Jill Duggar Dillard Shares Christian Conversion Update From Central America Mission
Jill and Derrick Dillard announced on social media Saturday that their young family is settling into their lives as missionaries in Central America; though their son, Israel, is adjusting faster than his parents are at the moment.
In a blog post shared with their followers, the former "19 Kids and Counting" stars said they've adjusted well to being missionaries and said their 2 month old son, Israel David, is adapting well to the new environment. Jill, 24, and Derrick, 26, said previously that they felt called to share the Gospel of Jesus around the world and already the pair has helped at least one woman give her life to Christ.
"We are so excited to announce that we have safely arrived on the mission field and we can now tell you that we are in Central America! Israel seems to be adjusting to the new climate, culture, food (via mom's milk), and language faster than Jill and I are," they wrote on July 18.
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Earlier this month, the Duggar family opted to not disclose Jill and Derrick's destination, citing "security reasons."
"It is encouraging to already see some of the ways God is changing the hearts of the people here," the Dillards' blog post read. "Just seven days ago, I had the joy of witnessing one elderly woman give lordship of her life to Christ.
"This transpired just one day after her Christian son was restored to fellowship in his local church. We were at the man's house ministering to him with encouragement from God's Word when the opportunity was presented to share the hope of the Gospel with his mother. It's our prayer, and we ask you to please pray with us, that many more would repent of their ways and turn to God's way for their life."
The couple, who wed on June 21 of last year, previously opened up about why they felt called to do missionary work abroad.
"We have a deep love and care for all of the world and a real passion for those in the nations, as many have even seen in the early stages of our relationship, and our hope is that all peoples of the world would come to repentance and put their hope in the Lord, Jesus Christ," the pair wrote earlier this month in a blog post titled "Ministry." "God has put a desire in our hearts to serve Him internationally for longer than the typical short-term mission trip."
The Dillards' decision to travel abroad came more than one month after Jill came forward as one of five victims allegedly molested by her brother, Josh, when he was 14. Jessa Duggar, 22, is also identified as one of his victims, although both sisters have since forgiven him.
The molestation scandal sparked a firestorm of criticism in May which led to Josh resigning from his position as a director with Family Research Council Action and issuing a heartfelt apology, which stated that he's "deeply sorry" for what he described as "my wrongdoing."
Last week, TLC, formerly known as The Learning Channel, announced the cancellation of its long-running reality TV series "19 Kids and Counting," less than two months after the show was suspended in the wake of Josh's molestation case.
