"...but that’s not a problem because we also have a one year old who provides excellent service in the pest control department as his diet continues to expand," writes Derick, jokingly.
As we shared in April, Derick's mom (aka "Grandma C") was able to visit for Israel's first birthday. (Click here to read about Israel's recent milestones.) The Dillards also hosted a group of short-term missionaries, which included some of the Duggar siblings, in early spring. "As I’ve mentioned before, it’s always been our desire to model our ministry on Jesus Christ, who did not separate the work of physical provision with that of spiritual enlightenment," says Derick. He and Jill help lead a weekly Bible study that is followed by practical skills training, in hopes of enabling the attendees to earn an income. A local craftswoman teaches nearly two dozen women how to make jewelry, while another individual shows a different group of locals how to cut hair.
Derick is also preaching 1-2 sermons weekly at La Esperanza church until a full-time pastor is found. We know the Dillards would appreciate your prayers as they grow their ministry. Click here to read their full update.
Photos courtesy DCL
So proud of their accomplishments at such a young age.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you two. I pray for you all the time.
ReplyDeleteThat remark about Israel eating bugs might have been funny had we not just seen a bunch of poisonous insect traps being delivered to Jill's house. If Israel is at floor level with the bugs, I pray that the bug traps aren't within reach, too. You never know, with what we've seen going on at that house already.
ReplyDeleteit's a joke
DeleteIt's not funny
DeleteNot funny
DeleteJill told us about a scary tarantula in the bedroom and now she says it's OK for Israel to be eating the bugs he finds?
ReplyDeletejoke
DeleteRead the article. It was a joke.
DeleteI'm sorry; but does Jill know how to really make jewelry enough to resell it? I've bought jewelry from Central America and its been really well made; not sure of Jill's skills?
ReplyDeleteThe blog entry says that a local craftswoman is teaching them, not Jill.
DeletePlease READ before you comment. It makes you look ridiculously ignorant.
Delete"A local craftswoman teaches nearly two dozen women how to make jewelry"
Maybe she's picked up stuff and special techniques from the locals.
DeleteIt says a local crafts woman is the one teaching. Jill is probably just facilitating the gathering.
DeleteSo Jill and Derick aren't actually providing any "physical provisions" as Christ would? Facilitating the meeting could be done by the person teaching them.
DeleteSo...does that mean that Izzy is eating bugs? Love the duggars, but Jill really makes some questionable parenting choices. I really pray for the safety of Izzy.
ReplyDeleteIt. Was. A. Joke. Read the article.
DeleteI. Read. The. Article. Nowhere does it say the bug part is a joke. In fact, there's nothing funny at all in that update. It's written in a very serious tone. Are the mission updates and prayer requests also a joke? Grandma C's visit? The sickness?
Delete". . .writes Derek, jokingly." That means he was joking.
DeleteI would be interested in knowing what formal training the Dillards have had in Bible studies. It says Derrick is preaching sermons. Is he an ordained minister?
ReplyDeleteDon't think too much into words. Derrick is allowing God to use him to share the gospel. In the end, as long as the gospel is shared with those who need to hear, that's all that matters. Formal teaching is great! But not always necessary.
DeleteSide note... I ate ants growing up. And I'm a heathy adult! Jill can't watch Israel 24/7. My Mom tried her best to watch me but it took hundreds of little bites to get me out the that poor ant's nest!
All one needs to preach the Word is the Holy Spirit!!!
DeleteI wonder what exactly Derick means by Israel providing pest control with his expanding diet... I assume he means since he's eating a lot, there are not a lot of food scraps around to attract pests. But he makes it sound like it's the pests that Israel is eating! I hope that's not the case, but if it is, those who love to point out the flaws in Duggar/Dillard/Seewald parenting are going to have a field day!
ReplyDeleteit's a joke
DeleteI really wish people would read the whole article before making comments. It clearly says Derrick was joking.
DeleteWhere does it say it was a joke?
DeleteI love you all for spreading the word of God. You are true missioners and God loves faithful servants. Keep up the good work. God Bless all of you.
ReplyDeleteThose are some great pictures of the Dillard family! Whoever took them did a great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks for notifying us of their update, Lily and Ellie!
Tlc's professional photographers took them when the Seewalds visited in march.
DeleteSo the women make jewelry to...try to sell to other women in the area who also have no money? Where is the market for this "economic development" plan? That is not explained.
ReplyDeleteTourists buy them and locals who do have money, like in all places in the world.
DeleteI think she mostly is (or is out to)selling to tourists.
