Dear Family and Friends,
As I was reading the scriptures recently, I identified with Paul's words to the Christians in Corinth and was reminded of you. Although you might find the wording extreme, these verses sum up how I've perceived the ministry of late, as well as our continuous need for God our hope and for all of you who pray regularly for us.
2 Corinthians 1:8-11 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
It seems that for every one person bearing fruit in their faith in Christ, there are five out there involved in deceitful practices, spreading rumors, harboring resentment in their hearts and otherwise soiling the name of Christ. The comparison is extreme, but that's the way it feels sometimes.
We had a visit from blind missionary/pastor John Rug last weekend. He encouraged us to focus on where God is moving and then asked us for specifics. Our response to him is the basis for our prayer requests:
Please pray for Martita. She is an officer in the blind association (that meets in our church) as well as a member of our church. She is soft-spoken and about half as tall as Greg. She is growing in her faith, integrating more and more in the church and surprises sighted people by the many ways she serves the church.
Bible study in Puerto Montt - Greg and Alex have started a Bible study for couples in Puerto Montt based on the book "The Five Love Languages." Quite a few married couples have had their lives impacted by our previous studies of this book, and now God has opened up an opportunity to use this tool in the home of Cristián and Isabel, a dear couple of our church who live in Puerto Montt. Please pray that the invited couples will be committed and able to attend the sessions (the next one is tomorrow night), and that God will continue paving the way for a new church plant in that city in His timing.
Rosa update - We have told you about Rosa in the past, and she's still hanging in there, with all the responsibilities of a single mom, handicapped son Michael, full-time university studies to be a social worker, part-time work, and consistent involvement in our church - wow, I don't know how she does it all. You can pray that the Lord will continue to give her strength and wisdom to manage her load. Attached is a picture of Rosa with her daughter Kassandra at a golden wedding anniversary service that our church held for church members Hardy and Eliana.
Stacey and Kari, and the youth - It has been our joy this year to watch our own children grow in wisdom and maturity. (Don't get me wrong. They are still teenagers!) Aside from experiencing the joy of answered prayer, God has lovingly touched each of them in a weak area and given them opportunities to find security in being a child of God.
After some turbulence in our youth group at church and the leaving of quite a few, things seem to be stabilizing with some regular youth meetings at church, an enjoyable day of mountain-top hiking in a nearby park with a team from Gospel Fellowship PCA of Valencia, PA, and some fun movie nights in our home. Please pray that the Lord will continue His good work in our girls and these other young people.
As we always say, and always mean, we truly appreciate you all, our faithful team of supporters. We've heard from a number of you lately and know that many are passing through trials of illness, aging parents, job uncertainties, and death of loved ones. We pray that our God will sustain you, grant you peace, strengthen you, comfort you, and use you for His glory.
Much love in Jesus,
Marilyn (and Greg)
Mailing address: Casilla 33-0, Osorno, Chile
Phone: (56) 64-217-567
Web sites: www.mtwla.org/people/gsenter.htm,
www.freewebs.com/senters4chile/index.htm
Contributions should be sent to:
Mission to the World
P.O. Box 116284
Atlanta, GA 30368-6284
(include account # 016869)
