Dear Family and Friends,
Greetings from Osorno, Chile. After
7 weeks back, life is in full swing and a bit overwhelming. Many thanks to
those who prayed for us and for Alex and Patty while they were in the US during
the month of March - they had an absolutely wonderful trip visiting and sharing
with several churches (and getting some moments of much-needed rest), and
it was a hectic yet good month for us as well. This note may seem a
bit "engineerish" in its nature - practical, not too flowery - but it's still
Marilyn sitting in front of the keyboard. For those of you who love to
pray, we have lots to pray for. I am sure you do too, so don't forget that
our relationship goes two ways. Here goes...
Can a Presbytery meeting
be joyous?
In theory it should be, don't you
think? After all, it's a group of Christian men getting together to
discuss God's work. This was touched on at the Chile missionary retreat we
just got back from. It was both a fun and productive time together.
We talked about why these meetings had evolved into something that folks are
less than excited to go to. Many arrive from their various churches
with agendas that need to be dealt with at a presbytery
level. Sometimes these "needs" can be classified as "dirty
laundry". I must admit I'm glad that Greg gets to go and I get to stay
home. This Saturday is the next presbytery
meeting. Our church has some issues that need to be dealt with that
are critical to the body life of our church, as well as of the
presbytery. It has the potential to be difficult, to put it
lightly. We decided as a group of missionaries to pray that the meeting
would be joyous. Lord, I believe, help my unbelief. Would you join us in prayer asking God for this
miracle: that the meeting would be both productive
and joyous?
Synergy among the
men.
God has been working amongst the men of
our church. Slowly but surely a handful are stepping up to bat and
taking some responsibility in the church, such as helping lead worship during
services and showing a desire to minister to other men. There have
been a couple men's gatherings recently that have been quite positive, with
good fellowship and a renewed synergy to look for God's ways to encourage and
grow the existing men of our congregation, as well as to look for God's
ways to impact other men in the Osorno community. We are a fragile,
emotional congregation (not just the women) and need strength and stability from
the Lord. Please continue to pray for strong male
leadership and for consistency.
Excitement with the
youth.
We have not been directly involved with
the Saturday night youth group meetings, but their excitement is apparent to all
and contagious. They have been meeting with youth from other churches as
well. Please pray that their excitement would be based
on truths that will last.
Women's ministry:
moving forward with a few challenges.
Monday night Romans
study: During the month of March I met with four older women in the
church who will help me lead the studies. My emphasis with them was to
stop playing church and obey what the Bible says out of a sincere love of
God. (I was less blunt with these sweet ladies.) We have
new women in the study who know almost nothing about the Bible and show a
genuine interest to learn. Some of the newer ladies who
have given this Bible study slot a chance in the past have not
continued due to "praise and prayer requests" elongating mucho and in
the end having little time to study the Bible after all. Please pray with me that the women who will help lead will be
very godly examples to the newer women. Please pray for all, both
young and old, who are eager to learn from the Bible.
Wednesday afternoon
"lite" study: This study answers real life questions using a
brief passage of scripture and is designed for women who are just beginning to
question God's existence and their potential relationship with Him. Some
women have integrated into the church after beginning with this
study. Pray that these women would find the
answers they are looking for in Jesus Christ.
Community Outreach
Study: This week I will begin to meet monthly with a small group of
women of faith (from the Presbyterian, Lutheran and Catholic churches) who have
expressed an interest in being a part of a study to reach women in our community
who have little knowledge of the God of the Bible. This year I want
to expose these women to passages of scripture that will help them get a better
grasp of who God is, while getting their help as to how to go about
starting a community outreach study in Chile. Then next year we will
begin the weekly Bible studies. Please pray that lives
would be touched and changed through this study. Please pray that various
churches will be strengthened in the process.
The
opposition:
Please pray against
the evil one who would seek to destroy all the wonderful things God is doing in
our midst.
We certainly thank you for your
prayers. The Lord Jesus is our only hope. We are at His mercy.
Blessings to you all,
Marilyn for the Senters