An October Missionary Update from South America.

Good evening. Below is a missionary update from a dear young couple supported by our church. Their ministry is in Chile, South America. They have some praises to share and some requests for prayer. 

Please pray for our missionaries that God will grant them strength, endurance, and grace as they have given up all the familiar comforts of life in America to minister far away from home and family.

Bob

October 15, 2021 

A Need for Endurance 

The writer of Hebrews reminded his readers, “For ye have need of patience [endurance], that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:36). 

Since God is always faithful to his promises and because of the finished work of Jesus Christ, we must persevere in faith, doing God’s will, which he enables us to do (Hebrews 13:21). 

Most days and weeks don’t require violent course corrections or changes, we simply need patient endurance to continue doing what is right. 

This past month our church voted to recognize Adrián as its first elder from the congregation (the first of many, Lord willing). It was a another step forward and a big answer to many of our prayers over the past three and a half years here in A, as one of our burdens has been to develop men for leadership in our local church. 

The unanimous vote of the church clearly recognized his biblical qualification and desire to shepherd the church. This past month Chile celebrated the 18th of September holidays (roughly analogous to Fourth of July). 

On Friday the 17th, we enjoyed a delicious cookout with our teammates and two girls from the Bible institute who were on vacation. 

Then on Saturday the 18th, our church hosted a special celebration with games, competitions, and a huge meal. Both days were good times of fellowship, food, and camaraderie. 

This past month we celebrated B’s birthday by making an “exploration expedition” to the other side of the peninsula where big sky, big mountains, big desert, and the big ocean all come together. 

It was windy and beautiful. Afterward, we enjoyed a delicious birthday meal (with cake and candles) together with our teammates. This past month our permanent residency applications showed an advance in the percentage (for the first time since November 2019 for M’s application and since February 2020 for B’s). They currently show 99% (although we’re not sure how scientific these numbers are).

We’re planning a trip to Florida for our annual missionary conference in January, as well as making arrangements for our first furlough next year (May through September). Please continue to pray for the resolution of our permanent visas.

Thank God with us: • For his grace enabling us to persevere in faith in Jesus. • For his grace in physical health and strength. • For his grace in electing another elder for our church.

Pray to God with us: • For his grace in the maturing of his church in Antofagasta. • For his grace in making disciples. • For his grace in the waiting process for our residency documents.