 REFLECTION, REPENTANCE, RECONCILIATION This past week, I have been spending time organizing closets at both my home and at Light on the Hill. I procrastinated for a while and finally just jumped in and started doing it. While I have been doing the work, I must confess, I have regretted doing this several times. But after I have completed the tasks, I am so glad that I did it! This reminds me of our Lenten journey. Lent is a 40-day period of preparation for Easter when Christians reflect on their faith and prepare for renewal. The season of Lent offers followers of Christ time to give attention to reflection, repentance, and reconciliation.
Other practices of Lent include prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Lent helps us practice the virtues of faith, hope, and love. All of these practices help Christians develop a closer relationship with God. Lent is a time of self-examination, forgiveness, and preparation for Easter. It's a time to learn or relearn the story of salvation, which is a story of rescue, restoration, and reassurance. Lent is a time to reflect on the suffering and death of Christ, and to sorrow and repent for sins. It's also a time to be aware of God's presence and to be freed from the bondage of sin. I encourage each of us to spend time reflecting, repenting, and reconciling. It is like spring cleaning…no one is fired up to do it, but once you do, you are so glad you did!     Where did I See Christ Today? I often ask myself, “Where did I see Christ today?” Many days, I see Jesus in the people we are serving. Most days, I see Christ in the folks that I am blessed to serve alongside. Some days, I see Jesus in myself. How about you? Today, I saw Jesus in the Mustard Seed Unpaid Servants.  From American Theologian, Leonard Sweet“There is a story of a monastery where the monks were not at peace with each other or with God. They were often impatient, angry or jealous. Then one day the Guest Master answered a knock on the door. A visitor stood in the shadows and whispered, "One of you is the Christ." Turning away, he was gone in a moment. The Guest Master related this incident to a meeting of the brothers later that morning, and afterwards, everyone left in silence. They had much to think about. Slowly the whole monastery was transformed, as the monks learned to deal with each other in a new way. Peace descended as they sought to be aware of the Christ among them.” Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. What if these 40 days of Lent we look for the Christ in everyone we meet? What if we remember that the sacred may be hidden in the most ordinary encounters? What if we treat each person as if they might be Jesus in disguise? Perhaps in seeking Christ in others, we might discover more of Him within ourselves as well?    March 2, 2025 Dear Friends, We pray you all are well and enjoying a little warmer weather in the States. Ray and I recently returned from Alabama and Texas, where we attended two church conferences. We had a wonderful time connecting with fellow missionaries and church members who have served on mission teams in Costa Rica. Despite the cold weather, we were grateful for the opportunity to present the various areas where we minister to some of our current supporters and to meet new people who we hope will join us in the ministry. January was a month of celebration as Ray had the honor of graduating several of his seminary students, who are now ministering within local congregations. Ray continues to teach through both online and in-person classes, and he looks forward to the day when the Seminary fully resumes in-person instruction. Furthermore, our annual church conference was a success, as we welcomed three new congregations into full connectional status, and Bishop Dr. Rev. Luis Palomo was re-elected for another 4-year term.  January kicked off the year with the arrival of our dedicated Michigan mission team. These experienced volunteers, true "veterans", poured their hearts into two weeks of impactful service. They fortified our perimeter wall and spent time playing with the children at the Home. We are deeply grateful for their tireless efforts and the remarkable progress they made.  Just two weeks later, the energetic North Carolina team arrived, ready to tackle the sanctuary project in Guapiles. In a mere four days, they transformed the site by pouring concrete for nearly one third of the church floor—a feat that exceeded even our work foreman's expectations! Our sincere thanks to our friends from North Carolina.  Also, in February a medical team from Texas ventured into uncharted territory, transforming our Wesley clinic into a mobile unit which journeyed to the Costa Rican/Nicaraguan border. Our goal was to serve a community lacking government healthcare, where, remarkably, many children had never received any form of medical/dental attention. The team set up shop at a local school and were deeply moved to even find some patients arriving by boat from Nicaragua.This inaugural mobile clinic was a success and has solidified our commitment to expanding our outreach to rural areas with limited healthcare access.  February also marked the start of a new school year, and the children at the orphanage, along with their caregivers, were excited to return to class. We're thrilled to have four teenagers in high school, eleven children in elementary school, and five in preschool, in addition to caring for the babies at home. We've also welcomed several new teachers to our school family. A significant answer to prayer has been the hiring of four male teachers, who will each be teaching various subjects one day a week, providing much-needed male mentorship for the children. We ask for your prayers for a fruitful and successful school year.  The Methodist School celebrated the start of the new school year with an encouraging increase in student enrollment. While we haven't returned to pre-COVID numbers, we're moving in the right direction. We also warmly welcomed MSc. Eduardo Goni as our new General Director. Don Eduardo, a long-time physics teacher and former high school principal, is a strong Christian who champions rigorous academics. We're excited to see what God has in store for the school this year. Prayer concerns: · A new administration at the government welfare agency has brought about overwhelming pressure concerning the children's home. This burden is weighing heavily on our staff. We earnestly seek your prayers for the restoration of a collaborative and shared purpose with the government. · To fulfill our commitment to provide funding for the children's home, medical clinic, and local church plants, in addition to scholarships for the Methodist School camp, we are diligently working to expand our support base and secure the necessary funding for each ministry. We would love the opportunity to speak with you, your church, church conference, or at your mission conference. Our family is doing well. The girls are thriving in their respective master's programs and are grateful to live only an hour and a half apart. We are deeply grateful for our good health and cherish every opportunity we have to spend time together as a family. