Heart Bridge International

04/04/2026

Èske w konn ap mache epi w wè yon ti kabrit k ap vole plante sou yon wòch? Nan zòn andeyò yo, li fasil pou w wè yon imaj konsa.

Nan sa, ou jwenn yon imaj klè sou kiyès Jezi ye. Nou adore Jezi, Ti Mouton Bondye a … epi an menm tan, yo rele L Wòch delivrans lan.

Sa se pa yon bagay nou abitye mete ansanm. Ti Mouton an santi l dou, trankil, yo mennen nan sakrifis. Wòch la santi l fò, stab, inebranlab. Men, Jezi se toulede. E sa pi enpòtan pase sa nou reyalize.

Nan Ansyen Testaman an, pandan Pak la, Bondye te di pèp Li a pou yo sakrifye yon ti mouton epi mete san an sou poto pòt yo. Lè jijman an rive, Li t ap “pase sou” nenpòt kay ki kouvri ak san an.
Sa pa t yon bagay o aza. Sa te montre Jezi pi devan.

Jan Batis te wè l', li di: Men Ti Mouton Bondye a k'ap wete peche moun sou latè! (Jan 1:29)

Jezi te vin tounen Ti Mouton sa a pou nou.

Li te pran plas nou. Li te peye pou peche nou yo.

Epi an menm tan, Li se Wòch nou an.
“Senyè a se wòch kote m' kache a, se fòtrès mwen ye a, se delivrans mwen. Bondye mwen an se wòch kote m' kache a. Se nan li mwen jwenn pwoteksyon.” (Sòm 18:2)

Kidonk, reflechi sou sa...

Moun ki te mouri pou ou a se Li menm tou ki kenbe ou fèm.

Moun ki te vèse san Li pou padon ou an, se Li menm tou ou ka kanpe sou Li lè w santi tout bagay ap tranble.

Se kalite Sovè sa a nou genyen.

E onètman, mwen panse anpil nan nou kwè sa... men nou pa toujou viv konsa.
Nou toujou pote kilpabilite Li te deja peye pou li oubyen nou eseye touche lanmou ak padon Li. Nou toujou ap eseye kontwole tout bagay olye nou kanpe sou Li.

Kite m poze w kèk kesyon senp pou w reflechi sou yo:

Ki kote nan lavi ou w ap eseye “kenbe l ansanm” olye pou w kanpe sou Jezi?

Èske gen yon bagay ou toujou ap pote ke Li te deja peye pou li?

Ki moun nan lavi ou ki bezwen tande pale de Jezi semèn sa a?

Epi si ou pa janm pran desizyon pou swiv Jezi, sa a se vrèman sant tout bagay la.

“Paske, Bondye tèlman renmen lemonn, li bay sèl Pitit li a pou li, pou tout moun ki kwè nan li pa peri, men pou yo gen lavi ki p'ap janm fini an.” (Jan 3:16)

Epi vèsè sa yo, ke ou petèt pa janm tande, montre byen klè kijan nou jwenn lavi etènèl la: “Bondye pa voye Pitit li a sou latè pou kondane lemonn, men pou l sove lemonn grasa li. Pa gen okenn kondanasyon pou moun ki kwè nan li. Men, moun ki pa kwè nan li, yo deja kondane, paske yo pa kwè nan sèl Pitit Bondye a.” (Jan 3:16-18)

Se sa. Jezi deja fè travay la. Pati pa w la se reponn. Kwè nan Li, epi ou p ap fè fas ak jijman Bondye.

Ou ka pale avè L kounye a, menm jan ou t ap pale ak yon zanmi:

“Jezi, mwen kwè Ou te mouri nan plas mwen. Mwen kwè Ou te resisite. Tanpri padone peche m yo epi fè m vin yon nouvo moun. Mwen chwazi swiv Ou. Amèn.”

Si ou te fè priyè sa, se kòmansman yon nouvo lavi.

Ou padone.

Ou vin nouvo. Epi kounye a ou kanpe sou yon bagay solid.

Mwen ta renmen tande nouvèl ou.
Kite yon kòmantè sou youn nan sa yo pou m ka konnen kijan pou m priye pou ou oswa ankouraje w:
•”WÒCH" si ou bezwen fè Bondye konfyans nan yon bagay difisil kounye a
• “NOUVO" si ou fèk bay Jezi lavi w
Oubyen pataje sa Bondye ap di w atravè sa a
• Epi pataje pòs sa a ak yon moun ki bezwen ankourajman.

