I married a man raised on a cotton farm. They also raised a few cattle, pigs, and chickens. Steve and his siblings learned all the things involved in running a working farm. They learned how to work before the sun came up and after the sun went down. This was a family who believed with all their hearts in our amazing Creator who loved to bless. They knew that everything belonged to Him and they were stewards of His abundant blessings!
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There are 13 siblings in my husband's family, they all have some "farming in their blood", yet not any of them are now farmers. 12 of them have a first name that begins with "S". The male names start with "St" and the female names begin with "Sh". Steve's sister, one year younger, is Sharla. Sharla, "the farmer" married "a farmer" named Kent who had the same perspective about God. Together, God gave them a dream and a heart coupled with an amazing work ethic to minister to the people of South and central America. So, they've stepped out on faith multiple times over the last 30+ years in Columbia, Belize, and now for the last 21 years in Ecuador.
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Three of their children are married with children and all are immersed in mission work in South America. One adopted daughter, Jeanna, went home to be with the Father in 1988. Thirteen years ago, they adopted a 9 month old abandoned Ecuadorian baby and named him James. Last week, I heard Mary Beth Chapman say that the children you have by birth are your "natural born" children. Those who come to you in other ways are your "super natural" children. Love it! Jeanna and James = super natural!
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God brought Kent, Sharla, and James to us this week. What a blessing! We shared our lives. Kent spoke to the Tuesday area wide preachers' group. The three of them went with Steve to see Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and of course, "Rocky's steps". They experienced Philly cheesesteaks. Sharla sat in one of my classes at the university. They met for dinner with our elders and then afterwards Kent spoke at our Wednesday evening Bible study about the amazing work that their mission team is doing in Ecuador, South America, and worldwide.
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God certainly was in control when He sent two "farmers" who understood about the work of tilling, planting, watering, sunshine, waiting, fertilizing, weeding, watering, waiting...
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God was in control when He allowed His two children, wearing His full armor, to step out in faith and follow God's lead to see what God would do... a school of Biblical studies, multi-generations of families who now know and love the LORD, churches growing over South America, medical missions all the way into the jungle, a year round camp for children to come to be ministered to and learn about Jesus, a worldwide internet Bible study that has over 10,000 students...
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I know of no one on this planet who can tell you more about WHAT FAITH CAN DO than these two. They wear the FULL ARMOR OF GOD!!!
Sherri snapped a few photos on Wednesday evening.
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Kent and Sharla:
Sharla visited with many Pitman sisters including Susie (who lived in Ecuador many years ago with her husband Matt):
Carl and Beverly were in Lubbock, Texas in school with Kent and Sharla years ago:
James posed with Katherine. Dan and Katherine hosted James and his dad and mom in their home because staying in our home would have been too much for our Jessica at this time:
James' joy and love for people is contagious! Although he only had 20 words by the age of 5, James now speaks both Spanish and English fluently. He also is a master yodeler. Steve encouraged him to show us how he does it HERE or click on this picture to see!
Ephesians 6:13-14
- "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm..."
1 comment:
That was really encouraging, thank you!
Sarah
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