October 2015 Report

Please pray especially for the Lord’s provision of a pastor for Iglesia Bíblica Maranatha in Pando!

During the last couple days of Uruguay’s spring break (the week of September 21), FEBU (College of Biblical Studies of Uruguay) worked with a camp in Paysandú that annually hosts a retreat for college and career young people. This year the focus was twofold: to encourage consecration to Christ and to ask those present to consider whether the Lord would want them to come to FEBU to better prepare for service. We’re thankful for the opportunity to have contact with approximately fifty current and potential students.

Please pray for results from this two-day retreat: (1) that the Lord would continue to work His purposes in hearts as a result of the preaching of His Word; (2) that He would bring the students He has appointed to train in FEBU; and (3) that this network of local churches and like-minded mission agencies would continue to maintain a commitment to careful doctrine and practice, while exercising a willingness to give up personal rights for the sake of the gospel.

FEBU students gave testimonies during the retreat.

One of the efforts within this “network” is CenViAb (Abundant Life Center), which seeks to educate churches about the reality of abortion (recently legal and widely viewed in the culture as a “solution”). CenViAb also aims to provide help to mothers and to those suffering from the effects of the sin of abortion. A news article in late August highlighted a family that had chosen life and drew attention to the obstacles they faced for their choice. God has given us (especially D) ongoing contact now with this family; and we are encouraged to see the way in which individual Christians have shown initiative, taken leadership, and responded to the needs of this family.

Please pray that Uruguayan churches would take long-term gospel opportunity with this and many other families like them—not only with those families that have chosen life but also with individuals suffering the excruciating physical and emotional consequences of a legal “procedure” that never delivers the simple solution that it promises.

D has been asked to speak at the ladies’ retreat (October 14-17) at Camp Emmanuel. She plans to use the sessions to encourage their Bible study and interpretation. A gift of devotional booklets from one of our SC churches has provided not only study material but also a focused theme: “Meditaciones del evangelio para nosotras.” Please pray!

JM continues to teach Hermeneutics. Please pray for the students—some of them future pastors—to take seriously the responsibility of rightly interpreting the Bible. They all want this, but at times the investment is difficult— especially given the load of other classes and work schedules. Practically this requires a willingness to read much; patience to pause and observe details in the text; and humility to submit to the importance of tracing arguments, recognizing subordinate clauses, constructing diagrams, and considering such things as genre and background.

In June of 2013 we began the process of pursuing permanent residency. Several recent changes in immigration laws (and their interpretation) left us uncertain as to the wisest way to proceed, but in November of 2013 we submitted part of the needed information and received national ID cards. In late 2014 we learned of a new development that would allow D to receive permanent residency based on her having a direct family connection with an Uruguayan citizen. Earlier this year (2015) we officially submitted our applications and information—D through one government department and JM (with E and DJ) through another. In late September we received the welcome news that D had been granted permanent residency! Please continue to pray for the rest of this process.

Due to this and several other factors, it is too soon to fully assess our travel responsibilities next year. We’re sure of a couple things, though: We want to limit the length of travel as much as possible, and we want to stay in touch with you as well as possible. Some of your churches we haven’t visited for 4 or 5 years, and we value the chance to report personally what God is doing as you work together with us. Please let us know if you would like a visit; we can at least begin the conversation. Thank you for the many ways you continue to encourage us.