100% DEVOTION at its Best!!

So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.  They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Acts 2:41-42 (NASB)

Speaking of being devoted to on-going prayer, we are so grateful for your prayers for us and for Chile Mission!!  Again, thank you—your prayers make a difference and reflect your devotion back to God and his kingdom work!!

—The words devotion and to be devoted to someone or something are important Christian concepts.  One of our camp’s teachings this year will be focused on God’s deep love for us and never-ending devotion and commitment to us and to his plan to have every one of us back in intimate relationship with him through Jesus.  We, in turn, make the important decision of faith to enter into such a relationship, devoting ourselves back to him, beginning with our baptism and continuing as something we keep alive and growing, just as the first Christians did.  It’s exciting to share about keeping Jesus in the middle, going to his Word, and to being a part of his church, while praying everything forward.  What a huge difference that kind of awesome Christianity can make in any life—child on forward.

This month marks our 6^th year of camps for children and adolescents in middle Chile.  It will begin February 1 & 2 with a weekend retreat for teens, and then continue into the 3^rd through the 5^th with younger children.  Please pray for the retreat & camp, for each of the expected 26 children and teens, and for all of us who will be part of the camp team!   We’ve included photos of our last year camps, along with one of Amanda & Viky, who make up an important part of this year’s camp team (Renata is not pictured), with Paola, a young Columbian woman who has had extensive experience in Chile with Foundations such as our camp property project will form in its seeking of governmental, public. and private support for its mission.

—Another exciting February blessing will be the arrival on February 23rd of the EMI team of 13 architects, surveyors, different types of engineers, and an agricultural specialist, who will be linking with Chilean professionals and others in the area for the entire last week of the month on our new camp property in middle Chile.  Their job will be to walk the land, study it, and plan on how to accomplish the physical development of it according to God’s vision for it.  They then will send us their detailed drawings and conclusions within two to three months.  Needless to say, we are both very excited and very grateful!  Details and logistics for their arrival and stay are being worked on, along with the identification and joining in of the Chileans who will take things forward, including the procurement of cooperation of municipalities, businesses, and Chilean-based financial support.  Beatriz Canal, a Columbian architect and supervisor of large projects in Chile, will also be part of our camp development team.  Both Paola & Beatriz are Christians and are a huge answer to prayer, as they will bring in Chileans and others to the project as they help guide things forward themselves.  Thank you for your steady prayers for the land procurement this past year and for its ongoing development!  Included in our current needs was this week’s purchase, together with teammates Domingo & Sandra, of a 2017 Chevy double-cab diesel 4×4 pick-up.  It will be a great asset in transporting both people and supplies.  TYL!!

–Thank you for also praying for Julian’s & Devyn’s closure in Peru and return to the States.  All ended well and we look forward to having them with us in Chile for almost two weeks, beginning on February 3^rd on their way to Houston, Texas, where they will live and work.

—Lastly, please keep up your prayers for Chile, as we include the U. S. in ours.  While the country moves forward in positive ways, spotty and intentional disorder continue, with several metro stations still closed since October.  The expectations are for renewed city and country-wide protests and disorder, set to begin again in March with the re-opening of schools after summer vacation.

Praising, praying, and fasting with you in our TOTALLY DEVOTED TO RECEIVING US INTO REAL RELATIONSHIP SAVIOR & LORD,

Jack & Janine

Jesus making ALL THINGS new!!!

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. ²¹ He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” –Luke 4: 18-21

Jesus was (AND IS) everything he claimed to be.  As we enter 2020, he continues to make ALL THINGS new in all who come to him in earnest.  We, his brothers & sisters, are his New Creations and his Ambassadors of Reconciliation in this world. (see 2 Cor. 5:14-21).  May he, in all of his love, hope, and power, shine through and bless each of you this new year!  And thank you so much for your steady, continuing prayers for us and for Chile Mission in 2020.

December Updates

December ended with good news, mixed with some bitter-sweet. Jack’s blood tests remain the same with a very low white blood cell count—steady as she goes.  BUT, as a result of two different bone marrow biopsies (six months apart), his doctors have determined that he does not have leukemia (CMML).  PTL!!  The original bone marrow test in early 2015 clearly seemed to reflect the sickness, but it’s no longer there, so we are very grateful to God!  We are also so grateful for your on-going prayers for our health!

Chile is returning to productive life, now with its new on-going process of addressing the significant social issues and challenges of the people.  Please pray with us that Jesus would be more known and real throughout the country!

One other special end of the year blessing came in the form of being with our children & families.  The only ones missing were Julian & Devyn, who are completing their 2-year commitment in Peru, to return to Houston to live and work in February.  Please join us in praying for their re-entry and adjustment to “States” living.  Here are our two end-of-year family pictures.  (left photo, from left to right:  Jonathan & Christina family, Janine & Jack, Rob & Jordan family, Malia & Jayme family)

Our bitter-sweet news is that the twin baby Colomba in Chile died during the month.  The sweet news is that God’s grace and eternal home received her.  At the same time, it’s so hard for her mother, Marisa, and sad that Colomba’s twin, Maria Jesus, will never know her sister.  Thank you for your prayers for them!  Maria Jesus is doing well and gaining weight, and she and Marisa are back in southern Chile.

The New Year

We return to Santiago on January 9^th, and the month is set to be a “God-on-the-Move” month for several reasons.  Thank you for praying ALL the below prayer points forward!!

• We will be preparing for this year’s children’s camp and a retreat for teens, due to begin on February 1.  This year’s camp is again being planned and coordinated by Viky & Renata Aguayo.  Preparations include special training of the young adult counselors and presenters of themes.  This is the first year of offering a special weekend camp/retreat for the teens of the area.  We will use tents and it will be located on the banks of a river.
• Amanda, a new acquaintance from the States, will be with us in all of the above, with plans to stay until March.  She completed part of her studies in Santiago and has led mission trips to Central America.  It will be a blessing to have her with us for that time, as God continues to guide her forward.

• We will be spending time on and near the new camp property in Bodeuca, Chile, in January, getting the house ready for occupancy. (The windows, kitchen and bathroom sinks, and toilet are in storage to prevent them from being stolen). Janine hopes to make all necessary repairs to the house on the property to have it ready to use and stay at.  We will also use the coming weeks to make all necessary arrangements for the EMI’s upcoming February work trip to the property, that we wrote about last month.  We will have more on this in next month’s letter to you.  There are roughly thirteen professionals coming as part of their team.  Our Chilean partner, Domingo Aguayo, will use the time searching for a Chilean architect and engineer that can be a part of the development of the property, working alongside of the EMI team.
• Thank you, too, for your ongoing prayers for the ministries carried out on the Santiago mission property and for Cesar & Camila, as a family. The APEM pregnancy center that uses one our mission houses continues to gain momentum in terms of clients and help.

Praising, praying, and fasting with you in our ALWAYS MAKING ALL THINGS NEW SAVIOR & LORD,

Jack & Janine