December 2020
We moved to Mexico one year ago, and what a year it has been! We knew it was going to be difficult. We knew there were going to be challenges along the way…but what a year it has been. We’ve often said that we picked quite a year to become missionaries!
But as we reflect on the journey this year, we see and sense the goodness and nearness of God. We also sense the nearness of the body of Christ. Thank you for your love, care, support, prayer, notes and blessings. They have meant more than you know. You have encouraged and uplifted us. Thank you.
On November 30, my dad, Duane Jay Clark, went to be with Jesus after a 2-year battle with cancer. I am so grateful for the time I was able to spend with him during the months of August and September. I got to go on several walks with him, enjoy hazelnut lattes, tinker in the garage, watch a few movies, go fishing, pray together, hear him tell stories and reminisce about life, family, church and dear friends growing up. I even got to hear his excitement for the future, Heaven included. I had the privilege of baptizing him. He said the Holy Spirit was convicting him to make a public declaration of the revival that was taking place in his heart as he was thinking about eternity. He said to me over and over that he was more in love with Jesus than he had ever been. The Lord’s timing is perfect.
My mom, Jane, is doing remarkably well. She was believing for dad’s healing even until the last moment, but was also prepared for his passing. The Lord gave grace and continues to do so. I returned home to be with the family after Dad passed, and it was fun for Mom and the 4 kids to be together to celebrate and process dad’s life. Mom is a remarkable woman who is one of the biggest givers on the planet, and who can start a conversation with anyone.
So, needless to say the last month has once again been disrupted. Hannah and the kids and my father-in-law came and met up with me in Laredo, TX. We needed to nationalize our car by the end of the year. We got that done, which was a relief.
We were also hoping to get religious residency visas. We went to the consulate at our appointed time slot to which they said, “Your appointment is only for one person, sorry. Nothing we can do for you right now.” Nothing was said about this when making the appointment or preparing all of the necessary materials. Very frustrating, but the Lord has purpose in it all. We may not see the big picture right now but we are trusting in the Lord’s timing.
On the trip home we ended up having more roadside adventures. We could do with less of those! Things did not go as we planned. Our car broke down in the city of Puebla. What is that saying… ‘when life gives you lemons, make lemonade’? We are believing and trusting the Lord that the car is not a lemon. With the various issues we’ve had along the way, we have certainly wondered!
We had to stay in Puebla for several days while we waited on a car diagnosis and fix during the week of Christmas. This didn’t happen and we eventually rented a van to come home for Christmas.
Instead of being bored in a hotel for days on end (although the kids loved the TV!), we chose to have a couple of adventures. We saw a volcano smoking at twilight while we walked the extensive sky walkways above the highways of Puebla. We visited a great number of churches built in the 15- and 1600s. We even got to see the pyramid with the largest base in the world!
Again, even in the challenges, the Lord’s hand was very evident along the way. Please pray with us for our car to be fixed and be a blessing for the people of Oaxaca. We will need to go in a week or two to pick it up and drive it the last 10 hours home.
As usual here are some pictures of what recent weeks have been like for us. Enjoy!
Dad loved to read to kids, especially his own.
He felt just the same about grandkids.
Jane, my mom, with Andy, Becca, Jon, and me.
A church in El Mosco, during a recent outreach.
The view of the Oaxacan mountains from Ixtayutla.
A pharmacy setup for the clinic outreach
Base staff minister to church members during services. These believers need encouragement and support! We’re glad to be part of the work here.
The beautiful tile facade of one of the churches we visited near Puebla. Absolutely stunning, and the work of many years.
Pastor Carmela (center) pastors a church in Ixtayutla, a village not too far from here. Here we are getting her truck down the road to be worked on.
Steve, the Roca trade school director, takes a look at the truck. With the roads the way they are, vehicles need frequent repairs!
This is a typical clinic outreach setup. Sheets are hung and clipped to create consult rooms, and a prayer room at the end where the Gospel is shared and patients are prayed for.
Patients wait in line for consults and care.
The consulate in Laredo! This picture was taken before our crushing disappointment. Ha!
The inside of the church is equally stunning, although very sad. The worship of Mary is evident throughout, with few images of Jesus. Mary is viewed as fair, kind, and comforting. Jesus is seen as harsh and unapproachable. Please pray with us that the truth of who Jesus is will break through to hungry hearts.
Another church, this one built on top of the pyramid we visited. The pyramid has the largest base in the world and is the only one in a still-populated area.
Ruins toward the top of the pyramid. Human sacrifices are well documented here. It was strange and awe-inspiring to see the altars where human remains were found.
This is the entrance to the pyramid. Despite it’s size this could be described as the little footstool of the grand pyramid.
Hannah talks with a souvenir seller about the function of the church in society.
(video to the right) “Voladores”, or flyers, do this ritual for curious onlookers. Usually there are 5 spinners, but there were only 2 this day. They spin until they land on the ground. It’s an ancient practice of worship to the sun.
We pray that you will be blessed with the great abundance, love, joy and peace that comes from knowing Christ. May he lift you up, comfort you, and may you know the nearness of His presence. May unexpected challenges pale in comparison to the thrill of knowing Jesus and making him known.
We love and appreciate you. Happy New Year!! He is waiting for us in 2021.
Blessings,
Ben, Hannah and kids
Always good to read your updates! You’ve had quite a year indeed! Appreciate how you’ve seen God’s hand in the ups and downs. He is with you always!
Love the pictures of Jay reading to his kids and grandkids, plus all the photos from your travels. God’s blessings on you all in the new year. Love you, Maura
Thank you Maura! Love you too, and praying blessings on you likewise.
Thank you for the update. Wow, what a journey your first year has been!! It seems so long ago that it started and yet it seems to have gone so fast. I continue to pray for you and that God provides all your needs. He is faithful. With so much love for each one of you ?❤️?
Thanks. Love you lots.
Thinking and praying for all of you. Have a blessed 2021. Love, Aunt Ruth
Thank you Aunt Ruth! Same to you!
Thanks for the update! It is so good to hear about the faithfulness of God! You have been learning how to make a lot of lemonade this year! We pray that God will continue to give you grace in 2021.
Thanks for your prayers for S & J. They arrived in her hometown four days before it closed down to all new people for the holidays!! Our times are in His hands. The picture that I saw last night in prayer was that 2021 is the year of the Harvest; the harvesters will overcome the sowers.
God bless you and your family.
So glad they made it!! Thanks for praying for us. Love you all.
I would buy “lemonade” from your traveling lemonade stand – Praise the Lord he helps you with the attitude of praise. Making memories out of miseries – you got the skills. Love you and praying for you. God alone is your Hope and Refuge.
Hey friend. What kind words. We love you and can’t wait til the next time we get to hug you again.