A while back I attended a womens' conference where one of the speakers spoke on change. Her message was that as crazy as change may seem, change is good. It was a great message for me because of what we had been going through as missionaries having to leave living on the field behind us, as a couple not knowing what our future would be as we transitioned back to living in the United States, in our faith trusting God for healing and new direction for ministry. To say it has been like driving through a tunnel with blindfolds on doesn't even describe the unknowing and uncertainty of where this journey is taking us.
I have battled depression along the way and at times still fall prey to it's sting. Along the way I have lost my joy but I am determined to fight the fight having Christ as my anchor I am able to reach out sometimes only to grasp a small thread of his robe yet I am blessed to know He is always there.
Today as I prayed and read the Scriptures I was encouraged by His Word. May I share with you that which He spoke to my heart that it may bless yours?
1. Psalm 121:5-8 - "The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun will not
strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul. the Lord shall preserve your going out and coming in from
this time forth and even forevermore."
2. Isaiah 40:31 - "They that wait upon the Lord...shall walk and not faint"
3. Isaiah 25:1, 4 - "O Lord, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, for You have done
wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth...For You have been
a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress."
4. Isaiah 26:3 - "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You."
5. Isaiah 26:12 - "Lord You will establish peace for us, for You have also done all our works in us."
Each day I find joy returning to my soul and peace to my heart for I know my God is in control and has never let me down yet. Sometimes we just need to walk down the road of Remembrance and praise Him for all He has done along life's journey.
Today, we go to see Angel's neurologist for the results of the EEG tests he had at the end of June. Believing for answers and what we need for his ability to qualify for disability and for an increase in the VA compensation as we wait still believing for his healing.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
July 2, 2011
It's been a while since I've posted but so much has been occurring and I feel like since last July we have been on a constant revamp mode of life. Many of you know we have been helping out at a homeless transitional facility. After 3 months of serving at the homeless transitional living facility, our Lord, by His Spirit commanded us to get out of there asap. Angel knew weeks ago and although I sensed something was not right, my love for the residents there kept me from listening. Finally this past Friday, Angel made the decision to give notice of his leaving and said I could do what I wanted as far as staying. Well that was just what I wanted to hear! I could do my thing and not have to submit to his wanting to leave. Clearance!
But as the morning progressed, I felt a stirring in my heart that was convicting me of my need to be "one in spirit" with my husband. So I did what I should have done from the start. I prayed and gave it over to our Lord.
That afternoon as we were waiting to speak to the pastor of the facility, one of the staff members (long story as to why we were talking to him but suffice it to say it was God ordained), began to advise us of some very shady things going on which confirmed what we had been seeing and hearing.
After hearing what was being said, I knew the decision I had to make. Our Lord was laying it out so clearly.
It is sad to be leaving those who are so wounded and in need of spiritual direction. It is scary to be without the extra offering they were giving that was getting us by each month along with the support from our dear partners who have been with us through this journey. This season of our lives has been a roller-coaster ride yet we are at such peace. We don't regret the time we've had serving our Lord at the shelter, it gave us a great learning experience as to the desperate needs out there that we really don't get to see from inside our own four walls and it reinforced the knowledge that our Lord is not done with us yet as far as His service.
So out of all this today we pray for so much more of the wisdom of the Spirit of God, more of His compassion and grace for those in need and a clearer vision of His path being laid before us.
As we continue to branch forward our heart is to continue to travel to Peru bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ and to other Latin countries as our Lord leads in order to equip the churches, bring training to the pastors and their wives along with encouragement and the love of Christ. Our ministry is changing at the hands of our Lord as far as geography home front but our work is still very much involved with His work in Peru and around the world. We were so blessed in June to be able to be a part of the MVI Orientation for new missionaries, sharing our experience. What a great time we had and what a blessing to be able to impart into their lives as they embark on their new adventures.
We have also started serving with South Tampa Fellowship Church in the work of our Lord to reach out to the Latino community. Our first fellowship was encouraging and we are looking forward to what our Lord has for this mission.
I will also be committing more time to these blogs and to the devotionals which have been put aside with all that we have been going through with Angel's health so be on the lookout for more on the work of our Lord through For His Glory Ministry.
For those who would like to be a part of what God is about to do you can partner with us by sending your check to MVI
PO Box 593550
Orlando, Fl. 32859-3550
Note attached stating: In preference for the ministry of Angel & Karen Oyola/USA-Peru
But as the morning progressed, I felt a stirring in my heart that was convicting me of my need to be "one in spirit" with my husband. So I did what I should have done from the start. I prayed and gave it over to our Lord.
