Loading the content...
Navigation

family

When God Plans the Party

Our friend Eliomar had prepared a reflection which included two gifts—one wrapped like garbage and scribbled on, and the other wrapped beautifully with glittery ribbon. He asked two kid volunteers which one they wanted, and they both chose the beautiful one. He gave them the gifts and asked them to open them. Inside the beautiful one were nasty old fruit peels and garbage. Inside the scribbled package were chocolate and candy.

Read More

Hospitality: The School of Encounter

In one of our local tribal languages, Kichwa, the word for a stranger is “chikan” meaning “separated.” The meaning becomes especially relevant when we consider that the Church is asking all of us missionary-disciples to build “bridges that foster a culture of encounter.”

Read More

Jesus Is Born: A Coopevega Christmas

When the long-awaited time came to open the presents, I couldn’t help but smile at the loud, enthusiastic sounds of ripping wrapping paper and happy exclamations that filled our packed gazebo. I knew for some of those kids this would be the only Christmas present they received this year—or possibly any year.

Read More

Domestic Church

Something important was missing. Home after home, I could not find it: not a crucifix, not a cross, not an image of Jesus was to be found. This is something we take for granted, that every Christian home has some holy image on their wall. Not here in Coopevega, Costa Rica. Thus, a ministry was born…

Read More

Who Am I

On that fateful morning commute, He changed my life forever. As I was sitting at a red light, my mind went blank and a deafening silence fell upon me. Out of nowhere I heard something that completely enveloped me. For the first time in my life, and as clear as day, I heard God’s voice: “Mark, I have put you on this earth to do something different!”

Read More

The Greatest Real Estate Transaction

We met Francis and Riana after Mass one day here in Nepal. They, along with their four children, have fled horrendous, bloody, and unmentionable Muslim persecution in their home country of Pakistan. They achieved asylum refugee status and are now trying to rebuild their life. Still, life is extremely challenging for them here in Nepal.

Read More

Jesus in the Rainforest

Here, two priests are responsible for serving 42 communities. Three religious sisters, one other missionary family, and our family help with 17 of those communities. Four of the communities have a tabernacle and a regular weekend Mass. The other 14 have small chapels that are normally dark and locked up, opening for occasional communion services or Mass—sometimes only once every three months.

Read More

Awake Us from Our Slumber, O Lord!

Waking from our slumber and running down the long hallway to the front door was a bit scary. As I was trying to open the door, Gabriel yelled out, “God will save us.” Trying to dodge the fragments of adobe, plaster, and rocks falling from the walls and roofs above us was a sight to see.

Read More

Introducing Intake 2021 // Part 2

We are pleased to introduce you to the missionaries of Intake 2021. They are currently in training at our home base in Louisiana and will be sent to serve in various parts of Latin America in January 2022. We’ve asked them to share some things about themselves so that you can get to know them a little. Please keep these new missionaries in your prayers.

Read More

Introducing Intake 2023

We are pleased to introduce you to the missionaries of Intake 2023. They are currently in training at our home base in Louisiana and we are so excited to have them. We’ve asked them to share some things about themselves so that you can get to know them a little. Please keep these new missionaries in your prayers.

Read More

Introducing Intake 2021 // Part 1

We are pleased to introduce you to the missionaries of Intake 2021. They are currently in training at our home base in Louisiana and will be sent to serve in various parts of Latin America in January 2022. We’ve asked them to share some things about themselves so that you can get to know them a little. Please keep these new missionaries in your prayers.

Read More
missionary in ghanna

Answering the Call: All He Needs Is Our YES

At times I have questioned the Lord, “Why me? Why did you choose me to be your missionary to the ends of the earth?” I still don’t feel qualified. I still struggle and prefer comforts to sacrificing. I still don’t like getting up in front of people and giving talks, and I can’t lead music. 

Read More

From Mom to Missionary

I felt like I was in a dream. I had to go to the store at that exact time in order to run into this group of people at that exact moment! And what are the odds that they were hosting a moms’ retreat, and that both my older kids adamantly did not want to go to the store that day? My oldest joked that his laziness was obviously God’s will that day… ha! I knew I had to go.

Read More
Back to top