We are the champions!

Jacob Jones Rando, Ellen Michelle Quarles, Abraham Crespo & myself joined team #2 yellow for the Ultimate Challenge in Holland. We decided to go and bought our tickets and arranged to go into the far dutch country side inn East Holland only thursday for this event starting on friday afternoon (that's Spanish spontaneity :-).

We 4 joined another 5 Dutchies, 2 of the ones ended injured at the beginning of the UC. This Orange/red conection, with the 2 oldest participabts in the history of UC :-), won on Sunday over other 22 teams! ¡Toma ya!

Great atmosphere, over 200 enthusiastic and very young participants, an over 40 staff crew which worked as a well oiled orange machine, Wouter back to leading worship (amazing! ;-), and lots of participants challenged and boosted in their faith.

I'm sore and feeling muscles I had forgotten I had.  Back home with the family and without time to celebrate this much, but very happy we didi this.

We had some debriefing with Wouter, Michael and one other staff about our impressions and evaluation and felt heard. Looking forward to have a number of these Dutchies on the European UTC in April in Malaga.

Ultimate Challenge 2012

This weekend, Ellen Michelle Quarles, Abraham Crespo, Jacob Jones Rando & myself, we fly from Malaga & Barcelona on our way to http://www.dekroezedanne.nl/, in Holland, to be part of the Ultimate Challenge 2012 from AIA Holland. 

Thanks a lot for your support & prayers. This leadership learning experience combined with an extreme sports marathon, is the Dutch version of UTC, which we hope to have for European Athletes in Malaga, next April 4-7. 

Thanks to my awesome wife whom stays in Malaga guarding the fort with the 3 mosqueteres ;-)

Serving as a Chaplain at the Olympics

All things change; nothing abides. Into the same river, one cannot step twice. Heraclitus

This past September during our Global Leadership Council director, Ben, announced his transition. Ben has been journeying this year with his dear wife, Susie, in her battle against a cancerous brain tumor. Her treatment has gone super, she delivered a beautiful baby girl, Annie, in July and they need more time together as a family! Change is never easy but under Ben’s leadership, our team has grown tremendously in our relationships, processes and priorities. We are in a good place at this time of change!


The process was begun this summer to seek the Lord to give a new leader to our Global Leadership Council. Enter Larry and Debby Thompson! Larry and Debby joined Campus Crusade staff in the early 1970's after graduating from Mississippi State University. Little did they know at the time that Larry's experience on the football team and Debby's experience as a cheerleader would prepare them for an Athletes in Action assignment!

AIA Global Leadership Council celebrating at the Thomas' home

The Lord has used them greatly in His kingdom work. In 1977 the Thompsons went with their infant daughter to live in Poland behind the Iron Curtain and minister there in the midst of the Cold War. From 1977 through 2009, the Thompsons served in various leadership capacities related to Eastern Europe and Russia. In 1992, Larry was named the Director of Affairs for Eastern Europe and Russia, with the responsibility of building and leading national ministries in this part of the world. 

They lived in Poland, West Germany and Hungary during those years. After 33 years, as they transitioned the Director role to national leadership in 2009, the Lord had raised up 1,200 staff members in 20 countries during their watch, significantly using the Thompsons in the process. Pray for our team in these days of transition and change. Ben and Susie will be seeking the Lord for their next AIA assignment. We are thrilled to have them to lead our team and know that our vision to see Christ followers on every team, in every sport and in every nation is still our north star! They will transition to Ohio hopefully before April 2013.

Much love and appreciation, 

Daddy, will I eat all the ice-cream I want?

Josue went to the hospital this evening and will go through tonsils surgery tomorrow morning God willing.

Lidia is with him and Lucia, Samuel and I are missing them already. Josue has really struggled with those big balls bothering him to breath & swallow. We hope and pray everything goes well and the only thing he remembers is all the ice-cream he'll be eating the next few days.

Thanks for your prayers!

Ruben

Every - everywhere, everyone - every!

This is a word that we think, talk & pray about A LOT! We believe that sports is a language understood everywhere! We believe that we can share the good news of God’s love through sport with everyone: every team of every sport in every nation!

Every is one of the compelling reasons to be at events like the Olympics. 205 nations are represented with the best of their best athletes! The Lord allowed us to help fund and have 38 countries represented by our staff.

Back home, with lots to share with you!

I am home!

