by Sam L.
A Night of Inspiration: Dinner with Jose and Maria A.
Recently, I had the pleasure of being invited to the home of Jose and Maria A. for dinner. As I stepped through the door, I was immediately captivated by a vibrant, wall-to-wall world map. Jose explained how each glance at it filled him with a profound sense of mission for the world. His house resembles a UBF mission archive, adorned with numerous missionary pictures depicting his travels all over the world.
The evening unfolded with delightful surprises. Maria had prepared a delicious dinner featuring a symphony of vegetables entirely new to my taste buds, a refreshing change from my usual quick meals. As we savored the flavors, Jose shared his passion for the Caribbean nations. He had recently acquired a second home in Antigua, Guatemala, with a unique purpose – to use it as a base for extending outreach to the Caribbean countries through prayer and, potentially, relocation.
Intrigued by his choice, I questioned why the Caribbean specifically. Jose explained that, to his knowledge, none of the 16 Caribbean countries currently had UBF missionaries. He spoke fervently about his dedication to diplomatic missionary work, starting in 1976, and highlighted the upcoming 50th-year celebration of the LA Mission Conference in 2026, an initiative he spearheaded. He also added that 11 out of the 16 Caribbean nations had English as their official language, making communication potentially easier.
Witnessing Jose’s unwavering commitment, I expressed my admiration and suggested he had already accomplished an extraordinary amount. However, Jose, with unwavering determination, said, “As long as I can walk, I want to go around the countries like Apostle Paul, who made frequent mission trips.” Glancing at Maria, I saw a radiant smile on her face as she listened to her husband. They were united in their desire to serve God, their missionary zeal burning brightly.
Throughout the evening, Jose shared inspiring stories of his missionary friends. He even mentioned a friend who, after experiencing the Caribbean, considered selling his California home and moving there permanently. This sparked a conversation about how even those with physical limitations could participate in missionary work. We spoke about a retired friend with skin issues who might find solace and an opportunity for short-term missions in the Caribbean’s warm climate. Jose also highlighted the impactful work of a Chicago-based missionary, demonstrating that physical presence wasn’t always essential for effective outreach.
Having known Jose and Maria for over five decades, I’ve always admired their unwavering dedication to spreading the gospel. As we talked about Jose’s current dreams, I couldn’t help but wonder about the secret to their enduring spirit. Maria, with a warm smile, shared that Jose has practiced “daily bread” since 1976 when he began his missionary journey in Guatemala. This daily practice involves personal reflections and prayers for the world mission. Additionally, Jose and Maria remain actively involved with the Northeastern University campus ministry, supporting the weekly student Bible study group.
Their story is a testament to God’s grace and the power of faith. It reminds us that He uses people of all ages to fulfill His purposes. Inspired by their dedication, we concluded the evening with a prayer for the expansion of God’s work in the 16 Caribbean countries. Join me in supporting Jose and Maria A.’s prayer for the Caribbean and let their story inspire you to find your own way to contribute to God’s work, no matter your age or circumstance. Let us all, young and old, continue dreaming dreams and spreading the gospel to the ends of the world.
“your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” Acts 2:17