That afternoon as we were waiting to speak to the pastor of the facility, one of the staff members (long story as to why we were talking to him but suffice it to say it was God ordained), began to advise us of some very shady things going on which confirmed what we had been seeing and hearing.
After hearing what was being said, I knew the decision I had to make. Our Lord was laying it out so clearly.
It is sad to be leaving those who are so wounded and in need of spiritual direction. It is scary to be without the extra offering they were giving that was getting us by each month along with the support from our dear partners who have been with us through this journey. This season of our lives has been a roller-coaster ride yet we are at such peace. We don't regret the time we've had serving our Lord at the shelter, it gave us a great learning experience as to the desperate needs out there that we really don't get to see from inside our own four walls and it reinforced the knowledge that our Lord is not done with us yet as far as His service.
So out of all this today we pray for so much more of the wisdom of the Spirit of God, more of His compassion and grace for those in need and a clearer vision of His path being laid before us.
As we continue to branch forward our heart is to continue to travel to Peru bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ and to other Latin countries as our Lord leads in order to equip the churches, bring training to the pastors and their wives along with encouragement and the love of Christ. Our ministry is changing at the hands of our Lord as far as geography home front but our work is still very much involved with His work in Peru and around the world. We were so blessed in June to be able to be a part of the MVI Orientation for new missionaries, sharing our experience. What a great time we had and what a blessing to be able to impart into their lives as they embark on their new adventures.
We have also started serving with South Tampa Fellowship Church in the work of our Lord to reach out to the Latino community. Our first fellowship was encouraging and we are looking forward to what our Lord has for this mission.
I will also be committing more time to these blogs and to the devotionals which have been put aside with all that we have been going through with Angel's health so be on the lookout for more on the work of our Lord through For His Glory Ministry.
For those who would like to be a part of what God is about to do you can partner with us by sending your check to MVI
PO Box 593550
Orlando, Fl. 32859-3550
Note attached stating: In preference for the ministry of Angel & Karen Oyola/USA-Peru
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Each day brings new mercies!
Angel returned yesterday from the hospital with the news that the things he is experiencing is still part of the side effects from the radiation. They were concerned with the darkness of the blood but all the tests came out good, thank God. If they happen again he is to go in immediately and not wait till the next day.
Today was an active day as Angel traveled to New Port Richey to help our previous mission director pack up his house for his move to Texas. Can't keep this man of God down.
I spent the day helping the office manager here at the mission complex. She was so happy when I offered to help. She was able to get caught up and I was blessed beyond measure to be able to bless her with my availability. Tomorrow morning I will help out in the thrift store.
Waiting does not mean becoming stagnant and allowing mold to grow over you. Waiting involves being a servant to those in need while resting in Christ as He prepares the way for us to continue laboring with Him for the glory of God.
We also received great news from Moyobamba. The church plant we are involved with in Nuevo Progreso is progressing to the glory of God. If you remember, Pastor Enrique had started work on the church building. Thanks to the partnership of so many of you, we were able to bless him with some money which helped in the purchasing of the necessary supplies for construction. We were also able to bless him with an abundance of tools since we had to leave and would not be using them any longer. The day I (Karen) had him come to pick up the tools was a true blessing as I got such joy seeing the surprise on his face when he entered the house with a backpack for the tools and left in shock overjoyed with huge hockey bags and metal boxes filled with shovels, post diggers, troughs & so much more. The amazing news we received was that the church building has been completed with the help of the entire village (even the non believers) in only 20 days. We look forward to seeing the Spirit of God move mightily in this village through His servant Pastor Enrique.
Today was an active day as Angel traveled to New Port Richey to help our previous mission director pack up his house for his move to Texas. Can't keep this man of God down.
I spent the day helping the office manager here at the mission complex. She was so happy when I offered to help. She was able to get caught up and I was blessed beyond measure to be able to bless her with my availability. Tomorrow morning I will help out in the thrift store.
Waiting does not mean becoming stagnant and allowing mold to grow over you. Waiting involves being a servant to those in need while resting in Christ as He prepares the way for us to continue laboring with Him for the glory of God.
We also received great news from Moyobamba. The church plant we are involved with in Nuevo Progreso is progressing to the glory of God. If you remember, Pastor Enrique had started work on the church building. Thanks to the partnership of so many of you, we were able to bless him with some money which helped in the purchasing of the necessary supplies for construction. We were also able to bless him with an abundance of tools since we had to leave and would not be using them any longer. The day I (Karen) had him come to pick up the tools was a true blessing as I got such joy seeing the surprise on his face when he entered the house with a backpack for the tools and left in shock overjoyed with huge hockey bags and metal boxes filled with shovels, post diggers, troughs & so much more. The amazing news we received was that the church building has been completed with the help of the entire village (even the non believers) in only 20 days. We look forward to seeing the Spirit of God move mightily in this village through His servant Pastor Enrique.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Those Who Wait on the LORD
Yes, here we are coming to the end of January and we are still waiting.
