We have taken the example of Paul and Barnabas as our motto for this furlough. Acts 14:27 says, “And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.” After the church in Antioch heard God’s call on Paul and Barnabas, they released them because the Holy Spirit was sending them out to take the gospel to other places (Acts 13:1–4). This first missionary journey was not the first time Christians had taken the gospel to new places, but it was the first time they had gone out with the express purpose of spreading the gospel.
After an exciting tour of Asia Minor which included bold preaching and conversions, a critical miscommunication about their origins, and at least one stoning, Paul and Barnabas returned to Syria, assembled the Antioch church, and shared “all that God had done with them.” (This accounting included a special description of the conversion of Gentiles, which figures prominently in the following chapter.)
The past four months have brought us great joy as we have been able to glorify God by sharing all that he has done through us (and often in spite of us) in Antofagasta. This past month we shared these blessings with four more of our partner churches. We had the opportunity to serve at a Christian school camp, and Mark was able to attend a few of his seminary classes in person (a rare treat) and visit with several pastors. We enjoyed some restful moments: bike rides and ice cream, a high school football game, the county fair, a couple of road races, Labor Day with family, an air show, and an escape room.
The coming month brings a lot of travel: New Hampshire for a family wedding and a church visit, Bob Jones University to represent our mission at a conference, final goodbyes, travel to our mission headquarters in Florida, and return to Chile on October 6—if the Lord wills. We appreciate your prayers on our behalf.
- Thank God with us for his grace in working in our church in Antofagasta.
- Thank God with us for his grace in safety as we travel to churches.
- Thank God with us for his grace in the reception of our supporting churches over these past four months.
- Pray to God with us for his grace as we share what God is doing through the gospel in Antofagasta.
- Pray to God with us for his grace in travel and the remaining meetings.
- Pray to God with us for his grace in preparations to return to Chile October 6.
This is our September 2022 email update. You can sign up to receive our updates in your inbox here. You can download a printable PDF here.
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