When we go out in the morning for our run/walk, we see some of the same people and a lot of the same dogs each day. Even though we don’t really know them all, we recognize some of them, wave to some, and smile at others. But the psalmist, extolling God’s gracious sovereignty, reminds us that God knows every single bird: “I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine” (Ps 50:11). They belong to him and he knows them intimately. We see thousands of birds down by the ocean, from gigantic pelicans and vultures to tiny hummingbirds, about the size of a thumb. And God knows them all. Jesus said it this way, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Matt 10:29–31).

This past month we have had several opportunities to serve our church family here in Antofagasta. We inadvertently were drawn into the middle of a longstanding marriage dispute, and God gave us grace to try to point them to following Jesus’ example of loving the church and submitting to his Father. Mark has had the opportunity to serve some single brothers, usually by listening and occasionally by speaking. Since we last wrote, we’ve had at least 13 Bible studies with church families and individuals. We are thankful for the opportunities to speak and ask for your prayers for wisdom.

Our teammates, the Flincks, will be traveling to the United States in a little over a week to see their oldest son graduate from college and to get their daughter set up to start college in the fall. Please pray for them through these family changes. We continue to ask for your prayers on behalf of your Chilean brothers and sisters in Christ here in Antofagasta. Pray that they would desire the Word of God (1 Peter 2:2), that they would be doers and not just hearers (Jas 1:22), and that God would continue to make their love for each other abound (1 Thess 3:12). We appreciate your continued prayers for us here in Antofagasta, Chile.

This is our April 2023 email update. You can sign up to receive our updates in your inbox here. You can download a printable PDF here.