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Kenia was full of smiles and had questions all ready for us. Jaqueline hugged us right away and brought out every picture we’d ever sent her – pictures she’s kept even though now she’s married with a baby of her own. David was shy and took a while to even look at us from behind his mother’s back, but by the end was playing Uno with us like a champ. Yhoselin was timid but we got a few smiles out of her during our time together. Brayan was so proud to tell us he’s entered university and his family is doing well.

All of these kids live in Villa Margarita, all have similar brick and cement single room apartments that they live in with their whole families. Each has different situations, different challenges, and a different knowledge and relationship with God. The more-outgoing have grown up with Food for the Hungry as a part of their lives for the last 10 years. The more-timid have just started working with FH in the last few months. The difference is whether or not they know they are loved by God.

I have to admit that even though our family has been supporting kids through Food for the Hungry for 15 years, and we have written hundreds of letters, I forget them. It’s just a face on my refrigerator. It’s easy for me to give the excuse that I’m too busy to write now...I’ll do it next month. What could one little letter from me really do?

But after meeting them, seeing their faces, hearing their hopes and dreams, meeting their families, hugging them, seeing their smiles – I get it. They love getting mail (don’t we all!?). They love knowing that we are interested in what’s important to them. They keep those letters, those pictures. It is important.

But it wasn’t until I was talking with Marisa that I really got it. Marisa is the FH staff member who visits with and disciples the sponsor kids and their families in Villa Margarita. She said that she teaches the kids all the time that God loves each of them. But the kids can’t see God, and it can be hard to feel like he loves them when life is so hard. On the other hand, our letters are from people they can’t see, but they can hold the letter and read the words. They can know this “unseen person” does care about them and about their futures. Then Marisa blew my mind by saying, “Your letters are how these kids feel God’s love.”

WOW. Me? My letters? What a difference we can make in a kid’s life! Not only does sponsoring a child allow them and their family to be a part of the myriad of opportunities FH provides, but we get to be how they first understand God’s love! We get to be missionaries from our own kitchen tables!

So, I challenge you – let’s do it! Let’s be God’s love to them! Let’s show the kids in Villa Margarita that God loves them by being pen pals with a purpose! There will be child sponsorship packets available Sunday between services. I promise you, you won’t regret it, and it will impact both of your lives forever!

We are continuing our series on Getting to Know your church leaders a little bit better. Read along to learn more about Chandler Huston, who serves on our Elder Council.

Where were you born, and do you still consider that home, or somewhere else?

I was born in Albuquerque but at the time lived on Mount Taylor until I was 4 years old. Then we moved to Edgewood and I have always thought of it as home.

What did you want to be when you grew up – and is that still a dream?

I wanted to join the military and have a commercial construction company named JBC. I never figured out what JBC was an acronym for, at that time I didn't even know what an acronym was.

What or who was your earliest spiritual influence?

My parents were, mom was a prayer warrior and my dad was a creationist enthusiast. Both enjoyed reading and studying God's word.

How and when did Christ call you to Himself?

I grew up in a Christian family. When I was seven I accepted Jesus into my heart with my mom, however, I didn't remember it. So, when I was 12 I felt like if the biggest and best decision in my life was putting my faith in Jesus then I should remember exactly when and where I was. At age 12 I surrendered my life to Jesus and never forgot it.

What is a scripture you often read or share with others?

Proverbs 3:5-6. When my dad was dying from cancer I knew I needed a verse to cling to.

What is a special answered prayer you’ve received from the Lord?

My son Grayson was born 9 weeks early and the doctors said he may have a host of life-long issues. God saw to it, that was not the case! He is healthy, strong and lives a normal life.

What is a blessing and what is a challenge in serving as an elder?

Being entrusted to lead God's flock and lift up my brothers and sisters in prayer with the other elders weekly is a great blessing. The greatest challenge is guiding the body when the word is not explicit.

What are your hobbies and how did you get into them?

I enjoy target shooting, which my dad introduced me to, and hunting, which I didn't get into until I was an adult and a friend let me go with him. My other love is camping, which Becca and I have enjoyed since we got married. 

What is your favorite family tradition?

Christmas eve we all go to Santa Fe for the night to celebrate with Mexican food and a reading of the Christmas story. 

How do you enjoy spending a day off?

Doing yard work around the house or going out to eat at a new place is always fun. 

What is the perfect meal?

Trying a new restaurant or going to one of our favorites with Becca and not being rushed. 

Who or what never fails to make you laugh? 

Becca and the kids always crack me up when they're joking around. 

We asked Becca:

Why do I lead music worship at Mountain Christian Church? Here is how it all got started… Chris Willadsen was the worship leader one Sunday in 2005 and he discussed how Jesus loves and values children. He asked if my son, Colt, would sing a verse and chorus from “In Christ Alone” to conclude his worship devotional. Colt sang the song while I accompanied him on the piano. This led to Barb Procter asking me to substitute on the piano for Marilyn Hoover. I began singing with Barb’s team, and eventually became the 5th Sunday per month leader- and then the 1st Sunday per month leader. Twelve years ago, Danny Mitchell and I decided to take our same team and play together twice a month.

Was this a plan I labored to implement over time? Definitely not. This was the best type of plan, one in which the Lord gave small opportunities, one step at a time, which ultimately led to huge blessings. The Lord granted the blessing of allowing my kids to all join me in this service, which had provided blessing upon blessing for my family.

I’ve had the wonderful privilege of co-leading with Danny Mitchell, who has provided hours of teaching, advice, and mentorship to each of my kids in how to lead a congregation in worship. I am honored to have been able to share a team with Danny for the past 12 years.

