Welcome to CHILE MISSION At MID-YEAR!  We so appreciate your steady prayer and financial support month after month and always look forward to sharing our Praises and Prayer needs with you monthly as well.  Please use this mid-year report for your June Chile Praises and Prayers, and thanks once again for keeping them flowing!!

At the beginning of each month you receive our Chile Praise & Prayer Letter link which takes you to our website to read it.  We’d like to encourage you to go to different sections of our website to become better acquainted with the current status of God’s work through us.  It’s well-organized and easy to follow and we do strive to keep it up-to-date.  We also periodically add photos.  We’d like to call your attention to…

Our updated Mission Statement  Our Mission statement needed to better reflect our emphasis on working with children.  We also noticed that it did not reflect that fact that missionaries are “sent out” by their churches to other places (good example is Paul with Barnabas).  Our re-worded Mission statement is:

               Sent out by the Church to…  reach people, and especially children, with the love of                                                                        Jesus, so they might know and follow him.

Janine’s up-coming trip to the States   We continue to work to open more U.S. venues to market our Chile-made marble people and sets.  They’re reasonably priced, super cute, and make great collectibles.  The website for them is www.marblepeople.com  The reason for selling them is to help support our work with children—abandoned and otherwise—with a source of income that might continue well into the future, supplementing sources of support within Chile itself in the coming years.

We’ve been selling the figures at the ICOM (Int’l Conference on Missions) for years and the last two years have also had a booth at the NACC (North American Christian Convention).  Janine will be flying to the States now in June to help attend our booth at this year’s NACC in Cincinnati, June 23-26.  She will then fly to Orlando the very next week to attend the Christian Retailers Show, seeking contacts to sell our figures for wholesale purchase.

We have an urgent housing need, however.  Donn Urban (Donn & Cindy have been our forwarding agent mission partners in the States for years) will bring our marble products from Indiana to the NACC.  Donn and Janine will both be representing us, setting up our booth on Monday, June 22, and taking down it on Thursday evening, June 24.  We had contacted Cincinnati Christian University about housing for them both, but after an initial response of possibilities, it took the university over 2 months to finally decide that with summer re-modeling and refurbishing of their dorms, they couldn’t provide housing of any kind.  IF ANYONE MIGHT HAVE FRIENDS OR RELATIVES IN CINCINNATI, PLEASE LET US KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, as at this time, Donn and Janine still need affordable housing.  Donn’s E-mail is donnurban@gmail.com and ours is chilemission@hotmail.com  

Again, they’ll need housing for 3 nights, June 22-24.  Thanks so much!!

Family Christian Residence for abandoned children   We will be ECSTATIC!! when it becomes possible to notify our supporters (and the whole world J) that our Foundation has been formally approved.  We are awaiting this step to begin operating once again.  Our attorney does expect final approval within the coming weeks and we, of course, keep praying that will be the case.  In the meantime we have continued with different projects of organizing in different ways and doing inventory, as well as needed improvements and repairs and painting, including the re-varnishing and repair of chairs and the re-upholstering of well-worn couches.

Two other important steps in re-opening will be the finding and contracting of both the Chilean person who will oversee the work as its director, and the Chilean Christian couple who will work as substitute parents in one of the houses, so that we can begin receiving children (target ages of between 4 and 7 years of age).  Up to six children can live in each house.  Our mission residence (houses built on our mission property) represents a major focus of our work with children.  Janine has already been in contact with an experienced, Christian social worker who will be able to help with the re-initiation of the residence’s functioning.  We plan to continue with the profile of abandoned children, with adoption of each child in mind.

Christian Camp/Center in rural Chile outside of Concepción   We are pleased and excited to announce that on May 21 through May 24, we and a team of people met at the new property to be developed into a Christian camp for children/Christian center.  It was especially good that Millarai got to go with us to experience new things and time with other special people.

Included with us in the team were Domingo & Sandra (donating the land and part of the directing board of the work), Marcelo & Cecily (Marcelo to finish the filming and interviewing needed to create a 5-minute dvd, and Cecily for her experience as a camp counselor and employee for several summers at a Christian camp in Texas), and Manuel & María Elena (as an architect, he was able to walk the property and think “first steps” such as water accessibility, sewage processing and building phases and placement).  First steps of Stage One include:

• Reviewing the property’s site map to delineate the exact land to be used for the Christian camp/outreach center. We all met on Sunday, May 31, to begin this process.
• Determine placement of areas within the land, starting with a shelter with enclosed kitchen and baths, as well as designating locations for tent camping, multi-purpose building, and cabins, along with associated costs.
• Designate the initial board members that will be making all decisions, including the camp/center name.
• Make contacts to determine the dimensions and cost of the well to be drilled.
• Meet with the notary/attorney who will be both deeding the land toward its new purpose and setting up the legal board to direct the work forward.
• Locate an administrator/overseer who can live on the property help supervise the work and initiate contacts with neighbors, municipalities, and local churches.

