FROM OUR FAMILY - MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Emmanuel - God with us!

A Special Visit

We were honored to have the visit of our special friends, Ralph and Janie Hiatt a few weeks ago. 

Ralph spoke in one our chapel services at IBP and, of course, preached in surrounding churches all over the place.  We were so glad that he could squeeze us in to his busy schedule.  Janie got to visit the Patagonia for the first time.  While we were busy most of the time working in Gaiman, they enjoyed our home in Puerto Madryn and a few days of R & R.

End of Year Activities

During the second bimester, it aways seems that there is so much more going on.  Perhaps it's because of the three extra main events that take a good deal of planning and preparation, which requires a great deal of time and effort.

*  There is the annual IBP Youth Day (IBP Joven) that we highlighted in our last post.

Our Chaplains, fellow missionaries,
Ben & Belu Grams, Toby & Zeke

*  There is the 3rd Year Party which is the party that the second year students put on for the graduating 3rd year students.  This is always such a fun time of celebration. 

This years theme was celebrating the decades... the 50's, 60's, 70's, and the staff was assigned medieval times.  

Are you kidding me?  Just what were they trying to say with that?  Are we that far removed in ages?  :-)






*  Then, the grand ending to the schoolyear is graduation.  What a special time of celebrating our 20 graduates.

Such a lovely group of young people.  We will miss them!

Family

In Texas this year, our own Felicia, is also graduating!  We are so proud of her.  She is thrilled to have completed her studies in Communications from SAGU, Southwestern Assemblies of God University, in Texas.

Jeremy with Grandparents

Felicia had company over Thanksgiving this year as Jeremy travelled to Texas to be with her, and Eddie's parents and brother.  He lives up north where he is finding out what a real white Christmas season is like as he studies Studio Music Production at NCU, Northcentral University in Minnesota.



From our Home to Yours
Merry Christmas!!!

Punch - A huge hit at IBP!

We cannot let this opportunity pass to say thank you to all of our followers and supporters. You hold a special place in our hearts and we wish you the warmest of Christmas' and a very blessed New Year. 

IT'S OFFICIAL!!!

New Directors at the Patagonian Bible Institute (PBI)

A Term of Transition

If there is one thing that we have heard throughout this school term at PBI*, it is that this transition of directors has been smooth and healthy.  As the outgoing directors, Martin and Charlotte Jacobson have been very busy with all the details of their move back to the states, they have placed more and more responsibility into our hands.  
*(interchangeable with IBP - Instituto Bíblico Patagónico)


We have so appreciated all of their hard work in making IBP what it is today and for their presence during this time... staying with us being supportive and encouraging and helpful to the very end of their time here.


Eddie and I are learning all we can from them before they leave.  I have learned so much from Charlotte about how to run the library and just how much work is involved in being a librarian.  



Eddie has gradually taken the wheel of the directorship.  
He has actually served as interim director on three other year long occasions while the Jacobson's were itinerating.  He will do well, although the responsibility will be great.

Ministry Trips

This bimester I was able to travel with Eddie on one of IBP's ministry trips.  It is always great to see the students getting their feet wet in the communities and churches we visit. 

Mate:  A tea-like drink shared with friends.

Drinking"mate" is always a part of these trips.  As we share mate we share friendship.

Spiritual Emphasis 

Passing the Torch

Our bi-annual Spiritual Emphasis week was very unique this year.  It was basically three special days with special classes for the students in the mornings and special services in the evenings.  The first evening was a very special "passing the torch" (or mantle) service where the leadership of IBP was officially transferred to Eddie and I.  It was a humbling and emotion-filled evening for all who were there.

The second evening was focused on this special place that God has raised up.  Following the service was a special time of prayer by this cornerstone pictured below, where we dedicated IBP to the Lord of the harvest for his purpose and plans.

Psalms 118:23

The third evening was dedicated to honoring and celebrating our new Director Emeritus, Martin and Charlotte.

IBP JOVEN

                                                                 This bimester's IBP Youth Day was another great success.  It was a combined effort with our national church youth leaders.  

Arrival and registration

Nearly 300 young people and youth leaders, including our 
students, came together . . .  

Opening the event - "Shine with Your Light!"

. . . representing 20 different churches from several denominations and cities . . . 

One of several workshops that the youth attended.
This particular session addressed Gender Ideology.

. . . to learn, to grow, 

to serve . . .

(Workshops included not only Youth leadership, but also, the Christian's Response to the Gender Ideology Movement, creative evangelism, multimedia, etc.) 

Our students leading worship.

. . . to worship our God.   

We thank God that IBP can be such a blessing for events like this.