In Psalm 121, the psalmist writes, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help? My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth” (vv. 1–2). When we are confronted with the majesty and unrelenting bigness of the mountains, we are reminded that our help comes from One greater, the Maker of those impressive mountains.

We had the opportunity to see some of the Creator’s incredible handiwork this past month as we spent four days in San Pedro de Atacama, a small town about four hours inland from Antofagasta at the edge of the Andes mountains. We got to see salt lakes with flamingos, the high plateau with vicuñas (a cousin of the llama), and other incredible geographic formations. We returned with a renewed appreciation for the awesome creative power of our God. We also had the opportunity to meet with a small group of believers who are attempting to plant a church in a hard place. We continue to pray for the spread of the gospel throughout our region.

Back in Antofagasta, we are thankful for what God is doing in our small church here. Just like physical growth, spiritual growth is rarely visible week by week. But we hear testimony of changes and see fruit in lives that only the Holy Spirit can produce. We enjoy spending time with them, listening and talking about what God is doing.

Bekah had the opportunity to spend about five days in the south of Chile at a pastors’ wives’ conference at the camp in Lican Ray. She enjoyed the fellowship and change of scenery (she even experienced several rainy days!). The retreat topic was inductive study of the Bible with practical workshops. This month we received our first international visitors: Mark’s parents, Ken and Patti Perry, are visiting us for ten days. It’s been a privilege to show them our city and introduce them to our new church family.

Please pray for our small church as we disciple one another and teach them to make disciples. Right now, David Flinck is teaching on Wednesday nights about membership and we hope to take that next step as a church at the end of the summer (next March).

While we were in San Pedro, we met with this small group of believers
who are working to form a local church on Wednesday night.

 Thank God with us:

• For his grace that has placed us in a world that proclaims the glory of its Creator.
• For his grace and protection in travel.
• For his grace in allowing us to serve and minister here in Chile.

Pray to God with us:

• For his grace to trust in God’s sovereignty and goodness.
• For his grace to see disciples making disciples in our church.
• For his grace to trust the Lord and work hard to be able to communicate in Spanish.

This is our November2018 email update. You can sign up to receive our updates in your inbox here. You can download a printable PDF here.