Surprise! This is Home.

December 24, 2024 | Stephanie Hardy

I know some of you have moved often and called many places (or no place) “home”. But for me, home has only ever been one place. Harney County, Oregon. The place where I was born and raised. Where all three of my children were raised. Where both of my parents were raised. And where even my dad’s parents were raised.

Zola’s words remind us that God transforms lives so we can share His hope with others. The Ryans’ journey reflects this truth: when we follow God’s call, we find peace, purpose, and a place to call home—even when it’s unexpected.

As we Celebrate Lives Changed, we thank God for sending families like the Ryans to serve in Bolivia. We’re also grateful for you, our partners and friends, who help send and sustain those following God’s call.

💛 How has God made “home” feel unexpected for you?

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The Ryans – Eric, Zola, and their three daughters – Glenna Mae, Shannon, and Fiona – serve in Bolivia. Eric grew up as a pastor’s kid in Texas. Zola is the daughter of a ranch hand in Harney County. They met while studying rangeland management at Texas A&M University and married in 2003. The Ryans have long felt God’s call on their lives to serve in missions. Their call includes sharing the Gospel, discipling new believers, and participating in economic and agricultural development initiatives.

Changing Plans to Change Lives

December 10, 2024 | David Speyers

“There are too many people.” Miguel’s dark eyes stared blankly back at me. “There are too many people to take off safely from this runway,” I said again.

Miguel and his two co-workers had just spent a week downriver in Brazil, sharing the Gospel in a village where outsiders are forbidden. Now, I had arrived to take the three of them home to their village.

It was my first stop of the day, and already the itinerary was starting to unravel. A fourth passenger hoped to join us—a daughter who urgently needed to reach Pucallpa because her father was facing a medical emergency. But with this short 400-yard airstrip, we couldn’t carry the weight of Miguel’s group, an extra passenger, their luggage, and a few large watermelons they’d picked up along the way – up above the towering jungle at the end of the airstrip.

“Let me take two of you and half the luggage to Breu, eight minutes away. Then I’ll do another shuttle and take everyone together from the much longer Breu airstrip.” Everyone nodded in agreement, and we were off.

Extra flying meant that I needed more fuel. So, I coordinated with a local missionary to bring me another 10 gallons. As I refueled, a local health worker approached with an urgent request: a 9-month-old baby named Richard had fallen into a cooking fire the previous week. His burns were now becoming infected. Could I transport the nurse, mother, and baby to Pucallpa for treatment at the hospital?

Yes. It meant another change to my flight plan and refueling for a second time, but this is why we have SAMAIR’s little Cessna airplanes here. I coordinated with the nurse to be ready when I returned from dropping Miguel’s group at their village. Two hours later, I returned to Breu, this time without any watermelons, and loaded up my new passengers.

I could see that Baby Richard’s arm and part of his head were badly burned. His mother held him close, covering him with a light blanket as I started the plane and took off for the 80-minute flight back to Pucallpa. Upon landing, an ambulance whisked them away to the hospital.

Sitting back in my air-conditioned office afterward, I marveled at how the day had unfolded. In one day, SAMAIR’s Cessna had transported Gospel workers, assisted in a family emergency, and flown a baby boy to receive life-saving care—all because we’re able to adapt to the needs that arise.

Maybe we can count eight lives changed on this day – Miguel and his two co-workers, the extra passenger and her father, the nurse, Baby Richard, and his mother? But, we know God brings the increase. He is the one who causes growth, expansion, and advancement. He multiplies whatever we do!

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David Speyers, born and raised in Suriname where his family was involved in mission work for 20 years, developed a deep-rooted faith in Christ at an early age. Growing up, David had a keen interest in aviation, yet he did not consider becoming a pilot until college. After graduating with honors from Moody Bible Institute’s missionary aviation training program, he joined SAMAIR as a pilot and aircraft mechanic. David met his wife, Lisa, while both were serving with SAM in Bolivia, and their shared commitment to the Lord has become a foundation for their ministry. Today, the Speyers family serves with SAMAIR Peru, advancing the Gospel across the most remote parts of the country.

