December 2023

Hello dear friends!

Christmas will be here in just a few days! It’s still very strange to celebrate in 90 degree weather. Every year we experience some homesickness around this time, but we still enjoy celebrating and spending time together.

January 1st will mark 4 years since our official crossing into Mexico as missionaries. It seems like it’s been longer, but sometimes seems like just yesterday. Either way, in all our time, we thank God for using us and making us effective for His kingdom.

Here are a few highlights from the last months! Thank you for praying for us, and for your support. They are making a very real difference in Oaxaca!

Family News

As you know, last July we headed to the States for our first furlough. It was great, but flew by so quickly! We’re so thankful for the time we got to spend with family. A real highlight was going to summer camp at Sand Hill Lake Bible Camp. Ben took kids up there every year for 10 years, and it was great just to go, and for the kids to be campers.

When we got back to Mexico, we almost immediately went to immigration, where we finalized the kids’ permanent residency! It’s hard to describe how long and difficult this process has been for our family, or how much relief we feel at having it done. Praise God!

We had an unfortunate accident happen at the end of October. Norah was playing at a friend’s house, and her friend accidentally nailed her finger to a coconut in a misguided attempt at opening it. Ouch! She came screaming home holding her bleeding finger, and I (Hannah) heard her coming down the road. I went out running to see what had happened, slipped on the front walkway, and broke my leg. You can’t make this stuff up!

To make things more interesting, Ben was away on a medical mission with a team, and the power was out (a recurring problem in the rainy season). Having no power and no cell signal means no communication! After some stressful moments, Cooper was able to get his teacher, who drove me to the hospital. By the time Ben got word of what had happened I was already finishing up at the hospital and headed home.

I was laid up in bed for 5 weeks. 5 weeks felt like 5 months! It was NOT an easy time. I’m thankful to say that I’m now walking tentatively on the leg, and have some follow up appointments and physical therapy on the horizon.

While it was extremely frustrating, being laid up provided an unexpected opportunity to focus on something I’ve been wanting to do since I was a kid! The Lord is so faithful to redeem the time. More on that a little later in the update, along with some other new family projects!

In the meantime, a few pictures…

Chapel at Sand Hill Lake

We got to celebrate with Ben’s mom for her birthday!

Once a yearly tradition, we made sure to hit up the candy store!

Wesley turned 11 in July. His aunt Esther made him an “elevensies” hobbit hole cake

Permanent residents!

The makeshift fix before the cast was put on. The beginning of a long waiting season.

The States means fast food!

Finney has seen the ocean, but this was his first time in a Minnesota lake!

Hiking in upstate New York. They got caught in the rain, but still happy to be out!

The joy of landing a fish for the first time.

Norah showing the entry and exit of the nail

During the rainy season, a nearby lagoon opens up into the ocean a couple of times a day. The water is perfect in the protected lagoon, and people come from all over to enjoy it. The Clarks are no different!

Ministry Update

We continue to coordinate and work with short-term teams. As of now we have received a total of 38 teams, and have 18 more on the calendar for next year so far!

This is really good news, and it also means a lot of work! The dates for trips keep filling up. We’re so thankful, and also completely rely on God’s strength and grace to do all that’s needed to host teams well and bless our surrounding communities.

A few ministry pictures for you…

A youth team from Gateway church in Texas. We love youth teams!

Hanging out with kids during an outreach

Heavy rains and wind often cause long power outages. But chapel must go on!

Our friend and co-worker Arturo celebrated his birthday with friends and family

Ben’s carpentry students continue to learn and improve. Here Alan and Haziel work on their project.

The base floods every year, and sometimes takes days to drain out. This team member was wearing a orthopedic boot, and needed a lift in a wheelbarrow to get to the guest house! 

Some fellow missionaries share some fun during a kids’ outreach

A team from Hawaii came and helped support a children’s home in Puerto Escondido, not too far from us. They also helped in many other areas!

This mask is part of a traditional dance that was being practiced in the courtyard in the background

Pilgrim Center for Reconciliation hosted a retreat for Roca pastors and leaders in Puerto Escondido. A beautiful and special time together. 

Pilgrim Center also put on a retreat for the students of the Mexican high school on our base. It was a life changing experience for the participants.

Some of the men who are diligently working long hours to prepare the base facilities for Convocation, a huge conference of over 5,000 people at the end of this month. Ben has been coordinating the efforts on improvements and new projects.

A quick view of the work that is still in progress to prepare for Convocation. Still a lot to do! Pray that it all comes together for this big event.

