I wouldn’t blame you if there was a little part of you thinking this was set up. The fact is, I walked into Bianca’s bedroom about a week and a half ago and saw this little sign on her shrunk (closet.) Just in case you can’t make all of it out, it says, “My dream is to be a missionary to Mexico and work with orphans.” Wow! You probably could have seen a father’s pride spewing out of my pores at that moment. What a wonderful dream it is!
Bianca has told me in the past about her desire to go with me on one of my assignments with Proclaim. God willing, she will come with me on a campaign this coming summer. When I had the opportunity to go to Ensenada and Mexicali Mexico with my dear friend Peter Neumann (to serve with Asuza Pacific’s Mexico outreach program) she wanted to come along and help. Bianca also has had much exposure to the plight of orphans in the slums of Sao Paulo Brazil through our home church Oak Hills. She almost always comes with me and helps out when we work with developmentally delayed kids through our TRAP ministry. Bianca has a heart for kids… it’s a beautiful thing!
What could be more important to Dawn and I than for Bianca and Sofia knowing Jesus as their Lord and saviour, living outside themselves, and having a heart for people… being a reflection of the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ? We can’t really think of anything else. God is working in the lives of our children. We are grateful for His sovereignty over the work we are here to do, and over our family… over all things. Bianca will be 11 years old on February 7th. Even though the course of her life is uncertain to us, we praise God that she is a young lady that knows Jesus and has a tender heart. Many of you reading this have been a huge influence in her life, (you know who you are) and for that we are eternally grateful.
So, I thought it would good for this month’s blog, to have a Q & A with Bianca, or better known as “B-Dogg.”
Steve: Why do you feel like you want to be a missionary to Mexico or Brazil?
Bianca: I’ve always wanted to learn Spanish and I love working with children. In Brazil the weather is really great! I feel like it would be a great place to spread The Word.
Steve: Do you think it’s important to help and serve other people?
Bianca: Not all people are like us, who have a mom and a dad. Not all of them have food to eat and a bed to sleep in. Helping is a great way to spread The Word of God.
Steve: Why is it important that people hear The Word and The Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Bianca: Otherwise people won’t have eternal life. They will go to the gates of Heaven and may not be able to go in. God gives people chances… not all take them.
Steve: Why do you like working with children?
Bianca: Because it’s fun and I like playing with them. It’s easy to love kids and a lot of them need a friend. They need help with different things like what to do when they get in trouble.
Steve: What do you think about living in Germany and helping people here come to know Jesus?
Bianca: It’s a different life here but I’m making friends and I like the school I go to. There’s a lot of people here who need Jesus too.
Thank you all for being a part of the lives of our children Bianca and Sofia. They have been shaped and formed in part because of your Christ centered influence in their lives. And, thank you for your continued love, prayers, support and friendship.
Prayer requests:
For our proclaim Co-Director Bob Johnson who continues to courageously battle cancer
For the upcoming Proclaim campaign to Belarus in February (Central Asia) and for several campaigns to follow in the Spring and Summer
For a strong marriage that is glorifying to God
For continued opportunity to be a light in the lives of a certain German family we have been getting to know
For continued unity and strength for Team Proclaim Germany (We have a great team here!)
For strong prayer and financial support
For continued language and cultural adaptation
Praise for God’s work in the lives of Bianca and Sofia
How very precious. A missionary’s heart is a wonderful gift. You are blessed (and so are we). Thank you for sharing.
WOW! such a wonderful reflection of the heart of Jesus in your daughter’s young life – you & your wife have been a godly example to her of how to set aside our own wants and desires and truly seek the heart of God & HIS will for our lives. God bless you ALL as you continue to serve HIM! (BTW, as a 66-yo grandma I completed my FIRST missions trip to Ensenada, spending a week at Rancho Agua Viva – working for the LORD is so rewarding!!) – GO, BIANCA!!!