Cold But With the Hope of Spring

Ministry trip to the Andes

We had a great trip to the foothills visiting the two church plants in the cities of Lago Puelo and El Bolson.  

We thought there would be lots of snow at that elevation but the streets and  countryside showed no promise.  We spent the night in the city of Esquel and the next morning  Eddie and Jeremy did find some snow by making the drive up to La Hoya, a ski resort on the outskirts of Esquel on the way to our destination.

Jeremy had been given a snow board a few years back and he was finally able to try his snow legs after not having had the opportunity to attempt any snow sports for about 3 years or so.

But dad and son had a much needed bonding time as they played in the snow they were blessed to find.  We do know that spring is in the air.  So that was probably all the snow we will be seeing this year.  We did not have an unusually cold winter like last year.  No snow fell in Gaiman, but we are fine with that.  (At least I am fine with that ; )  I prefer summer.  Maybe because it is much shorter!

Our first ministry goal was to spend some time with the Reyes family - Fernando, Pamela and their three sweet children.  Their young church plant in El Bolson, a small beautiful mountain town once a hippie mecca in Argentina that still attracts a large variety of spiritual beliefs, has experienced several struggles, especially in finding a building for their meetings.  They are thankful to the Lord for their current location in the central part of the city.  We were blessed as we sat with them, listened to their stories, and prayed with them for their endeavors and challenges.  Praise the Lord they just recently received a connection to  natural gas in their humble home.  Eddie preached in the Sunday evening service with just a few people in attendance.  Pray for wisdom, strategies for evangelism, and fruit that remains. 


They also showed us around some of the breath-taking scenery and touristic sites of El Bolson.  Our hope is to go back to El Bolson with a ministry team to further encourage and help them in a tangible way. 

Next stop was to visit the Curunao family.  Unfortunately, Pastor Gustavo was away at a conference.  However, we were able to spend a nice afternoon with his wife Ana and her children.  Once again it was so special to hear of their adventures of starting a church in the small picturesque lake town of Lago Puelo.  As she told us of the spiritual warfare they've been up against in this same area of obtaining property for their church, we felt as though we were hearing scenes out of a Christian novel like, “This Present Darkness”, by Frank Peretti.  Please pray for the donated property to the church, that has been unjustly taken by an influential woman in town leadership, to be returned.

There is definitely a darkness and an unseen enemy who does not want to see a light-house for Jesus in these parts.  But greater is He who is in His children than he who is in the world.  Pray for these two families as they bring the light of Jesus to their cities.  

IBP NEWS

Praise The Lord, the floors of the new library are almost done.  It won't be long before we make the move and begin using this new building.  There is a little ways to go yet so it won't be this semester.  The projected date of completion and dedication is March 2015, just in time for IBP’s 25 anniversary!

Sharpening our Skills

This past week, Eddie 
helped lead a group of 14 staff and faculty from IBP on a trip to the A/G South American Educator's Summit held in Uruguay.  They travelled in the Bible School Speed-the-Light Sprinter minibus 26 hours straight through to Montevideo, Uruguay.  Eddie and Pastor Marcelo took turns driving so that it was not a huge drain on either of them.  The Summit consisted of three days of workshops and inspiring messages which were a huge encouragement to our teachers and staff.  We are thankful for the missionaries who organized the event and for the invited guests who shared their wisdom and encouragement from the Word.

Speaking of IBP, we cannot believe that the next term is just about upon us.  Classes begin in three weeks from today.  So much to do in preparation.

This coming weekend Eddie will be taking a few of our alumni back up to Lago Puelo to help them with an evangelistic event they are planning.  Pray that they have safe travels to and from Lago Puelo and that God uses them in a great way as they reach out to help this fairly new church.

Baby it's Cold Outside!

Temperatures have really dropped but of course we are a month into winter.  One of the differences between North America and South America that we've talked about in the past is the strangeness of having Christmas in the heat of summer.  Also, Thanksgiving is not a holiday here so we need to be intentional and "make it happen."  

