As the year 2020 ends and we look forward to the year 2021, I can’t help but look back on this last year and think about everything that has happened. The year 2020 was not the year that I thought it would be in more ways than one. I’m sure that every one of you can say the same.
To start with, at the beginning of this year, I had it all planned out to start my deputation in the spring, but God had other plans. In March I was able to visit Mexico for the second time, with the intent of making sure that the Iglesia Bautista Libertad (Liberty Baptist Church) was the place where God would have me go when I first get to Mexico. God has given me a peace about working with this church and ministry as I start out on the field. However, little did I know that during this trip, I would meet the girl who, nearly a year later, is now my fiancé. This was one of the best trips of my life.
A few days after returning from this trip in March, the borders were shut down due to COVID. Unable to start my deputation nor go back to Mexico, I began the process of waiting and praying that God would allow me to start my deputation as soon as possible so that I could get to Mexico. As with all of you, there were many weeks/months where my local church was livestream only. These were definitely strange times, which none of us could have imagined. Nevertheless, God continued to bless me, and I can thankfully say that I didn’t miss any days of work, even during the quarantine.
Finally, after much waiting, in August I was able to visit my first church on deputation. What a blessing it was to visit the church in which I grew up. I’m so thankful for the Sylvania Hills Baptist Church and Pastor Mike Bailey. I owe most of who I am today to the church there and to the way in which I was raised. It was an honor for me to be able to return there as the start to my deputation. God has continued to bless me, and I’ve been able to visit several churches since then. Thanks be to God, as of this month, I am a little bit under the 10% mark of my targeted support level.
I’m sitting here in Mexico writing this letter and thinking about all the blessings and challenges that the year 2020 has brought. Yes, this year was different than I thought it would be, but God has been good. I have been able to visit Mexico four times this year. I’ve been able to visit many churches and meet many great people along the way. Most of all, I thank God that He allowed me to meet the girl who very soon will be my wife, Karen Ruiz. I thank God for continuing to bless me. She is the answer to everything that I have been praying for in a future wife. I look forward to seeing what God will use us to do in the future.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers during these strange and uncertain times that we are in. May God continue to bless you and your church as we partner together to reach your community and our world for Christ.
Sincerely,
Adam DePaolis
Missionary to Mexico
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- My fiance, Miss Karen Ruiz!