You may ask what are you waiting for?
We wait for a release from Angel's medical condition.
We wait for direction in what lies ahead of us.
We wait for the storm to calm that we may see the horizon before us clearly.
We wait for answers.
We wait on the LORD.
We wait!
It's been a while since I posted as we have moved and are settling in at the mission complex in St Petersburg, Florida. Financially this proved to be the most accommodating arrangement. Angel has been healing day by day. Some days we forget he even has cancer or a spinal disease. Other days we are reminded very well that it is not yet over. Today he is in the emergency room at the VA Hospital in Tampa waiting for tests due to rectal bleeding and lower abdominal pain. He left before I could get ready thinking he would just see his doctor, get some meds and return home. Instead they admitted him into the emergency room to run some tests. I wait.
I am believing he will be fine. Would you believe with me?
In the meantime I have been keeping myself busy twice a week doing a conversational class with a lovely Brazilian pastor and his wife, Luis and Valdaliz. What fun we have switching from English to Spanish to Portuguese. If I were able to I'd take the course to be an ESL teacher. Anyone want to sponsor me? Just thinking out loud.
I have also been invited to the 6th year anniversary celebration of Mujeres de Impacto in Tarapoto Peru. If anyone would like to help me get there please let me know via oyola4hisglory@yahoo.com or our facebook oyola4hisglory. The tentative date is Sept 6th. We are also working with a team from New Port Richey who will be working with us in October so if all works well I may stay there till the team arrives and return with them. Nothing firm has been set yet so I will keep you all posted.
Lord I ask Your hand be upon Angel at this very moment. I thank you for the peace I have and the comfort knowing You are with him. We wait on You oh Lord. We wait.
(the picture is Angel with one of our Peruvian daughters, Zory)
You may ask what are you waiting for?
We wait for a release from Angel's medical condition.
We wait for direction in what lies ahead of us.
We wait for the storm to calm that we may see the horizon before us clearly.
We wait for answers.
We wait on the LORD.
We wait!
It's been a while since I posted as we have moved and are settling in at the mission complex in St Petersburg, Florida. Financially this proved to be the most accommodating arrangement. Angel has been healing day by day. Some days we forget he even has cancer or a spinal disease. Other days we are reminded very well that it is not yet over. Today he is in the emergency room at the VA Hospital in Tampa waiting for tests due to rectal bleeding and lower abdominal pain. He left before I could get ready thinking he would just see his doctor, get some meds and return home. Instead they admitted him into the emergency room to run some tests. I wait.
I am believing he will be fine. Would you believe with me?
In the meantime I have been keeping myself busy twice a week doing a conversational class with a lovely Brazilian pastor and his wife, Luis and Valdaliz. What fun we have switching from English to Spanish to Portuguese. If I were able to I'd take the course to be an ESL teacher. Anyone want to sponsor me? Just thinking out loud.
I have also been invited to the 6th year anniversary celebration of Mujeres de Impacto in Tarapoto Peru. If anyone would like to help me get there please let me know via oyola4hisglory@yahoo.com or our facebook oyola4hisglory. The tentative date is Sept 6th. We are also working with a team from New Port Richey who will be working with us in October so if all works well I may stay there till the team arrives and return with them. Nothing firm has been set yet so I will keep you all posted.
Lord I ask Your hand be upon Angel at this very moment. I thank you for the peace I have and the comfort knowing You are with him. We wait on You oh Lord. We wait.
(the picture is Angel with one of our Peruvian daughters, Zory)
Monday, November 22, 2010
A Great Humbling!
Last night I was invited to share a message at a united service of the churches of the pastors' association in Moyobamba. When I arrived I found out that it was actually a service to honor Angel & I, and for the pastors to show their love & gratitude to our serving with them here in the Alto Mayo region of Peru.
I thankfully delivered the message without falling apart after which we showed the video I had of Angel sending his love and encouragement to our dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
Each pastor gave a short word of thanks and a scripture verse of encouragement & promise for us. The church was packed. I was so blessed. My only regret is that Angel wasn't here to be a part of this.
Many stayed to take have their picture taken with me, I felt like a movie star. I am taking so many hugs back to my Angel. If I were to give him them all we'd be hugging for months. I will never forget this moment, these people, this town. My prayer is that during our time here we had not only been a reflection of the glory of Jesus Christ but also the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Him .(2 Corinthians 2:14b) This weekend I head to Tarapoto where we served for 6 1/2 years. There will be some more goodbyes to be given...more memories shared. I praise God the Father for each and every one of them who have become "our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody...a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not in ink but with the Spirit of the Living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He made us competent as ministers, not of the letter but of the Spirit..." (2 Corinthians 3:2-6a)
All glory and honor be His in Christ Jesus!
