Home in California

USA Family

Eddie's parents, Ed & Teresa

Arriving in Texas for the wedding

Although we miss our Argentine family, we are thankful to be with our family here in the USA.  One of the most difficult aspects of missionary living is the separation from loved ones that is inevitable when we say, . . . "Yes, I'll go."  So we have been enjoying sweet moments with both of our families.

Eddie's parents are doing well, although we cannot stop the biological clock that keeps ticking and taking away days, months, and years from, not only their lives, but ours as well.  Eddie's brother, Joe, is also doing well and we are thankful to him and to his wife, Teresa, for looking after Ed and Teresa when we are away.

(l-r) Joe, Carolina, Josh, Teresa

It was a special treat to be able to be at our nephew, Josh's marriage to his lovely bride, Carolina.

Diana's Mom & kids

Diana's mother, nearly 88 years old, is also doing well, thank the Lord!  Again we are so grateful for siblings who are here for our aging parents.  Thank you Beck and Chris, Ben and Julie! It was good to be all together on Mothers Day!

Felicia and Jeremy reunited

It has been especially nice to be near our daughter, Felicia, once again. She just completed her second year of college and her ministerial internship.  Yay!!!  Good Job, Felicia!!!

Jeremy, now 18 years old, is adjusting well back into the culture here and getting involved in his church youth group, helping both in music and in Junior High leadership.

A Quick and Special Trip Back

New Multi-Purpose Building

One of the special happenings since we returned to the states, was a trip that Eddie took back to Argentina, helping to coordinate and lead a construction team from Destiny Christian Church in Rocklin, California.  It had been a long standing dream in our hearts to 
see a certain section of land on the Bible school property developed into a sports court.  The school has never had a specific area dedicated for recreational sports and physical exercise and we had the perfect spot chosen.

Destiny Christian Church Building Team

What started as a simple idea blossomed into something greater than we even envisioned.  We had thought of putting down a concrete slab that could be used for a basketball court or small soccer area, but the plans grew to what became a covered pavilion which we now see could be used, not only for sports, but for camp meetings, services, graduations, and all kinds of events.

We are now looking at the possibility of adding siding to the structure, eventually enclosing the building completely so that it can be this very useful and needed multipurpose facility.

Growth at IBP!

2016 Students during Spiritual Emphasis Week

In April, classes started up again with a record number of 74 students. We are both excited and challenged by this growth.  For the first time, there was not enough space on our campus to house a family of four.  This has led to our planning for the next crucial building at IBP - a married student complex with a child
care center.  So pray we will be able to raise the funds to begin work on this much needed building when we return to Argentina next year.  Also, if there are those out there who are interested in coming to help with construction, please let us know.

2016 1st Year Students

There are always projects, some large, some small, going on at IBP.  We know that what God is building in Patagonia is a team effort and that ours is only a small part of the big picture.  We thank God for all the lives who have had a part in this great work of God in Argentina.

On the Road Again

We are being blessed constantly by seeing so many friends at all of the churches to which we have travelled.  We are thankful for this opportunity to reconnect with old friends and to make new ones.

E, Daphne, Pstr Bloom, Diana, Pstr Young

Just yesterday we came across someone very special while visiting one of our churches, Diana's pastor when she was only 16 years old and the one who baptized her, Pastor Phil Young.  
What a special gift from the Father!  

It was at this church where we also got to make a new friend, Pastor Rick Bloom of Pacific Christian Center, Santa Maria.  Our good friend Daphne who hosted us for a couple days is also in the picture.

Happenings on the Homefront

IBP - Our home away from home

Our "home" so to speak, the Patagonian Bible Institute, had a great 2015.  As we mentioned earlier, the completion of the last building, IBP's new library, was a dream come true.  Here is a picture of the library from the outside being used at its busiest time of day, late afternoon, after classes.


After another great year we were present for another graduation.  Nineteen (19) awesome students launched into the next phase of their journey, stepping out in 
faith into the path on which God is leading them.

