“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” Isaiah 1:17

Purse Outreach—This past December, right before Christmas, we were part of a purse outreach in Pomona partnered with a LA County public defender and her team.  Michelle is currently part of a diversion team with EveryOne Free here in Pomona.  She is serving as their case manager—providing help, hope and healing from Jesus and resources to girls who are seeking help from the sex-trafficking industry.  They spent the afternoon on a popular street in Pomona where there is a high population of women in the sex industry.  They were able to hand out purses and hygiene items that are so needed, as well as a hotline number to call for help.  Throughout the day 18 girls were able to receive a purse with information and were shared with.  We praise God that one girl asked for help right at that moment and she was able to be brought to a safe place for help.  Another girl called the hotline for help the following day!  We are thankful for the girls that we were able to bring hope to and we are thankful to be able to continue to strengthen the partnership the EveryOne Free Diversion team, the police force and public defenders.  Please pray for the many girls who received a purse and information—that they would seek help, for the ties of oppression over them to be broken and for their protection on the streets.

Salvo Por Gracia (Saved by Grace)

Praise God for new lives in Him!  This December Salvo Por Gracia saw 10 people come to know Jesus for the first time and be baptized in Him! Salvo Por Gracia is a bilingual Spanish speaking church plant in Pomona.  Pomona is 66% Latino and Joseph helped start this church through the Solid Rock Church Planting network he helped form. The church planting network develops leaders who love the mission of reaching their communities. Pastor Hector was developed here and sent out as a Pastor to form Salvo Por Gracia to reach the Spanish speaking population of Pomona.  Joseph continues to meet with Pastor Hector for mentoring and strategic planning. 

Through reaching out to the community 10 people came to Christ and were baptized this December! This December Salvo Por Gracia also had a Christmas outreach in the community where they gave presents to the children and shared the gospel message to many families within Pomona.  Please pray for Pastor Hector and the church as they share the love of Jesus to the community of Pomona.

Family Update…

We are so thankful for the Lord’s provision and protection over us.  We look back upon 2021 (and 2020 as it all is a bit of a blur!) and see His hand so faithfully caring for our family.  Through Covid, Luke’s ankle surgery and year-long rehab, navigating online school/college, health issues, releasing college children, puberty, learning to drive, homeschooling, celebrating 22 years of marriage— life has been full emotionally and literally.  Thank you for your prayers and faithful support to us.  We covet your prayers for our children as they enter and are in their adult years—that they would draw near to the Lord, experience His presence each day and love Him with all their hearts, soul, strength and minds.