February-March 2020
It certainly has been an eventful couple of months in the world as COVID-19 has shaken the foundations of many. We are grateful that we can rest in God’s goodness, even if we don’t know what tomorrow will bring.
We pray and trust you are all staying safe and healthy. The Clark family is healthy and thankful to be so! The kids are out of school and doing school work at home with Mom. Ben recently finished level 2 (out of 4) of Spanish school and is getting better and better at communicating. He recently went on a fishing outing with our neighbor and got to see how many of the people in our area sustain themselves. Ben is also healthy – thanks for praying! The arrhythmias are being controlled with medication that is easy to find and inexpensive.
Things have begun to shut down in earnest here in Southern Mexico. Just this week Ben made a trip to the next town over for groceries and necessities, but all of the entrances to our town are barricaded off. Several of the men in the town are hanging out there making sure no one goes in or out without being checked. Only people living in the town are allowed in right now. Thankfully we’ve been here long enough to be recognized in our own village. However, Ben went on an errand to Puerto Escondido (45 min. from us), and was stopped on the highway by police. Thankfully he was with Hannah’s dad. They initially wouldn’t let them through, saying the travel wasn’t necessary. They ended up letting them through, but kept Ben’s passport until he returned, warning them to be back by a certain time, or there could be consequences. It was a bit alarming, but they returned without a problem – with his passport!
You may have noticed the phrase “Ben went to town”. Our car is fixed!! We are so grateful to have it! It’s interesting… We finally got the freedom to move around and go where we want and now we can’t go anywhere! Oh well. We’re looking forward to more freedom.
As usual, we have so much more we could tell you about our lives here. Here are a bunch of pictures to hopefully give you a snapshot! (Pun intended.)
Human Minesweeper at home to combat boredom during quarantine!
Norah has to be told not to bring every animal home. This one belongs to one of the neighbors!
A baptism service for members of the local church.
Ben made it to 40!
We now have a teenager. Cooper is 13!
Children’s ministry during the clinic outreaches! Skits, crafts, stories, more!
The exam rooms in the pop-up clinics are divided by sheets hanging from a wire above. Each room is staffed by a doctor or nurse. A pharmacy is set up outside to dispense meds as needed.
The last room patients go through before getting their meds is a prayer room. The clinic has a full-time intercessor and evangelist who prays with each patient and shares the Gospel.
As you can see, the weather is almost unvaried here.
Every Monday evening base staff, Bible and music students gather for a time of worship and prayer. This is at the music school.
Cooper and Osvaldo, the neighbor boy, teaching each other Spanish and English.
The funeral of a man here in town. Burials occur on the beach about a mile from us.
Norah riding her bike at Grandpa and Grandma’s. They are kind enough to move furniture out of the way!
Wesley before the quarantine, wearing a Ugandan tie to school – thanks Pastor Jim!
It’s always amazing to see believers making a public statement of faith!
A birthday tradition here is the “mordida”, when the birthday boy or girl gets takes a bite out of the cake. This custom often ends like this.
We joined a medical team from OK on two village outreaches. This is a set-up for a popup clinic in a local church. People waiting to receive free care and the Gospel.
Waiting area at the pop-up clinic
Taking vitals before getting a number and waiting to be seen.
Hannah’s dad has a jackfruit tree in his yard. We got to harvest one of the fruits together! This specimen had 92 seeds, each surrounded by delicious fruit.
We got a washing machine! This has made life so much easier!
Hannah giving the devotion one morning for the Spanish school students.
Please continue to pray for us. Our transition continues as we discover more and more things that are new to us and require more adjustment. It’s going well, but it’s a process for sure!
Pray also for wisdom and understanding as we move forward toward our long-term ministry here. We recently met with the leadership of Roca Blanca, and have begun praying about specifics of responsibility and work.
This season has reminded us of Haggai in Scripture. For the nation of Israel, it was a season of shaking that caused the people to take note and consider what was truly of value. It wasn’t about building their own little kingdoms. It was about a Kingdom that cannot be shaken. I pray that the season you are in finds you focusing on what really matters.
We appreciate your partnership and interest in our lives and ministry. We don’t take it for granted!
We would love to hear from you! Please feel free to email, or drop a comment below. And may the God of all Peace be with you!
