(This post was written by Jill Rodrigues upon request of Rachel White of Lighthouse Baptist Church to be read at a ladies’ mtg. their church is having on Monday – June 15, 2015. The theme of the meeting is “Am I Willing to Go?” Hence, that being why the title is such.)
Dearest Ladies at Lighthouse Baptist Church,
was still working a full-time job and decided he did not want to raise his family in NYC. So, when I was expecting our 3rd baby, we moved back to upstate NY (Elmira area) and became active members in a church in that area. My husband taught the Young Married Couples Class for about 11 years there. We were always heavily involved in ministry, but my husband continued to work a full-time job in the commercial print-shop industry with sometimes adding a part time job to the mix. We always wanted to be in full-time ministry, but we were just praying for God’s timing regarding when that would happen.
Publications. We were excited that God finally opened up the door for my husband to print full-time for the Lord and for us to enter full-time ministry. My husband gave up his part time job and his full-time job. We worked with Lighthouse Publications for about a year and a half. This was a stepping stone for us to be led to the next ministry we helped with – Gleaning for Christ Missions.
We then began to pray about what was the next step for us. David felt that God was leading us to branch out and start our own Family Ministry named – Rodrigues Family Ministries. Which involved the following: We call them the 3 “p’s” – Printing, Praising, & Preaching. We purchased a 38 ft. long RV, gave up our rental home, and went on the road full-time. We sing and play several instruments as a family and that is what the “praising” stands for. We are raising support to eventually get a house and garage and start our own printing ministry to print Gospel tracts and Gospel Portions and that is what the “printing” stands for. David preaches as he has opportunity to when we travel and that is what the “preaching” stands for. The 3 P’s!!
has called us into full-time ministry. BUT………….it has not been without sacrifice. I (we) gave up everything we knew to move to a different state and then, we even gave up the home that we had in WV to give even a bit more of ourselves to God. We have tried to witness; see souls saved; train up a godly generation (our children) for the Lord and encourage others to do the same; praise God through our song; proclaim truth on various radio stations; etc. etc.
sake. With a new baby on the way, I became almost desperate to get into a house! These were worries I let riddle me and cause me unrest. Where was God? Did He care about me and our family? It seemed the 5 years since we went into full-time ministry, there was constant sacrifices and difficulties. Our every need was met and we never went hungry, but I wanted to see God work to satisfy my every want too!!
sacrificed SO much more than me) was I not willing to give it all to God? I have shed many tears and still sometimes struggle with the sacrifices we make on the road, but I know that my heart is surrendered to God’s will. May my difficulties bring glory to an almighty God! May HE be seen through MY weakness! May it show others that HIS grace IS sufficient in times of weakness! 2Co 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” All the praise and Glory belongs to God and God alone!!
Now, I must say that my husband cares deeply about taking the best care of his family as possible! In the time of waiting, I want to run my race well. I want to look back on this time in my life and know that I did my best to rest content in God’s will for my life. Heb 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”