Also, it was around this time that some research was done tracking our alumni and we were 
encouraged to find that of the 222 students that have graduated from IBP since its beginning in March 1990, 153 of them are currently active in ministry, either pastoring or pioneering a church, serving in leadership in a church, doing the work of evangelism, or serving as a missionary in another country.  That is almost 70% of our graduates that are active in some form of ministry.  For that, we . . . Praise the Lord!

Our little church with the new beginning

When we began leading that small group of abandoned believers in June of this year, three things topped our corporate prayer list.  First, we prayed for healing, as so many had truly broken hearts as a result of this sudden loss of their pastor and their church home.  Second, we prayed for a place to meet.  The house meetings were great but there was literally no room for growth.  Thirdly, we prayed for a pastor who would truly love them and help them to grow; who would "equip his people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up..." to reach "...unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."  We all knew our time with them was only temporary.  Starting in the (Argentine) spring (Sept.-Dec.), our time would be limited when classes started up again at IBP and then we would be returning to the states for our time of stateside ministry.

The healing and expectation of great things to come happened almost immediately.  We still recall that first home church  meeting where tears flowed freely yet there was a sweet spirit of joy in the midst of this storm as God comforted and began the healing process that day.


After only five weeks, God opened the door for the use of a Community Center, free of charge for Sunday use.  It was great to see the members begin to come together offering their talents and abilities to see the church function as a unified body.

Our third prayer request was also being answered as God was working behind the scenes, even before this crisis, preparing the couple who would become the pastors of this group.  A young man by the name of Hugo had been among the first group of Bible school students we met when we arrived in the Patagonia nearly twenty years ago.  

He had since married and moved to another city where he, his wife, and their daughter were involved in ministry in their church.  More recently, he had been on staff with another IBP alum in a large church.  Coming back to Trelew to pastor this new church was actually coming home for Hugo.  Best of all, we felt that we were placing this new "life" or "body" in the hands of a very capable and loving leader.  Praise God for his answers to our prayers!

Icing on the Cake

In December, just before returning to the the states, the new pastor invited Eddie to join him in baptizing seven believers, some older and some younger in the faith, who had never taken this step in their walk with God.  It was a beautiful "icing on the cake" time together as they also gave us a lovely send off.

So Far in 2015 . . .

Because it has been a while since I've posted an entry, this one may be longer than usual.  So much to share.

IBP  Changes - Library news

We are glad to tell you the latest news with our Library.  There was much work to be done before the new school year began.  All hands were needed on deck to meet a very important goal. . . to have the library open for use by the students by the beginning of the bimester.

After much coordinated effort our goal was reached and the library was open for business.

A HUGE THANK YOU to all who had a part in making this dream a reality.  And most of all, THANKS to the Lord for supplying every need   -   from the people who prayed and worked, to the materials to put it all together.  He is faithful!

IBP Changes - More goodbyes and hellos

As with any educational institution, there is constant change with new students coming every year and those completing their studies, moving on to the next chapter of their lives. 

In addition to these expected changes, there are others who leave us from time to time.  This year during the break, we said goodbye to our cook, Emilce Montes and to our bookkeeper, Adriana Griffiths. 

Emi (right), a very gifted and talented young woman and previous alum of IBP, is stepping out in faith to  do what God has laid on her heart and prepared her to do.  She is planting a church in a city, Lincoln, where she feels God has called her.  Pray for Emi as she obediently steps into this project as a single woman.

Adriana, also one of our alumni, is pursuing her call to missions.  Her first step is to complete her studies in missions.  Here, it's the post grad fourth year focus in Bible School.  Since our school doesn't yet offer a fourth year, she is studying at our sister Bible school in Buenos Aires.   She's completed the first half and during this break (winter break here) she will be going on a mission trip to Peru, as part of her studies.  Adriana's future plans include going to Japan as a missionary.  Another faithful woman of God we ask you to remember in prayer.