Serving as a chaplain at the London Olympics was an exciting and humbling opportunity. God allowed me to minister to athletes from around the world. I will be writing a newsletter soon to share some of the highlights. In the meantime I thought you might enjoy watching a video clip  from the inaugural Legacy Breakfast sponsored by Athletes in Action. Bryan Clay and Debbie Flood received the Eric Liddell Award.

Thank you for helping to make this possible through your prayers and financial support. 

Below too, a note by one of the athletes whom we have had the priviledge to minister to and encourage, sent by one of my fellow chaplains:

"PLEASE tell every one of the Chaplain's that i will miss them all and that i absolutely loved getting to meet and spend time with them. The Faith Center was the highlight of my Olympic experience. I will always remember how God worked through us all to share and experience His many blessings. I will miss sitting in a circle and hearing accents from all over the world talking about Jesus and His love. It was magical."

Legacy of sport influencers after Eric Liddell

For the last few years I have been dreaming to see Olympians of outstanding character be honored as they honor Jesus. Yesterday morning in London, their dream came true in a gold-medal way! The AIA team, was simply fantastic.  Their hard work, dedication and teamwork over the last several months was outstanding. With no full-time staff members on the ground with AIA in Great Britain, they relied heavily on our partners with Agape UK & More Than Gold. MTG provided valuable resources such as credibility, introductions, networking and encouragement to keep going when it was really tough and table sales were lacking, and, for months, non-existent. The vision for the More than Gold Legacy Breakfast is to help extend the legacy of Eric Liddell, the winner of the gold and bronze medals for Great Britain at the 1924 Paris Olympics. The Eric Liddell Award honors one male and one female Olympian who display outstanding character at home, in their community and on the field of competition. Liddell is best known for the portrayal of his Olympic experience in the Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire.     Powerful story from Stephanie Reid The two award winners, Debbie Flood and Bryan Clay, are outstanding recipients for the inaugural award.  Flood, a three-time Olympian and two-time silver medalist in rowing from Great Britain, devotes countless hours with organizations committed to helping transform disadvantaged youth into positive leaders. Clay, a gold-medal decathlete from the USA in the 2008 Beijing Games, leads a foundation that encourages young athletes to develop into total athletes -- physically, mentally and spiritually. Thank you Debbie and Bryan, for sharing your lives and faith stories in such a real and compelling way! Two of Eric's daughters, Heather Ingham and Patricia Russell, were on hand to present the awards, and both spoke in such endearing terms of their father's commitment to faith, sportsmanship, mission and service to others.  So, as the Games come to a close this weekend in London, be encouraged as the gospel was on display in front of 550 influential people and many media outlets, including athletes, coaches and officials from the Olympic Village. And, the display was inviting and compelling! All for Him,

His mercies endureth forever!

Last night I facilitated a Bible study in the Village with athletes and coaches from several nations and chaplains from our shift. We shared on Luke 17. It was a great time of deepening in the word through our mutual discernment and experiences and taking it in prayer to the Lord. We prayed for each others prayer request as well.

Right before that I was able to listen and encourage two athletes. Their personal and mutual journeys have been really tuff from childhood and even on the way to be here. We read at Psalm 23 together, prayed for them, and their competition coming up soon, and encouraged them to stick to whom they are in Jesus.

He is good all the time, and His mercies endureth forever!

Eternal Triumph project marching on

160 delegates from the whole globe are already at full speed in London. I was with them on saturday and today again as they gathered at All Souls church Club House (John & Kathy Horne from Agape London explained to the group that the club was founded by John Stott to serve and reach the community in 1949). Great training and vision casting time by Dave Johns, Billy Crossan, Mark Householder, Reid Lamphere, along with testimonies and interviews to others.

Great to see and hang out with our european leaders & rookies involved (Brad, Wouter, Mihail, Chris, Ellen, Abraham, Taavet...). All of them go to different parts of the city every day to put into practice what they have learnt as they meet with athletes they know or try to stablish meaningful conversations with them.

Only 3 days to the Legacy Breakfast. Pray for the final push on selling the tables and inviting Olympians to join us.

Susie Thomas has started her quimiotherapy treatment today. It will be a long two months for her and the family. Lift her and them up to Jesus ever

Pray for Reid, Dave, Billy & Brad to lead well the training and mentoring of the group.
Pray for fruitful harvest.
Pray for all of them building self confidence, understanding and heart to go back home and develop solid service and ministry to top sportspeople.
Pray for a great Legacy Breakfast next friday.
Please pray for Susie, and for Ben and the family.

