August Newsletter
July began with our family wrapping up life on the water. We spent a bit of time trying out our new sails and exploring a few anchorages we had never been to over our time in Mexico. Micah also ruptured his eardrum so that offered some extra “excitement.” It was just plain hot and we actually decided to call it earlier than we originally planned. We packed, cleaned, and loaded our minivan. The kids said goodbye to the boat for the last time, and we embarked on the 30+ hour drive back to Texas. Lots of high emotions and tears…none of us are really ready to say goodbye to that season of our lives. There are so many unknowns ahead for all of us. But God is good. “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” C.S. Lewis
As many of you are new to the Ankyrios International family, we wanted to take an opportunity to share with you all some of our story. I’ve included links to the longer stories if you’re interested.
In 2014, we purchased our sailboat as a place to live while Dennis still served in the Navy, and we were stationed in Coronado, California. We had no idea the adventures that awaited us and all God had planned. We named our new boat Ankyrios. It’s really just a word we made up – it’s from two Greek words, ankura, translated as anchor, and kyrios, which means Lord. Therefore, we are anchored in the Lord – Ankyrios. Her name was always a conversation starter with others (“How do you pronounce that? What does it mean?”) about our secure anchor in Jesus. Our desire is to help others find and secure their anchor in Jesus. Hebrews 6:19 “We have this hope {Jesus} as anchor of the soul, firm and secure.”
In 2016, we headed south to warmer waters as Dennis’ Navy retirement became officialafter almost 21 years in the Navy. We began the work of assisting missionaries, pastors and other cross-cultural workers in Mexico and Central America. As this has grown, so have we. The name of our sailboat became the name of our ministry. Ankyrios International became a 501(c)(3) in 2022 for the purpose of providing physical, spiritual and emotional support and resources to humanitarian and cross-cultural workers and their families around the world.
But what does this really look like? We have a unique opportunity to provide encouragement, coaching, counseling, preaching and teaching, training, debriefings, and an extra set of hands to missionaries, pastors, chaplains, churches, as well as expats and other boaters. We are also able to share the Gospel and our lives with unbelievers around us.
What do some of these workers do? The workers and ministries that we support include church planters, youth ministries, prison ministry, home churches, Bible studies/discipleship for new believers, orphanages/abandoned children and transition homes, senior citizen homes, Bible translation, ESL classes, job training to provide opportunities to youth and young adults, homeless ministry, Operation Christmas Child, retreat centers, summer camps, building projects (schools, churches, homes), and addiction recovery ministries.
Where do you do this type of work? We have worked with ministries and organizations from 5 continents! The organizations are in places such as: Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Canada, Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, United Kingdom, Georgia, Japan, Brazil, Indonesia, Egypt, Jordan, Rwanda, Mozambique, and the United States. While we try to focus on in-person opportunities, we are not able to visit everyone. Technology allows us to maintain connections with those we do visit, and also have “face to face” Zoom calls for coaching and counseling with people around the world.
How do you do this? Through financial support from people just like you! Part of our mission is to never charge for the care we offer. Workers have so many things to think about and caring for themselves usually drops to the bottom of their list due to time, finances, or other constraints. If we can raise funds to provide care at no cost to them, workers will be healthier and have healthier families to then reach more people through their work or ministry. Would you prayerfully consider partnering with us? We invite you to find a way that you feel led to partner with us to continue the mission of Ankyrios International. The impact of your financial partnership is felt around the world! Thank you!
