Acts and Love in Action: BGsEtAl 2021Nov/Dec; Vol. XXII Num. 03; Our bodies His temple…

As we get closer to the end of this 2021, we seek to review and find a balance looking back to this term of service that began in Colombia and was extended to our Iberoamerica and The Caribbean Region. We invite you to join us on FB and Instagram (BGs Et Al) and our FB group (The BGs Et Al) to stay tuned to our Bible readings and ministry updates!

Reading back our journals from November 2018, 2019, and 2020, we can see God at work in our lives and ministry. You hear mostly about our ministry, but this time we’d like to update you on our lives. The title for this journal is: Our bodies His temple. By “our bodies” we mean the bodies of Carlos and Mayra. Yes, our bodies.

The good food with our partners and visiting churches in our fields of service is well documented. Then we return to the USA and Puerto Rico for visits and potlucks abound. We thoroughly have enjoyed many meals with gratitude for the sustenance it has provided. It isn’t your fault. We needed to learn to make choices and at times acknowledge we were already satisfied. Carlos and Mayra have taken a long time to learn that.

When your body talks, you better listen. We began this term of service in 2018 in Colombia, listening to signs that if we didn’t take care of our bodies, the bill would be hard to pay. We had 348 pounds between us, it was difficult to breath, and our metabolism was slow. We started exercising 2-3 times a week and made adjustments to our eating habits. We also sought physical therapy for Mami who was already living with us.

Then we moved back to the USA and continued our ministry out of our Florida living quarters. Adjusting these two years has not been easy. The global pandemic hit, and we found ourselves isolated and limited. Other health issues surfaced within our family, and we discovered it is better for us to limit our intake of gluten and dairy. The adjustments continued. For years, we took care of our spirits and emotions, but had neglected our physical needs. We felt convicted to care for our bodies as the temple of His Spirit and continued our journey to health. With the guidance of the doctor, we determined which vitamins and minerals were lacking in our system. When you know what you need, you know what to feed and what not to feed your body. We both were also blessed with new eyesight and new hearing for Carlos. We thought our limitations did not have an alternative. Now, we both can see, and we both can hear!

We are creating healthier eating habits and exercising our bodies. One of our MPTers served at the Y and we almost joined in Hoosierland in 2012. Well, we finally did now in Florida. Even Mami enjoys her low-impact aqua exercises which improve her health and disposition.

It has taken a few years, but we are at 288 pounds between us. Those 60 pounds are gone. We pray they will never return. We covet your prayers as we continue this journey to health during the completion of this term, our upcoming US/PR assignment, and in as many more terms of service as the Lord blesses us with. We are all in this together, all 6 of us! And, we can say all 7 of us as we look at what the Apostle Paul said:

“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 CSB)

As we complete the journey through the holidays ahead, we are mindful of the gift of Jesus and are grateful to Him. We pray to care for our bodies, His temple, as we care for our whole spirit and soul… in a more balanced way! We also pray this 2022 will be a blessing to you and all who are around you! We are grateful for your ongoing love and support!

Stretching further toward the goal “caring for His temple”,
your BGs Et Al

Find us on www.facebook.com/BGsEtAl and “Like” our page and group for updates and pictures of our ministry. If you’d like to reach us, send us your cell phone number and email via BGs Et Al’s inbox and we’ll be happy to connect with you as soon as we’re able!

Do you need to update any information of the credit/debit card or bank account you use for online or recurring gifts? Has your address or email address changed? Would you like to increase your monthly giving amount? You can do all of this through our website user portal…

It’s easy to Log in or Create an Account.

If you need to make any changes in your current support or would like to set up an account and need support, feel free to call (610) 768-2323 or send an email to: imdonorservices@internationalministries.org