Praise be to the King!

Greetings from London mates,

We had a wonderful Sunday service in the Village yesterday morning. Over 60 athletes, coaches & officials from 25 nations came together for worship. Many shared testimonies about God’s work in their life. The message reminded them that their identify was in Christ and not in a medal or a certificate of participation. That the "I belong to Jesus", well can be displayed in their faces and shirts when they win, but when they loose as well.

I feel the weight of two weeks of active service here just after our camp big basketball camp in Malaga. I miss Lidia and the kids and sometimes that puts me a bit down. Thanks for your prayers so I can finish well and strong here. One week to go!

Please pray:

that I will be able to meet and connect with those still in the village.

that I will use my time wisely and rest well. 

that God will use this experience to draw many to Himself.

Thanks so much,

To Caesar what's from Caesar, to God what's from God

One of my collegues put it this way, "Working as an official sports mentor/chaplain in the Olympic Village is somewhat like working in a closed countries. There are a lot of official boundaries put on what you can and cannot do. Every day they are reminding you not to..." 

Not taking pictures of athletes or any delegates, not take pictures of their residences. Not speak about operations, names or details of our work here. We must wait to be asked for a bible or other material. We are not permitted to offer it to them! The list goes on but there are ways around most of the policies and procedures. We just need to be creative.

Interaction with most of the faiths chaplains is going great. I really like Tom, our shift Catholic priest who's invited me to open the word on his services when there are many Spanish speaking participants who don't speak English. He's a gentle, soft spirit, hard worker man.

We have been working in the village for over 10 days already. Even before most delegations where here we have good attendance to bible studies, Olympians who come to the prayer room just for quite time, informal times of worship and reading and sharing, one on one times, and even a good size Sunday Services. 

Most of the delegates are in now, and many of them have started to compete. Looking forward to the next 17 days and what the Lord has prepared. 

I am off to the village shortly. Please pray for

• Pray that we are respectful of the boundaries and rules on our role. Pray we feel freedom in the Lord to know He was before, during and after where we are, and we enjoy freedom in Him and we have a broad scope perspective and hope in how He acts in and through us all the time.
• Divine appointments and creativity in me. Some days we work for 12-14 hours.
• God’s Spirit to lead me in what I do and what I say at any given moment.
• Pray for Cesar. He's starting his competition on the 31st, and Cristobal, Ingrid and I are meeting with him every day when his work out is finished.
• Pray for participants at Eternal Triumph 2012 project. About 40, of the 140 are already here, and preparing the way for everybody to start on the 3rd.
• Pray for Lidia and Samuel. They have one more full blast day in Tallinn. They will return to Malaga where Josue and Lucia wait for them.

Thank you so much,

Ruben

London 2012 pictures gallery

Enjoy some picture & video highlights of my time in London. You can see, share, comment, download at Flickr too.

Serving Olympians in the Athlete's Village

I write to you from St Katherine's Royal Foundation, where I'll be hosted until August 13 in London, with the other 18 international sport chaplains who will serve the Olympic family in the Village. 

I do count as a privilege and appreciate all your prayers and words of encouragements. So does Lidia as she guards the bunch back home.

Yesterday we had a full day of training and orientation and today we will pick up credentials that will allow us entrance to the Olympic Village as well as our volunteer uniforms. Official work shifts starts today for my team (2-10pm). 

I attach an article about a friend and co-worker who will also serve as a chaplain. It will give you a glimpse into the type of ministry we will have:

Chaplains Pour Into Lives of Olympians

Please pray:

• That I get all the final details done so not to be stressed as I leave town tomorrow.
• For safety and uneventful travel.
• For health and safety as I am in London.
• That I will be filled with the Spirit and in tune to His leading the next month.
• That God would provide divine encounters for me to serve, encourage and minister to athletes, coaches and officials in their faith.
• That I will quickly make good connections with those Christian athletes I already know.
• That I will get good rest during my down times.

I will be sending updates out over the next few weeks. As you watch the Games, please be reminded to pray for the ministry that is happening behind the scene.

On your kness 4Olympics!

Dear beloved prayer warriors,

Would you like to pray for specific athletes during the Olympics? Go to the following link and sign up to do so:

http://olympics.athletesinaction.org/prayer-strategy/

http://prayeurope.com/prayer-projects/london-olympics/

Praise & continued prayers for Euro 2012 (Poland & Ukreine)

http://prayeurope.com/interact/articles/wrapping-up-euro-2012/

Feel free to pass this on to others!

