Delynn gave me this mug a year after we moved to Costa Rica. He had my name for our secret Santa Christmas gift exchange ... "I gave you this in hopes that you'll love CR so much you'll want to stay with us for a long time." ... I use this mug every morning as I share coffee with Jesus and the spider that inhabits my Hiding Place. As the warm, richness of this liquid pours through my body, my soul and spirit are saturated with Father's intoxicating presence. This week, a flood of tears have joined company with my beloved mug.We are grieving hard. For those who haven't heard, we are shocked and saddened by the very sudden death of Delynn Hoover, Executive director of VidaNet, the ministry we work with here in CR. He had a heart attack Monday July 13 and his funeral and burial were held in Honduras on Tuesday morning, July 14. He and his wife, Gloria, had been living and serving on the Honduras VidaNet base since March. Due to Covid-19 restrictions were waiting for the opportunity to return to CR.
Our leadership team of 4 couples is a care group. Delynn, Gloria, Manuel, Liz, Vinny, Carmelinda, Daryl and I ... 8 different personalities, it's the way Father designed it. Our meetings would probably be cut in half if we didn't care so much about each other! We opened our hearts to one another, feasted, laughed, cried, prayed, debated decisions, shared our frustrations and we sought Father's wisdom in leading the ministry of VidaNet to glorify God. This ministry was, is and always will be God's, not Delynn's. However, it was the visionary outlook that Father planted in Delynn that was constantly pushing us forward (can we just focus on one thing ... ), out of our comfort zones (no, please don't make me do that ... ), and creating pressure to grow us closer to Father's best for us as individuals and as a ministry (a beautiful and painful process ... ). Thanks Bro, for challenging us 6 years ago, to "come see what you're doing in Costa Rica", teasing me like a sister, trusting me, and honestly loving me, "Little Jenny Diener" through the eyes of Father!
Please pray for our leadership team and staff as we regroup, refocus and run to the Father. Pray for the families of Delynn and Gloria who are grieving across borders due to Covid-19 restrictions. Pray for wisdom and direction as we still have 16 students and staff who need to return to their countries of origin. Pray for Gloria, Carmelinda & Vinny and Manuel (the son they are raising). Pray for the seeds that have been planted to grow into a harvest throughout the nations!
To donate towards VidaNet's funeral/travel expenses, please go to:
Please know how grateful we are for each of you!
Your prayers, messages of comfort, care and love have covered us and carried us in the comforting arms of Father.
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| Staff picture, fall 2019 |
Oh Jen, tearing up as I read. Thank you for sharing and yes, praying and agreeing for what you are asking here. We had just decided amd communicated with DeLynn a month back that we wanted to spend as much of next summer down there as we could as a family. Our hearts are with you all in this running to Father!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your prayers and love Chris ❤️ Please be in touch with us about next summer we’d love to have you! Trusting Father to lead us!
ReplyDeleteI'm praying for you!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Bippy
Daryl and Jen and boys, I have been so worried about how you guys have been since Delynn's home going. I have asked Papa to hold you and comfort you at this difficult time. It was so sad to hear of his passing and yet he is so happy and whole now! What a legacy! You will continue to be in my prayers as Holy Spirit brings you to mind. Love you lots!
ReplyDeleteMary Miller