Yes, one of the things I've always appreciated about our winters back home in the states is that at least there was Thanksgiving and Christmas to look forward to.  In the Patagonia, we have long winters with no Christmas . . . hmmm, maybe Aslan will come and warm things up a bit. :-)

Argentina World Cup Key Players - Lavezzi, Messi, DiMaria

By the way, did you notice who was playing in the World Cup?  That's right, we were there.  Semi-finalists!  Yep, we're proud of our boys. Most towns in Argentina become ghost towns during the games as people gather in front of their TVs to cheer for their team.  Soccer (or futbol as it's called here) is huge in Argentina, as you could tell if you watched them play at the World Cup.  The national pride kicks in and emotions run high.  It's contagious!  We were in front of our TV screen as well.  Well,  enough about that.

CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES at IBP

Although is been cold and a lot more quiet since classes ended last month, the activity in the area of construction continues going forward.  The inside of the library is coming along nicely and it won't be long before we have a new 
user friendly and modern library.  
Currently, the inner walls are being finished with the fine plaster coating known as "revoque" in Spanish.  After the revoque, the next step will be to do the flooring.  The heating system needs to be installed and there is also a small bathroom in the library office that will complete the bulk of the work.  Lighter work will be the painting of the walls and the drop ceiling; jobs that teams have helped us with in the past.  Would you or a team from your church be interested in coming to help us with that in February or March 2015?

Of course, the outside walls will need to be finished with brick, but that will not impede the use of the library once the inside is completed.  Which brings to mind the dorm building which still lacks it's outer brick finish.  Here's what the library will look like when finished.  This is getting exciting as we are starting to see that the end is in sight.  This library has been a long time coming and is so needed, especially with the higher student enrollment we are seeing.

KING'S CASTLE

In the days immediately following classes we were privileged to host five leaders of the national King's Castle Ministry from Buenos Aires.  They were here to train up a new crop of young people for King's Castle and to support and encourage the older "veteran" Castle kids, of which Jeremy is now a part.  

It's a joy to see him involved in this evangelistic and discipleship ministry in addition to his involvement with the worship team at church.  We are enjoying him as much as we can because we know it won't be long before he flies the coop just as his sister did earlier this year.

Speaking of his sister, Felicia is adjusting quite well to her new life in California. She is well into her internship at our home church in Rocklin, and as part of her work there, she will be helping lead a team of youth on a mission trip to Honduras later this month.  She loves what she's doing and is very excited.

Also, in an unexpected turn of events, it turns out Felicia will be attending William Jessup University in August.  It is a Christian liberal arts college very close to where she is living in Rocklin, CA.  This was such a pleasant surprise but we can definitely say it was a God thing as doors in one direction were almost slamming shut and the door to Jessup was opening wide.

MINISTRY in the HOME CHURCH

During these "in between" months, we've also been able to focus on and be involved in our home church.  During class sessions, IBP becomes, not only our place of work, but also our church.  Because of our isolated location in Patagonia, we have our own church services on Sunday evenings for the student body.

So it has been good to return to Sunday services at our local church here in Gaiman.  It also has been good to partake in the life and activities of the church.  Eddie has already preached on one Sunday evening and also at a Saturday evening youth service.  

This weekend we will be taking a handful of young people to youth camp in a town three hours south from where we live.  We are so thankful for our Speed-The-Light (STL) car that allows us to serve in ways like this. Plans are also underway to travel South and West to visit our alumni who are pastoring churches in the cities of Lago Puelo and El Bolson.  They are indeed brave souls who venture to the coldest parts of our world to be a light in the darkness.  We praise God for our students who graduate and then follow God's leading to the uttermost parts of the world.

The theme of our Bible School, by the way, is "From the Uttermost to the ends of the earth."

It Was Here, But It's Gone

Like another sunset, this semester has already come to a close.  Seriously, they seem to go by faster each time. Yesterday and today we said goodbye to most of the student body.   It seems the students just arrived, and they are already on their way to their different cities.  Such is the way time transpires here at IBP.  Short and Sweet!  Intense in the academic area, but filled with special friendships, new challenges and spiritual highlights.  


Our greatest desire is that their time here has fueled their hunger for more of Jesus and that they have drawn closer to Him as a result of having come.
There have been some awesome chapel times and some great Sunday night services.  We've been blessed with messages from our professors, staff and third year students.  


