La Promesa Remembers Mark
It was the summer of 2000 when a young couple in love singed up to be volunteers with elementary age children in the Hispanic Ministry of College Avenue Baptist Church in San Diego. I say they were in love because they could not keep their hands off each other! Our church ministers to an area where there are a lot of needy families. Sarah and Mark came faithfully on Tuesday nights and just loved on the kids. Mark and Sarah left very soon after this summer and moved back to Orange County after Mark’s service ended for the military in San Diego. Mark and Sarah left a lasting impression on the kids that came during that time and vice versa.
Mark and Sarah’s love for each other was very evident. Their love for Jesus was just as real and alive. These two wonderful friends have lived the scriptures in Matt. 6:1-4 that read, “...Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired...When you give a gift to someone in need, don’t shouted about… But when you give to someone, don’t tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in secret, and your Father who knows all secrets, will reward you.” Mark is already getting his reward!
Mark and Sarah kept in touch with us; they took our kids and families in their hearts. Soon after they left San Diego they let us know they had prayed about it, and wanted to start a fund in our church for the benefit of the La Promesa kids and their families. Since 2001 until this year they kept their commitment, increasing it somewhere along the way. This fund has been managed and handled with the Metherell’s desires and wishes in mind. Their love gifts have blessed a great number of kids, individuals and families. They have bought shoes, clothing, toys, food, gas,
medication, etc. We have helped bury children and adults. We have had Kid’s Night Out with movies and pizza and Parents Night out. They have helped single moms when they are short on rent; have purchased tires or a AAA road service membership for them when they are stranded on the roads. Those women that thought they could never drive; we sent for driving classes. We are especially proud of Lucy who has eight (yes! 8) children, and always depended on rides. She now comes to worship driving the car her husband purchased for her for $600!!!
I could go on and on about the impact Mark and Sarah have had on our ministry. BUT, I want to tell you about the impact they have had on us. My husband and I met the Metherell’s when we were starting as Pastors here at La Promesa. To have people believe in you and invest in you personally, and in your ministry has been something we believe has come from the good hand of our loving God! One of the first things they did for us in early 2001 was send us two nights to a cabin in the mountains of Julian (Strawberry Hill) to rest and refresh our commitment to God and to each other. A year and a half ago we rested and relaxed at what we call “the Metherell’s Spa “ in Laguna (their home) when they were away on vacation.
Mark and Sarah are gifted in many ways; but what sets them apart is the loving and caring people they are. Above all, they love God with all that they are and others as well. This is also evidenced by how thrilled they were when Cora came into their lives. The love they have poured on her has been evident by all that have witnessed it. Cora didn’t change Mark and Sarah; Cora just revealed the depth of the love these two have for each other and for this beautiful brown little girl.
We miss Mark deeply. Our hearts ache for Sarah and Cora without Mark, but we know God’s strength will be sufficient for them. His love and care for them is real. He is faithful and will see them through this life until they see Mark again. Our prayer is that Cora will come to know Jesus, and understand His plan and purpose for her life; just as her father did.
Along life’s journey we are marked by people God has placed in our lives. We believe Mark and Sarah are these kind of people. Someone has said it before..."we are better people for having known Mark and Sarah.” We are grateful to God for the time we have spent with them; for the blessing they have been in our lives and the lives of many others.
Con el amor de Cristo,
Pastor Bogar and Mari Hernandez