November 2012 Report

Forty Years. This past month Uruguay remembered the tragic 1972 plane crash high in the Andes Mountains. Sixteen of the original 45 passengers endured the death of their friends and spent 72 horrific days of solitude, hunger, avalanches, and almost unbearable cold. On October 13 most of the survivors met to commemorate the event. The providential preservation of these men hints at some purpose beyond mere man-centered inspiration: we would like to think that God will save some of these 16 Uruguayans.

 

Most of the world did not notice Don and Edith Garwood’s arrival in Uruguay that same year; nor did many note the launch of a new church in Kaysville, UT. But 40 years later there is ongoing gospel ministry in both of these places. And in Greenville, SC, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of our home church, Mount Calvary Baptist. Only after Christ’s return will we fully realize the significance of such seemingly unnoticed events.

 

Update. Thank you for your prayers as we travel. God has graciously kept us safe and given us many hours of productive and confirmatory fellowship with other believers. We continue to be encouraged toward a final departure in early March. Please pray that the Lord will make this possible if it is indeed what He desires. We know that His timing takes into account all the details—many of which we are unable to see or predict.

 

Pray for our nation!

In October we re-visited churches in SC and GA, and took part in conferences in PA and the Washington, D.C. area. JM used airline miles to fly to UT, where he participated in Kaysville Bible Church’s 40th anniversary celebration, taught a Sunday school class in Liberty, and met with friends in the Salt Lake Valley.

 

 

Requests for Prayer. On November 19 a meeting will be held with Uruguayan pastors and missionaries interested in the developing Bible college, now identified as Facultad de Estudios Bíblicos del Uruguay (College of Biblical Studies of Uruguay). The planning committee will present information and invite input. A great deal of work has been done. Please continue to pray for efficiency, discernment, and unity.

 

Our co-workers Matías and Kristine Espinel’s second child is due to be born in December in Uruguay.

 

Early in March classes will begin at the F.V. Dabold Bible Institute in Montevideo, Uruguay. Though this is still months away, please pray as JM and Matías prepare material.

 

We do not take your prayers for granted! We are in constant need of them. Please let us know how we might pray for you. Without God’s grace we cannot for one day—let alone 40 years—be faithful in our service to Christ.