DeleteI find it shocking that they would joke about eating bits with the zika virus around the area.. I hope they are careful
ReplyDeleteWell zika is from mosquitoes. But there are a lot of diseases from bugs as well as poisonous bugs and parasites he can contract. The people of central America are used to the diseases/bugs/parasites but our immune systems aren't. But if Israel eats bugs and doesn't get sick then that's great and if he does he does (not that I'm saying that they or anyone would be okay with stuff like that) but parents have to pick and choose and there is a risk in nearly anything if you think about it long enough.
DeleteIs the baby eating bugs?!
ReplyDeletePlease! It. Was. A. Joke!!
DeleteMy baby ate a grasshopper. Izzy probably ate one bug and it is now a joke. Lighten up.
DeleteMaking jewelry is not that practical. They could sew, garden, construct, cook, tend animals, learn health skills, etc.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input. What PRACTICAL things are YOU doing to make this world a better place? Surely your nagging is very discouraging!
DeleteThe jewelry is then sold to tourists or exported and does make a profit. It is practical.
DeleteI know quite a few people in the US who can't support themselves merely by selling jewelry or other handmade items. Look into the craft show circuit sometime and see what little profit there is vs. the cost of time and materials and shows or websites to sell. It's not far from "sweatshop" work and wages at all. And these are people with fine arts degrees and plenty of experience making things.
DeleteWhat's your definition of practical? To me, if it gives someone an income, that's very practical.
DeleteFor 5:53 - Please look up what often happens when outsiders try to give people in struggling countries some sort of income. Look up clothing makers, shoe makers, growers, etc., and see how the workers are treated and how much they earn per day. Giving income alone is not a definition of practical, especially when there are human rights being violated in the process.
DeleteWhat is the money being used for and are the materials to make the jewelry being paid for from donations.
DeleteLove news on the Duggars (Dillards and Seewald)! May God bless Jill and Derrick and that cutie pie Israel. They are truly doing God's work. They are such a witness to me and my family. Lets all remember to pray for them and their work.
ReplyDeleteGlad to read about some of the things the Dillard's are doing for the glory of God.
ReplyDeleteDerick is funny.
ReplyDeleteSweet family!
Love to hear updates
I think Jill and Derick and the baby look fabulous. All 3 blue eyed beautiful happy family. I am so tired of people criticizing Derick for facial hair or how sick and malnourished he is. and now tonight I read oh they should get the baby checked because little Israel may have what Derick has.
ReplyDeleteFor God's sake people get a life and let this wonderful family live their life in peace. I respect the Dillards for all their hard work and all the love they share.
What does blue eyes have to do with anything?
DeleteOnce again, the question is asked "why are the Dillards evangelizing in an already Christian country? Their brand of Christianity is not the only one the Almighty recognizes....the very name of the country means: The Savior", Jesus Christ...look it up. There are many needs THIS country has first. I think they are wasting their time there and are subjecting their own son to hardships, illness and discomfort that aren't necessary to win God's favor.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your guidance. Too bad they didn't ask YOU for advice before they asked God. You surely seem to know so much more!
DeleteI think evangelism is necessary everywhere. The Gospel is never "wasted" no matter where it is preached. These people are just starting their family & they could have gone anywhere & done anything but instead chose to go to an impoverished area to further the Lords work. Not many people would do that. I commend them for it!
DeleteWhy is evangelism needed everywhere? Why can't we respect others' religions or belief systems and not interfere? Don't you see anything wrong with trying to impose your belief system on others? If you want to travel "overseas" and try to improve life for people, why can't you do it without bringing along the desire for change of religion to your particular system? Isn't that rather arrogant?
Delete11:05, do you call yourself a Christian? Because that was a very non-Christian comment you left.
DeleteI totally agree. I've been asking for months what the purpose of their mission is since this country is already devoutly Catholic (which is a Christian Faith), and have never received an answer. It seems like there are more practical things they could be doing to help the people there. Christ said our basic needs must be met first...
Delete3:09, because God said to go out into the world spreading His Gospel until all the world had been saved.
DeleteWho will be the first one to call out the Dillards for letting Israel EAT BUGS??? The horror! (Hint: chill, everybody. It was a JOKE.)
ReplyDeleteI know. ..lol.
DeleteThank you
Finally a refreshing comment. Definitely, people who comment here have no brains! Always nagging, so annoying!
DeletePeople on this site have all sorts of sympathy and compassion for Josh but let one person have a differing opinion about anything, and they get jumped on.
DeleteWhat does that even mean??
