Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. –Prov. 19: 21
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. –Isaiah 55: 9-10
The missions conference (ICOM) was excellent, having ended November 1. Everything is made better when we can enter a conference or day or week or month expectantly looking for the Lord’s purposes to be accomplished. With regards to the conference, with many missions represented and so many attendees, both young and old, we know very well that God had many purposes accomplished. Here pictured is one of the main sessions, along with a picture of Janine & me with Charlotte Barkley, missionary to Africa whose needs we have highlighted in recent months.
As a general encouragement to all, no matter how good or difficult or painful our situations, we need to remind ourselves that God really is at work in different ways through every circumstance. We can be assured that He is in them with us and we can always trust that his good purposes will be accomplished, be they visible or invisible at the time. We often become his extensions through them to others.
Janine & I are blessed to be in the States these two months, and we know good and well that we are here to serve God’s purposes through the trip. We always look forward to having time and or interactions with as many supporting churches as is possible, in addition to making special trips for specific reasons that sometimes surface during the trip. God receives glory when we Christians listen, are flexible, and respond. So many of you individuals and churches already do this. May the gratitude of all of us for God’s purposes realized be our NOVEMBER PRAISE in this month of Thanksgiving for his bounty and blessing.
Thank you for praying this month for Chile and the work of our mission. We are praying for:
- The safety of our mission property during our absence. One couple, Daniel & Ingrid, are living on the property now, and a second couple, Ross & Raquel, will be joining them early in December. Likewise, our worker Carlos continues readying the property for receiving children in 2016.
- The necessary on-going planning related to the new camp property to able to offer “day” camps in January and February. Letters of introduction need to be written and visits within the community made during November and early December. Please continue praying for “like-mindedness”, good direction, and follow-through on the part of the team in Chile to get these things done.
- Millarai’s going forward. She is no longer hospitalized in northern Chile. That is a praise, and she texted Janine to let her know that she is eating properly again. We have no information, however, on the outcome of last month’s court hearing to determine with whom Millarai and sister Anna will live in northern Chile, while Milla continues cancer treatments. Please pray for their future.
- Todd’s preparations for missionary service in Chile–that they continue to move forward well, with the help of his home church and Christian friends who are taking on needed stateside roles he will need.
- Chile as a country has for years enjoyed an extremely stable economy, based in copper, fruit exports, and growing tourism. With the fall of copper prices and challenges related to needed education reform, the country is now faced with harder times. Please join us in praying for the country’s leadership, that it be able to unify and make good decisions. Chile is currently ruled by the socialist party and President Bachelet does not adhere to any religion.
With love and gratitude in our Good “Purpose-Driven” God,
Chile Mission 