Hello
family and friends!
Nothing
really prepares you for that kind of phone call. When I saw the children’s
school was calling in the middle of the day, my first thought was, “I hope
everything is ok”. When the Principal said, “Mr. Cordero it’s about your
daughter...” my anxiety shot through the roof.
The Principal told me Emma was called into her office to talk about how
sharing her faith with her Muslim classmate was causing some problems. Phew! So
that was it? No broken bones? No strange sickness? No need for ambulance or
fire trucks!?? Nope. Just a call to tell me that my 8 year old daughter,
concerned about the eternal destination of her Muslim classmate, was sharing with
him that he would be going to hell if he didn’t believe in Jesus as his Savior.
The school didn’t mind that she was sharing her faith, it’s just that she was
emphasizing the “going to hell” part and he had asked her to stop. He was
getting uncomfortable. I had to be honest with the Principal and let her know
that we encourage our children to share their faith but would certainly address
the manner in which she does it. Like I said, nothing really prepares you for
that kind of call. We had a very sweet
and prayerful discussion with Emma that night. We didn’t want to discourage her
from sharing her faith but wanted to let her know that she can certainly plant
the seed and let the Holy Spirit do the rest of the work.
1 Peter 3:15--but in your hearts honor
Christ the Lord as holy, always being
prepared
to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope
that
is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
I
wrestled with a few questions that night. How come no one asks me to stop
sharing my faith? Answer: because I don’t share. How come people who don’t know Jesus Christ as
their personal Savior aren’t uncomfortable around me? Answer: because I don’t
have the boldness of an 8 year old to tell the lost the single most important
thing they will ever need to know! Romans 10:17 says: “faith comes from
hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ”. And how will they hear if we don’t
go and tell them? Well…I learned a lesson from Emma; as God’s children we are
missionary’s every day. In our homes. In our schools. In our neighborhoods. In
the pet store. At work. And yes…in Eastern Oregon.
On
June 23th our family will head to the small town of Ukiah, Oregon for a week
with several other families from our church with an ultimate goal of serving
and making disciples.
2 Corinthians 5:20—Therefore, we are ambassadors for
Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us.
We are
excited to see the opportunities that God has is store for us to love and serve
our neighbor. Although Ukiah only has 186 people in the entire town, it’s a
town with significant physical and spiritual need. Ukiah’s median household
income is nearly $6,000 less than the state average and the unemployment
percentage is significantly above the state average. The percentage of
population affiliated with a religious congregation is 7% less than the rest of
the U.S. And, those that are “religious”,
65% are either Catholic, Mormon, Seventh Day Adventist…only 4.8% are Christian.
During
the week we’ll be putting on Vacation Bible School, working on service projects
and doing other forms of Community Outreach. The preparation we are doing ahead
of time is really helping us to be better equipped to confidently share the
good news with anyone who is ready and willing to hear! In order for us to
serve on this short term mission trip though, there are some things we do need
from our family and friends.
We are hoping that you would consider supporting us in one
or both of the following areas:
1) Prayer. Please consider praying that the Holy Spirit
will move in the lives of the families that our team will come in contact with.
Our ultimate goal is to see Him glorified and lives changed. Please consider
praying for health and stamina for our family as we serve and that we remain
focused on selfless giving. Also, consider praying that each member of our
family will be impacted and moved individually as we share God’s word.
2) Financially. Our family needs to raise
$800.00 to fully fund this trip. If you are able and willing to help in this
way please send checks or money orders to Salem Heights Church (375 Madrona Ave
Salem, OR 97302) by JUNE 15TH. Please put ‘Cordero Family’ in the memo line!
As we
prepare for this trip I continue to think about how precious it was that Emma
truly didn’t want to see her classmate perish and felt the need to share. She
has inspired me to try and take every opportunity I can to share with other’s
the hope that I have in Jesus. Your support helps make that happen. We truly
appreciate any form of support you’re able to help with, either prayer or with
funding for our trip (or both!).
Blessings
to you,
Billy, Cathy, Will, Emma and Lincoln
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