Last month, the Riquelme family officially received their Dominican citizenship. This historic event is the culmination of a lengthy process spanning years after moving from Cuba to join Empowering Action in January 2017. This development also opens new doors for ministry abroad, as their Cuban citizenship imposed restrictions on their travel. And yet, these limitations produced “opportunities out of necessity” requiring that Raydel and Madelines equip and empower other EA staff to travel in their place to strengthen churches abroad. During these years, we’ve often reflected on God’s sovereignty and on similarities with the Apostle Paul’s ministry regarding occasional restrictions and anticipation of new opportunities.  

For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us…Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we were pleased to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith. (1 Thess. 2:18, 3:1-2)

For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how without ceasing I make mention of you, always in my prayers earnestly asking, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you. (Rom. 1:9)

Thank you for your continued prayer and financial support of the ministry, which are absolutely vital, as each contribution, regardless of the amount, “is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also abounding through many thanksgivings to God.” (2 Cor. 9:12)