“The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea” (Psalm 93:4). We marvel at the powerful waves as they crash on the rocky coast, their building fury, their towering heights, and their thunder as they storm the beach. Beautifully terrifying. We remember how Jesus calmed the stormy sea with his word, reminding us that his Word is more powerful than the mighty waves. His Word is changing lives and causing hearts to seek him. We watch in awe as God’s Word changes hearts for his honor and glory.

God has given us a number of unique opportunities this past month. The most unusual was spending a week in Ohio surprising Mark’s nephew at his graduation. We were glad to get back home again to our church and ministries here in Antofagasta, but thankful for several household items that we had been lacking for the past five months! We get to spend a lot of time with our church family, visiting in homes, fellowshipping after services, and hosting them in our home. This past month we got to host prayer meeting in our apartment, Mark has gotten to speak on Wednesdays a couple times, and this past Sunday spoke for the morning service for the first time. The Flincks have been hosting a summer intern, Jansen, and we have enjoyed ministering to him as well. Our ministry team enjoyed a one-day retreat at the ocean this week: good fellowship, God’s beautiful creation, and edifying conversations and prayer together.

Mark had a chance along with a brother from our church to visit a young single mother who has recently believed in Jesus and give the gospel to her mother, a devout Catholic. She received us warmly and asked us to tell her more about the gospel. As we tried to explain the reality of who God is, what sin is, who Jesus Christ is, and what repentance and faith are, I found myself wondering, “Who lets strangers sit in their living room and tell them they are wrong about everything? Who admits that sixty years of life has been wasted?” When we finished talking, she said, “Everything I’ve believed is wrong. Now I know what I need to do.” I was shocked. Who says that? People in whom God’s Spirit is convicting of sin, righteousness, and judgment. We didn’t hear her confess Jesus as Lord with her mouth, but I wouldn’t be surprised that she believes in her heart. Please pray for this woman.

During our week in Ohio, we got to enjoy a mini-reunion
with our Chile mission trip girls who came with us to Antofagasta in June 2016.

God continues to give us discipleship opportunities.
Our team has enjoyed hosting Jansen Lorch, a summer intern from Appalachian Bible College.

 Thank God with us:

• For his grace in the residency process—this past month we received notification that our applications have been received and are now in process. Now we await their approval.
• For his gracious protection as we spent a week in Ohio, renewing a driver’s license, bringing back the rest of our things, and visiting with family and friends.
• For his grace allowing us to minister and be ministered to in the church here in Antofagasta.

Pray to God with us:

• For his grace in our church as we seek to rent a larger space to meet on the Lord’s Day, as we encounter many opportunities to counsel, encourage, and speak truth, and as we continue growing in our Spanish capabilities.
• For his grace to live in constant meditation on God’s Word, allowing the Word to “dwell richly” in our lives, so that it comes out in our words, songs, attitudes, and interactions with others.
• For his grace to produce Christlike joy in our hearts and lives that proclaims, “I delight to do your will, O God!” (Ps 40:8; Heb 10:7).

This is our June 2018 email update. You can sign up to receive our updates in your inbox here. You can download a printable PDF here.