Fifteen years with Frigiliana & Samuel's ears

Last saturday we opened the 15th edition of Campus Villa de Frigiliana (www.campusfrigiliana.com), our basketball camp in Malaga. Fran Vazquez, drafted and still desired by Orlando Magic and blocks recordman from ACB play offs & Euroleague history! and ACB champion with FC Barcelona this season will be with us as guess start this time.

Coaching staff, campers, program rolling smooth, and taking expectations above as often. We are very thankful to all of them and to many of you for your support.

Lidia was with me here yesterday and today, but headed back to Malaga tonight. Samuel will have to go through surgery again after one year of tonsils removal & ears draining pipes, in the summer again, so not fun for his love for the water (he lives in & under water :-).

Let's pray & hope with you that recovery takes short & he can enjoy the warm mediterranean, grandpas' pool & even make it back with Lidia, Josué & Lucia for the last days of camp.









I will have only 2 days between closing day next sunday here and my depart to London, to serve as chaplain at the Olympics Village. Keep praying for a fruitful time in London & safety for the family until my return August 13.

Yours until the nets are full,

Rubén

Athletics AIA Club Canarias

Dear partners,

I thought you would enjoy and celebrate with us on this news. Athletes in Action Spain is witnessing a blast in the Canary Islands with the leadership of vounteers like Matias Ojeda and Matt Sell and their families. They are serious amateur runners (Matias an endurance champion, and Matt a race walker), and have launched an Athletics Club under the name of Athletes in Action.

Last May we had an internation project with Tim Ellis and other staff and runners, and a couple weeks ago, Matt helped put together a Marathon/Half Marathon/10K team, who not only won the III Gran Canaria Maraton (4,000 participants), but left an outstanding testimony and impact on runners, organizers, media...

Daniel K. Wiljinson, a counselor at Liberty University, and our champion, is considering ministry with Matt's mission in the Islands. Pray for the follow up and through of God's fingerprint in the Canary Islands. Pray for Matt & Mateo, their families and their ongoing opportunities and wise direction setting. Pray for the pland and dremas to see this bless all throughout Europe.

Matías (#274) qualifying for Spain's Cross Country Natls., a week after  winning silver at the 10k race in Gran Canaria

We are praying and planning a Ultimate Training Camp, God willling March 23-27, 2013 there. Please help us with your intercession for God's direction on this and all the work to develop the "Athletics AIA Club Canarias".

Read here an owesome interview with Mr Wilkinson by a local newspaper, 

or check a video or a picture gallery of the project:

http://kneesandnets.blogspot.com/2012/02/kalib-wilkinson-gran-canaria-2012.html

Until the nets are full,

Ruben

Kalib Wilkinson, Gran Canaria 2012 Marathon Champion for Athletes in Action

Congratulations for your victory Mr. Wilkinson, How did you become interested in taking part in the Gran Canaria Marathon?

Thank you very much Fernando! First, I want to thank you for taking time and effort to get to know me more through this interview. It is a privilege to be able to answer your questions. 

I immediately became interested in the Gran Canaria Marathon this summer when I heard that Athletes in Action was putting a team together to compete in the Canaries. I am a partner with Athletes in Action and when my friend Matthew Sell, who lives in Tenerife, invited me to be apart of the team of Athletes in Action running the race, I was immediately excited about it, because I wanted to know the Canary people.  I have heard how beautiful the Islands are and I like to worship God while running in beautiful places.   

-We know you work in the Liberty University of Virginia, but could you share your background as an athlete?  Have you had other victories in your career?

I originally began running to get in shape for basketball, but the Lord had other plans. I began running seriously when I was 14 years old and was on one of the best high school teams in the country. I ran in the university in Colorado and was not as successful as I had hoped. After college I did not know what I wanted to do with my running. I was running on my lunch break one day and ran into Khalid Khanochi, the world record holder in the marathon. He told me that I should run a Marathon, so I ran one 6 weeks later and liked it very much. I ran my fastest marathon in 2:19 at the Boston Marathon this past April and was 22nd overall.  I have won 2 or three local half marathons, but never a marathon, and never one this big. I did not realize that this was my first marathon victory until I was getting ready to go to sleep after the race. Here is a video of me running: http://youtu.be/OIBpYcxopbo   

-What thing did you enjoy most during the marathon course?