Marcelo estimates that the presentation dvd should be ready by the end of June.  The initial feeling of Domingo & Sandra and us is that we would like to have the property ready for one-day events with area children beginning in January of 2016 (the beginning of summer in Chile).

A main ingredient in it all, as mentioned above, is the forming and developing of relationships in the area.  Toward that end, our group attended the local Pentecostal church the weekend we were there.  Everyone in the group shared their particular role with the congregation.  Jack, as a fellow pastor, was called upon to preach—talk about having “a moment’s notice”!!  We were the only people in the church dressed casually—contrasting with the ladies in long skirts and all of the men with suits and ties!  Healthy, active, working relationships in the immediate area will be crucial if we are to have their support and participation.

We’d like to take this opportunity to again recognize and thank the Macomb Christian Church in Michigan for designating the proceeds from their yearly “Fall Harvest of Talents” event as seed money for this good outreach.  In all of our searching for property it’s taken time (inside of God’s plan, to be sure) for us to be put in contact with Domingo & Sandra who are donating the land, so we are all too grateful to finally be under way.  These are some of the photos taken during our recent trip:

Swanson housing situation   We have been looking in nearby communities for some time for housing to rent.  In order to better facilitate the first house parents’ move-in process at the mission property we have decided to wait on a separate house for us.  We sincerely hope that the first house parents will be selected and able to move in within the coming months, as that will mean that we are ready to begin anew with children.  Thank you for your prayers on these steps.

Millarai’s health   Thank you to all praying for Millarai, the 14-year-old girl with bone cancer under our care periodically!  She had an MRI May 25 to discern the exact nature of two new spots–one on her spine and the other on her pelvis–that showed up in a full-body x-ray.  The results showed that they were NOT cancer, so she was released to go back to northern Chile and not return to Santiago for further medical appointments until late July.  Her other doctors noted continued growing strength of her heart and continued healing of her kidneys, both damaged in past months from the affect of Milla’s treatments.  All totaled, ALL OF THESE ASSESSMENTS represent great news and she’s very happy.  So are we.

While we never know how God will respond in answer to the fervent prayer of his children, but we know that he will and we know that we can always trust that response.  We owe him all the praise and gratitude.

BIGGEST event of May!!!   We are all too happy that Milla made a decision to be baptized prior to flying to northern Chile the first week of June.  She was thus baptized, with the church and others present, on Sunday, May 31.  A great explanation of biblical baptism can be found in Romans 6: 1-14.  Congratulations, Milla, for wanting Jesus as both Savior & Lord of your life!

Praising, praying, and fasting with you in our MINISTRY-COORDINATING, LIFE-TRANSFORMING GOD,

Jack & Janine

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

These first two verses of Romans 12 are very appropriate for two ministries we are privileged to be a part of: the Marriage Encounter and the Casa del Alfarero (House of the Potter), a Christian live-in drug and alcohol rehabilitation center.  We ask for your prayers and thanks this month for both of these ministries.

Every one of us has known God’s mercy and great love.  That mercy and love come back to him ten-fold  (and more) every time a person responds by giving themselves back to him in accordance with his good will and hope for them.  Paul, in Romans 12, calls it our true and proper worship.  The pattern of this world is formed through self-indulgence, pride, justification, hurt, and separation.  Thus the urgent need for a complete transformation (or overhaul J) of the mind.  Without it we simply can’t know and live reconciliation, renewal, and restoration—especially in marriages and in breaking free of real addictions of any kind.  Makes us all think, doesn’t it, and how worth it the results that really do change lives.

In 1994, still quite new to Chile, we began working with La Iglesia de Cristo Metropolitana  (The Metropolitan Christian Church).  They, for years, have undertaken the huge task of carrying out a Marriage Encounter twice a year.  After participating in the weekend event, a couple can then sponsor others.  Janine & I have participated, as well as sponsoring couples for the weekend.  We helped at April’s encounter and look forward to sponsoring a couple and helping again this September.  The big key to success for couples participating?  The giving of themselves to each other in honesty, forgiveness, healing, & re-building “God-style”—i.e., a complete transformation of the mind.  Please pray and give thanks for the many couples who just participated and for those that God is working to include in Sept.

