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