Mad Missionary

July 25, 2024 | Angel Ballew

Even as I write that title, I know it is wrong. I thought I was moving up in the level of “Missionary.” You know, after seven years, you have experienced the heartache of rejection. You have experienced the discomforts of living in an extreme temperature. Aren’t I supposed to be becoming immune to discomfort at this point?

Take me back, Lord. I find myself praying. Back to what? I wonder. Those first lessons were challenging. I remember waking up in the middle of the night sweating with two fans on us in July 2018. I am in hell. Lord, you brought us to live in hell. I don’t know if I’m going to make it.

These aren’t the kinds of things you read about in “good Missionary” biographies. Or maybe you do, but reading about it doesn’t seem so awful. They seem to accept the challenge and move into sainthood effortlessly. I’m not sure what is worse: admitting the feelings or the shame of still wrestling with the same things.

It is difficult to not compare environments when you’ve lived in six countries. Without any hesitation, Barranquilla has been the harshest of environments. The humidity of this tropical coastal city and its proximity to the equator makes it hot and humid all year round. One does get weary of saying “It’s hot”. How many different ways can you say “I’m hot and uncomfortable”? We know it is especially extreme when everyone around us comments on it.

My breaking point came this afternoon when we got into the hot car to drive to orchestra practice and the AC wouldn’t turn on. Quickly we rolled down the windows, except for the passenger side because the window was broken. 30 minutes we pushed and prodded several spots hoping it would kick on. Nothing. It would be ok, except when you sleep in the heat, wake up and exercise in the heat at 5 am, and proceed to do school in the heat.

If the heat doesn’t get to you, the mosquitoes will do the trick. Continually you kill them and they come back for more blood. Am I sounding dramatic yet? I warned you in the blog title! You can either read that as mad: angry or mad: crazy. Both are accurate for the period of life I am struggling through at this very moment.

In the past week, three fans have broken, and I have been sick. The kids have all taken turns being sick and then back through again. As I sat in our church service on Sunday evening on our back patio, I realized that I didn’t think I had been this low in a long while.

So this is what is going to take me out. I confess to the Lord. Being sick, hot, and did I mention I just started my period?

How do I tie a pretty bow on this one? There is none. There is no silver lining. There is just heat, sickness, and hormones.

What is it that is so frustrating? It’s the finality of it. There is no escape. Feeling like I can’t get away from the discomfort. But isn’t that one of those really important character-building elements? If I can learn the secret of being content in every circumstance, like Paul, I can truly learn contentment. I know this, but do I expect it and accept it when it comes?

This is the perfect environment for that. I have to laugh. Suddenly, the Lord takes me back to another time in my life when I felt there was no escape. Three kids under the age of 4. All three depend on me for diapers, care, cleaning, and feeding. What a lonely few years those were. I couldn’t see how my life would ever change. Every day felt like an eternal circle of the same things. Their cuteness only could get me through some of my moments in the day.

What gets you through the valleys of depression and anxiety? The answer, of course, is Jesus. In those moments when I was so tired and going a little crazy repeating myself so much, I had to apply some strategies to my hardships, especially when I was alone in the house with my own thoughts.

The joy of the Lord is my strength. This phrase became my anthem. Oh, how I need this anthem again!

I also have to get real with myself. What I want is to find a way to not be uncomfortable and I can’t. So how do I sit in this mess? I accept that I can sit tight in the discomfort and grow. This discomfort is not going to kill me. I can choose to be content in plenty and in want. Air conditioning will relieve me temporarily. The discontent comes from a deeper place. A place that needs healing and acceptance. I can choose. I always get to choose.

When I think about it, at my worst I am essentially saying “I will be content when I have: __________, _________, ___________, and Jesus.”