Jack also participates monthly in the important ministry of the Casa del Alfarero (House of the Potter) Christian live-in drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for men.  Between their two sites, they treat roughly 40 men at a time through a nine-month program that includes the men’s marriage and family whenever possible.  Ivan and Paola head up the center and coordinate the teams of men and women who assist in one way or another.  They have recently instituted a new post-graduate discipling course that makes use of many of the methods employed by the Christian Coaching ministry mentioned in some of our recent monthly Praise & Prayer Letters.  Again though, especially in talking about victory over addictions, a big key to success is a complete renewal of the mind.  The men need to know that they are being made new in the Lord and will not be the same as before.  Thanks again for your prayers with thanksgiving!

Lastly, thanks again for your prayers for Millarai and for Jack’s going forward health-wise.  Milla has been okayed to fly April 30 to northern Chile (after over a year and one-half in medical treatments in Santiago) to live with her sister and family there.  She will make one-week trips each month to Santiago for medical appointments.  In addition, her left foot has been healing nicely after having a portion of the toes on that foot removed (dead tissue) and doctors are pleased.  What a great praise and answer to prayer this is!  Thank you as well for praying for Jack’s health.  He has regained almost all of his energy, and his white blood cell count remains stable.  PTL!

Praising, praying, and fasting with you in our Good, Pleasing, & Perfect Will God,

Jack & Janine

“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.  But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”  Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”  Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.  Do you believe this?” John 11: 21-26

Thank you all for joining us in praise and prayer for God’s leading and working through Chile Mission.  Summarizing March, two additional minor adjustments were submitted toward the final approval of our legal foundation for the children’s residence.  We’ll LOVE to inform you all of that final approval!  We’re still working on drawing in another main person to help get the residence started; our planned trip and meeting in March at the property of the children’s camp/Christian center was postponed to April, due to an incredibly complicated tooth pulling (involving three additional trips to the dentist for cleaning and re-stitching) for Janine; the Christian drug center’s leaders were very receptive to including Christian coaching with participants in the 9-month program as those men prepare to finish and return to their families.  Four leaders will work through part one of the coaching method with Jack and then decide on who else to include as coaches from among those men that have graduated and since lived as testimonies of Jesus’ renewing presence and power.  The coaches’ job is to stay alongside and encourage others as they continue forward, achieving goals that they set for themselves.  Milla is with us for two weeks, as Gilda (her “adopted” mom) needs to be home in northern Chile for this time.  Milla’s doctors are planning her foot surgery for necrosis in April and then will evaluate her condition toward a long-term, milder treatment.  For now they’ve decided to eliminate further heavier chemo treatments, giving her instead a continuing mild dose of chemo pills to take at home.

The victory in Jesus’ imminent death and resurrection is prophesied in his words to Martha in John 11.  Here below are photos of three girls who live and share a severe challenge and yet live within the greatest dynamic of all time…. God’s response to the praises and prayers of his children made possible by Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Milla (whom you already know) has osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and is 14 years old.  Maggie, 4 years old, has neuroblastoma cancer, and Willa, 2 months old, has retinoblastoma (so far only in her right eye, already being removed).  We all know children, youth, and adults in difficult circumstances.  In northern Chile right now there is serious flooding in the 2^nd and 3^rd regions, with loss of life and much destruction.

There is only ONE Reason for the power and victory in Christian praise, prayer, and life:  God’s great love sent his Son Jesus to die and pay the price for our sin in order to reconcile us back into relationship with him so that we can praise, pray, and live.  He accepts us as his children because in Jesus, we are!  We can have full faith that He will listen, guide, and answer as He knows best.  We praise, pray, live, and extend him and his love, because it makes a difference for every Milla, Maggie, & Willa and for so many others.  It’s our real response to the One, True God through our real Lord and Savior.  Keep givng thanks and praying and have a very blessed Good Friday remembrance and Risen Easter Sunday!!

