Jesus’ Church!!
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him (Jesus)to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the FULLNESS of him who fills everything in every way. –Eph. 1: 18-23
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, NOT giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. –Heb. 10: 24-25
These two passages (words in bold, italics, and capitals–mine) directly speak about the overwhelming importance and role of the church. The church truly is Jesus’ physical body and chosen instrument in this world. So many people seek healing and/or answers & direction and/or real relationship, and yet so many of those seekers reject the church. Never “perfect”, the church comes in many sizes and shapes. It comes in every tongue, culture, and style. Please continue being part of her—she is Jesus’ hope in the world!
We would like to focus this month on Jesus’ church in Chile. Jack & Todd recently attended the annual conference for pastors, wives, & other leaders of the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ in Chile. Pictured here below is a photo of one of the main sessions and also a photo of one of the “prayer huddles” when everyone broke into small groups to pray for each other and for the local churches they serve in. Please pray this month for our church, Iglesia Cristiana Jesus es El Camino and for Christian churches in general in Chile. We are a country presently led by a socialist president who describes herself as an agnostic. We, as a church, can and need to do so much more to show Chileans a real Jesus in meeting needs and touching lives, as well as in proclaiming and verbalizing our faith.
Children’s residence: We have received several responses to our ad on the website of Chile’s main Christian radio station for a director of our work with young abandoned children. We have put out additional feelers through “LinkedIn”, an internet program of professionals in varied fields, as well as being in touch with larger churches with regard to our need. The director position needs to be filled by a Chilean Christian with a social work degree or comparable work experience, and who also has working knowledge of how Sename (Chile’s Dept. of Children & Family Services) and the court system work with regard to the care and adoption of abandoned children. None of those who have thus far responded to our publicity have filled the requirements we are looking for. Please pray for God’s moving in this need.
We also are seeking a property located near our mission site where we can build a small storage facility to store items and certain construction supplies, freeing up space for play areas and preparing our mission property and office for the arrival of children as soon as that becomes possible. This transition will be carried out in the last three months remaining in 2016 while Ross & Raquel are in Australia. Married almost one year ago, Raquel has never met Ross’ family and now is the perfect time. They are set to be our first house parents for children placed with us.
Christian center & children’s camp: We, along with Domingo & Sandra and Ross & Raquel, have another trip planned to go to Concepción and to Ñipas in September to make headway both in moving forward legally and in the planning of this next summer’s children VBS to be held the second week of January, 2017. One key component of the VBS will be the involvement of the youth of one or more churches in the general area, so part of our visit will be getting together with possible youth helpers. Thank you for your continued prayers.
English Club is off to a good start and we hope this month to move its weekly meetings to a more permanent home in an equally well-located, close-by facility. We’re grateful for God’s provision and the Club has a good future. A main part of Todd’s focus will be to establish relationships with participants outside of the activity itself. Please pray for a healthy, growing English Club.
Praising, praying, and fasting as we all serve Jesus Christ, the church’s HEAD & SAVIOR of the world,
Chile Mission 