Summer 2012 Report

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.