“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 – October 2012

OCTOBER PRAISES:  Janine and I have been traveling quite a bit between churches and some ChristianColleges and friends in those places.  The best part of the great blessing in that  are our interactions with people—some very close and others as new acquaintances–young, older, and children–some as teachers and leaders.  There is no mistaking genuine desire and commitment and the seeking of God’s leading & blessing, when one finds them.  It’s so rewarding to share, inform, challenge, and encourage and receive the same in return.

We are grateful for every question, every dinner with others, every church service and Sunday School time in which we can interact, and every serious conversation and opportunity to encourage someone, along with every special opportunity to re-connect with special friends and other kingdom workers.  Prayer time with others is especially powerful!

These kinds of encounters are often limited to a single day or even moment.  Our hope is that everyone reading this can relate to the praise behind it, and that we all would continue to seek and take advantage of healthy encounters where we find them.  They best bear fruit when acted upon in some real way.  Jesus is the Master of Encounters.

COMING OUT OF SEPTEMBER….       We prayed for Cony and the other children.  Cony had been expelled from school but recently was re-admitted, with a pledge from the school to keep working with her to help keep her in an upward track.  PTL!!  and keep praying.    

–Fabiola continues seeking (primarily via ads over the main Christian radio station in Chile) for a new couple to be house parents with us, replacing Israel & Cindy, who were dismissed last month.  This is another main prayer focus.

–No news on the twins, Ana and Millarai, living in northern Chile.  (See Sept.’s Prayer Letter)  Fabiola gave the mother encouragement, repeating our suggestions and the good sources to help her deal with the girls.  Please keep praying that the twins’ “family” works out.  It’s hard work.

–Some students and two couples recently expressed interest in coming to Chile to intern and work with us.  Students normally come to spend two months, but these couples are open to more permanent cross-cultural work.  PTL!!

–On a family note, please pray & give thanks for the opportunity of our son & daughter-in-law, Jayme and Malia, to work in northern Ghana for ten months in a medical mission.  They arrived on Sept. 22 and will return in mid-July, 2013, to begin medical school.  God leads on.

–We seek your prayers for the consideration of churches and individuals to attend this year’s International Conference on Missions (ICOM) of the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, held November 15-18 in Indianapolis.  October is the month when many make plans to go and many times it’s possible to combine with someone.  Many churches and individuals with active mission teams never go, and miss so much.  The theme, Radical Again, is excellent, as are the speakers, booths, workshops and teen conference.  We also always have a Chile! Chile! Chile! booth and our whole team will be there.  The website is www.theicom.org

Praising, praying, and fasting alongside you in an“Encounters” Jesus,

Jack and Janine