TeamDuggan

After three long days in meetings with various ministries, good food and great fellowship, what better way to top off the trip than an evening of jazz? Bob spent twelve years in Honduras and used his amazing gifts in music to train a new generation of gifted musicians. This evening we went to a cafe where some of his former students were playing and he joined in. What an amazing performance! Truly music crosses cultures and generations. Don't you wonder sometimes what the bands in heaven will be like?

The deaf in Honduras can be lost, particularly among the poor. Abused or neglected because they are not perceived as valuable, the deaf need a different approach. Today I visited a school for deaf children that exists to serve these kids in the name of Christ. Do you ever wonder if these teachers and administrators really enjoy what they do? I think the joy that exudes from this photo clearly answers that question.

How can beauty come from ashes? In this third in our series of videos from Latin America/Caribbean we see a part of what God is doing to transform lives in a place where hope is rare.

We met when she crashed the senior picnic at our college president’s home. I was sitting with a group of friends and she joined us to talk and eat. A day later she dropped me a note asking to have coffee together and a friendship blossomed. Sometimes I think if she knew what she’d be in for she’d have run away as fast as she could. I, on the other hand, had no clue how blessed I would be to have this woman by my side for decades.

This Fall will mark thirty years that I have known this amazing woman. Thirty years of shared experiences, challenges, thrills and frustrations. She has supported me as I’ve moved through six careers that had us living in some wild places, with money and without, through doubt and triumph. What is even more amazing is that she considers it a life she’d live over again despite the fact that she hasn’t had what most would consider a normal life.

I suspect when we are face to face with our Savior we’ll learn about many blessings he gave us that we never knew. And I suspect the biggest blessing that I have received will be my wife who has been a major reason I’ve been able to do the things I do. Proverbs 31 describes a similar woman that is celebrated by her family and the community. My wife is that woman, and her family will rise up and call her blessed.

I am very excited to introduce you to some of the people we work with in Costa Rica.  Although my role takes me to many countries, this is home and we have the privilege of working with these people on a regular basis.  Thanks to Doug Peterson (with help from Jenn Stork) for the terrific work.  You gave sacrificially of your time and resources.  The value speaks for itself.  And for those who have been here…that’s Jose & Gabriela’s daughter.  She was a real trooper during the filming.

Would you consider joining us in ministry? God can use anyone with a willing heart to serve the kingdom in missions.

For the second time in my life, I asked a father for his daughter’s hand in marriage. No, I’m not changing my marital status. The beautiful woman above is still the love of my life. This time it was for a Costa Rican who felt his English wasn’t sufficient to the task of communicating his heart to his prospective father-in-law in Nevada. It was quite an experience as I empathized both with the young man asking and the father hearing that his loved daughter is at this momentous point in her life. I was called in to help navigate language and cultural barriers, yet the message was clear…this young man wanted to show honor and respect to the father of the girl he loves. That message crosses all cultures and set this couple on a path for healthy relationship and marriage in the future.