How is it any different from someone having an illness or disease? It is. I want to escape it, but I can’t. So, the real question is: What am I going to do?

The answer is that I am going to sit tight and sweat. I am not going to run. I’m not going to throw a temper tantrum because I am uncomfortable. I am going to believe that God brought me here because:

“No temptation has ceased you, except what is common to men. But God is faithful he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. When you are tempted He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” 1 Corinthians 10:13

This a verse I memorized in high school and comes to mind every so often when I start to feel sorry for myself.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the eagles in the Lord of the Rings. Surrounded, there is usually no escape left for journeymen. The group has fought and is unable to do anything else.

Am I looking to the mountains anticipating rescue?
Am I expectant to see how God is going to come through? This doesn’t mean He will rescue me from discomfort. This salvation is most likely from myself…from despair.

There is a word for what I am being asked to do: Abide.

In John 15, the chapter where Jesus is preparing himself, his disciples, and his church before he is crucified, the word “abide” is used 10 times. “Abide in me” is both an invitation and a command directly from Jesus to his followers. Abiding is staying, remaining, and being. It is also the opposite of what I have been wanting to do lately when faced with my unchanging circumstances.

Lord Jesus, you led the way. You have asked us to follow you. That means staying, remaining, and being with You through it all. The blessing and beauty of having more than enough. In plenty and in want. Lord, you cried out “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42 How many times must I hold on to my will, Lord? Thank you for this opportunity to let go, again. Thank you because you call out to me to follow you in the good and the bad. The easy moments and the hard. You lead the way. Show me, Jesus. Show me every moment of every day. Amen.

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Angel Ballew, raised in São Paulo, Brazil as a missionary kid, has a unique worldview shaped by her upbringing with missionary parents and two older brothers. She loves volleyball, singing, and playing guitar. Angel’s deep love for God and people shines through her passion for teaching and pouring into her family’s lives. The Ballew family serves in Barranquilla, Colombia with a focus on church planting and a transformative coworking space, reaching out to professionals as a means of developing leaders and sharing the gospel.

A Genuine Faith Community Transformed Jose’s Life

November 28, 2023 | Stephanie Hardy

At five years old, Jose left his home to escape his dad’s beatings. After a season in the streets, he ended up under state care in Bogotá, Colombia’s largest and most populous city. Despite the rough start, Jose emerged as a gentle-mannered, sweet, cheerful young man. A talented soccer player, he once had the chance to play in a European championship, only to be denied by bureaucratic barriers — a frustratingly common tale for many youth in state care.

In 2018, a social worker’s recommendation brought Jose to our doors at Viva Youth, a Christ-centered organization providing crucial support to at-risk youth exiting Colombia’s state care system. With us, they aren’t just individuals; they’re family, referred to as “Primos” or cousins, finding solace and an opportunity to heal emotionally while learning essential life skills.

Jose never finished high school, which was the responsibility of the orphan care institution. His communication and academic skills were deficient. Despite efforts to uncover any potential learning disabilities, no conclusive answers were found. After completing Viva Youth’s main life-skills training program, Jose still found himself on and off the streets. He would get on public transportation with a speaker and dance to hip-hop music for coins.

Over the years, our team at Viva Youth helped Jose find jobs, but only a few weeks later, he would come back, telling us that he was in the streets again. We built a “Jose Handbook” to prepare for his next visit. In our staff meetings, we discussed new and more creative approaches to getting him off the streets. Jose does not use drugs, does not drink, he is not violent. But stability remained elusive.

Then, in July 2022, a transformative moment arrived — Jose embraced faith and was baptized. The following six months saw both triumphs and challenges, yet a newfound openness to guidance emerged. Jose began seeking advice from Viva Youth, signaling a significant shift.

At another pivotal point in February 2023, bolstered by positive changes, we recommended Jose again to an employer. This time, he not only retained his job but excelled, becoming the gatekeeper at a clinical lab on a 1.5-acre property housing the Viva Youth non-profit. Ten months of steady employment shattered previous records, propelling him from a rented room to his furnished apartment.

