CURSILLO Thank you for praying. Russ worked at the Men's Cursillo #51. It was the first men's Cursillo he had been at since he lived it himself! Heidi was called to work Women's #51, and came home last Sunday night, after a glorious, life-transforming weekend for many of the 50 participants. Large contingents from the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in Lima, Peru have been coming to ours. They are gearing up to begin this ministry there in November. Cursillo of the Anglican Church of Chile sees this as one way we contribute to the spread of the Kingdom beyond our own borders.
(Russ presiding at a Communion service in a home in Algarrobo)
ALGARROBO, CONCHALÍ & RENCA These are three places where Russ has the privilege of helping out occasionally in his role as an ordained minister. Algarrobo, a resort town on the coast, just celebrated its first year of regular monthly services. Conchalí, in a lower class neighborhood, has been under the care of Bishop Abelino recently, and Russ is on the schedule to go once a month, as do some lay preachers from San Joaquin who cover the other weeks. Getting to go to Buenas Nuevas (Good News) Church in Renca sure brings back memories! It was one of the churches we served at during our first term of service in Santiago.
(Heidi and Russ soon after they arrived in Chile in 1986. Picture is scanned from an old copy of SAMS-USA Prayer News.)
ANNIVERSARY Remembering that first term, the 29th of this month Heidi and I will celebrate 26 years since we arrived in Chile. How thankful we are! How much we have seen! Little children we have seen grow up are now married and have their own little children. We know that's normal, but it is still so amazing to observe this progression of the generations!
(Guru and Veronica)
VISIT OF VERONICA & GURU Way back in 1979 when Russ first came to Chile on a summer missions trip as part of a college team, one of the most important parts of our vision was birthed in him through the mentoring of Dean Helland (the missionary the team came to work with.) Back then, Dean shared with the team his vision of seeing Chileans raised up as cross-cultural missionaries to fulfill their part in carrying out the Great Commission. As you remember, Jesus didn't say, "All of you of the English-speaking nations go into all the world." No. What he said was universal: "Go ye . . ." Every part, every segment, every manifestation of the Church is to be involved in going to make disciples of all nations. Over the years we have been involved in many kinds of activities, and all of them in some way had to do with "teaching them to obey all the things" that Jesus taught. But the part that has been of particular interest to us has been that the Church here have as part of its mission, missions--missions in the sense of going and sending people to work cross-culturally, especially in places still considered unreached. Veronica is part of the fruit of that. We were by no means the only influence on her life that led her to serve in India. But she has said we and a course we taught on it back in those early years, were part of it. She was married to an Indian, Guru Thonta, a couple of years ago, and now they have come to Chile on a "Home Ministry Assignment" as they visit supporters. Russ saw them last week at the pastors' meeting, and his heart was filled with joy.
For your prayers in the next weeks:
SCHOOL The new school year 2012-2013 began on July 30th. Heidi has 12 students in her 5th/6th Grade class, including Jocelyn now a 6th grader.
(Jesus Club at El Salvador Church on Children's Day, Aug. 5th)
AT EL SALVADOR CHURCH We continue to get to know people better, and discover more about this amazing congregation.
(Luis and Maggi and their three (from 2010) Isaac in his mom's arms, Sarai between, and Esteban in front of his dad)
At this point the most urgent prayer request is for a little Isaac, Luis and Maggi's son. His arm began to hurt so much one day last week that they took him to the emergency room, where they found that there is a tumor. The doctors consulted and decided that they want to do a biopsy at the end of the month. As Luis said, you can tell by the doctors' faces that they are concerned. Please pray for Isaac, his dear parents and older brother and sister Esteban and Sarai.
Also, plans for EME, the Women's Encounter in the Spirit are moving along well. Please pray for wisdom, for resources and for the women to be invited.
Dear Friends and Family,
