The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. –Psalm 24: 1
Why this verse for this month’s Praise & Prayer Letter?? Because we find ourselves in Ñipas in middle Chile this first week of February hosting our first “day” camps for young children from the area, also meeting families that live here, and visiting churches in the area. In looking at the natural beauty of the countryside we are reminded that the earth truly is the Lord’s, along with ALL who live in it.
Colossians 1: 15-16 reminds us that through Jesus ALL things in heaven and on earth were made. Verse 16 goes on to say that “all things were made through him and FOR him.” Continuing in verses 19 & 20: For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. God, in his great love for all people, sent and sacrificed his own Son to reconcile all who believe and follow him back to himself. Christian camps and centers throughout the world are an extension of that love and touch of Jesus. We are blessed to be a part of His work!
As we’ve mentioned in past letters, the Christian camp and center is named, “LUZ EN EL CAMPO” (Light in the Countryside). We so appreciate your prayers (and thanks) for this largely Chilean outreach and for what this beginning signifies for this central part of the country—for children and for families—in combatting social problems and transforming lives to reconcile people with God through Jesus.
We will be going out this week into the communities closest to our location and have been given the local school to use for activities (there are no facilities yet on the camp land). We are inviting children between 5 and 9 years of age to participate, and we are a team of approximately 14 persons in total working with them. We hope to have about 30 children participating.
Millarai and twin sister Ana are also with us and are part of those helping. Our second praise and prayer request for this month is for them. On January 26th they turned fifteen. In Milla’s case this is a BIG praise for being the same girl in her fight against bone cancer that the doctors said twice in the last two years as she laid in induced comas that she would die that very day. At present, the future of where they will live is very much up in the air, as circumstances in Gilda’s family (the mom in the house of relatives where they have lived for the last three years) have made it necessary that the girls be moved elsewhere. They can’t stay under our care, as we both have full-time ministries to pursue. The girls’ options aren’t good, as being placed in a children’s home is one of them, and those facilities here in Chile are not good in many respects.
Thus, as you give thanks for their lives, please pray for their immediate future. We are doing what we can to think of others’ involvement and placement options. Milla and Ana are good girls, especially in light of their growing up to this point in in some very difficult circumstances with minimal love from any family. Milla also continues to make slow but good progress physically, gaining weight and strength.
Here below is a photo of one of our recent planning meetings to prepare for this week’s camp, along with two photos taken of Ana and Milla. Their party was fun, with several in attendance. By left-clicking on the photos, they enlarge.
Lastly, please pray for a safe delivery for Ingrid of her and Daniel’s first child, expected to arrive the first week of February. They have been part of our work with children in the past and are presently living in one of our houses on the ministry site. They would like to continue helping us in one capacity or another. They know that the baby is a boy and have named him Joshua Samuel. A great blessing for them!
Praising, praying, and fasting as we all serve The One True Reconciling Creator God and Lord Jesus,
Chile Mission 