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your profound investment in our ministry through your faithful prayers and generous financial gifts. As we celebrate our 31st year of ministry in Costa Rica, we acknowledge that your steadfast support has been instrumental in allowing us to impact the lives of Costa Ricans and strengthen the Methodist Church. In Christ’s love and for His glory, Ray and Lidia I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Phil. 1:3-5  FMWM-AsiaFMWM-Asia makes disciples by crossing cultures to share Jesus, pursuing servant partnerships to reinforce national leadership, and implementing systems to cultivate flourishing Free Methodist Churches.  Mr. & Mrs. Okuda celebrated their 88th and 87th birthdays. Minori's sister and husband came from Nagoya and we all had a worship service together followed by lunch and of course, cake :)
The Japan FMC General Conference. Left: Eric Spangler, Free Methodist World Missions, Asia Area Director with Chris & Yuko Wilks, Minori, and I. Right: Bishop Baba, Eric Spangler, and Elders ordain pastor Ikumi of Machida Free Methodist Church.  Recent training in a predominately Muslim country. Our faithful leaders completed the Servanthood module. They are eager to apply what they learned to their personal life, their family, their ministry, and to their culture.  Gene's discipleship work is expanding to help countries throughout S.E. Asia create a template for making disciples that all churches will use to root new believers in their walk with Christ.
Hi Friends, Greetings in Christ. Here is the February update. A lot is going on. We are especially excited to share an amazing work of God in a creative access country. Watch Our Video Update!Thank you for your friendship and partnership in the Gospel in Japan and S.E. Asia. With all our love in Christ, Gene & Minori Praises: 1. For Minori's mother's good health. For her father being placed in a long-term care facility. He will come home for one night each month. This has been a long journey. Thank you for your many prayers. God is good! 2. For more doors opening to help countries in Asia create a plan of discipleship for the new Christians coming to faith. Prayer： 1. Pray for Sister On, our educational director in Thailand. She has been hospitalized for three weeks. 2. Please continue to pray for Mr. Okuda (Minori's father). It is a difficult transition for him to be in a facility away from his wife and home. Pray that he might lean on the presence, strength, and comfort of the Holy Spirit. FROM JANE DAVIS… I am praying for you this morning… We have just survived a very dreary week in our part of Texas. Every morning, and throughout the days, a dense cloud draped itself right outside our windows. The temps barely got above 30. All we wanted to do was to light a fire, curl up under a soft blanket and vegetate. Not productive. Not energizing. Not uplifting. And then it happened. Everything changed. The biggest blazing sun burst forth over the far horizon. Dreary skies were now cobalt blue. A few colorful clouds dappled the sky. Temps climbed to mid-70’s. Ahhhh…a new day has dawned. Everything looks radiant. Smells fresh. Feels light and airy. Hope has, once again, crested our horizon. Thank You, Jesus, for this visual of how you carry us through the doldrums, and renew, refresh and restore us to a brilliant new day of hope. Yes, the dreary days may return for a time…but we have the promise of the gift of springtime, bringing new life and hope. “Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the lord will be your rear guard.” Isaiah 58:8  At Light on the Hill 610 Methodist Encampment Rd 4th Day Speaker: Ann Eichelberger Worship Music: St. Elvis Food Provided by: Sisters in Faith *Childcare provided* Children are welcome to eat with parents before gathering. Lent is a Season of Hope What is Ash Wednesday? Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Forty days from today, not including Sundays, will be Easter. On this day, we are encouraged to acknowledge what needs to change in our lives so that we can come to a fuller life in the Risen Lord at Easter. When we receive ashes on our foreheads, we remember who we are: “From dust we came, and to dust we will return.” We remember that we are members of the body of Christ and the ashes are signs that we are all in this sin business together, and the difference between the good in us and the bad in us is sometimes frightfully thin. We often fall short of the Faith we claim. We have treated people as things, and we have treated things as if they were valuable people. And so, we look into our hearts and pray: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in me.” Lent is a season that reminds us to repent and get our lives centered, our priorities straight, and our hearts clean. This holy season gives us a new chance to say “yes” to God and his plan for us. Lent is a season of hope and with ashes on our foreheads and hope in our hearts, we can go out into the world to love and to serve. For it is by God’s grace in Christ, we do not have to stay the same! “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 Beautiful Day for MOBILE MUSTARD SEED!Praising God for the amazing day and the opportunity to share!  LIGHT ON THE HILL! God is present everywhere, and followers of Christ feel closest to Him in a variety of settings. However, His presence is often felt most deeply when we are quiet and surrounded by nature. We are blessed to live in a beautiful area with so many places to experience Christ among His creation, and one such place is Light on the Hill at Mount Wesley. Many who have attended camps and retreats here over the years—where transformative experiences have been shared—have even referred to this place as "Holy Ground." I am blessed to experience the beauty of these sixty-four acres at 610 Methodist Encampment daily, and you are invited to experience it, too! Come be our guest and sit at the Bolivian Cross. Come hike the trails. Come walk the labyrinth. Come sit in the gazebo or the chapel. All are welcome! ¡Todos son bienvenidos! 