 Praising, praying, and fasting with you in our “Cross and Resurrection JESUS”,

Jack & Janine

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

These first four verses of Psalm 121 speak of God’s faithful protection and attention, perhaps in the context of a pilgrimage during that time.  They are verses of assurance for all of us today as well, as we dedicate ourselves to God’s work and purposes.  That work, those purposes, and WE never lose his attention.  He is always moving and working, regardless of place and time.  PTL!!

We thank God for each Chile ministry of which we–and you–are a part and for his sense of timing of steps in their continued development.  We have recently met as the board for the Children’s Residence to decide on final verbiage changes requested by the government to our statutes and now the first week of March will meet with our attorney for his input before they are re-submitted.  Next steps in March include seeking a fifth board member and taking more steps in our search for the new residence’s first Chilean director.  These persons must be Christian, with a good balance between love, experience, and organizational skills.  The existing board will be moving forward with many difficult decisions.  Thank you for your prayers with thanksgiving!

We also met recently with Domingo and Sandra, our main partners in the formation and development of the Christian Camp in the south.  Our friends, Marcelo and Cecily (former Chile intern), have joined the project and Marcelo, who works in the film & television industry in Santiago, made a great film of the land that includes good overhead footage filmed from his drone camera.  We hope to add subtitles in English and look forward to having copies for U.S. supporting churches in the not-too-distant future.  Domingo’s Christian lawyer/notary friend in Concepción will be handling all legal work on the camp’s behalf without cost as his contribution.  We will be meeting in March to identify other possible board members and key contacts, along with prioritizing our next steps and itemizing foreseeable costs.  A Christian dentist has also added another good dimension to the “camp project”—raising money for dental supplies for a mobile dental clinic.  Our leading choice for the project is “Luz en el Campo” or “Light in the Countryside.”  The name invites duplication in other parts of Chile. Thank you for your prayers with thanksgiving!

In his monthly morning devotional at the Christian drug/alcohol rehabilitation center Jack will be talking with Ivan, center director, about the possibility of training at least two staff members in the art of Christian Coaching to help graduating participants effectively plan their plans forward, using daily-living strategies and goals that they themselves wrestle with and achieve.  The “coach” prays, connects, and proposes the right questions in their supporting role.  Thank you for prayers with thanksgiving for this possibility!

Millarai’s doctors have decided to proceed with more chemo treatments.  Keep praying for the health of the toes on her left foot.  As weak as she is, the setbacks are side issues, with the osteosarcoma still being the major concern.  Her attitude remains good and her new family continues to be a steady support for her.  She and Gilda, her mom hope to return to Antofagasta in April.  Janine is grateful to play her role as well.  Thank you for prayers with thanksgiving for the effectiveness of Milla’s further treatments and for her ability to physically handle them.

Jack’s Health:  Jack has already had his first blood tests to monitor his white blood count and also seek answers for the fatigue he has been experiencing.  Praise God that his white blood cell count has improved some.  At the same time, the endoscopy revealed bleeding in his stomach.  He’ll be having follow-up doctor appointments during the month.  Thanks for your prayers with thanksgiving.

Praising, praying, and fasting with you in our “Always in Motion and Attentive God”,

Jack & Janine

Thank you for being a vital part of Chile Mission’s going forward through prayers and praise and fasting on our behalf.  We pray for and praise God for you too!  Your prayers not only keep our dependence on and appreciation for the One, True God in tack; they also keep our relationship with you, our sending and supporting churches and individuals in tack, united in mind, purpose, and genuine care about each other.  This design, given us by God, is fundamental to Christianity.  We see it in Jesus’ prayer for us (John 20: 20-26) and read it in Paul’s letter to the Christians in Philippi: If you have any encouragement by being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. –Phil. 2: 1-2    Again, thank you for your prayers and praises.  We need and appreciate them and you! It seems strange to be writing our February Prayer Letter with me (Jack) here in California and Janine in Chile.  Thanks for your prayers for my health and encouraging messages we have received from so many of you!  My white blood cell count over the last couple years has gone from low to even lower and in testing, I have been diagnosed with Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (cmml).  There is no immediate treatment indicated, as I am type 1 and not type 2, and while it is a progressive disease, at this point mine is very slow growing.  It also means that my immune system is low. I have experienced muscle heaviness, lack of stamina, and joint ache, but I am told that these symptoms are not related to the cmml.  Not only that, I am much better as of late. Thus the further testing in California.  Several possible causes have been ruled out for the fatigue, such as sleep disorders, problems with diet, and other conditions assessed through blood tests. As mentioned, I have also very recently started improving (PTL!), so barring other new information or changes for the worse, I am planning on returning to Chile by mid Feb.  Once there, I will be undergoing quarterly blood tests to monitor changes with regard to the leukemia, and I will also regularly track my rest, diet, and symptoms of fatigue and re-initiate regular exercise.  I will keep everyone posted on any changes.  To say the least, I am anxious to get back involved “on site” in our work, and I give God thanks for the blessing of being able to serve him with Janine in Chile.  Going forward…. With regard to the current status of some of the other portions of the work you’ve been praying for, here below are updates to use in your prayers:

