If you’re like me, you’ve probably grown weary of many of the terms which have been so over-used during the past year and a half. Words & phrases like “social distancing,” “pivot,” and “mandate” have become expressions that we are just tired of hearing. For me, the chart-topper for most loathed phrase is “new normal.”  If I’m being honest, I probably used the term prior to 2020 thinking it sounded sophisticated. I now painfully regret those days and even worse, find myself still using it at times; like at the top of this column. Unfortunately, this over-used phrase is probably still our best shot at succinctly describing the situation we all find ourselves in. Though we may not like the phrase itself or some of the things we now deal with in the pandemic world of 2021, this season is here and I hope we realize that we have a lot to be thankful for. In the photo above, you see Pastor Daniel Tercero (middle right in the blue shirt) along with a group of pastors that he mentors in Peña Blanca, Honduras peering over their masks and thankfully holding up books that we were able to supply them with during our June trip. I along with Pastor Morgan Bailey who I serve with at Macedonia, traveled to serve with Pastor Daniel on a short term trip.

Prior to that trip, Pastor Daniel asked me to bring the materials for a class on leadership that he is teaching to the group of pastors he mentors. Additionally, Bro. Morgan and I conducted a conference for the pastors on the book of Titus which they were very encouraged by. As I write this, I’m preparing to leave in the next couple of days, for a trip to visit the church we served with in San Pedro Sula (ICF) along with some of the other ministries we are connected with there. In addition to supporting Pastor Daniel’s ministry, you are also supporting the Christian School for the Deaf in San Pedro Sula, special needs students in other schools there, and relief for the impoverished. We have another trip planned for November, and we are prayerfully looking toward what God has in store for 2022. 

So, this new season of life is different for us, as I know you all have your own stories of how things have changed. Truly, new seasons bring new challenges, but as I mentioned above, we all have a lot to be thankful for. Alania and I want you all to know that we are truly thankful for you! God has provided for us over these years in so many ways that have included all of you who have sent us, prayed for us, and given financially to us and the ministries God has connected us with. We are so thankful for such a system of support that God has blessed us with. You have been our encouragers, our consolers, our accountability, and so much more. I remember when this lifelong journey began and how we couldn’t see or understand how it would all come together. We simply went because He called and somehow trusted that He would give us what we needed. My testimony is that God has sustained us and my gratitude to Him includes you all because you have been faithful in what He has asked you to do. Thank you for continuing on mission with us in this “new normal.”

God Bless You,

Kris & Alania