Here are the some of the lessons I have learned along the way:

Serving in the music ministry has provided me community and friendship. If you want to feel connected to others at church, join a ministry and give your heart and soul to it. Few activities, if any, bind believers together like serving one’s local church in ministry. Small groups may form community; but serving wholeheartedly together forms deep relational ties forged by commitment, trust, and sacrifice.

Serving together with my children has been one of the absolute highlights of my life! We’ve all had to learn patience and humility with each other, along with the joy of creating music together. Whatever ministry you team up with — family, friends, co-workers, classmates — serving together will create unforgettable memories, forge strong bonds, and craft each one’s character through working together towards the goal of glorifying Christ in the endeavor.

One of my favorite parts of leading worship is getting to meditate on the lyrics over and over by preparing and practicing the songs. By the time we sing the songs on Sunday mornings, I am so encouraged and uplifted by the truths in the lyrics. The Word we sing about fills my heart with praise.

I look back on the last 18 years and see the hand of God’s faithfulness all over my life. He has graciously allowed me to be a part of the worship team and I consider being a part of this ministry one of the greatest privileges of my life. My heart overflows with thanksgiving to the elders of Mountain who have allowed my family and I to lead worship. I am incredibly grateful to my husband, Rob, who has graciously allowed me to lead worship twice a month and often on holidays for 18 years now.

I encourage you to find a ministry that resonates deep in your soul and then give your heart and soul to it. If you don’t know what ministry that might be, volunteer in small ways with a few. You may find that a certain ministry grips you. The journey will overwhelm you with so much grace.  The relationships will bind you together by the heart to other believers. Every time you serve and sacrifice, I promise you that the blessings you receive will far outweigh the sacrifice. Your heart will resonate, as does mine, “To God be the glory; great things He has done!”

We are continuing our series on Getting to Know your church leaders a little bit better. Read along to learn more about Vince Tidwell, who serves on our Elder Council.

Where were you born, and do you still consider that home, or somewhere else?

I was born in Arlington, Texas; however, New Mexico is home now.

What did you want to be when you grew up–and is that still a dream?

The first thing I wanted to be was a Dallas Cowboy, wow, has that changed! But I always think deep down I wanted to be a scientist, something I continue to pursue.

What or who was your earliest spiritual influence?

Definitely my father. I was blessed to grow up in a Christian household.

How and when did Christ call you to Himself?

I committed to Christ when I was in mid-school; however, I really made my faith my own when Penny and I married and moved to Tucson for grad school.

What is a scripture you often read or share with others?

Romans 8:31-39: I still remember the first time I read this verse in a Father-Son study.

What is a special answered prayer you’ve received from the Lord?

Most recently it was His persistent encouragement for me to move into partial retirement.

What is a blessing and what is a challenge in serving as an elder?

The blessing is definitely the time that I am able to spend with the elders. The biggest challenge is just the feeling that there is always so much more that I could be doing.

What are your hobbies and how did you get into them?

Anything outdoors, mountain biking, snow skiing, hiking, fly fishing, paddle boarding. These just naturally evolved when I moved to the West.

What is your favorite family tradition?

Simply eating a meal at the table as a family. This is increasingly appreciated as our family continues to grow (e.g., daughters-in-law and grandchild).

How do you enjoy spending a day off?

It is just the opposite of most people, I have to be active. Doesn’t matter too much what it is, I just have to be doing something. This often drives Penny crazy.

What is the perfect meal?

It is not so much what we eat; rather, it is about cooking the meal with Penny.

Who or what never fails to make you laugh?

That is easy, it is spending time with our life-long friends Greg and Kate. Somehow laughter is just a big part of our time together.

We asked Penny: 

What is your favorite trait about Vince: 

My favorite trait of Vince is his character. I married him for his character, and he’s never let me down!

What does Vince do that can always make you smile? 

Vince will take a daily walk with me behind the house! That always makes me smile! 

This year a few thousand folks will decide they’d like to spend a few months trying to hike the entirety of the Appalachian Trail. It’s a challenging goal: 2,200 miles of trail going through 14 states from Georgia to Maine, associated with weather that can go from freezing to scorching, and the prospect of months of hard work to achieve their goal. About 15% of these folks will achieve their goals, and many more will be forever touched by the experience of relying on a few basics on their back, and lots of hard work to take care of themselves in the wilderness.

The trail is marked with a series of 2”x6” painted white rectangles on trees, rocks, roads and fence posts. There are around 160,000 of these “white blazes” along the course of the trail, often, but not always, arranged so that one can see the next one from the previous one. Sights of the side of the trail are marked with similar “blue blazes”, and can include camping locations, water sources or routes to a nearby town.  With a reasonable amount of care, a hiker will usually be able to keep from getting lost along the way, and if he strays, it is usually not a difficult task to go back to the last blaze and look for the way again.  Imagine going for four to six months relying on painted blazes to show your way, and having faith that the next one will be beyond the current one!

The AT was for me a life-changing experience, drawing me closer to God, and enriching my life. I now spend a few months a year helping others achieve their hike goals, and simultaneously pointing out how God is and can be working in their lives. Hikers will say after hiking for months on the trail, “Wouldn’t it be nice if there were white blazes in life as well?”  The question can be the start of a wonderful conversation because, you see, there are: they are written in the love letter God wrote for us. Just as on the AT, we don’t get the whole picture at one time; we need to rely on the Bible for guidance step by step, day by day. And, we might take some detours off the path, but we can get back on again. It’s not a rigid structured life either: there are blue blazes in our lives that might lead to marriage, career decisions, or other important life choices. Always, however, we have the backbone of scripture to guide us. 

So, what are you using for your blazes? Do you rely on what the world paints on your path to determine your path, or do you look to the Word each and every day to know the next steps? As sure as the white blazes can take you 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine, the Bible can guide you on an even more amazing trip: to eternal life with One who loves you.