ReplyDeleteBlessed are those who walk upright in the light of our lord. Keep up the work and many will join your walk. Soli Deo Gloria
ReplyDeleteIt's disrespectful and demeaning to point out something as being "full Latino fashion." That is someone's CULTURE, not something to be so amused about that you refer to it as if it's a circus sideshow! Jill & Derick will never figure out how to assimilate with the locals if they keep treating everything as being so strange or unusual. It's embarrassing to read these things. I see no humility, or honor for the fact that this culture has done fine for a long time without needing Jill & Derick's outside influence.
ReplyDeleteAgreed
DeleteTotally agree 100%. They should respect the culture they're in and leave well enough alone. I question who they're really doing this for - themselves or the people of Central America?
DeletePeople it's a joke.
ReplyDeleteIt's not funny.
DeleteCommon sense haters...read between the lines...Y'ALL,LOL, HA HA, it was a joke.This naivete is getting comical.Thanks again for visiting this fan blog, glad y'all are so invested and have the time to troll here...blessings.
DeleteCommon sense haters...read between the lines...Y'ALL,LOL, HA HA, it was a joke.This naivete is getting comical.Thanks again for visiting this fan blog, glad y'all are so invested and have the time to troll here...blessings.
DeleteGoodness! Do people no longer have a sense of humor? Get off the judgemental high horse. Learn what being a missionary is all about. It also appears that no one here has ever purchased handmade jewelry from groups such as this. No, the local women are not selling to local women. I mean, come on, think and do some research before posting some of this stuff. You worry about THEM being uneducated and uninformed!?! They shine ever brighter after reading some of these comments.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. Its a shame so many readers didn't understand the article.
ReplyDeleteI'm certain Jill is guarding her little one's life.
It's great Jill is learning the art of jewelry making and the community has taken the time to share their gifts.
Good to read sermons are being provided while waiting for a new pastor and a great lesson in personal growth spiritually.
God has called these two to teach people the word of God. They are giving up the comforts of normal living standards. Bless both of them. We need people like them to spread the word. However they dress, whatever they do and how they raise their son is their business.
ReplyDeleteI realize now that Derrick was just kidding. I didn't catch the humor the first time around. Of course, no one would let their child bugs.
ReplyDeleteThe comment about Izzys every expanding diet was a joke! I am sure Jill and Derrick love their child to much to let him come to harm.
ReplyDeleteObviously it wasn't funny!!
DeleteI thought it was hilarious. But then again, I have a sense of humor.
DeletePlease don't take life so seriously! Lily and Ellie are doing this blog so those who love hearing about the Duggars can! If you have a concern that's one thing. But the negative comments are discouraging. Encourage one another! Build each other up!! There's enough to deal with in the world. Look for ways to help the Duggars/Dillards/Seewalds and each other. As my mom loved to say, "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all!"
ReplyDeleteThank you Lily and Ellie for this blog!! I love seeing what the whole family is up to these days.
I'm interested in how Josh and Anna are doing and would love to know if possible. �� keep smiling!
It's not anyone's job to "build up" these people. My mom loved to say, "Don't believe everything others tell you," and, "Recognize the truth." That means think for yourself, be skeptical, and when you see something you doubt, speak up.
DeleteThose are great quotes. I'll use them with my own kids. Thanks.
DeleteBabies eat worse things than a few bugs! They can't catch a break no matter what they say/joke about. God Bless them for living under a microscope.
ReplyDeleteExcept the bugs in that country are poisonous so it is kind of a concern :/
DeleteIt is 100% their choice to live under a microscope. They are the only "missionaries" I know that have a reality tv show. As the saying goes you can't have it both ways.
DeleteIt's a joke!
DeleteThis is so wonderful to hear. Derrick and Jill must now be fluent in Spanish to be able to preach sermons. This has always been the way of missionaries of old to give the teaching first followed by the gifts or practical skills. It worked in the past maybe it will work now. I would be greatly interested in knowing what in practical terms the short term missionaries do except visit to improve the community.
ReplyDeleteWe just saw on their finale that they are far from being fluent in Spanish. Very far.
DeleteFor al the people who are shocked about Israel is eating bugs,chill! Get the joke! And there are countries were eating insects is an appetite, just so you know. I think this topic is getting used for the old: "haters gonna hate" part.
ReplyDeleteI agree. We've all eaten a few bugs as children. They happen to have a dry sense of humor. I find that the overall literal interpretations of what is said/ written is what's wrong with the whole love/hate relationship with the Duggar fans. People stop and think for yourselves or do you make it a habit of just consuming what you read?
ReplyDelete