We're now back in the US for six and a half months of Home Assignment (the new term for furlough) and currently enjoying some R&R in the Florida sunshine! We're thankful that we're not coming off the mission field feeling burned out and grateful that we're here to reconnect with family, friends and supporters. Please pray with us that our time back will further equip us for effectively ministering in Bolivia.
Easter church retreat
Since our last e-newsletter was way back in March, we need to catch you up on a major event in the life of our church, the retreat we took over the Easter weekend. Besides all the good relationship-deepening stuff like preparing food and eating together, playing games (like volleyball with a massive soccer ball), swimming in the pool and roasting marshmallows, it was our chance to share the church's vision with a majority of our regular attenders and plenty of guests, too. In one sense, our vision isn't that earth-shattering (because it's pretty basic and straightforward). On the other hand, it is profound stuff if we can really make headway as a church in these three areas: love God (worship & sound
teaching), grow together (discipleship and community), and reach the world (evangelism, missions and meeting human need). The 3 talks during the retreat were just the beginning in the process of explaining and incorporating these values in the Mallasilla Bible Church. A story that best fits in the green circle came about because we invited a particular family from our small group to ride down to the jungle camp with us in our loaded-down Land Cruiser. We had a great time talking there and back, and they really enjoyed the retreat. Afterwards, they expressed their extreme gratitude to us, saying they wouldn't have been able to go if it had not been for our invitation to ride with us.
Men's book studySince our last e-newsletter was way back in March, we need to catch you up on a major event in the life of our church, the retreat we took over the Easter weekend. Besides all the good relationship-deepening stuff like preparing food and eating together, playing games (like volleyball with a massive soccer ball), swimming in the pool and roasting marshmallows, it was our chance to share the church's vision with a majority of our regular attenders and plenty of guests, too. In one sense, our vision isn't that earth-shattering (because it's pretty basic and straightforward). On the other hand, it is profound stuff if we can really make headway as a church in these three areas: love God (worship & sound
teaching), grow together (discipleship and community), and reach the world (evangelism, missions and meeting human need). The 3 talks during the retreat were just the beginning in the process of explaining and incorporating these values in the Mallasilla Bible Church. A story that best fits in the green circle came about because we invited a particular family from our small group to ride down to the jungle camp with us in our loaded-down Land Cruiser. We had a great time talking there and back, and they really enjoyed the retreat. Afterwards, they expressed their extreme gratitude to us, saying they wouldn't have been able to go if it had not been for our invitation to ride with us.With a desire to encourage men in the red and green circles of loving God and growing together, I initiated a study of John Piper's book Don't Waste Your Life, bringing 20 copies in Spanish back after our brief visit last November. The books sold (at cost) like iPhones and were bought both by men who participated in the study as well as others from the church. In the book, pastor John encourages us to live radically as Christians, treasuring God in such a way that He is glorified in every aspect of our lives, from worship to evangelism to how we spend our money to how we work. We met to discuss each chapter and though attendance varied from 3 to 10 guys, the discussions went really deep and we were able to pray for one another in specific ways that the book applied to our individual lives.
There was a good deal of interest in continuing the study with another book during our absence, which is a huge encouragement to me! It is so important that the men of our church go deep with God and each other, step up in leadership roles, and guide their families in living for God's glory.Being the church to one another
A man in our small group, Cesar Lozano, has been out of work for over a year. He and his wife, Teresa, and their two teen-age girls have been faithful and encouraging members of our Saturday Bible study and IBM for about a year. Cesar explains how it was always a chore to get the girls to attend any other church consistently, but his daughters and wife have found such a connection with other women in Mallasilla that they are the ones urging him now. A few months ago, one of the other men in our group, a very new believer, brought up the idea of taking a group collection of money to help out the Lozano family. Everyone was excited by the idea so the initiator followed up with each family and presented the Lozanos with a significant gift. We spoke privately with them several weeks later and found them very grateful but also admitting that their pride caused them to initially be embarrassed and reluctant to accept the money. However, God taught them all that He has much good to be offered from His hand, and to receive it with thanksgiving. We see that our group is growing so much in depth of knowledge of the Lord and love for each other. We've confidently left the group in the hands of our friends Hugo and Ericka Ramirez and saw the entire crew taking initiative in conversing with each other in order to change the meeting time to fit their schedules better and deciding on what they are going to study.