MoutonBondye

04/03/2026

The other day we were on a walk with our kids and I saw this sheep with the rock. There was a sheep… just wrapping itself around a rock.

It stopped me in the tracks. Because right there in that picture, you get the picture of who Jesus is. We worship Jesus the Lamb of God… and at the same time, He’s called the Rock of our salvation.

That’s not something we usually put together. The Lamb feels gentle, quiet, led to sacrifice. The Rock feels strong, steady, unshakable. But Jesus is both. And that matters more than we realize.

In the Old Testament, during Passover, God told His people to sacrifice a lamb and put the blood over their doorposts. When judgment came, it would “pass over” any home covered by the blood.

That wasn’t random. That was pointing forward to Jesus.

John the Baptist saw Him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29, NLT)

Jesus became that Lamb for us.
He took our place. He paid for our sin.
And at the same time, He is our Rock.
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.” (Psalm 18:2, NLT)

So think about this…

The One who died for you is also the

One who holds you steady.

The One who shed His blood for your forgiveness is also the One you can stand on when everything feels shaky.
That’s the kind of Savior we have.

And honestly, I think a lot of us believe that… but we don’t always live like it.

We still carry guilt He already paid for or we try to earn His love and forgiveness. We still try to control everything instead of standing on Him.

So let me ask you a couple simple questions to think about:

Where in your life are you trying to “hold it together” instead of standing on Jesus?

Is there anything you’re still carrying that He already paid for?

Who is one person in your life that needs to hear about Jesus this week?

And if you’ve never made the decision to follow Jesus, this is really the center of everything.

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NLT)

And the following verses that you may never have heard make it so clear how we get eternal life, “God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.” (John 3:16–18, NLT)

That’s it. Jesus already did the work. Your part is to respond. Believe in Him, and you won’t face the judgement of God.

You can talk to Him right now, just like you would talk to a friend:

“Jesus, I believe You died in my place. I believe You rose again. Please forgive my sin and make me new. I choose to follow You. Amen.”

If you prayed that, that’s the start of a new life.

You’re forgiven.

You’re made new. And now you’re standing on something solid.

I’d love to hear from you.

Comment one of these so I know how to pray for you or encourage you:

•“ROCK” if you need to trust God in something hard right now

•“NEW” if you just gave your life to Jesus

•Or share what God is speaking to you through this

•And share this post with someone who needs to be encouraged.

03/09/2026

Have you ever looked back at something from your past and thought, I wish that wasn’t part of my story? Most of us have moments like that. Maybe it was a mistake. Maybe it was a season where we drifted far from God. Or maybe it was something painful that shaped how we see ourselves.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (NLT) Paul wrote these words in a letter to the church in Corinth, and those believers had complicated pasts. Corinth was a city known for immorality and idol worship. Many of the people who became Christians there had lived very broken lives before they came to Jesus. But Paul wanted them to understand something very important: when a person belongs to Christ, their identity changes. They aren’t defined by who they used to be.

This verse doesn’t say we slowly become a new person. It says we have become a new person. That change begins the moment we put our trust in Jesus. Our past may still be part of our story, but it no longer defines our identity. God sees us through the work of Christ. We are forgiven. We are restored. And we’re given a new beginning.

That doesn’t mean our habits change overnight. Growth takes time. God patiently reshapes our thinking, our choices, and our character. But the foundation is already set. We aren’t trying to earn a new life. We are learning to live out the new life God has already given us.

Sometimes the hardest part is believing this is really true about us. We hold on to guilt. We replay old failures. We tell ourselves we’re still the same person. But God says something different. In Christ, the old life is gone. A new life has begun.

Application for This Week
• Take a few minutes and think about how you usually describe yourself. Do your thoughts focus more on your past failures or on who God says you are now?
• When an old mistake comes to mind this week, remind yourself of this truth: That is part of my past, but it isn’t my identity.
• Ask God to show you one area of your life where He wants you to start living more fully in the “new life” He has given you.

Thought-Provoking Questions
1. Is there something from your past that still shapes how you see yourself today?
2. What do you think it really means to be a “new person” in Christ?
3. Why do you think it can be difficult for believers to accept God’s forgiveness even after they know the gospel?
4. If you truly believed that God has given you a new life, what might change in the way you live this week?

