Acts and Love in Action: BGsEtAl 2021May; Vol. XXI Num. 08; Celebrate and remember…

There are people and occasions that we celebrate once a year. Yet we should celebrate each day. Such is the case of mothers. This year, due to a variety of reasons, it is a difficult day for many families; especially those who will not have the matriarch in their midst and the mothers who will not have their children in their arms. 1 out of 4 mothers has lost a baby during pregnancy. Others see their children die at different stages in life. We will be sharing about mothers and other celebrations in this May issue of your BGs journal: Acts and Love in Action.

This month is also the anniversary of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society (also known as International Ministries–American Baptist). Since its founding in 1814, ABFMS has been serving in more than 70 countries around the world during these 207 years. This May 21st there are several celebrations that coincide.

First of all, our 207th anniversary. Second, we will be celebrating the life of our former executive director; the one who received us when we were commissioned in 2000. John A. Sundquist completed his earthly journey this past February and on May 21st we will celebrate his life and fruitful ministry. We remember John’s smile, his details in pronouncing our names in Spanish in his Christmas cassettes, his handwritten signature in each birthday and anniversary card… His love for the Lord and passion for His mission were contagious. He called us by our names when we saw him last in 2014 at Green Lake. We miss John and pray for Carol and all of the family knowing that this good and faithful servant is enjoying the joy of the Lord he served for so many years.

That same day, May 21st, our son Alberto will be graduating from Asbury Theological Seminary (Wilmore, Kentucky) with his ThM and on the 22nd with his MABS. 25 years since we graduated from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, barely three months from Alberto’s birth, we rejoice that he graduates with his masters. God has been so faithful guiding and providing for him and we know God will open doors for which He himself has allowed this preparation. We know the Lord will move Alberto where He has prepared for him to walk. Meanwhile, we thank God. Though we cannot be in Kentucky that day (the ceremonies will be attended by graduates and ATS personnel only), we will watch online and will celebrate with Alberto when he returns home.

Seems like we were celebrating Holy Week yesterday, and 7 weeks later we will come to Pentecost. This feast of weeks or of the harvest, reminds us of the gift of the Holy Spirit that empowers us to fulfill the great commission of being witnesses in Jerusalem and to the ends of the earth. As we go, we keep making disciples of all nations. What a blessing to know that He is with each of us each day.

This year, we will celebrate Mother’s Day Nica-style, on May 30th. Carolina returns home just in time for Mother’s Day and Alberto after his graduations. So, we will celebrate both on the 9th and the 30th. Another year to celebrate Mami and thank the Lord for His care for her. At the door to her 88th in 4 more months, God continues to be good, good, good all the time… What a blessing being able to love our children so much and so many others that fill our lives with tenderness and teach us to grow with their own experiences… We thank the Lord, for Mami, for Nubia (my mother-in-love already with the Lord), for my Mamis from the heart, and for allowing me to be a mother…

And we complete this month with Memorial Day. We remember and honor the military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties while serving in the US Armed Forces. The day will come when there will be no more war. Sadly, that day has not arrived yet and we continue to live surrounded by war and many deaths in combat. Let us continue to pray that the Prince of Peace will return to put everything in order and bring His permanent peace. Meanwhile, let us promote peace and spread seeds of faith and hope with the love of Jesus to all who receive Him. Our respect and embrace to relatives of those lost in combat. May the Lord fill your hearts with His peace.

“Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so they will rest from their labors, since their works follow them.’” (Revelations 14.13 CSB)

As we move into the Summer, let us remember those that have gone before us, serve with enthusiasm in the upcoming VBS and Camp experiences, and prepare our minds to “imagine” what the Lord will have us do to restore unity, healing, and hope into our lives, congregations, and communities. Thanks for your ongoing walk with us to serve our region through discipleship and the many practical ways He opens doors for us to serve Him and those He leads us to share acts and love in action!

Stretching further toward the goal “celebrating and remembering”,
your BGs Et Al

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