| Photo Album 3 - Our Story in America |
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| We were invited by a discipleship organization based in Atlanta, GA. The plans didn't work th way we expected and we suddenly found themselves struggling to survive in the US. I left a very good ministry, family and friends... everything pursuing a call that I received when I was 13 years old. As our situation got worse I felt depressed. But God spoke to me through Monica (who is not only my wife but my first adviser for everything). When she saw me sad she said: "We should be thanking the Lord for this. You know, you told me the Lord called you to serve Him as a pastor, especially for those who suffer here in the States. How can you understand their suffering if you have never suffered any problem in your life. This is a quick school that the Lord is allowing us to pass. We needed this to understand what people go through in this culture..." |
| The Lord not only graduated us from the school of suffering but He also allowed us to be part of different ministries and opportunities to serve Him. My wife was correct... as always... |
| While still in Atlanta the Lord gave us the opportunity to serve with Perimeter Ministries International, a ministry of the PCA. I learned so much about church planting... I had a long previous experience, but I hadn't a serious training like I had with them. |
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| Our first son, Steven, graduates from High School in Charlottesville in 1999... again, like in 1981, many things happened in just one year. He graduated from High School and we became United States Citizens... He then graduated from Baylor University and went to Columbia Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. |
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| On July 4th, 1999, at Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, Monica and I became United States citizens. The Lord called me to serve Him in this country, that ceremony was just a confirmation of His call... we are in a process now... to fulfill His leading... |
| Monica and Raul from left to right: Priscilla, Andrew and Steven. |
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| Our second son, Andrew, has joined the US Navy. We are very proud of him. |
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| Andrew's graduation |
| We lived in Tucson, AZ until 2002 |
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| Priscilla in Tucson. |
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| Priscilla is now 18, lives with us in Pembroke Pines, FL. Will attend Broward Community College next year. |
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| We now live in Pembroke Pines, Florida, this is the entrance of our complex... |