The apostle John opened his first letter (1
John) by referring to his eyewitness
testimony
that centered in Jesus Christ, “the Word of Life.” He announced this gospel in
order that “you, too, might have fellowship with us.” This fellowship (which
ultimately is fellowship with God the Father and with His Son) implies certain
responsibilities and (especially) evidences—evidences and responsibilities that
are rooted in the good news of the person, the words, and the work of Jesus
Christ. We hope that you have placed all your confidence in Him alone.
The day after Christmas we left for Miami
with Esteban, Esther, and Marcos Torres. (Esther is Déborah’s sister.) We were
joined by a friend from Colorado, a high-school girl from a church we’ve
visited, who then traveled with us to Uruguay. We’re thankful for the
opportunity to show her some of what God is doing there, and for her help along
the way. The purpose for our trip was to attend the wedding of Esteban’s
sister, Julia, who had asked us to provide music (play the piano, compose a
musical number, and sing) for the ceremony. The Lord had provided airfare from
a source apart from ministry gifts, and we believe the trip was the best use of
those weeks. (You can see pictures in a previous post.
)
One highlight of the visit was time with young people, some of them Bible
institute students or potential students, who regularly express their eagerness
for our move to Uruguay.
Our travels during this spring semester are
mostly regional. Several days after our return from Uruguay we took part in a
conference in Ohio, where JM preached several times and Déborah shared in a
ladies’ meeting. In mid-January, JM took a class focusing on preaching from
historical narrative, material that we expect will be integrated into Bible
college courses in the future.
Last August we enrolled Elizabeth in a K-5
program in Simpsonville, SC. We’re thankful for their flexibility with our
schedule, allowing her to do some schoolwork while we travel. She will finish
kindergarten in May, after which we will leave again for an extended trip west.
Please pray that we will be in Uruguay by the end of this year. Our current
plan is to begin homeschooling in June, so that Elizabeth can finish first
grade before we move to Uruguay. She would then turn seven in January 2013 and
be able to start second grade in March 2013, when the Uruguayan school year
begins. We appreciate your prayers for us as we train our children. We desire
to see them become true disciples of Jesus Christ, showing evidences of Life that
come from genuine faith in Him.
March is also the beginning of the school
year in the Bible institute in Uruguay. The Espinels (Matías, Kristine, and
David Misael) are now there; please pray that they will be able to stay long term.
Matías will be helping with some Bible institute teaching this semester. Pray
for the Lord’s help in their transition to life and ministry there.
As you pray for classes in Uruguay, please
also pray for the Bible college and Bible institute ministry of Iglesia
Bautista de la Fe here in Greenville. Déborah is teaching a Spanish grammar
course, and JM is teaching a class on 1 John. Please pray that God would use
these weekly classes to conform us and our students into Christ’s image, that
the classes would better prepare us for teaching in Uruguay, and that they
would contribute to the health of His Church worldwide. This is experience that
will directly benefit the Bible college program in Uruguay.
Thank you for
your prayer and support! “Keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21)—they appear
in many forms.