It's been precious to see the openness in the students as they responded time and again at the altars.

These last two weeks Eddie and I taught our usual Marriage and Family class to our large first year group.  Such a privilege to pass on to them what we have learned from our past experiences.  It was encouraging to hear them participate in the class discussions.  The students also enjoyed hearing from each other's experiences, as we have singles, marrieds, marrieds with children, and even some widows.  God is calling all who will say

 "yes, here am I, Lord."

Now that IBP Directors, Martin and Charlotte Jacobson, have returned from their time of itineration in the states, the construction of the new IBP library has resumed.  Pepe, our main man on the job, has returned to IBP to help with this project.  He is a very skilled and capable "albañil".  His specialty

is in brickwork, which is basically, the primary mode of construction in Argentina.

Eddie's leg is just about back to 100% normal.  He does not wish this cellulitis on anybody.  It was painful, uncomfortable, and bothersome for way too long.  Thank you for praying! 

Mid Way Already

IT'S INTENSE!

At IBP our semesters are intensive and short as opposed to the traditional 9 month school year.  In fact it's almost opposite!  This system has worked well for us because it allows the students to work for several months to earn the funds they need to pay for their next term and also for their travel, as distances are great for the majority of our students.  Here in Argentina there are no "school loans" or other "financial aid" that students can apply for, although some students receive assistance from their home churches.

Spiritual Emphasis

So we have already reached the halfway point which is marked by our Spiritual Emphasis week.  This semester we were priviledged to have Kentucky Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Joe Girdler, bring a team of pastors (including former KY A/G Superintendent, Pastor Jim Biram) and pastor's wives to minister to our students for this special week.

L-R: Chuck & Kathy Tidd, Joe Girdler, Betty & Paul Brannan, Joann & Jim Biram, Nita Jones

Pastor Joe Girdler and Pastor Paul Brannan did an awesome job sharing in the daily chapel times and the nightly services.  Pastor Chuck Tidd (in picture at right) taught a creative workshop on ministry to children and Paul Brannan taught a workshop on missions.  It was a great week and, as usual, Eddie did the interpreting for all who did not speak Spanish.  Pastor Paul and Betty Brannan (below left) didn't need an interpreter as they were former missionaries here in Argentina.  Below to the right is Eddie interpreting for Pastor Joe Girdler.


The week ended with a day of rest for both students and pastors at the nearby coastal city of Puerto Madryn.  The following day, Eddie and Martin Jacobson (IBP director) led the team on a ministry tour through the Patagonia where they preached and ministered in churches which were planted by our IBP alumni.  Wow!  It's difficult to put into words the feelings of thankfulness and joy for what God is doing through these precious lives devoted to Him!

To the left is Pastor Daniel Ayelef of Villa Regina.  Below in center is Pastor Fernando Reyes of El Bolson, both from cities in the province of Rio Negro.

This has been a busy time for us at IBP as you can imagine.  As a result of the long days and the very long drive throughout the Patagonia, Eddie came home from the trip feverish and in pain.  That very night we made a trip to Urgent Care where his high fever was treated.  The next day results from lab work and another doctor visit, revealed he had contracted cellulitis.  Doctor's orders are complete rest and antibiotics.  This has been difficult for Eddie, as the semester is in full swing and there is so much to do.  Our prayer request is for quick healing from this illness.

As Eddie prayed this morning, we were reminded that God is in control and that "all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose." Although Eddie cannot be "up and around", he has been able to focus on some work (seated and with leg elevated) such as emails and phone calls - work that he had not been able to get to in recent days due to all of the busyness.  So, some good has come of this situation we initially thought of as a total bummer.

If you are going through something problematic or disappointing, perhaps Eddie's current difficulty can be an encouragement and blessing to you as you remember that God is in control and He never lets go.  As the song by Matt Redman says, "through the calm and through the storm; Oh no, He never lets go, in every high and every low, He never lets go of you!"

We appreciate your prayers!

Fall Faithfulness

It's a beautiful fall here in Patagonia!  The picture on the left is the little dirt road that leads to our home.  God has always blessed us and led us to the just the right places to live in Argentina!  




