*Therefore I will hope in HIM*

So where to begin?  

Let me start by sharing why I decided to start a blog. As you may or may not know, my family and I will be leaving to Mallorca, Spain in January to become FULL-TIME MISSIONARIES!! I know, I never thought I would say or type those words in my life.  I have always had the desire to be a missionary, but the longing was so far out of reach that I felt it would NEVER happen.  Crazy thing is, God planted the desire on Frank's heart without giving me a heads up.  I was like Say What???  All I knew was that the Holy Spirit wanted me to share with Frank one night, after he taught Bible study in High School ministry, that I would follow him no matter where the LORD led him.  Come to find out, Frank had been praying about Spain for some time.  When he unveiled the news to me my heart was in shock.  I was like, are these words really coming from FRANK...my husband, Frank Anthony Mayorga Jr.??? WOW, Lord, I know you can do anything, but this blows me away.  For Frank to answer such a call, was like Jonah answering the call.  Funny thing is, is that God used the story of Jonah as confirmation to Frank.  
   So we got the call, what next?  We had never been to Spain, didn't know anyone there, and didn't even know if there was a Calvary Chapel (where we attend church) in Spain. So we did what most would do, and we googled it!  First listing that popped up was the Calvary Chapel Bible college extension campus on the island of Mallorca,Spain.  BAHAHA, so our last name is Mayorga and the island is called Mallorca. Ok, funny to me at least.  Frank went on the college chuch website and looked under the staff section.  He did not find any emails listed and thought to check out if any of the pastors had a facebook.  He was able to find the assistant pastor's facebook page.  Jimmy was from Huntington Beach and had been a long term missionary there for almost five years.  Frank sends him a facebook message just sharing our heart and our desire.  Like only God can do, Jimmy responds saying that he was actually home in HB visiting his family, and tells Frank to meet up for coffee with him.  We were like, "NO WAY!" What are the chances. This was totally God's Providence. Frank met up with Jimmy at the local Starbucks in HB where they talked for hours.  At the end of the meeting, Jimmy invited Frank out to visit in January of 2012.  (BTW- this was 2011).  On a spiritual high, Frank was like Moses coming down from the mountain.  The news burst out of him.  Then reality hit, we started looking at flights and saw the prices...umm..SUPER EXPENSIVE! We decided to start selling some of our personal items like our flat screen t.v., our blue ray player, and Frank's golf clubs.  Praise God, these sales covered his plane ticket. Here are some pictures he took on his trip:

Church sanctuary

Church's cafe

Bars surrounding the church

City of Palma

Beach in Santa Ponsa

Senior Pastor Rafael and "Nena"

   Frank was gone for a week, and we both were stretched and refreshed by God's word.  When he came home, we could not believe how the Lord confirmed the call to us in similar yet different ways. Meanwhile, we placed an application in at the Missions dept. It was imperative, for me, that we had our home churches blessing and support.  After many meetings/interviews, we received the news that we would be commissioned out of Downey and had Pastor Jeff's and the church board's approval.  Praise God!!!!  

  So where are we now?
We are fundraising and trying to raise support.  We have been having yard sales and selling most of our possessions.  I am not going to lie...it was really hard having our first yard sale.  Seeing all of my stuff, on the lawn, just laying there was a moment of deep sadness.  I realized that I was leaving all of this behind and going to an unknown land.  Things would never be the same.  At the same time, I was reminded of Joshua and how he was afraid to lead the children of Israel into the promise land.  God kept reassuring him to be strong and courageous.  I knew that he was calling me to do the same.  

So why am I starting this blog?
I want to share our journey with anyone who wants to follow.  I want to expose the realities of becoming a missionary.  I want to share the triumphs and the failures.  But most of all, I want to share GOD's POWER.  That He may be glorified.

Who knows, perhaps YOU have felt the call.  It may be that this will encourage you.  Who knows?  

I will leave you with a verse:

"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope;
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; 
His mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
The Lord is my portion, says my soul, 
THEREFORE I WILL HOPE IN HIM" 
Lamentations 3:21-24 

In Him & until next time,

Darla


P.s. I will post a copy of our support letter if you feel led to be a part of this mission. Or PM me your email if you would like to receive our newsletter :)