This past month we enjoyed the visit of Daniel Hilgendorf, a recent Bible college graduate who stayed with us for two weeks to see what God is doing here in Antofagasta. This is what he saw.

My two week visit to Antofagasta, Chile was an eye-opening experience, not only to see the awesome landscape, but to get a taste of the Gospel ministry in this city. The amazing contrast of the desert meeting the ocean is an endless expanse of beauty displaying God’s handiwork. Unfortunately, as I saw more of the city, I also experienced some not so beautiful parts. Graffiti stained almost every wall and piles of trash could be seen everywhere. In some areas along the street, there was an aroma of fresh-baked bread; however, in many places the smells were not so pleasant. Dogs roamed everywhere and walking down the street requires careful watch of each step. Regardless of the unpleasant surprises, one of my favorite experiences was hiking through the sandy barrenness of the desert and along the rocky coast with its flurry of creatures and crashing waves.

The best part of the visit was seeing the church and meeting my brothers and sisters in Christ in Chile. The church is genuine and sincere in every aspect. The Word of God is referenced in every part of the ministry and deep personal relationships are crucial in this culture. In spite of the language barrier, I was able to get to know several friends quite well, even in such a short time. I learned that gaining a good grasp of the language is essential for effective ministry. I was surprised by how much time must be invested in developing relationships. A meal shared with someone typically results in four or five hours around the table and people linger at church after the service for around two hours, experiencing true fellowship. It was encouraging to see how the believers were committed to one another and how this time spent together is key to ministry and discipleship.

This past Lord’s Day our church baptized a young lady who believed in Jesus earlier this year. We are thankful for what God is doing through the power of the gospel. The upcoming month include a pastors’ wives’ retreat for Bekah in the south of Chile, an opportunity for Mark to encourage a group of elders and pastors in Temuco, the pastors from the north coming to Antofagasta, a wedding in our church, and hosting the GMSA Chile missionaries.

This is our August 2024 email update. You can sign up to receive our updates in your inbox here. You can download a printable PDF here.