The Students of IBP are off to a great start! Want to see what that "new" first year classroom looks like filled with our 41 faithful students?


As often as possible, ministry opportunities are provided, usually in conjunction with local churches, for students to participate in ministry in a practical way, reaching out and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ!  Here are the faithful ones - serving!

Holidays in Argentina, at least Easter and Christmas, are not usually celebrated in some of our churches as we were used to growing up. Why this is the case is a mystery to us, but in any case, we scheduled a special Easter morning devotional service at IBP which actually turned out very nice.

Our local pastor, Marcelo Martinez, spoke on the power of the resurrection.  Power, not only for our own future resurrection to eternal life, but power to live in victory today and everyday of our earthly lives. Amen?  Because just as Jesus "steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem" where his purpose for coming to earth was about to be realized, so we also must set our minds to move forward to what we know we are to do!

Jesus knew his purpose and priorities, and He lived by them.  Before returning to Argentina after being home on our last itineration, I (Diana) struggled with the difficult feelings of knowing I would be saying goodbye, yet again, to family and friends and to the culture where I spent more than half of my life.  But God spoke to my heart through a devotional one day.  One particular section stood out and helped me "set my face" once again to God's place for me in Argentina.  The devotional said, "You can't have it all.  You must understand your God-given purpose and keep it in front of you continually.  That way you will know what you must sacrifice, and what you must give yourself to."

As I remember the message that Pastor Marcelo preached on Easter morning, I wonder . . .  What is that still small voice whispering to you? Whatever it may be, in His power - the power of the resurrection - set your face with purpose and determination and go forward to fulfill your purpose in Him!

As we celebrate this season (your spring, our fall), may we all reflect on God's faithfulness.

All Things New! A New Semester, A New Start

In just 10 days, classes will begin at IBP.  With a record number of NEW students, the dividing wall between two small classrooms has come down and will become one NEW larger classroom.

This year we are soooo glad to have back IBP's directors, Martin and Charlotte Jacobson, for a NEW term in Argentina.  They have been greatly missed and with more activity due to the higher population of students, their presence is sorely needed!



This week, previous supervisor, Damian Sarano is helping to train NEW supervisors Carina Ayelef and Fernando Garcia.  Thank you Damian and welcome new sups!


Things are getting busier and busier and we thank God for this NEW day at the Patagonian Bible Institute!

What's New in 2014?

Meet Stephen and Danielle!

In January we were blessed to have a visit from Stephen and Danielle Martinez, youth pastors at Harvest Church in Roseville, California.  These youth pastors are not just any youth pastors, they are our nephew and niece on Diana's side.  They both ministered to the youth at our local church here in Gaiman and had a blast just hanging out with the Gaiman youth.  Language did not hold them back in the least and they absolutely love missions!

Goodbye Felicia!

Also in January, we as a family, said a difficult goodbye to Felicia.  She has returned to the land of her birth (although she considers herself more Argentine) and is getting acclimated to her new life in the states.  Please continue to keep her in your prayers for a smooth time of transition!

2014 Dodge Journey

STL Update!

February brought with it our new Speed-the-Light vehicle.  Thank you NCN Youth!!!  It had been quite a term with one major car repair expense after another.  So we are super excited to have received this huge blessing from the faithful and hard working youth and youth pastors of the Northern California Nevada District of the Assemblies of God.  We look forward to using it in ministry throughout the vast Patagonia!  
   

IBP

Worship during one of the morning devotionals

The last weekend of February, IBP hosted its largest retreat ever, the UAD (Union of the AG) Region 4 Men's Camp.

A total of 163 men from churches throughout the Patagonia converged on the IBP campus for a time of fellowship, worship, and great preaching and teaching.  It truly blesses us to see this campus blessing others.

....And here we are again gearing up for another awesome year of service at the Patagonian Bible Institute.  This year we are seeing the enrollment skyrocket! From last year we are looking at a 40% increase in total enrollment.  This is exciting and also challenging as we are again finding ourselves short on beds and crowded in our first year classroom with 44 students who will feel like sardines unless we make some adjustments.  Plans are underway to remove a wall from two smaller classrooms in order to make one extra large classroom.    

Praise God for those who are responding to His call!!!