I thankfully delivered the message without falling apart after which we showed the video I had of Angel sending his love and encouragement to our dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
Each pastor gave a short word of thanks and a scripture verse of encouragement & promise for us. The church was packed. I was so blessed. My only regret is that Angel wasn't here to be a part of this.
Many stayed to take have their picture taken with me, I felt like a movie star. I am taking so many hugs back to my Angel. If I were to give him them all we'd be hugging for months. I will never forget this moment, these people, this town. My prayer is that during our time here we had not only been a reflection of the glory of Jesus Christ but also the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Him .(2 Corinthians 2:14b) This weekend I head to Tarapoto where we served for 6 1/2 years. There will be some more goodbyes to be given...more memories shared. I praise God the Father for each and every one of them who have become "our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody...a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not in ink but with the Spirit of the Living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He made us competent as ministers, not of the letter but of the Spirit..." (2 Corinthians 3:2-6a)
All glory and honor be His in Christ Jesus!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
So the Saga Continues!
Since Angel has been getting all the attention and since things have been moving so well here in Peru and my stress level has gone considerably down, I thought it was time to shake things up a bit and raise the stress level back up and get some attention of my own. It's about time don't you think?
So as my day started out just wonderful with the runs commencing at 1am, then 3 am then calming down about 6 am, I ventured out with my neighbor Maria in order to get some important paperwork completed before next week's venture to Tarapoto. All was going so well as we had collected all the information we needed and were heading home to type up the required forms to bring back to the police station and notary.
As we rounded the curve of the bridge only about 5 blocks from my house I stepped down off the curb into water and mud and below is the result.
Yes that's right I am here in Moyobamba Peru with two fractures in my foot. Traveling back to Florida is going to be a real adventure! Again thank God for Mary, she has now become my nurse on top of all the other things she has been doing for me. Pray for us both as we still have so much more to do.
So as my day started out just wonderful with the runs commencing at 1am, then 3 am then calming down about 6 am, I ventured out with my neighbor Maria in order to get some important paperwork completed before next week's venture to Tarapoto. All was going so well as we had collected all the information we needed and were heading home to type up the required forms to bring back to the police station and notary.
As we rounded the curve of the bridge only about 5 blocks from my house I stepped down off the curb into water and mud and below is the result.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
My boxes are packed, I'm ready to go!
With the hard part of this transition completed, the goodbyes now begin.
Tonite I share a message at Ps. Samuel's church. Monday, dinner w/my friend Julio & his family (Julio is the one I was to start the Am. English Institute with).
Thursday Pastora Rosalia wants to have a thanksgiving dinner for me at her house, I will cook the turkey.
The 26th I present the CMA motorcycles to 3 pastors.
The 27th the furniture gets picked up by Ps Benny, Mattie & Daniel & that same day or the next we head to Tarapoto for more goodbyes and fellowship.
I thought all I've done already was hard but I do believe the hard part is now. Lord give me strength to walk through this and an outpouring of your love to those we are leaving behind that they may continue this great walk of faith for Your glory!
Tonite I share a message at Ps. Samuel's church. Monday, dinner w/my friend Julio & his family (Julio is the one I was to start the Am. English Institute with).
Thursday Pastora Rosalia wants to have a thanksgiving dinner for me at her house, I will cook the turkey.
The 26th I present the CMA motorcycles to 3 pastors.
The 27th the furniture gets picked up by Ps Benny, Mattie & Daniel & that same day or the next we head to Tarapoto for more goodbyes and fellowship.
I thought all I've done already was hard but I do believe the hard part is now. Lord give me strength to walk through this and an outpouring of your love to those we are leaving behind that they may continue this great walk of faith for Your glory!
Yippee all boxes are packed
I am watching the hand of God move every day over all the details of this transition. I just received a call from the landlord's nephew who asked me why I was going to pay for a hotel room in Lima and invited me to stay with them. I am blessed beyond measure!All the boxes are packed, marked, taped and sealed, ready to go to the bus company tomorrow to be taken to Lima. Still lots of ppwk to do, like make a list of everything in each box and send it to the couple helping me in Lima w/customs. Don't know how I'd get all this done if Mary wasn't here. She is a Godsend. Her husb came today w/ the young men they are training in carpentry/construction & I took them to Tioyacu. they had a great day! I am beat! Body is fading. Time to call it a nite.
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