We do appreciate the many ways in which you
continue to show your kindness to us. Thank you! Until now we have been sending
reports quarterly; beginning this month we will be sending them more
frequently.
Summer
travel. On
the last day of May we left Greenville for a six-week trip to Idaho and Utah, a
drive that also took us to churches in Illinois, Nebraska, Colorado, and
eastern Oregon. In most of these places we were privileged to see small gospel
works whose pastors and people are trying by God’s grace to faithfully and
clearly communicate the truth of the Scriptures. We commend these believers and
are thankful to have a small part in what God is doing in these out-of-the-way
places. One highlight of the trip was being able to see some of JM’s family at
a reunion in Colorado. We’re thankful for these days, as it may have been our
last time with some of the family for several years. One Colorado church has
recently partnered with us, bringing our
support level to 68%.
"Uruguayan Sun" in Ogden Valley, UT
After our return JM took a two-week course
on philosophy and practice of missions in the BJU Seminary DMin program. We
then rode with Esteban, Esther, and Marcos Torres to visit Deborah’s and
Esther’s uncle and his family in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. This trip included
opportunity to preach, contribute musically in the morning worship, and share a
bit more about the work in Uruguay in a church in which we had earlier
presented our anticipated ministry. We were also able to visit friends in
Detroit and meet with a very qualified young man who is interested in the
possibility of teaching in the Bible-college program in Uruguay (more below).
On Sunday, August 19, Iglesia Bautista
Calvario (Calvary Baptist Church) of Greer, SC, celebrated their tenth
anniversary. Years ago we were privileged to observe and to help in the early
stages of the work; and we are thankful for Pastor Torres’ giving us the
opportunity to again preach and sing in this anniversary service.
Developments
in Uruguay. Meanwhile
a committee representing several mission organizations has continued to meet
monthly to discuss plans for a
Bible-college program. Several factors make it seem that the situation is
right for such a program: the degree of maturity of many of the churches in
Uruguay, the generally high level of education in the country, and the desire
of people there for more opportunity. The committee has agreed upon a
preliminary doctrinal statement and has drawn up a course schedule for the
first full year. Regular classes are
projected to begin in 2014, with the possibility of some block courses to be
offered as early as 2013.
At this point the developing Bible college
is projected to go beyond, but not replace, EMU’s Bible institute. Our desire is to be in Uruguay in time to
teach in the Bible institute during the next academic year, which will begin in
March of 2013. Much work and preparation remains between now and then,
including (among other things) meetings in churches, paperwork of various
kinds, and organization of belongings. Please
continue to pray that the Lord will open doors in every way so that we will be
ready to go by the end of this year.