Jose’s deep connections with the community of kids who exit state care in Bogota (the ones we call Primos) have made him crucial to our work. When Jose finds out that one of them needs help, he refers them to our Resource Center. When they are homeless, Jose’s apartment becomes transitional housing for them. When they hide from us, Jose keeps us updated on their whereabouts and personal situation.

Viva Youth’s 22-week program, while significant, required five years to witness Jose’s remarkable progress. The recurring lesson was clear—beyond programs, youth like Jose need a genuine community of faith that they can call family. Amidst a revolving door of social workers and psychologists, Viva Youth strives to provide enduring connections.

Pray for Jose as he pursues a high school diploma and technical certifications. His story, a witness to the transformative power of faith, community, and education, stands as a living testament to God’s love and Viva Youth’s unwavering support.

When you give to SAM ministries, SAM missionaries, and/or the Vision Fund, you support outreaches like Viva Youth in Colombia. SAM remains dedicated to our Christ-centered vision of Redeemed Lives, Beautiful Churches, and Transformed Communities. We are on mission together. Would you join us? Your donation is tax-deductible. DONATE TODAY!

June 2023 Prayer Focus

June 2, 2023 | Stephanie Hardy

First of All, Pray

The phrase, “First of All, Pray!”, inspired by 1 Timothy 2:1, is the name of our prayer ministry. It reflects the prominence of prayer within our community. It’s been a mark of our Mission for more than 100 years. The mark remains. First of all, pray—deliberately, intentionally, and in faith, with praise and thanksgiving.

As we serve On Mission Together, please join us in praying for these requests in June 2023:

1. Pray for Ministry to Deaf Students in Pucallpa, Peru. Amanda McKinney and Pastor Carlos teach and mentor Deaf students at Refugio de Esperanza. The school hosts primary, preschool, and special needs schools in the mornings and high school in the afternoons. Carlos works with seven students in the mornings. He rotates between the classrooms to work individually with the Deaf students while the classroom teacher works with the rest of the class. In the afternoon they teach 12 Deaf students. These students are not in regular classrooms but are all together in Amanda’s classroom with Carlos as an assistant. It is challenging and a bit crazy planning lessons around the 12 different students’ levels, but they are learning and thriving. Five of the deaf students are seniors this year, so it is bittersweet for Amanda after seven years of knowing them. Please pray that the Lord helps Amanda and Carlos invest well in the five seniors.

Peru_Refugio de Esperanza_AmandaMcKinney_highschool deaf students

2. Pray for Member Care in Bolivia. Burnout and mental health struggles are not uncommon for Gospel servants. Natalie Suff ministers holistically for the missionary team in Bolivia. Recently she hosted a day-long spiritual retreat for women from SAM and Latin Link as well as breakfast fellowship. Pray for Natalie as she serves the busy missionary team in Bolivia.

3. Pray for Indigenous ministry in northeast Brazil. For the past several years, a Brazilian missionary pastor, Daniel, has been visiting a remote village in northeastern Brazil. After some initial resistance, he has built relationships within the community and several have come to know the Lord. He has been visiting several times a week and assisted with projects for the community, like building a classroom for the children. The community has a deep love and respect for Daniel. Recently, SAM missionary Todd Carroll had the opportunity to drive Pastor Daniel and other Brazilian missionaries from a seminary to visit the village and build a bathroom with the locals. Pray for the flourishing of this village, Pastor Daniel, and more opportunities to partner with them.

4. Pray for Drew Warrick. Drew serves at Rancho El Camino in La Paz, Mexico. The Ranch serves the youth and families of the area through camps and recreational ministries, community development initiatives, leadership training programs, and church-based ministries. In April, the Ranch held a basketball camp in the local neighborhoods, which was followed by a four-day overnight Easter camp at the Ranch the following week. On the last night of the camp, they fellowshipped around a huge bonfire, and one of the youth shared his testimony in front of over forty of his peers. It is incredible to see how God is transforming his life and shaping him into a leader in the community. Many of the youth walked away from the camp with a greater understanding of the importance of following God’s will in their life and in their community. Pray for Drew and the ministry of Rancho El Camino.

