Being a missionary requires sacrifice, including not being with family during seasons of challenge, pain and joy, those moments that can unite families and grow relationships. When deciding to be a missionary, one must count these costs.

While on furlough, we have returned to see our families in Argentina (Cris) and Ecuador (Sol). It was thrilling and a bit sad to see how our nephews on my side have grown, some of whom are already taller than me and others now attending school who were not yet speaking when we left.

But God blessed us in our being in Ecuador for the birth of Sol’s first niece, Julieta, born to her brother Isaí and his wife Melisa. The delivery went well, but days later, Melisa developed an immobilizing pain in her belly, and they rushed her to the hospital. A problem had developed with her cesarean section, so doctors reopened the wound to drain a blood clot.

While Melisa recovered, Sol and I stayed up late and awoke throughout the night to help take care of Julieta, feeding and changing her and putting her to sleep while Isaí took care of his wife. Even now, Melisa suffers from high blood pressure, common after giving birth. Please pray for her. Knowing that you pray for our family is an immense support.

Sol and I have not yet had children, and even with Sol having spent some time as a pediatric nurse, this experience has been a very intense learning process. Everything takes on a new dimension when the suffering is that of a family member.

We could not be more grateful to God for arranging our being here for our family during this time. He is a giver of wonderful gifts, and by His grace, we have also reached our financial goal to relaunch to Cambodia to continue spreading the gospel among the indigenous people of the Pnong tribe and the students of our Adventist school in the village.

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