These goodbyes meant more hellos.  Our staff has changed quite a bit.  We welcomed new staff in the kitchen, Susana and Marcela during classes and camps and such.  Susana's daughter, Jessica, is our new bookkeeper.  Rocio, another alumnus, helps us in a variety of areas. . . .  reception, event planning, purchasing, and even preparing meals for the staff between bimesters.  
Her husband, Jonhy (that’s how he spells it), serves as groundskeeper between bimesters and is one of our new students.  Jonhy and Rocio are also planting a church in the nearby coastal town, Playa Union.  Currently they are looking for a place to hold church meetings.  For about a year they have been meeting in a home but are now ready to move to a building.  Pray that God's provision would exceed their hopes and dreams.

Milestone

This year we also celebrated IBP's 25th
 year anniversary.  Long time friend and veteran fellow missionary, Rocky Grams, came as our guest speaker.  Our newly formed choir gave quite the performance.  

Some of the belongings of Pastor Alicia Wood, the missionary woman who began the first Assemblies of God church in Argentina, were passed on to us and are displayed in our library.  A slide presentation was given honoring her life and legacy.

Something New For Us

Just over a month ago, there was a church split in one of our local churches here in Trelew.  The pastor decided he would pull out of the denomination taking over half of the congregation with him.  This announcement was made at an emergency church business meeting and came as a shock to many and those who stayed with the A/G were left feeling abandoned and betrayed.  To make matters worse, the pastor stayed with the building as it was rented in his name.

So many of us upon hearing this news, felt heartbroken for this group of people who were left with no pastor and no building.  We were especially saddened because we have come to know and love some of the members over the years.  Well, along with other pastors, we offered to help in any way we could to care for this group of grieving brothers and sisters.  Although at first, it appeared the church would be dissolved, in the days that followed, there began to be a hope that, just maybe, this would not be necessary.

Our denomination's leadership began to look to us to help this church not to disperse.  The people gathered to decide if they would like to stay together and start fresh.  They said yes and we also said yes.  Classes had just finished for the bimester when this all came down, so one week after that devastating blow, we were pastoring!  That very next Sunday following the Monday of the church split we were having church in one of the member's homes!  For now, we are glad to be used of God in this way to help "fill the gap."  








This Sunday we will begin to meet in a community center we were able to get for no cost for Sunday use!  Praise the Lord!  

We are due to leave Argentina in December for our year long stateside assignment, so our prayer is for a pastor with a huge heart to come and take care of this precious group of believers.  With adults and children, we are a group of about 50.  Pray with us?  Thanks!

Many Blessings to You,

Eddie and Diana  

Goodbye 2014 - Hello 2015

Another successful year end!

IBP ended it's second bimester with an emotional graduation ceremony of 15 students.

Fellow missionary and previous area director Don Exley was the invited guest speaker.

After bidding farewell to the first and second year students, Eddie led some of the graduates (3rd year) on a 12 day promotion and ministry trip to the southernmost city of the continent, visiting 12 towns and 14 churches.

It was also exciting to attend the wedding of two IBP alumni and recent grads, Javier Pino and Jessica Ibarra.  What a sweet way to bring this ministry trip to a close.

Then just a couple of days later our daughter, Felicia, arrived from the states to be with us for a couple of weeks during her Christmas vacation.  She encouraged us to get way as a family to  catch up and just be together.   So we headed south all the way to the Perito Moreno Glacier -  one of the natural wonders of the world.  It was so nice to be "four" again!

Needless to say, she thoroughly enjoyed her time being back in Argentina, the place she grew up.  Her friends were thrilled to see her again and she took advantage of every available moment.

We hope your holidays were pleasant, filled with special memories, and we wish you all the best that 2015 has in store.  

Many blessings to you for 2015!

So Much to be Thankful For

Thank You!

This month gives us the perfect opportunity to reflect upon all we have to be thankful for and to express our gratefulness to the Lord and to those who have touched our lives in so any ways.  