A man in our small group, Cesar Lozano, has been out of work for over a year. He and his wife, Teresa, and their two teen-age girls have been faithful and encouraging members of our Saturday Bible study and IBM for about a year. Cesar explains how it was always a chore to get the girls to attend any other church consistently, but his daughters and wife have found such a connection with other women in Mallasilla that they are the ones urging him now. A few months ago, one of the other men in our group, a very new believer, brought up the idea of taking a group collection of money to help out the Lozano family. Everyone was excited by the idea so the initiator followed up with each family and presented the Lozanos with a significant gift. We spoke privately with them several weeks later and found them very grateful but also admitting that their pride caused them to initially be embarrassed and reluctant to accept the money. However, God taught them all that He has much good to be offered from His hand, and to receive it with thanksgiving. We see that our group is growing so much in depth of knowledge of the Lord and love for each other. We've confidently left the group in the hands of our friends Hugo and Ericka Ramirez and saw the entire crew taking initiative in conversing with each other in order to change the meeting time to fit their schedules better and deciding on what they are going to study.
Being the church, part II
Last year we introduced you to good friends that live a few minutes from us, the Astorga family. They have been building a home on the same street as our land for around 2 years and have saved every penny possible, even when Javier was without a job for many months, to move in. About a week before we left, they were finally able to get the house to a point where it was livable- without showers and finished flooring- but livable. They are ecstatic to live on the same street as another Christian family from the church, and eventually, us too. In order to celebrate God's faithfulness in providing their own home (the 4 of them have been living in one bedroom at their parents' house for several years) and to say good-bye to us, they threw a pizza party in our honor. As we sat around their first fire in the family room's fireplace with several different families, watched all the kids running around, their screams bouncing off the cement walls, ate pizza, and sang karaoke, we realized what a gift we have been given in these relationships. The different individuals in the room that we are closest to spent half an hour or so thanking us for our service and friendship, sharing the things we have taught them, and laughing with us over the various language blunders we have made along the way. What a sweet way to be affirmed in God's call as we reflect on the ups and downs and joys and sorrows of ministry.
Last year we introduced you to good friends that live a few minutes from us, the Astorga family. They have been building a home on the same street as our land for around 2 years and have saved every penny possible, even when Javier was without a job for many months, to move in. About a week before we left, they were finally able to get the house to a point where it was livable- without showers and finished flooring- but livable. They are ecstatic to live on the same street as another Christian family from the church, and eventually, us too. In order to celebrate God's faithfulness in providing their own home (the 4 of them have been living in one bedroom at their parents' house for several years) and to say good-bye to us, they threw a pizza party in our honor. As we sat around their first fire in the family room's fireplace with several different families, watched all the kids running around, their screams bouncing off the cement walls, ate pizza, and sang karaoke, we realized what a gift we have been given in these relationships. The different individuals in the room that we are closest to spent half an hour or so thanking us for our service and friendship, sharing the things we have taught them, and laughing with us over the various language blunders we have made along the way. What a sweet way to be affirmed in God's call as we reflect on the ups and downs and joys and sorrows of ministry.
Bolivian highs and lows
This country that God has called us to has its extremes: low altitude with high temperatures in the East and high altitude with low temperatures in the West. I experienced the latter pair with six adventurous friends as we tackled Bolivia's highest peak at 21,463 feet, Nevado Sajama, right before Lisa's and my return stateside. It was an appropriate farewell activity for two good friends in my men's accountability group that won't be returning to Bolivia. It was also among the hardest (and coldest!) things I've done in my life! At this point, you may be expecting the anology between ministry and putting one crampon-clad boot in front of the other to eventually make it to the top of that mountain. So I hope you're not disappointed that instead I share my decision to hang up the ice axe in mountain climbing retirement in favor of future vacation plans to chill by the pool in Bolivia's lower climes and higher temps with Lisa, Natalie and any other progeny God blesses us with. I guess this is more a reflection on priorities; deciding what's really worth putting my energies and resources into in work as well as in leisure. And priorites change, too. I'm grateful for the memories of two very challenging, very beautiful Bolivian peaks I've climbed with friends, and content to leave it at that. Other challenges await us in life and ministry in Bolivia. We experience extremes of cultural differences on a regular basis, as well as highs and lows in energy and in spirits, but we rely on God for the perseverance and joy to keep taking the next step.