Hey! Thanks so much for your great news and wonderful photos! We loved the one with Ben in his white beard! And the ones of the kids making the best of things. So you have a teenager! We are doing fine blessed everyday with God’s faithfulness. We are doing Zoom with Bcf, etc. Love you all!
We love you too, Lynda! We have been able to watch some of BCF’s videos when the internet connection has been strong enough. The whole situation is bizarre but we are thankful for technology.
George and Kay would love that jackfruit 🙂 We have one from time to time. I don’t care for it though 🙂 I ran across this verse for wisdom recently. “I will guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.” Proverbs 4:11-13
I had never tried jackfruit before. I thought it was delicious! But I can see how it might not be everyone’s favorite. It was really fun harvesting it either way. A family affair! Thank you for the verse. So good to stand on a firm foundation.
It was wonderful to see you all again! So glad Ben is doing fine with his heart.
The pictures were wonderful … including the weather for the week 🙂
So appreciate you all.
All is well with us at GCMM.
Liz is doing a very diligent and good job.
May God bless you all! Dave
Hi Dave! Really good to hear that GCMM is moving forward as well as always! Thanks for praying for us. And come see us to enjoy the weather anytime!
We are proud of you guys and the way that you are soldiering on in the midst of the pandemic. May the Lord continue to protect you and to prepare you for all that He has for you ahead. What a blessing to see all the pics that help us to picture what it is like for you there. Many blessings!
Thank you! Your prayers are truly appreciated. It’s meaningful to know we are remembered and lifted up! Yes, pictures are definitely helpful! Do you anticipate a visit here in the future? We’d love to catch up in person!
Thank you so much for sharing about what God is doing as you fulfill His calling upon your life for the Mexican people. Praying for you.
Loved the pic of Norah and her little friend. ?
God bless!
Thank you Elsie! Great to hear from you.
Great to hear from you! Good news is appreciated these days, and we pray for more good things to happen for you in the days to come. Soon you will be able to use your vehicle again.
Would you like prayer for a less boring weather forecast?
No, we like the weather as it is! 😀 The rainy season is coming up, actually, so we’ll have some rain almost every day. It’s a good thing! The mountains will go green again, and hopefully less critters will come into the house looking for water! Trust you guys are well.
To the Clark family:
Happy to know you all are doing great there in Southern Mexico. May God keep you all safe there in Mexico.
Member of BCF. Church
Thank you so much! Trust you are well and safe. Blessings!
So good to read your letter and catch a glimpse of your lives in photos. The kids looks so much older! We miss you but know the Lord is doing great things through you. The weather looks absolutely wonderful!!
Thank you Sue! I agree… the kids look much older in 3 short months somehow! They’re growing like weeds. We miss you too! Yes, the weather is a real perk of being here. No scarves, mittens, boots, etc.
Glad to hear Ben’s heart has stabilized with meds. And HAPPY 40th and 13th to two of your menfolk! Those are biggies! The jackfruit looks awesome, as does the super long Nigerian tie from Pastor JO. Burials on the beach! I didn’t know people got buried in sand, but why not? And thanks for the word from Haggai. I’m preaching, Sunday, about Christian maturity and the root systems of trees, so your words were very timely. Love to the Clarks from the Johnsons!
Thank you Seth! Miss you guys.
We are both well and glad to know the same for you all. Much love and caring, Aunt Ruth & Uncle Joe
Thank you Aunt Ruth! Good to hear you are well.
Wow! So much has happened, you guys have certainly been busy! That would have definitely been scary to have your passport confiscated, I’m glad everything worked out ? Great job, Ben, for all your hard work of language learning!!! We love you guys ?
Thank you Bethany! Trust you guys are doing well. Are we on your news list? If not, could you add us?
It’s great to read your newsy updates and always love the photos you send! Can’t believe how much your precious kids have grown! What fun to celebrate those two milestone birthdays. Happy belated birthday to Ben and to Cooper! So grateful to hear Ben’s heart has stabilized and you are all doing so well and adjusting to the changes in the world today. Praise God He never changes. We sure do miss you guys! Love and prayers from the Hackenmuellers
Yes, they’ve grown exponentially it seems! I too am thankful that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. What comfort and joy. Miss and love you too! ~H