Thank you!  And a special thank you to all of our prayer partners and sponsors.  We know God answers prayer as we have experienced his answers time and again.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers.  We sure do appreciate them!

It's been said by so many and it is true that words cannot adequately express the thankfulness that we feel in our hearts.  God has been so good to us.  When we stop to count our blessings, they are indeed many.  We leave you with this blessing from the Old Testament.

"The Lord Bless you and keep you;

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;

The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."  (Nu. 6:25)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

A Whirlwind of Activity

IBP - Instituto Bíblico Patagónico

The few short weeks of our intensive terms pass by so quickly that we hardly realize there's been so much that has taken place. . .  so much learning, so much seeking, and so much ministry among other things.  No wonder that by the time the term ends, everyone is exhausted.

Spiritual Emphasis Week

Apart from a week set aside for special evening services where the students filled the altars hungry for God, there was also time set for learning and studying.  We had an interesting and eye opening ministry team visit us for our spiritual emphasis week this term.  It was a deaf ministry called MiSordos (My Deaf Ones).  We weren't sure how the students would receive this type of a spiritual emphasis week workshop, but it was heart warming to see the openness and eagerness with which the students embraced the ministry.  

Students were very engaged in all of the teaching and activities.  During this 4-day deaf ministry workshop, not only was the ministry and the need presented, but the team also taught beginning classes in sign language.  Many students picked it up quickly and some even felt called to be trained for ministry to the deaf.


The MiSordos team made all of us aware of this very large people group in Argentina (approximately 2 million) that is virtually unreached for Christ.  Not only is there a need to reach out to this group with the gospel, but there also exists a huge need for people who can help out in a practical way.  Such as teaching signing to the many deaf, who are ignored and left to live as second class citizens, and to their families.  
  

IBP Joven  (IBP Youth)

At the end of our Spiritual Emphasis week each year, we host our IBP Joven event, which is our annual IBP Open House evangelism inspirational training event, offered to the youth of the surrounding area.  This year there were over 233 registered guests who got to choose from several workshops that were offered primarily by the students of IBP. 

Later, there was an open air gathering where the young people were ministered to by an invited guest speaker, former IBP student, Esteban Gatica.  The evening closed with a talent show in which all of the guests were 

invited to participate.  It was a day of friendships and blessing and the Lord
blessed us with beautiful weather for the event.  The students worked so very hard both in the preparation for the event and during the event itself.  By the end of the evening, they were wiped out.  But I believe they were happy!

Ministry

Students have been involved in ministry trips throughout the semester.  Last weekend, Eddie took a group of 19 students 7 hours west in our minibus to the Andean foothill city of Esquel where they held a children’s outreach for a new church plant led by Pastor Carlos Pozas, an ’06 IBP graduate.  

They cut off one street in their neighborhood and rented a bounce house for the children.  Our students also ministered and preached in the evening service.  It was a tiring but fruitful 35-hour ministry trip.

Intimacy with God

2nd Year Students

One of the practices that has been instituted at IBP is to take one chapel time each week (Wednesdays) and to focus on a particular study that deals with an aspect of intimacy with God.  Our school is a 3-year school, so each class is doing a different study.  To make these sessions more intimate, the guys and girls are divided so there is more of a small group feel.

This term Eddie is with the 2nd year guys and I am with the 2nd year girls.  These are the same students we had in our Christian Home and Family class.  They are a great group of kids!

Latest Library Progress

Both, the floors and the drop ceiling of the new library are now done.  Even though the project isn't completely finished yet, it will be able to be used for our commencement ceremony on Friday evening, December 5th.  Just outside and in between the library and the academic center, a brick patio has been laid.  This will make graduation night a bit less stressful.  



In the past, our dining room has doubled as the auditorium for the graduation ceremony and then we have had to clear it out to set up for the reception which followed.  One less thing to prepare!  : )