I really enjoyed the excitement and the encouragement from the spectators. Even though they did not know me, they cheered for me and this was very special. I also really enjoyed the beauty of the Island. I like to use marathons as a 42 kilometer sanctuary for worshiping Jesus and the beauty that He created in people and nature. 

-What things did you find that were different between this marathon and other races that you have run?

From what I have seen, Europe seems to do a better job of putting marathons on in many ways than the United States. The biggest thing that was different for me in this marathon was joining along with the club, Educere Sport (led by Basilio Labrador & Tere Linares).  Educere Sport warmly allowed me and my Athletes in Action friends to train, travel, lodge & compete with them.  They showed me Canary Island hospitality, helped orientate & prepare me for the race and I now have some new friends.

-Did you find the marathon difficult or have any difficult moments? Was there a time during the race when you though that you might loose the race?

Marathons are always difficult, no matter how fast or slow, because they are very long. At 25-30 Kilometers my legs are always tired, even if I am doing a slower long run for training. I did not have difficulty with the pace, but at 21 Kilometers I had to begin trusting the Lord even more to carry me one kilometer at a time, because I was getting tired from the distance and it was warm for me. I had to keep taking one step at a time and trusting the Lord to carry me one more kilometer. I was very grateful for the clouds and small rain by the beach on the second loop. This was a gift. I was not sure I would win the race, especially at 21 kilometers when I was running with Nacho Martin, because I did not know how he was feeling. I did not know I was going to win until I was at 40k.

-How do you see the level of competition among the local runners?

The competition was excellent. There are many good runners on the Canary Islands. It is great to see so many fast runners, and from all ages. 

I really enjoyed running with the half-marathoners for the first half of the race. They helped me so much. And I got to run with Nacho Martin until just after the half way mark. I dont think I would not have run as fast without this competition and him pushing me faster.

-"He is my victory", is this your message?

"He is my Victory" is written on my head band and it is my message both to myself and to all who see me run. He is Jesus and it is through Jesus that I have victory in life. He has given me life, peace, and deep satisfaction in enabling me to know my Creator.  My real victory in life is not in winning a race, but knowing God in a relationship through Jesus Christ.

-Is it easier if you have an extra help from up above?

Running is a gift from God for our enjoyment & to praise him with. He gives me courage and strength to endure & enjoy it.

-For whom or what reasons do you pray during the race?

I pray to God during the race, not as some sort of religious ritual or good luck charm, but as a conversation with the Creator.  I pray and celebrate his strength and recognize my smallness and inadequacy apart from Him.  Prayer is conversation, celebration & worship.

-What message or values do you wish to trasmit with the proyect of Athletes in acción?  Anything towards social problems do want to act?

The desire of Atletas in Accion is to develop three dimensional athletes & coaches - body (physical), mind(mental/emotional) & heart (spiritual).   A dream of Atletas en Accion is that there is a true Christ follower on every team, in every sport and in every nation so that anyone in any nation, in any sport on any team can know God through Jesus Christ.  Atletas en Accion wants to develop & help people in all areas of their life and social problems are part of the sports community.  Athletes are just as prone (or more prone) than others to need help with addictions, family problems, etc. 

-Are you considering a return back to Gran Canaria next January as the winner next year?

I would really like to come back next year. I would like to bring my wife Mari, who is from Venezuela, and my son Noah so that they can meet all the wonderful people and see the beauty of the Canary Islands.  Lord's willing, I will be back with my family next year!

Thank you very much and hope that we have you here next year.

Again, thank you so much. It is an honor to be interviewed by you Fernando! God bless you and the Canaries!

Fernando Bethencourt

La Provincia Diario de Las Palmas

III Maraton Gran Canaria summary video 

Susie Thomas' surgery update

Thanks for your prayers! “The surgery went well. Susie responded well throughout. The initial pathology report is inconclusive regarding if the tumor is cancerous. Should know in a few days.” The baby is doing good too.

www.benandsusiethomas.com

A global wave of prayer for Susie Thomas

Dear prayer warriors on your knees. I subscribe my coligue's words and encourage you to join us in prayer for Sussie the next days.