Handing out food packs and sharing God’s love.

Patients standing in line at a medical outreach

Staff meetings with no power

This is Edgar, one of Ben’s carpentry students

Flooding on the base almost got into this classroom despite it being built up off the ground to avoid it

This gentleman received prayer and practical help

Nothing wrong with a little physical labor! So thankful for teams that come ready to work.

A basic medical setup to attend to patients

We had the honor of receiving dear friends as part of the Pilgrim Center for Reconciliation team. So good to connect and minister with them.

Nothing but the freshest!

Working on finishing bathrooms to accommodate an anticipated 5,000 people crowd. No small task!

We are so thankful for all the Lord has done in these last months, and full of expectation for what he will do next. It’s never boring, that’s for sure!

We have a couple of projects we’ll be working on in 2024.

First, we are looking to build a house! We have been renting ever since we arrived in Mexico, and in the last couple of years we have rented a lovely house from some missionaries who are currently on home assignment. We are so thankful for the spaces we’ve been able to occupy. However, it’s not “ours”, and with 7 people we are finding we need our own space, and more space for the kids to roam. We are excited to be able to own a home again! We have begun raising funds toward this effort, and praise God, we already have some money set aside for this! You’ll be hearing more about this from us before too long, but we’d love to invite you on the journey as we move forward and share our progress.

Second, Hannah is starting to earnestly pursue authorship. This is the fruit of being stuck in bed for weeks on end! Since a young age, the Lord has spoken over her life that she would write books that make an impact for him. So, here we go into this totally unknown realm of publishing! I’m starting with kids’ books. I have a little series that I’ll be starting with, and then perhaps venturing into more “serious” work. I’m setting up a separate site for that, and will share it here when it’s ready for those who may be interested. It’s new, terrifying, and exciting. Can’t wait to share more about that.

As we head into Christmas and soon the New Year, we want to send our best wishes and love to you and your family. May you feel God’s presence so near, wrapped tightly like the swaddled Emmanuel with you. Oh come, let us adore him!!

In love,

Ben, Hannah, and kids

21 Comments

  1. Verne and Judy Comstock

    It’s so good to hear from you! You have some exciting plans, and we are so glad Hannah is healing well. Hannah might be interested in contacting Phyllis Moore from Church Upon the Rock. She has written and self published several books, including a science fiction series. I know she would have some good advice for you. Have a blessed Christmas!

    Reply
  2. Janet Williams

    Always love your newsletters and photos!! ❤️❤️

    Reply
  3. Bonnie Connolly

    Hi Ben and Hannah! So good to hear from you. I loved all the pictures and videos. Thank you for all your work in Mexico, sharing the gospel and hosting teams. May the Lord continue to provide for all your needs. Have a blessed Christmas. News on our end: Our daughter, Krista, is engaged and is getting married on May 4, 2024.

    Reply
    • Ben and Hannah

      That’s wonderful! Congrats to the new couple. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

      Reply
  4. Maura Hackenmueller

    It is always good to hear from you and see all the great photos! You write an excellent newsletter. God bless you as you pursue writing books, Hannah!
    Merry Christmas to you and your family!
    Love from Dan and Maura

    Reply
    • Ben and Hannah

      Great to hear from you! Thanks for the encouragement. Love to you!

      Reply
  5. Todd Metzger

    Yall are our heroes.Amazing to see how God is using y’all.Blessings on your family.

    Reply
      • Bill & Shana Rogers

        So amazing Ben and Hannah. We love you guys. Praying for God’s continued blessings and favor on you and your family and the work you do for the Kingdom. Merry Christmas!

        Reply
        • Ben and Hannah

          Thank you, friends! We’re thankful for you. Merry Christmas!

          Reply
  6. Sharon Holmgren

    Wonderful update!!

    We will be praying for your launching as an author.

    Blessings forever,
    Ken and Sharon

    Reply
  7. Larry Schatz

    Ben and Hannah: I am so very proud of what you are doing and the walk with Jesus you have chosen to walk. I pray your new home is built quickly and your mansion in Heaven waits. You are one of my hero’s. Merry Christmas. Love and Blessings Larry Schatz

    Reply
    • Ben and Hannah

      Thanks so much, Larry. God is so good to us! Thankful we can serve him here. Merry, merry Christmas, and a happy New Year!

      Reply
  8. Alyssa Solorio

    It’s always so good to hear from you guys! Praying for you as we head into this new year and everything God is doing!

    Reply
    • Ben and Hannah

      Wow, just saw this! Thank you Alyssa. God is so good!

      Reply

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