• The Chilean attorney helping secure our Foundation legal status was notified by the government of some final needed wording changes in our statutes.  Janine and Miguel (one of our board members) are contacting him to get them taken care of.  Our foundation status is step one in the re-initialization of our work with abandoned children.
• Another couple has requested to be part of the new board that will oversee the first steps and development of the Christian children’s camp six hours south of Santiago.  We look forward to having a major planning meeting toward that end in the near future.
• We continue to seek a house to rent or purchase in the area that surrounds our mission property.  God is our main R.E. agent and we wait on him in our house-hunting.
• Lastly, we so thank you for your on-going prayers on behalf of Millarae in her battle against bone cancer!  Coming back once again from little probability of surviving even one more day, she has stabilized and has been taken out of her induced coma.  The Chilean doctors say, “Incredible!”  We give praise and thanks to God.  Two particular matter of prayer: One or more of the drugs used to save her life resulted in cutting off circulation of blood in her extremities and she has necrosis (when tissue or cells are killed) in her left foot.  Yesterday, almost half of that foot was black, but color has returned and now only some toes are black.  Pray for God’s touch that she would not lose those toes.  The other prayer is for strength.  She has no energy even to try to talk and is extremely weak.  They are beginnning neurological testing.

Praising, praying, and fasting with you in our “Total Relationship God”,

Jack & Janine

INTO JANUARY 2015 AND BEYOND…

Thank you all again for your prayer support which continues to buoy us up and help accomplish God’s plans in Chile!  As we continue in those good plans and purposes through us in Chile we are reminded of Jesus’ summary of the ten commandments summarized in two:  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.  Love your neighbor as yourself. –Mark 12: 30-31    What a tremendously powerful message for all Christians, as God leads on.

Prayer specifics going into 2015 include:

• Imminent issuance of our Foundation status in Chile.
• Designation of a Chilean man or woman to direct the children’s work forward.
• Arrival of Chilean Christian couple(s) as first new house parents.
• Arrival of abandoned children to live in our mission houses with those house parents.
• Growth and going forward of the church, Iglesia Cristiana Jesús es El Camino.
• Formation of the board that will lead in the development and direction of the new children’s camp.
• Determination of exact design of the camp property and initiation of first steps in land development.
• Make-up and visitation of groups from supporting churches.
• Development of “Christian coaching” in encouraging and aiding men freed from drug & alcohol addiction restore their lives and families.
• Rental/purchase of off-site house or property for Jack and Janine.

• The successful re-initiation of English Club TESL outreach and relationship development.   (We are seeking someone to come and guide this effective ministry.)

We do have one additional specific prayer request having to do with my (Jack’s) health.  I have a condition in which my bone marrow is producing less and less white blood cells.  It’s been below normal for at least two years, but recently, the reading has been going down fast.  As our son Julian explained, a blood count can be a little lower for a variety of reasons, but the recent changes need to be looked into.  Based on the readings, I have neutropenia, associated with the low count.

I am here in LA and receive free care through the VA facility nearby.  I am scheduled for a bone marrow biopsy on Jan. 7 and until then I have been advised to avoid unnecessary contact with others who might compromise my health.  The bone marrow test should give us a diagnosis, and then we can determine treatment, hopefully in Chile!!  Janine is planning to go back to Chile immediately following the biopsy results and I will follow, barring the need to undergo immediate treatment here.  We’re also checking out nutritional factors that I might want to put in place, such as a gluten-free diet.  We’ll be sure to keep you posted and thanks for your prayers.

Praising, praying, and fasting with you in our “Total Package” God,

Jack & Janine

There are many Old Testament prophesies concerning Jesus’ coming, birth, life, and future eternal reign.  Can you imagine reading newspaper prophesies of your coming birth, life, and eternal destiny written hundreds of years before your birth?  But just think… in Jesus’ case, the prophesies were and are all true.  An unthinkable, unimaginable thing. God committed before word one of creation (1 Peter 1:17-20) to become human through his son and then sacrifice him.  He would do this to redeem his soon-to-be-fallen and lost creation and bring it back into harmony and relationship with him.