"...The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness". James 5: 16

"Dear staff and friends,

As I have prayed for Susie and Ben recently and thought of her upcoming surgery on Tuesday morning here in Ohio, I have had a picture of a wave coming across the globe. I think this is a wave of prayer starting from our staff and friends in the South Pacific, across Asia to India into Central Asia and the Middle East, Africa and Europe then crossing the Atlantic to those of us in North America and Latin America!

When you awake Tuesday morning the 7th, join those who have already prayed and move the wave of prayer across the globe! Susie is expected to have surgery at 7:30 am here in Dayton, OH. This surgery may take 6-8 hours during which they will biopsy the brain tumor. From that they will know the next steps of treatment. She is expected to be in ICU for a couple of days and the hospital about a week.

They will be keeping their website, benandsusiethomas.com, updated so subscribe there for updates!

"Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable. 14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."

Judy

Judy Kirkpatrick

AIA Global Leadership Council, NAME & PACT

AIA Global Strategies Leader"

Coaching & Heart Beat Europe Barcelona

Dear partners and friends,

Tomorrow I have a short trip to Barcelona, where I'll be meeting with many AIA & Agape staff and volunteers along a full day to listen and encourage them, pray and plan towards HBE Barcelona, and work with other Agape leaders on possible developments with Life Coaching through Agape.

Thanks for your prayers for us and for Lidia and the family here in Malaga. Yesterday, as I returned from London, my father in law fell from a ladder on a home accident and is at the hospital with 5 broken ribs, a smashed disc and a partly broken vertebra. Thanks God doesn't seem to have further damage, but as you can imagine it's going to be a long recovery. My mother in law had to rush and return from Madrid where she was waiting on Miriam, Lidia's sister who dues of their second son in 4 days. Lidia's second sister, Raquel, dues just a few days later from their 3rd.

Thanks for your prayers for the coming hospital season :-).

Yours thankfully,

Ruben & Lidia

Road2London

Dear warriors -on your knees-,

I just returned from London! I have been there this week with some colleagues doing preparation for our Olympic initiatives this summer – did YOU know this is an Olympic summer? Just seems like we were focused on Beijing 2008! We have traversed the city, learning the underground, trains and buses. Over 100 AIA staff and volunteers will join us in August so a few of us wanted to learn the ropes to help them! I'd ask you to pray that we confirm a venue soon for an outreach breakfast as well as raise funds for our 100 delegates to attend!

And most heavy on my heart and urgent to pray about is a need from my boss, Ben and his wife, Susie. She has just found from an MRI that there is a baseball size tumor on the front of her brain. They have 3 kids and she is 14 weeks pregnant. I am including an update from them next and will continue to do so. If you'd like to get updates about Susie to pray but are not on Facebook, please email me back. I will also put any updates on my Facebook status. 

This is from a recent update from Ben:

"Thank you, thank you thank you!  Prayers from the 4 corners of the earth have been such an encouragement and source of support and strength.  Thank you.  Please keep them coming.  The last few days have been nothing short of a whirlwind as we try and figure out what is going on.  Here are a few things we know:

• God is in control.  He has Susie and the baby in His care.  You have no idea how comforting this is for me.
• Susie has a brain tumor.  It is large and needs to come out.
• We found a surgeon.  Yesterday was a day where we were praying about the right surgeon to use.  A little after midnight, we met the right one – Dr. Glickman!  Even though we were tired, confused, and on a roller coaster, God provided crystal clear clarity that he is the surgeon for us.  God clearly answered that prayer.
• Today, the prayer is for a clear plan of action.  We should have a plan by the end of the day, as we've consulted with various doctors – neurologists, neurosurgeons, and high risk OB doctors.  Please pray for wisdom that  we would have a plan that addresses how we will get the tumor out and keep Susie and the baby safe.
• Most likely, we will look at surgery the week of February 7th, after the Giants beat the Patriots!  (From Ben, a NY boy!)
• We are so thankful for all the support that we have been showered with – the prayers, the meals, the visits, texts, calls, facebook (I think we officially went viral) - Thank you.  For those of you who would like to help in some way, we will send out some communication next week, as we have a chance to gather ourselves over the weekend, and think through the journey ahead for us.

God continues to provide for us everything we need, every day.  The road ahead is long, unknown and will require some major adjustments.  We'll take them a day at a time and continue to rest in the Lord and what He has for us.  May the Lord be glorified in this process and may we be faithful to worship Him.  We appreciate you all so much.  Blessings, Ben & Susie"

Love and appreciate you,

Ruben, Lidia, Samuel, Josue & Lucia