MAY UPDATE

During the month of May we have continued to work on building the relationships we spoke of in the last prayer letter. Thank you to so many of you who responded to that letter, encouraging us to continue building those relationships and assuring us of your prayers and support! Truly, our work here would not be nearly as effective were it not for the prayers that you offer up on our behalf.

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Probably the biggest event in this month was our trip to the coast to visit two of our “team” missionary families, the Boyds and the Carters. The Carters invited us to stay in their home for three nights. We were able to see the church plant they are starting there in Santa Marta. They have a small group that meets Friday nights and then they have started holding church services on Sundays in a rented building. It was very interesting to be able to see both of these aspects of a new work. We were also able to spend time with both the Carters and the Boyds, asking questions, getting advice, and learning anything they would share with us about their experiences with this new church plant.

After spending four days with them, they helped us to find a rental apartment where we could stay for the next few days. Because it is the “low” season there in Santa Marta, we got an amazing price (and an even more amazing view—see picture above) and spent the next three days celebrating our 3-year anniversary! Oh, and did we mention that Santa Marta is HOT? I think it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say we took up to three showers daily! While there, we enjoyed eating some interesting foods (see “Cultural Cuisine” below), listening to street music (an accordion, guitar and maracas) until all hours of the night, (actually, we were trying to sleep!) and just spending some much-needed “us” time together.

MINISTRY

Daniel has continued to have many opportunities to preach and teach. He especially enjoyed speaking at the singles retreat out at the camp in Tenjo. The theme was rescuing the young person from mediocrity. He used his ruler illustration to show how short our life truly is and to emphasize the need passionately invest our lives in things of eternal value.  He is also preparing to teach a two to three month Sunday School class on Jeremiah as well as a block class in the seminary.  Such teaching opportunities are very exciting as our desire is to make disciples and equip people to serve God all over Colombia. We would certainly appreciate your prayers as the challenge and responsibility of teaching God’s word to nationals in a different language can be overwhelming.  Praise God that his word is powerful and effective despite our weakness.

APARTMENT HUNTING

We are now beginning to look for an apartment closer to the area we hope to minister in. We have already spent hours looking for ads, calling and making appointments and viewing apartments.  Please pray for us as we are in desperate need of God’s wisdom. There are so many things to consider: visitor parking (for new church plant, studies, etc.), easy access to public transportation, secure neighborhood and specific budget.  We also need you to pray that we have wisdom and discernment to know when we are being told the real price or the “gringo price!”

CULTURAL CUISINE            While in  Taganga with the Carters, we enjoyed some fresh fish. I’m almost sure I saw this guy while I was snorkeling only about 30 minutes before I ate him! Later that week in Rodadero, we shared dinner with the Carters. Despite the name, it was really good pizza!  When you come for a visit, we’ll take you there!

Prayer Requests:

• Pray for Sergio. God is obviously working in his heart but he is hesitant to surrender. We will be starting a Bible Study this week on Mondays.
• Pray for God to use the  preaching/teaching opportunities at  a youth camp, Sunday School, and the seminary.
• Wisdom for where we will live and start a new work
• Salvation of Emiliano, Juan, Freddy, Julian, Alfonso, Robinson, and Sergio.
• PRAISES

God continues to work in our lives and the lives of Colombians for his glory.

 PLEASE NOTE:

We absolutely LOVE getting letters and packages from the states! However, figuring out the mail system here has been difficult. We have found that  it would be best to let us know if a package is being sent our way along with the customs number, so that we can be on the lookout for it here, as well as track it if necessary. THANKS SO MUCH!