Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  –Prov. 3: 5-6

Our first photo to share entering May is of Jayme & Malia, daughter Havalah and their newest addition to the family, Matthias James Swanson.  He was born April 15^th, just over one week before Havi turned 2 years old.  Both Malia and Matthias are healthy and we are very grateful.  As a quick update, Malia finished medical school and is now entering her three-year residency in Birmingham, AL.  They are moving there this month.  She will be working, and Jayme, who is by profession a nurse, will basically be a “stay-at-home” dad. Residencies are normally very demanding.  We are excited for their new adventure!

The work in Santiago:  As you know, ministry partners Ross & Raquel live in one of the houses on our Santiago mission property.  Raquel is the “hands-on person” who meets with and relates to mothers and fathers of sick children who come to our mission property for housing, often accompanied by their child being treated for a long-term illness in children’s hospitals in Santiago. (Cases similar to that of Millarai, who we worked with a couple years ago.)

Their photo and May’s Bible verses go hand in hand.  We very recently met with Andrea and husband Ellier, learning of their decision that she will not be continuing as director of our ministries conducted on the mission property.  Between her full-time teaching job and Ellier’s not having a job, she feels that she cannot give the time necessary to develop the current and future use of the mission site and vision of the Foundation.  We are grateful for her role in being an initial part the work of the Foundation.  Raquel’s role in the meantime will now be broadened to encompass visiting more hospitals and making contact with other institutions having a similar focus on children and families.  Raquel is very personable and capable, and we feel that she can handle the job well.  Janine will be accompanying her on these visits at first.  Please pray for all of us in this transition.  We give thanks for Raquel’s willingness and commitment to go forward with new responsibilities.

Also please continue to pray for the legal process already in motion to make needed changes to our Foundation’s statutes—mainly to broaden the types of ministries that the Foundation can encompass and also to increase the number of directors of the board from 4 to 5.  These legal processes can take a long time.

The middle-Chile camp & retreat center:  In terms of priority, we will continue to work with Domingo to first define and legalize the Foundation “Luz en el Campo” as we continue to identify the exact land that we can purchase to augment or replace his property.  Domingo did hear back from his cousin that at this time he is only interested in selling his land for a high price.  Please continue praying for these important issues.  We are in a position to buy and we know that God already has in mind the exact property for us.  Prov.3: 5-6!!

Last, but not least, in early April Janine fell in the bedroom and broke both bones near her wrist.  Ay yay yay!  She is doing fine, with a metal plate installed to aid in the placement and healing of the arm.  Wouldn’t you know it, it had to be her right arm on top of it. ☹  Her attitude is great, and she lacks roughly 3 weeks to have the stitches and 3 pins removed.  We appreciate your prayers on her arm’s behalf, and TYL! that our car is an automatic. 😊

Praising, praying, and fasting in our ONE, TRUE, TRUSTWORTHY & LEANED-ON GOD,

Jack & Janine