Let our gift to him be our lives, now redeemed.  WE are the light of the world, as well as carriers of the One True Hope & Light of the World.  What an awesome Christmas gift to Jesus, the center of Christmas.  Let us receive our commission and commit as He did to those who don’t yet celebrate his coming, still outside of reconciliation, harmony, and relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  Joy to the world!!

Prayer begins with gratitude, recognition, and praise.  We would like to focus this Christmas month on exactly that.  While we seek your on-going prayers for the work of Chile Mission and church, including the inception of the children’s foundation & work and development of the future Christian children’s camp, along with healing for Millarai, we ask you to share in our gratefulness for some recent November answers to prayer.  Having said that, we know that November and December will be hard months for many of you, and perhaps months of difficult loss.  Please let the reality of a “Born” Jesus who cares about you personally and who is with you especially now, touch that hurt and this time.

• The ICOM missions conference was excellent, with a focus on a Christian’s need to always start “vertical”, that is, with prayer and faith, seeking God’s plan and God’s power. We’ve talked with many of you in supporting churches who know the missions conference from years ago. Why not make a decision now to “re-connect” with it in 2015 in Richmond, VA the last weekend of October?

• Millarai has finished her long series of chemo therapy and was released go back up to her family in northern Chile. What a blessing and thank you, Lord!  She will be following up now, probably with periodic trips to Santiago and when we know what that looks like we’ll pass it on.

• We received news coming into December from our Foundation attorneys in Chile that all final papers have been filed. That’s a praise and means that we could be completely done with that before we return to Chile.

• Last but not least, some of you may know that our daughter Jordan and husband Rob, along with big sisters Selah (recently 4) and Eden (recently 2) have been awaiting the “arrival” of a new girl in their family. Our praise is that Ariana Haven Boldt was born at home on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, at 12:26 p.m.  She weighed 8 ½ pounds and measured 21 inches long.  Both Mommy and daughter and the other members of “the crew” are doing well, and we’re all grateful and blessed.

Praising, praying, and fasting in a Born AND Reconciling CHRISTMAS JESUS,

Jack & Janine

We are presently in the States to visit churches & immediate family and to participate in the ICOM mission conference in Columbus, Ohio, beginning November 13.  We highly recommend the conference for anyone able to attend, and please stop by the CHILE! CHILE! CHILE! booth.  It is an excellent, outward-focused conference for every age.  As churches, God’s extension of himself through us to the world around us and not around us is our reason for existence. NOTE: next year’s conference is in Richmond, VA—PLAN!

Did you know that Chile has the most annual official holidays of the South American countries?  They number 15, with six of those being Roman Catholic in origin.  Chile’s newest holiday is celebrated on October 31^st (Halloween).  It has been named “Reformation Day” to honor Protestant/Evangelical churches.  We mention it, as there was a march and rally for Life in Santiago on the 31st—just one more reason to pray that the church in Chile will continue to stand for and voice God’s good design for celebrating life.  This very significant issue, and others, will be coming up for vote in 2015.

God’s good and right design of all life is always available to us through his written word, the Bible.  Not only that, but he is also a God of purpose, and carries out those purposes in us and through us.  They will be achieved. These verses in particular relate to November’s Prayer Letter.  PRAYER POINTS for the month will be found throughout.

 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.  As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed      for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.  –Isaiah 55: 8-11

“I know that no plan of yours can be thwarted.”  –Job 42: 2

There are various ways in which God has been at work this year to see his designs, purposes and plans carried out in and through the Chile Mission Team and in the church, La Iglesia Cristiana, Jesús es El Camino.  Some of those ways have required time and patience and others have required good, needed decisions, but all serve their purpose in going forward in the Lord.  To help you visualize your prayers this month, we are inserting photos in each category.

Beginning with the church, we made a decision just over two months ago to switch to a house church structure.  Pictured from left to right are Richard, Jack, Mike, & Oscar, our four elder/pastors.  We were coming together on Sundays at a rented location from various sectors of Santiago and despite attempts during the year to better disciple members and be the church in different ways during the week, we had basically lost touch with our corporate purposes as the body of Christ in the world.  All of the “house” groups will share the same name and at present there are two—one north of Santiago (starting in March, 2015) and one in the southern municipalities.  The plan is to divide the southern group into two early in 2015, and multiply out from there over time.

