to thank is Gregory House. Greg and I were best friends in middle school. We loved skateboarding and music. Later in high school we grew apart and in college, although we were still friends, we didn’t spend a lot of time together. Today, Greg is an excellent musician, a school teacher, and most importantly to me, a brother.
Since we first started sharing that God had called us to Guatemala and that we were moving January 2016, Greg has supported us. Scratch that, he started faithfully giving to us a month BEFORE we even moved! Greg has continued giving to us throughout the year, regardless of circumstances he or we faced, he gives. Thank you Greg for your constant support and prayer for your brother in Guatemala.
My next brother I’d like to thank is Jeremy Watts. Jeremy was in the graduating class of 19 with me but wasn’t one of the ones I spent 10+ years getting to know. Jeremy is a smart dude. Like really smart. I wouldn’t say that we weren’t friends in high school, but we weren’t close. After graduating, Jeremy went away to college and got his PhD and now is a professor in SC. Since high school we’ve kept in contact, seen each other at football games and tailgates but never were close. Back in the summer, I shared with Facebook that the kitchens here at Hope of Life needed a very expensive type of blender (Vitamix). Without hesitation Jeremy (and his wife) messaged me about the need, sent me a link to a Vitamix online and bought it and had it shipped to my family in the U.S. so I could bring it back with me when I visited home. That’s a brother. He heard about a need, saw how he could help, and met the need. Jeremy thank you so much for your generosity, serving heart, and prayers. Your giving doesn’t just benefit your brother here, but many many children as well!
Adam Shaw, brother for 14+ years. Adam and I went to school for 14 years. That’s no type error, Pre-K, Kindergarten, & 12 (sometimes grueling) years of 1st-12th grade. Adam and I have always been friends because neither of us were really any good at sports. We both played and truth be told, Adam probably was slightly better than me at all of them but neither of us were actually good enough to be starters or play many positions other than the bench. In high school and college we liked the same music and shared that bond but Adam moved to Cincinnati for school so naturally we grew apart a bit. But when we were traveling in the U.S. and were flying out of Cincinnati well before dawn, Adam refused to let us stay in a hotel and take a shuttle to the airport. He (and his awesome wife) opened his home to us, he made us some of the BEST coffee I’ve ever tasted (and I live in one of the best countries for coffee), bought and fed us some incredibly delicious food, let us hang out with his super awesome son, and to top it all off, he meticulously made us incredible coffee again around 4:00AM before driving us to the airport. Why? Because it’s what brothers do! Thank you Adam for making a place where your weary brother could rest before heading back into the field.
To avoid sounding much too much like Hulk Hogan, I want to end thanking my brothers from school by thanking my brother Caleb Huff. 14 years together in school? Scratch that, nearly 20! I’ve known Caleb longer than anyone else other than family members. We were friends throughout school and became best of friends during our later years of college. We traveled Europe together, we led Bible studies together, we played cards together, watched movies together, hunted illegally together, and much much more. Caleb knew I was going to marry Whitney well before we actually did marry because he saw the changes in me and my life. And I knew he was going to marry his wife Andrea, well before they ever got married. Our wives changed us, and so much for the better. Caleb has financially supported us this year even though he and his wife are both doctors with medical school to pay back. He’s bought us dinner, he’s opened his home to us, and has been faithful to pray and keep in touch with us. Caleb, thank you for supporting your brother in Guatemala with financial support, prayers, and the always welcome GIFs and Memes you send me and Whitney on our phones.
I don’t think I’d be here now if not for GCS and my brothers of 2005. The Bible says in the book of Ecclesiastes 4:9-10″Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.” and in verse 12 “And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.”
I’m thankful for the cord of 5+ brothers from school that God has given me.
Manny was the team leader on our last mission trip to Guatemala, the trip that we moved to Guatemala. He was a great leader for us as a team and a he is a good friend. Before our move, Manny started financially supporting us. His and his family’s generosity have blessed us tremendously.
We are able to do so much more than we had ever expected thanks tog generous donors like Manny and his family. I know that God will bless them for their generosity and I’m so thankful to call him a friend.