5. Pray for SAM Academy in Pucallpa, Peru. Praise God for SAM Academy’s high school ministry trip to the community of Masaray. The students enjoyed the trip on the river and a productive time at the school in Masaray. They helped out with painting projects and held English classes. When the rain came, they played soccer! Pray for the students in Masaray and at SAM Academy.

6. Pray for Henrique and Corina Terena Dias. Henrique and Corina are passionate about the Indigenous Church in South America. They serve as advisors and coordinators of the Trans Amazon Network. Their desire is to grow Indigenous networks creating other training centers across the continent. And increasing the connection between the national church and the Indigenous church. With the Trans Amazon Network, they visited Ecuador to encourage the non-indigenous church leadership to join the indigenous church leaders to create a consortium with missions agencies and local churches. Pray for the formation of a consortium in Ecuador to support the Indigenous church. Pray for the family and ministry of Henrique and Corina.

7. Pray for Kaylee and Nilton Solier. Nilton and Kaylee Solier serve in Guatemala City. They serve kids in Bethania, an underresourced neighborhood by hosting kids programs. From science classes, music classes, and “splash days,” the Soliers are encouraged to see the kids growing and learning. Recently, someone from their local church donated eight huge garbage bags of sample medications to their ministry in Bethania. They organized and sorted about 700 different types of medications! It was a lot of work, but now they can offer these medications to the health center in Bethania, which they have been exploring how to work with. Pray that these medications will be a blessing to the community, and that they can continue to find ways to work together with other organizations to serve Bethania well.

8. Pray for Candidate Orientation. SAM will be hosting our 2023 Candidate Orientation. Orientation is a time of discernment, learning, connection, and worship. Please pray for each of our participants that God would give wisdom and clarity as they take steps to become SAM missionaries.

9. Pray for Ministerio Impacto in Pucallpa, Peru. Praise God for a wonderful Mother’s Day celebration in May with Ministerio Impacto, a ministry to the senior citizens of Iglesia Divino Redentor in Pucallpa, Peru. Pray that these women would experience and know the love of God.

10. Pray for Ministry in La Paz, Bolivia. Mike Shank, who serves in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, had the opportunity to go to La Paz to visit some SAM ministry partners, SIM missionary friends, and Pastor Brandon Cooper from Cityview Church (one of the Shank family’s sending churches). Pastor Brandon led a Discipleship Workshop for area churches. Pray that this training will bless the 15 churches represented at the workshop. Pray for Pastor Angel who is being evaluated as a church planter with the Acts 29 ministry. Pray for ministry partners who love fixing up trucks and use it as an opportunity to share the Gospel! Overall there is movement in La Paz and the city of El Alto for ministries and pastors to collaborate around the Gospel. Please pray for the cultivation of this movement.

11. Pray for street ministry in Brazil. Tracey Culley, serving in Recife, Brazil, has joined a ministry at her local church called Voz na Esquina (Voice on the Corner). For over 12 years, the church has brought snacks, water, friendship, and prayer to those involved in the sex industry. This is a complex and humbling ministry. Pray for wisdom and perseverance to continue pursuing this particular group with God’s kindness and love.

12. Pray for Dave and Katrina Smith. The Smith Family finished language school in Costa Rica and are settling in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Dave is serving with SAMAIR as both an airplane pilot and mechanic. With a heart for holistic discipleship, Katrina plans to partner with a local organization to help minister to victims of crime. Pray for Dave, Katrina, and their three girls.