PRAYER POINT FOR THE CHURCH: Please pray for identity and for single-minded purpose and commitment.  We must begin to see ourselves as Jesus’ church.

Chile Mission’s ongoing work with children (and specifically now, abandoned children) has become a main ministry focus of what we do.  Pictured are children from the first children’s home that Janine directed in the years 2000 – 2002.  We used this photo, as when we begin anew in 2015, we will be seeking to receive much younger abandoned children to increase the possibility of their being adopted.

Steps were initiated in October, 2013, to become a legal entity in the form of a Foundation, providing a framework and basis to better ensure longevity and Chilean function-ability.  While this legal process has taken unexpected time in its completion, God has been “at work” in his own way to better position us for the future.  2014 showed us and the Foundation’s board the need to start fresh in 2015 with new house parents, as in the case of the Peruvian house parents, who left in September.  The year has also been used for reupholstering of furniture and for needed exterior maintenance and improvements.  The new residence board has also been meeting throughout the year to determine who should be the first Chilean director of the residence, as well as choices for additional needed board members.  We know that we are moving forward and that God is leading.

PRAYER POINT FOR THE WORK WITH ABANDONED CHILDREN: That God will bless the finalization of the process to obtain our legal identity as a Foundation.

Another ministry to children full of potential into the future now in first, real stages of development is the children’s camp near Concepción, Chile (roughly 5 ½ hours south of Santiago).  We have mentioned this project in past Prayer Letters and ask for your prayer coverage that it would successfully continue to move ahead.  The exact land that it will be built upon is pictured here—roughly 8 acres of rural hilly, wooded ground, ideal for such a camp.  We will be seeking church help especially in 2016 (seems a ways off, but trips to Chile need to be programmed well in advance) to help build cabins and other structures, such as a larger multi-purpose building and “zip”-line.

PRAYER POINT FOR THE CHILDREN’S CAMP:  Pray now for our first steps–the camp board formation and successful legal titling of the property.

Jack’s monthly work with the Casa del Alfarero (Home of the Potter) Christian live-in drug rehab center for men is another ministry of the mission to give God thanks for and to continue praying for.  At present, forty men of various ages live at the center.  The photo was taken this year after one of their morning devotionals.

Thanks, too, for your continuing prayers for Millarai, pictured with her “new” mom, Gilda.  Milla is due to finish her long series of chemo treatments for osteosarcoma (bone cancer) next month in December, allowing her to go back home to northern Chile for Christmas.

‘HELP WANTED’ PRAYER POINT:  We are in particular seeking a person to come to Chile for all of 2015 (beginning in February) to coordinate our “English Club”.  This good ministry outreach is a great TESL opportunity that requires someone with basic Spanish skills to lead.  Pictured is Megan, a 2011 Chile Mission intern, in the middle of 5 English Club participants.  Luis Alberto, on the far right, came to know us a couple years earlier through this ministry and was baptized as a result.

Praising, praying, and fasting in a Master Plan, Achieving Purposes God,

Jack & Janine

We so need and appreciate your prayers in all we do.  It is through prayer that Christians connect to God’s power and it is through his receiving and responding to our prayers, praise, and gratitude that he is glorified.  No wonder that he invites our prayers and thanksgiving.  What a complete package that makes, we with him and we together in completing his good plan and purposes.  We so thank you for your kingdom partnership!  We also give thanks for those of you who fast in some way as you pray for the extended work of the church in the world. As Paul wrote the church in Philippi, I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.  –Phil. 1:3-5

October petitions for prayer and praise

–Millarai is set for another round of chemo this month, leaving her with two more cycles of treatment to complete in November and December.  She’s been a real trooper this entire year through her surgery and treatments for bone cancer.  There is on-going concern as well for her continued low weight (roughly only sixty pounds).

–Developments in our work with abandoned children:

• Firstly, we just signed a power of attorney allowing the law firm to sign any needed documentation in submitting our papers for final approval this first week of October. The coordinating attorney fully expects that we will be completely done and legal within one month.  That is a huge praise as we pray for the termination of what has been a long process for various reasons mainly having to do with internal problems within the law firm itself.  This means that going into 2015 we will be ready to proceed with 1) hiring a full-time director for the residence, 2) hiring house parents to begin receiving children, and 3) make necessary contacts to begin receiving abandoned children ideally between the ages of four and six years old.
• The Peruvian couple did move from the mission property at the end of September. In assessing their characteristics, we believe that Jorge would not have provided the steady example needed in a “house” dad.
• Our main prayer regarding the mission property during the time we are in the States from October 8th through the end of the year is for God’s watchfulness over the property and those staying at the property in our absence. We need someone to live at the property and take care of the dogs.