Sometimes the biggest step of faith isn’t just believing God can change us. It’s believing that Jesus has already started that work.

02/17/2026

Romans 8:1 (NLT)
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”

Let me ask you something. How many times this week have you replayed something you did wrong?
Maybe it was something you said. Maybe it was something you didn’t do. Maybe it was a parenting moment, a work decision, a ministry mistake, or just a private thought you wish you hadn’t had.

We’re really good at condemning ourselves. But Romans 8:1 starts with two powerful words: “So now.” That means something has changed. Because of what Jesus did in His death and resurrection, the verdict over your life is no longer guilty. It’s no longer shame. It’s no longer “try harder.”
It’s no condemnation.

That doesn’t mean sin doesn’t matter. It does. But it means that if you belong to Jesus, you are not standing in a courtroom waiting for punishment. You’re standing in grace. The penalty has already been paid.

Sometimes we believe in forgiveness theologically, but we don’t live like it practically. We say we’re forgiven, but we keep punishing ourselves. We say we’re free, but we keep thinking about our shame. We say we trust God’s grace, but we still define ourselves by our worst moments.

Let’s be honest. Condemnation can feel spiritual. It can feel humble. But it’s actually pride. It’s us saying, “Jesus’ sacrifice isn’t quite enough. I need to add a little self-hatred to make this right.”

That’s not repentance. That’s self-condemnation. And Paul is very clear: there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
Not less condemnation. Not reduced condemnation. None.
So here’s the real question for this week: Are you living like someone who’s been set free?

Practical Application for This Week
1. Catch your self-talk.

Pay attention to the way you talk to yourself when you mess up. Do you say things like, “I’m such a failure” or “I’ll never change”? When you hear that voice, stop and say out loud, “There is no condemnation for me in Christ.” Replace accusation with truth.

2. Confess quickly, receive fully.

When you sin, don’t spiral. Confess it to God immediately. Thank Him for the cross. Then move forward. Don’t sit in emotional punishment. That’s not obedience.

3. Stop bringing up forgiven things.

If you’ve already confessed something, stop rehashing it in prayer like God forgot. When it comes back to mind, thank Him again for His grace instead of apologizing for the hundredth time.

4. Extend the same grace to others.

If God isn’t condemning you, who are you still condemning? A spouse? A friend? A family member? Let the way God treats you reshape how you treat others.

5. Do one bold act of obedience.

Condemnation makes us shrink back. Grace makes us step forward. Do something this week that you’ve been avoiding because you felt unworthy. Share your faith. Lead that conversation. Apply for that opportunity. Pray out loud. Live like you’re accepted and forgiven, not trying to earn God’s forgiveness.

This week, don’t just memorize Romans 8:1. Practice it.
When shame whispers, preach back. When guilt lingers, cling to the cross. When you fail, run to Jesus, not away from Him.
You’re not fighting for approval. If you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you already have it.

02/14/2026

Okay, let’s talk about love for a minute. Not the Instagram or Facebook kind. The real in the trenches kind of stick with it love
Valentine’s Day can feel sweet… or heavy. Some of you are celebrating. Some of you are exhausted in marriage. Some of you are single and tired of being single. Some of you are grieving. It’s all over the map.
But here’s what I keep coming back to. “We love each other because he loved us first.” 1 John 4:19 (NLT)
That changes everything. You didn’t start this love story with God. He did. Before you ever chose Him. Before you ever served. Before you ever “got it together.” He loved you first!
That means you don’t have to strive for Jesus’ love. You can simply just respond to it.
And if we’re honest, a lot of our relationship struggles come from trying to get people to give us something only God can give.
We want someone to make us feel secure. We want someone to make us feel chosen.We want someone to make us feel enough. But you already are secure, chosen, and enough in God’s eyes. “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NLT).
That’s not sentimental love. That’s sacrificial love. That’s covenant love. That’s I’m-not-going-anywhere love.
Jesus didn’t just say He loved you. He proved it. On the cross. In public. In pain. Fully paid for it all. And when that sinks in, it changes how we love.
If you’re married, it shifts the question from “Am I getting what I need?” to “How can I love like Christ loves me?” That’s a higher standard. It’s patient. It forgives. It stays when it’s hard.
If you’re single, it steadies your heart. You’re not waiting to be chosen. You already have been. Your worth isn’t hanging on someone else’s decision.
If you’re hurting, it reminds you that you’re not alone in your pain. God’s love isn’t distant. It’s near. It’s personal. It’s right in the middle of your messy emotions.
Love isn’t just a feeling. Feelings change. Love is a decision backed by action. And God made His decision about you a long time ago.
He’s for you. He’s committed to you. He’s not withdrawing when you fail. That’s the kind of love we build from.
So yes, enjoy the flowers or chocolates. Celebrate your people. Have the dinner. But don’t miss the deeper truth. You’re already fully loved. And from that place, you can love boldly, forgive quicker, and stop living in fear.
Let’s pray.
“Lord, thank You that You loved me first. Thank You that I don’t have to perform to earn it. Help me receive Your love, not just know it in my head. Teach me to love the people in my life the way You love me. Steady my heart today. In Jesus’ name, Amen”.

