July 2015 Report

The month of July in Uruguay is always a change from routine, as students on all levels break for two weeks of vacation between semesters. FEBU students (College of Biblical Studies of Uruguay) are off for a month of welcome rest, though most continue working jobs in the capital city of Montevideo. This year, changes in BJU Seminary’s D.Min program (especially the new deadline for completing course work) prompted us to travel to SC for a late-June class and visits to churches in the southeastern U.S.

Iglesia Bíblica Maranatha. When Don and Pat Garwood returned to Uruguay last October, Don began his 43rd year of service in the country. In the months that followed, they remained very active while continuing to monitor Don’s health. During this time we were all encouraged by baptisms in December (Gonzalo and Sebastián) and June (Rocío, Florencia, and Agustina). Several of these teens’ friends have also begun to visit youth meetings or other services.

As the mid-year winter approached, however, it became evident that the wisest decision would be for the Garwoods to permanently relocate to the U.S. Thus on June 15 they flew with us from Montevideo to Miami. Please continue to pray for their stable health, for adequate rest, and for encouraging opportunities for them to serve, not only in their local church but also in the Spanish speaking community in Jacksonville, FL, where they are now living. They leave in Uruguay their hearts, many friends, and a sizable hole.

For many years the Garwoods have asked God to send full-time help for the church in Pando. It appears that God’s answer, for the time being, is that a small team of us continue to share the work of leading this group. Daniel and Viviana have for many years faithfully helped by teaching the children, leading music, preaching, and handling many of the financial affairs. (Daniel is Don’s son and Deborah’s brother; Viviana grew up in the neighborhood of the church and was saved as a teenager.) We will continue to rely greatly on their wisdom while JM takes a greater share of the preaching and teaching. Manuel, a second-year FEBU student, plans to continue helping as part of his practical ministry requirement. We would all appreciate your prayers for wisdom as we seek to make and mature disciples and for God’s provision of the right Uruguayan leadership in His time. 

During the week our focus continues to be the FEBU Bible-college project. Please continue to pray for qualified teachers and for those students who should dedicate themselves to study. Approximately 20 students take classes (and another 20 are enrolled in EMU’s Bible institute in various locations around the country). Second semester begins August 3. JM will be teaching Hermeneutics while preparing to teach (or re-teach) classes for next year (Pentateuch, Introduction to Music, and Homiletics I). Besides keeping up with Elizabeth (9), Daniel James (4), and Julia (89), Deborah has several projects in mind: preparing to teach (principles of Bible study) at a ladies’ retreat at Camp Emmanuel in October and editing memoirs of Ursula Thiessen, a long-time servant of the churches in Uruguay.

Thank you for your prayers for Uruguay and for us. Without the Spirit’s conviction, blind men and women will never come to Jesus. And without the grace of God at work in the lives of Christians, growth in love for Christ and ability to interpret and apply the Bible will remain stunted. We are all in constant need of God’s continued work in our hearts.