To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will have the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” –John 8: 31-32, 36
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, UNITED STATES!!
The Bible speaks of true liberty/freedom that surpasses countries, cultures, languages, and even one’s circumstances—slave or free. It’s a REAL freedom that only comes through one person whose name begins with J and ends with S. To those of us who know Jesus in a personal way, his mark on our lives is undeniable and eternal. HIS NAME is probably the one and only thing that all Christian churches (be the denomination what it is) and their missionaries have in common.
If we are honest, there is something in the life of every single one of us Christians that “holds us back”, but God never gives up on us and urges us to find total freedom in his Son. Even as we are, he would use every one of us to reach those around us who also need the truth of Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world”. He also said, “YOU are the light of the world.”
Thank you Lord for sending us to Chile and our fellow Christian brothers & sisters to their “worlds” as well to extend the TRUTH OF JESUS CHRIST to so many who are lost without him.
One week ago Jack met Ivan, the 41 year-old son of neighbors of members of our church. He has been addicted to cocaine and other drugs for over half of his life. He, his father, and Jack, went to the Casa del Alfarero (House of the Potter) Christian live-in drug rehab center where Jack takes a turn leading the morning devotional once to twice a month. A man without hope, Ivan said of himself, “I feel so empty”. His interview went well and he now wants freedom and hope—both of which Jesus offers to those who come to him. Ivan is due to enter the center early in July. Please pray that he does.
Progress and steps continue to take shape toward finding a Christian woman director of our children’s residence in Santiago. We are currently following up on leads that God has put in place. We also continue to actively take steps regarding the legal formation of the Foundation for the Christian center & camp in middle Chile. A group of us recently took another trip there to both look at additional land and to further our relationship with a key church in Concepción who will be part of the project in different ways. Pictured below, we walked the land with Domingo and Sandra, who have cleared the majority of trees from the property in order to better plan how to lay out its use for the camp and center. In the other photo taken at the property, Domingo’s cousin Jaime also wants to donate just over an acre of his land bordering the main road to the project. Please continue to pray for the on-going development of both of these two very important ministries—our work with children in Santiago and the Christian center & camp.
A praise, Todd did arrive on June 6 and is adjusting very well! The English Club pre-evangelistic outreach in the community had its first meeting on Friday, June 30th, guided by Todd and Ross, a teammate from Australia. PTL! Please pray for Todd’s continued good adjustment to life and ministry in Chile. Pictured below are Oscar, Jack, and Todd, discussing issues facing the church.
Speaking of English Club, former missionary intern Kenny Bayless from 10 years ago, came for a one week visit in June to help celebrate Jack’s birthday and to re-visit people he had worked with during his 5 months in Chile in 2006. What a good surprise! Kenny was also very involved with English Club at that time. A photo of him teaching is below. Please pray for the effective ministry of English Club and also for Kenny, who will now be the youth pastor for a church in Calgary, Canada.
In one way or another, all of God’s outreaches and ministries through Chile Mission (and through you) are aimed at the total liberty and eternal life of the individual in Jesus Christ. Thank you for partnering with us in prayer!
Praising, praying, and fasting as we all serve Jesus Christ–our TRUE SOURCE of Real Freedom,
Chile Mission 