Hard truth. Ridiculous grace.

Criticism 01

“You’re asking people to pay for your lifestyle.”

My answer

Fair question. It’s the one I’d ask too.

Every gift goes through my sending church, Dorado Bible Baptist Church, not into my personal account. The church receives it, issues your receipt, and releases support to the ministry. Pastor Rick Carter reviews the ministry budget.

I would rather be under a microscope than above suspicion. If you want to see where the money goes, ask. I will show you.

Criticism 02

“Missionaries are supposed to live poor. Why should donors pay for top-tier education for your kids?”

My answer

Because my children did not sign up to pay for my calling.

I am not going to hide their education inside a vague “living expenses” line and hope nobody notices. It is in the budget, in plain view, and you can decide for yourself.

Poverty is not holiness, and wealth is not success. The question I want every supporter to ask is not “How modestly does she live?” but “Is this producing Kingdom impact?” That is the standard I want to be held to.

Criticism 03

“France? That’s a vacation, not a mission field.”

My answer

Beautiful country. Spiritually thirsty.

Roughly one person in a hundred in France is an evangelical Christian. Thousands of French towns and villages have no evangelical church at all. A place can be rich in art, wine and history and still be poor in the knowledge of Christ.

I am not going for the croissants. (I will eat the croissants.)

Criticism 04

“Why reach the wealthy? They don’t need help. Go serve the poor.”

My answer

Every soul is equal before God. Not every influence is.

A wealthy person’s soul is worth exactly as much as anyone else’s: everything. Jesus ate with Zacchaeus. Paul told Timothy to instruct the rich to be generous and ready to share (1 Timothy 6:17–19). Someone has to sit at those tables with the gospel.

And when one business owner or investor is transformed, their employees, families and giving change with them. That reaches the poor too. Tent & Table also serves pastors’ families and single moms, people who rarely have anyone looking after them.

Criticism 05

“You have a career in finance. Why do you need support at all?”

My answer

Because I’m trading hours that pay for hours that don’t.

Going to the field means stepping back from income so I can give my time to people who cannot pay for it. Support is what makes that trade possible.

My background is not a contradiction. It is part of the calling. It is how I can speak the language of the boardroom and the balance sheet with the people who live there.

Criticism 06

“You’re a woman. Are you trying to be a pastor?”

My answer

No. I’m a missionary, and I’m under authority.

I am sent by, and accountable to, my local church and my pastor, Pastor Orlando Rivera. I serve through hospitality, evangelism, discipleship, prayer and encouragement, not by taking a pulpit.

Some of the most faithful workers in the New Testament were women who opened their homes and their purses to the work of the gospel. Lydia was one of them.

Criticism 07

“Who are you to minister to anyone? You have your own mess.”

My answer

Correct. That’s the whole point.

I am an imperfect bondservant of Christ, bought at a price. I do not come to anyone’s table as the finished product. I come as someone who has been forgiven much.

Criticism 08

“You’re not a counselor. What can you actually do for a burned-out single mom or a pastor’s wife?”

My answer

I can pull up a chair.

I am not a therapist, and I don’t pretend to be one. When someone needs professional care, I help them find it. What I bring is a table, a meal, the Word, prayer, and the reminder that they are not carrying it alone.