–Progress continues to be made toward the reality of a future children’s camp/Christian center near Concepción (six hours south of Santiago).  The owners of the land who are dedicating roughly sixteen acres of property for the purpose of developing and establishing a children’s camp/Christian center in the country met together with Janine and a Christian architect friend at the property in September to begin talking ideas, needs, and layout.  They also met together with the notary/attorney who will be helping with the legal aspects and details regarding the land’s use.  All of these steps take time and we ask for prayer that this significant project steadily continues in every way necessary going forward.

–Our impending trip to the U.S. begins with our arrival in Chicago on October 8^th.  We spend less than two weeks in the Midwest and then head toward North and South Carolina churches, stopping for a couple days with our son, Jayme, and his wife Malia in Baltimore (whom we won’t see at Christmas time in CA).  The ICOM is in Columbus, Ohio, November 13-16 and our daughter Jordan is due with their third girl around November 21.  We are excited to be there for the birth to help their family with all the details!!  We highly encourage anyone possible to attend the ICOM.  It is an excellent missions event and worth the time of missions-oriented churches.

Praising, praying, and fasting in a Prayer-Partnering AND responding God,

Jack & Janine

¡¡CHICHICHI  LELELE VIVA CHILE!!

On September 18, 1810, Chile officially declared its independence from Spain.  The celebration now lasts almost a week and includes folk dances and special events in schools and towns across the country and two official days off—Sept. 18^th and 19^th.  Today Chile is a leading, economically-developing South American country with many opportunities and trade partnerships in hand.  In secular terms, Chile is “in”.  Inflation rates have not been out-of-control since we arrived at the end of 1993.

At the same time, it is a country grappling with significant, on-going social issues and problems that include civil unrest, demonstrations, and physical, mental and emotional abuse.  Education continues at center stage in the political arena battlefield, and the difference between the typical family’s standard of living and that of the educated continues to be vast.  Jesus is “God and Lord” for few, most Chileans finding human solace in Jesus’ earthly mother Mary, whose statues are everywhere.  We are here to lift up the name of Jesus and make him known every way we can.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” –MATT. 28: 18-20

Speaking of Jesus, Colossians 1: 19-20 says,

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰ 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.

We, as missionaries, are part of active, on-going Christian ministries in Chile that God has built up over time, many of which, along with new ones, will long outlive us.  We are especially grateful for your continuing support of us through prayer and fasting–we have been sent to Chile to make a difference in real lives, from children on up.  Pray for this country.

Thanks, too, for continuing to pray for our specific petitions:

• Millarai continues with chemo treatments. She has four cycles of three treatments each to go, with each cycle spread over a month.  At the same time, she must begin to walk with crutches (from where the tumor was removed just below her left knee).  She and her family would love for her to be back home in northern Chile for Christmas.
• We have a significant praise and request with regards to our children’s residence. First the praise: The renewed legal process to become a Foundation is moving along well, with the expectation of having all documents finalized and submitted this month.  The process itself that follows should take three months or less.  We thus hope to be functional, with a new director and house parents in place within the first months of 2015.  With the extended time frame from what was originally hoped for, Jorge and Marilyn, the Peruvian couple currently with us, will be moving.  Please continue praying and giving thanks with us that all comes to fruition and that God is glorified.
• The church has begun meeting on Sundays in homes of members. It’s been a good start. Pray that more friends are invited.
• We are sponsoring a couple for this weekend’s Marriage Encounter (Sept. 5-7) offered by the Christian Church we originally worked with here in1974 through mid-1976. The couple, Juan & Lina, have grown children and are in the process of reconciling their marriage. They are Christian friends who have been serving the Lord in southern Chile.
• Meetings are scheduled this month near Concepción to move us all closer to seeing a Christian camp for children take shape in that area of the country.
• God seems to be saying that we need to wait to find a house to live in away from our mission property until returning from this fall’s time in the S. (mid Oct.-Dec.) We’ll keep you posted.

Praising, praying, and fasting in a CHILE Jesus,

Jack & Janine