“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”     –God’s Word for his people then.

“Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”    –God’s Word for his people today.

Jack and Janine Swanson’s

CHILE PRAYER LETTER – August 2012

GIVING THANKS FOR REAL RELATIONSHIP:  It takes us to and through it all.

We couldn’t help give God thanks for our July.  We had very special time in family for almost a week, and special time in churches and in Vacation Bible Schools with adults, teens, and kids alike.  Through it all we could feel God leading and blessing.  We also, though, received very sad news of the mass killing and injuries committed by a demented individual in a Colorado movie theater, followed by equally sad news of the tragic drug-related death of a young man in the prime of his life.  Some families never recover from tragedies such as these.

Both deep joys and deep sorrows and struggles take on different final outcomes when one finds Real Relationship with Jesus.  The joys become more appreciated and lasting and in tragedy, sadness–as hard as it is to bear–becomes endurable and healing becomes possible.  It’s God who seeks to be glorified in both through our real relationship with him.

The same is true with our understanding of and approach to God himself.  Please read John 14: 6-7.  The key to Real Relationship with God is Knowing Jesus.  How many of us, like Janine and myself, either had or have the head knowledge, but no guts to fill it?  We give thanks this month for Real Jesus Relationship and wish the same for all of you.  It makes all the difference in the world in our joys and sorrows and to one’s Christianity.  Before we came to know him personally, we had no idea what that meant.  He waits for all of us, whoever we are.  That’s a praise!

AUGUST PETITIONS:

Fabiola is still looking for the right person to work alongside her either part or full-time.  In addition, she is seeking a new couple to work as house parents to replace Israel and Cindy.  It’s possible to work with many things, but integrity is indispensible and its absence in our house parents cannot be tolerated.  In the meantime, she and Janine are in contact, as she carefully weighs and addresses each issue.  Thanks for those prayers!  They are a main ingredient of Real Jesus Relationship with someone.

Teammate Mike Boyce continues to search for suitable office space that might also accommodate the church for meetings.  Teammates Jason & Dana Fought, along with their children and Chilean missionary teammates, are currently in Albania, a largely Muslim country in rebirth after years of Communist control.  The team seeks to encourage and aid Albanian Christians through building Real Jesus Relationships with them.

Thanks for your continued prayers for our visits and time with U.S. supporting churches and with family and friends!  Our interactions have been so positive in our own Real Jesus Relationships here.

Giving thanks, praying, and fasting alongside you in a “Real Relationship” Jesus,

Jack and Janine