Women’s Ministries He Leadeth Me Fifteen minutes later, and after running out of tears, I started planning my future
MARTHA MCKENZIE WM President
be very poised and thoughtful. Wonder- ing if she would like to share some of her thoughts as a high schooler, on a different continent, in a different church, with a new group of friends was like, she agreed. I think you will admire this young lady, as did I.
W By Vanessa Witte
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called accord- ing to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Moving to Bartow definitely
brought some big changes to my life. This was a change I didn’t want or ex- pect. Soon, however, I realized that it wasn’t about me, but what God wanted and predestined. When my parents sat me and my
brothers down to tell us “the big news,” before it even left their mouths, I knew we were moving, and that it would be to Bartow, Florida. The Bartow ARP Church had supported our family’s ministry since 2011 (several months af- ter I broke my collar bone visiting the church with my dad). Every time that we returned to visit, it felt special. It was so special, that, two years prior to our move, I began to say to myself, that if we wouldn’t live in Spain for the rest of our lives, I would want to live in Bartow. The problem with this idea, however, was that I expected it to hap- pen in ten years, and not two months, so I sobbed.
hen I had a chance to spend a little time with our new pas- tor’s daughter, I found her to
room on Pinterest. I quickly accepted the news, because I knew this idea hadn’t come to my dad “out of the blue.” It had to be from the Lord. After living there for nearly 11 years, we were integrated into Spain. We went to a Spanish public school, learned the language, made Spanish friends, adapted to the culture, and so on. We were ready to spend the rest of our years in Spain. That was my plan. It just wasn’t God’s plan. in all the ways He has provided for this transition along the way. In less than two months, without even listing it, we sold our house, sold our cars, packed up and shipped all of our earthly belongings, and moved halfway around the world. learned early on to trust God’s perfect Providence for us. I cannot recall a day where I haven’t trusted solely on Him. At the same time, I can truly say that my faith has grown drastically in these past years, and thanks to this event. my best friends, and, especially, our church family in Toledo, Spain, felt like a part of me was dying. I will never be the same person that I was before this move, but that is okay. Through the tears, I received a greater gift from God. I learned to trust Shortly before moving, in history class, the teacher had us order our attributes in
accordance with our sense of belonging. Though I was not Spanish, because of the church and the ministry of my family, I felt like I “belonged” in Toledo. Consider- ing the move, I feared losing my home. It felt like I was losing a part of myself. My parents and others planted and built the ICP Church in Toledo. It was my home. I had adopted Spanish grandparents and Spanish aunts and uncles. We are family and I feared losing it.
Saying “goodbye” to my Spanish church family was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. But, now I know for sure that the end is not the ending. Even if I will never see Santiago and Mari again in this life, I know that I will see them again in heaven. This transition has more fully assured me that I am a citizen of heaven and a daughter of the Lord. God has given me a reassuring peace through it all. A hymn that has comforted me during this bittersweet transition is the Spanish translation of “He Leadeth Me.” The chorus proclaims: “He leadeth me, He leadeth me, with so much love, He leadeth me. I have no worries nor fear, for the Good Shepherd leadeth me.”
What lovely peace we have when we trust in Jesus. I know that He has fore- ordained whatsoever comes to pass. Our God is real and He provides for us each and every day! His will for our move to Bartow has made me want to praise and give even more thanks to our Heavenly Father, for I now know more surely that He leadeth me.
Vanessa Witte is the daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Mark Witte, pastor of Bartow ARP Church in Florida.
Knowing, loving, serving, Jesus ARPWM September/October 2024 19
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