Brian and Rina are happily married
and are with each other all day and all night, with very little time apart and
no expectations. They live a very busy life. They work together at home, they
have their ministry, they only have one car, and their house is outside the
main city, Puerto Cortes. Just a simple shopping trip is an adventure. Brian
and Rina share all the responsibilities that range from financial decisions, to
common housework, to raising Angeliene, Honey and Kitty Cat, and running their
ministry together. It may sound a little over bearing, but it isn’t for them.
The other day I asked Brian if he and Rina ever argue or reach a time when they
are in a “fight”, and he says he doesn’t remember the last time anything like
that has happened. He said if something arises, they go over whatever it is and
it quickly evaporates into thin air. After that, it is done.
Brian and Rina live a life
full of companionship and togetherness. Not one choice is made alone, not one
bridge is crossed alone, and not one goal is made alone. Brian and Rina have
scores of challenges they face everyday: they need to have enough money to pay
monthly house payments, make it down to the ministry in their old car (that is
always on the cusp of falling apart), buy gas, food, home products, medical
supplies, safety equipment, maintain their house and car, and keep Ministerio
La Voz alive. Along with that, Brian and Rina run their part of Cocal Gracias
organization, manage Misterio La Voz vocational school, advocate the Las Flores
goal, coordinate teams of Cocal Cracias volunteers, and build a strong, open
supportive community relationship in Agua Caliente. They take care of others
outside of home and work; Brian is a youth group leader, a preacher, a service
director at Pueblo Nuevo Nazarene Church, and Bible study teacher and will pray
for anyone at anytime for any reason. Rina takes care all the volunteers,
everyone at their ministry, and every visitor that arrives at their house
without notice. When I ask her how she handles all this while taking care of
Angeline, she laughs, and says nothing.
They both give money to those
in need even though they have very little themselves. They help one man who
fills the dirt holes with a few lempiras on the way to the ministry. They
purchase diaper products for a child who is paralyzed since his family can’t
afford them. They gave money to Will, who needed to go through a surgery and
the medication is extremely expensive. Brian and Rina will leave in a moments
notice to give people rides to hospitals. They live everyday for what it is: a
present day. Not only for themselves but for all of us (Philippians 2:4). And
one time when we were walking down town Puerto Cortes to have lunch, there was
a homeless woman sitting on the sidewalk. I walked on by and into the
restaurant, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw Rina bend down and give her
money. I didn’t ask her about it because I didn’t need to. I know she loves
everyone, even those she doesn’t know.
Yesterday, Brian, Rina,
Angeline, and Honey walked down the dirt road on their way to Brian big garden,
a garden that is full of life, a vast area of new growth. As for me, I slowly
followed from behind, knowing they are not only physical walking, but
furthering life’s journey together. Hopefully their garden follows their
footsteps and never reaches a plateau and keeps growing stronger and stronger,
season after season.
If you want to celebrate
their marriage anniversary along with me, it is on December 20, and this day
will mark their fifth year of dedication and commitment to love one another.
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