April 2023 Prayer Focus

April 3, 2023 | Stephanie Hardy

First of All, Pray

As we serve On Mission Together, please join us in praying for these requests in March 2023:

1. Pray for the Peru team. Last month, the Peru team gathered for their annual conference. Conference is a time of rest, refreshment, and fellowship. John and Shari Thomas from City to City spoke on Luke 15 and the theme, “What is the Gospel?” Pray for SAM’s gospel witness as the Peru team deepen their identity in God and commitment to one another in ministry.

2. Pray for Ammi Training Center. The Great Commission is at the heart of Ammi Training Center as indigenous leaders are trained to take the Gospel into the many tribes of Brazil. Praise the Lord for the first worship service of the school year! This year there are eight different ethnic groups represented in the first-year class.

3. Pray for Natalie Suff. Natalie lives in Santa Cruz, Bolivia and reaches out to college students through mentoring and English classes. She also hosted an Afternoon Tea with a short presentation on British culture. Please pray for the flourishing of this new ministry. Pray also for strength and wisdom as she cares for the SAM Bolivia missionary team.

4. Pray for Ministerio Impacto. Ministerio Impacto, a ministry of Iglesia Divino Redentor in Pucallpa, Peru, serves senior citizens. This year’s motto is “For Who You Are, We Worship You Lord,” studying the names of God. Pray for fruit in the lives of the senior community of Pucallpa!

5. Pray for the Sertão region of Brazil. The Sertão is a semi-arid region in northeastern Brazil. There are several communities in the Sertão of indigenous peoples and Quilombola: Afro-Brazilians who live in settlements first established by escaped slaves in Brazil. Many of these communities are isolated, experience food and water insecurity, and lack access to resources and opportunities. A team of Brazilians and SAM missionaries traveled to visit a Brazilian missionary couple that the Recife ministry supports. Pray for the Brazilian couple who has been serving in this region for the last ten years, seeking to establish churches and reach these communities with the Gospel.

6. Pray for Larry and Bonnie Secrest. Praise God for the lives and ministry of Larry and Bonnie who will be retiring this summer. Starting in the mid-1970s, Larry and Bonnie have ministered in Peru, Pennsylvania, Florida, and again in Peru. They served with SAM for the past eight years in Lima, Peru. In Lima they invested their time serving several churches, focusing on leadership development and teaching. They also supported VASE (Volunteers in Social Aide and Evangelism). This is a Peruvian not-for-profit organization that provides mercy ministries–especially through foreign and Peruvian medical teams– to serve remote populations. The Secrests will stay involved with the leadership of VASE in their retirement.

7. Pray for SAM Academy. Once a month the teachers of SAM Academy host a special lunch for the students. Last month they prepared an Asian meal. After lunch they played a swap game. Every five minutes, the bell rang, sending each grade to a different classroom and to experience a new grade level. For example, the 1st and 2nd graders learned about Romeo and Juliet while the high schoolers got to hear the Three Little Ninja Pigs. It was fun to mix things up a little bit and create more community among the staff and students. Please pray for SAM Academy!

8. Pray for Board of Directors meetings. SAM’s Board of Directors is on a week-long prayer, care, and oversight trip across Colombia. A lot of ground will be covered, including stops in Bogota, Medellin, and the north coast. Pray that board members will be used by God as they visit indigenous rural ministries as well as churches and training centers in mega-cities. Pray for SAM’s continued obedience to the Lord in Colombia.

9. Pray for the church in Nicaragua. Pray for pastors in Nicaragua as they try to faithfully communicate truth in an environment where censorship and imprisonment are a part of the national dynamic. SAM missionary Alex C. was able to visit Nicaragua and train pastors through a study of Philippians with special attention to the theme of heavenly citizenship. Pray for faithfulness and growth of the church in one of the most challenging contexts in Latin America.

10. Pray for Urban church planting in Latin America. Church planting in an urban context can be challenging and lonely. Pray for leaders from across Latin America who were recently trained in Buenos Aires, Argentina to be church-planter coaches. They help provide important support in strategy, gospel communication, and perseverance for many local pastors.

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