Winter 2012 Report

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.