PICKLEBALL AT KFUMC!Did anyone see that pickleball commercial during the Super Bowl? I thought it was hilarious! Have you ever wanted to try pickleball in a safe, fun environment—unlike the places depicted in that commercial? Hundreds of men and women of all ages and backgrounds have found their way to KFUMC to experience this game that has swept the nation. Many new friendships have formed naturally through pickleball at our church. Players care for each other, laugh and fellowship together, serve through our food relief outreach, sing in the choir, and worship together—all because they first came to play a game. I believe this kind of innovative, outside-the-box outreach ministry makes God smile. Every time I visit the church gym to watch pickleball, I’m amazed at how many people are enjoying themselves and building community. You’re always welcome to come check it out and bring your friends and neighbors! Equipment, playing time, and instruction are provided free of charge. For more information, contact Grant Palmer at [email protected] or (830) 459-5848. Food Support & Services: FEB  REFINE… REFRESH… RESTORE… REJOICE!Important to our mission, at Light on the Hill, is keeping the tradition of Mount Wesley as a retreat center for deepening relationships with Jesus Christ. Building the Kingdom of God is at the core of our purpose. In 2025, we currently have eleven retreats scheduled. Faith communities from across Texas are entrusting us with the privilege of being a part of their path to growing disciples. We are constantly striving to provide a positive experience through our lodging, dining, meeting, recreation and worship areas. Thank you, Church, for partnering with us faithfully to all that God is calling us to do! Valentine's for VeteransTHANK YOU to everyone who made Valentine’s for our local veteran’s hospital! So many will have their day brightened by your thoughtfulness! Other Events & News     Support our VeteransWe will be collecting valentine cards for the local veterans hospital until February 11. You can drop off cards in the narthex at KFUMC beginning Sunday, January 26.  Meals on WheelsValentines for Meals on Wheels!  Other News  
From Jane Davis I am praying for you this morning… So many storms are raging these days… One billows up, and before it settles down, another strikes. A devastating hurricane, leaving thousands homeless in North Carolina…suicide drivers, crashing into innocent people in the streets of Germany and New Orleans…wildfires still raging out of control in California… A troubling health issue, still searching for answers…the home-going of a loved one…a child making unwise choices…a relationship broken…the abrupt end of a job… On and on the storms continue to billow. How do we calm our souls in the midst of crisis? T R U S T G O D. Easy to say…hard to do, sometimes. The sooner we can bring ourselves to TRUST, the sooner God calms our hearts. When we TRUST that He’s got this, and He’s got us, we can think more clearly. We can breathe. Filter your thoughts back to God’s faithfulness to you in the past. He did miracles in your life then… And He’ll do them again. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” Proverbs 3:5 “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust, I shall not be afraid.” Psalm 56:3-4 Events & Activities  HAPPY NEW YEAR! The new year is the perfect opportunity to start fresh and develop a daily practice of praising God, seeking His guidance, and renewing our trust in Him every morning. As we look ahead to 2025, let this new beginning inspire us to deepen our faith, grow spiritually, and walk confidently with the Lord each day! Thank You for Stocking the Shelves at Mustard Seed Pantry!Serving Our Neighbors Brings Everyone Joy! Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ in our community! Whether it is by sharing food, or giving gifts from incarcerated parents to their children, or singing Christmas carols, or visiting folks in the hospital, or delivering cards and gifts to veterans, or praying, or the many, many other ways that our church family shares the love of Christ with others, thank you! God has given us the great joy of being a blessing to others. And in return, we are the ones blessed. God is so good! Other Announcements & Events    Dear Jesus, this Advent, blanket us in Your Peace. Help us stay calm amidst all of the chaos of the world. Amen.  PRISON ANGEL TREE The choices that lead to a prison sentence, as well as the distance created by incarceration, can strain a prisoner’s family ties to the breaking point. At Christmas, the emotional pain of a loved one’s incarceration grows even more intense; the distance is felt by children and parents alike. Angel Tree Christmas gives incarcerated parents a way to provide a Christmas gift and a personal message, delivered by caring, local volunteers, as a tangible representation of their love. Every Angel Tree family is also given access to a free, easy-to-read copy of the Bible. And the church, which embodies the hope and grace of the Gospel to prisoners’ families, may continue to minister to the family all throughout the year. Kerrville First United Methodist Church has adopted 56 children from our community with an incarcerated parent. These children are receiving a gift and their caregivers are receiving food for the household. What a blessing! Thank you, Church! Please join us in praying for these children, their parents, and their caregivers.  Thank you to our Angel Tree Champions, Lori and Dee Ann!  |
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Light on the Hill at Mount Wesley is a Texas nonprofit corporation recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (Federal Tax ID: 83-3263624).
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