02/01/2026

Trusting God with the New Year

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”-Proverbs 3:5–6 (NLT)

Have you ever realized you’re already worried about things that haven’t even happened yet? A new year has a way of doing that to us. We start thinking ahead. We plan. We prepare. And somewhere along the way, we quietly start carrying the weight of the future on our own shoulders.

This verse meets us right there. God does not begin by asking us to figure everything out. He starts with trust. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart” means more than believing God exists. It means choosing to lean on Him instead of leaning fully on ourselves. When Proverbs says, “do not depend on your own understanding,” it is not telling us to stop using wisdom or planning wisely. It is reminding us that our understanding is limited. We only see today. God sees the whole story.

Seeking God in all we do means inviting Him into real life decisions. Not just the spiritual ones, but the practical ones too. Our work. Our families. Our finances. Our ministry. When we do that, God promises to guide us. Sometimes He gives clarity. Sometimes He gives peace before He gives answers. But He always stays close.

This verse is not saying the path will be easy. It is saying the path will be guided. And that makes all the difference.

Application – This Week
• Name one area where you are relying on your own understanding instead of trusting God.
• Pray a simple prayer each morning: “God, I trust You today. Please guide my steps.”
• When you feel anxious this week, pause and remind yourself: God sees more than I do.

Trust grows when we practice it. One decision. One prayer. One step at a time.

12/30/2025

🎇News from Melissa and Brian Verdugo-Heart Bridge International 🎆Still time to help us finish the year strong -

As we come to the end of this year, our hearts are full of gratitude. This year has been both fruitful and very hard. And through it all, God has been faithful. Heart Bridge International exists to equip and empower ministry leaders who have little or no access to training or resources. Through loca...

12/02/2025

I want to share something important today. In many places where we serve, pastors and youth leaders are doing ministry with nothing. No training. No materials. No help. Some of them are the only believer in their whole area trying to reach children, youth, and families who have never heard the gospel clearly.

This year we trained over 500 leaders in eight nations. They are asking us for more resources for 2026. We want to say yes, but we can’t do it alone.

Our Giving Tuesday goal is $3,500 to create and translate new ministry materials for leaders who have no access to training. Even one small gift helps us move forward.

If you feel led to help, you can give here:
https://givebutter.com/TL07JK

Thank you for standing with us. Your gift makes a real difference in places where hope is hard to find.

Standing with leaders who have no access to ministry training or resources

12/02/2025

Quick Note from Melissa and Brian -

Hi  Today is Giving Tuesday, and I want to invite you to help us make a real impact in some of the hardest places in the world. At Heart Bridge International, we equip believers, pastors, and youth leaders in developing nations who have almost no access to training or ministry resourc...

11/28/2025

Today is Black Friday and if you plan to shop, I want to share one way you can make your purchase count twice.

We partnered with Serrv International, a fair trade marketplace that supports global artisans, protects tradition, pays fair wages, and helps families build stable futures. When you shop using our code, Serrv gives HBI 10 percent of your order to support ministry and saves ou 10%. It costs you nothing extra, but it sends gospel hope and discipleship training further into unreached and hurting places.

If you are buying gifts today, would you consider browsing Serrv first and using our code at checkout?

Code: HEARTBRINT25
Valid through Dec 12
https://www.serrv.org/

You get meaningful gifts made with dignity and your order strengthens the work of Heart Bridge International at the same time.

Your shopping can be part of reaching the nations this Christmas.