Praises
This country that God has called us to has its extremes: low altitude with high temperatures in the East and high altitude with low temperatures in the West. I experienced the latter pair with six adventurous friends as we tackled Bolivia's highest peak at 21,463 feet, Nevado Sajama, right before Lisa's and my return stateside. It was an appropriate farewell activity for two good friends in my men's accountability group that won't be returning to Bolivia. It was also among the hardest (and coldest!) things I've done in my life! At this point, you may be expecting the anology between ministry and putting one crampon-clad boot in front of the other to eventually make it to the top of that mountain. So I hope you're not disappointed that instead I share my decision to hang up the ice axe in mountain climbing retirement in favor of future vacation plans to chill by the pool in Bolivia's lower climes and higher temps with Lisa, Natalie and any other progeny God blesses us with. I guess this is more a reflection on priorities; deciding what's really worth putting my energies and resources into in work as well as in leisure. And priorites change, too. I'm grateful for the memories of two very challenging, very beautiful Bolivian peaks I've climbed with friends, and content to leave it at that. Other challenges await us in life and ministry in Bolivia. We experience extremes of cultural differences on a regular basis, as well as highs and lows in energy and in spirits, but we rely on God for the perseverance and joy to keep taking the next step.
Praises
We feel we finished our term well in Bolivia, handing over our primary ministries to capable people so that they will be continued and we can start some new things upon our return!
God is providing richly for our needs, including a pair of guys to sublet our apartment in our absence, a family to take care of our cats, and countless things here in the US from a high chair for Natalie to a place to stay in Charlotte for several months. We praise God for this season to be back in our home culture to rest and spend time with family, friends, and supporters.
God is providing richly for our needs, including a pair of guys to sublet our apartment in our absence, a family to take care of our cats, and countless things here in the US from a high chair for Natalie to a place to stay in Charlotte for several months. We praise God for this season to be back in our home culture to rest and spend time with family, friends, and supporters.
Prayer Requests
Please pray for the Mallasilla Bible Church as they wrestle through some big issues in our absence, such as the role of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Please pray also for more and more people from the congregation to step up in ministry and leadership roles in the church.
Please pray for us as we try to raise more financial support in this tough economy, that God will provide and that we will trust in Him to do so.
Please also pray for us as we try to see and visit lots of people
Please pray also for more and more people from the congregation to step up in ministry and leadership roles in the church.
Please pray for us as we try to raise more financial support in this tough economy, that God will provide and that we will trust in Him to do so.
Please also pray for us as we try to see and visit lots of people
Our time in the USA
We're enjoying time with Lisa's family in northern Florida and will be with my parents in TN beginning in August. If you live in Ohio, we'd love for you to come to an open house in Coumbus we'll be announcing for sometime in August. We'll arrive in Charlotte, NC in mid-September in order for me to take two more classes toward a master's in Christian Thought at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and be there through the beginning of December. In October, we'll fly out to Minneapolis to be a part of Bethlehem Baptist's missions conference and see friends and supporters there. Finally, we'll wrap up our time here in Florida again for Christmas and New Year's before returning to Bolivia on January 8. We hope we'll get to see you during our time here! But if we're not able to get together in person, we'd love to be in contact by phone or email. See our contact info below to set something up!
During this time of home assignment, we do need to increase our financial support. Please prayerfully consider joining the team of people and churches that make it possible for us to live and minister in Bolivia. If you are already support us, please consider increasing your monthly amount. Thank you so much for your support as friends, financial partners and prayer warriors on our behalf!
More on joining our support team...
During this time of home assignment, we do need to increase our financial support. Please prayerfully consider joining the team of people and churches that make it possible for us to live and minister in Bolivia. If you are already support us, please consider increasing your monthly amount. Thank you so much for your support as friends, financial partners and prayer warriors on our behalf!
More on joining our support team...
God has graciously provided for all of our needs through your generous support ever since we (separately) hit Bolivian soil in 2003. Now, with a new fiscal year and little Natalie having joined Team Miser, we need to boost our support level with SIM. If you would be interested in joining our support team, please contact us or you can begin giving here!
Thank you! Scotty for the Misers
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