Over the next week, you will find no new posts here at Chilejournal (unless there is some major new to share). I will be working feverishly on my upcoming sermon series on Colossians and SS series on "Conforming to the Image of Christ".
I will continue to mentally work on several post ideas and look forward to posting them in the near future.
During the evening service, the Bible Institute students ministered to us by a song that they had been working on in their music class.
Gaby Beyer (a German missionary co-worker) teaches music at the Bible Institute. She also runs the Bible Study Correspondence Courses that train Chilean nationals in the country, who cannot come to Temuco for training.
Let me add an interesting fact about the Correspondence Course ministry: A large portion of those who are taking the correspondence courses are from area Pentecostal churches. They have stated that they enjoy studying the Bible and wish that their churches would provide solid teaching from the Scriptures. The potential for the correspondence course ministry is exciting, although the fruit is rarely seen, due to the fact that the teaching it through the literature and not face-to-face. Pray for this ministry and that many more will be impacted by God's Word and the Holy Spirit as they complete each doctrinal lesson.
Pamela and Mrs. Thompson playing their instruments.
Daryl Thompson and two other BI students.
The children of the church had prepared a song to sing for the evening service.
Maggi (in the green) was so excited to "announce" to the whole church that Kaylee FINALLY knew a song in Spanish.
Please pray for the Bible Institute ministry. We desperately need a new generation of Chilean men who have been called into full time ministry, in order to pastor the many churches that are without pastors.
If you missed it...read Bible Institute Sunday Part 1
--------------------------
After the morning service, the church fed the Bible Institute group before they all drove out to San Ramón for the afternoon service. It was good to see the different families donating food items for this special meal.
The service in San Ramón was a blessing to the students. There was a good number of children in attendance (14). During the service, some of the BI students taught the lesson while others walked around San Ramón talking to people and inviting them to attend the weekly Sunday service. Several new children came due to the student's invitations.
After arriving back to Temuco around 5:30 pm, the church people had prepared a light supper for the group, as well as the rest of the congregation.
Above:Daryl and Earlynne Thompson (top center) sitting with several BI students (left hand side). The meal provided yet another opportunity for the church members (right hand side) to learn more about the students and ministry of the Bible Institute.
The "light" supper was an assortment of Chilean sweet breads, chips, desserts, and open face sandwiches.
The fellowship room is small, but it provides for some "close conversation". The kids sat by some of their church friends, while Kristi and I sat by several of the members. We enjoyed an extended period of time to get to know them in a better way. The members have really welcomed our family in these past weeks, and have gone out of their way to make us feel "at home".
The evening service was lead by the Bible Institute as well. Several brought their musical instruments to play (but more on that in the next post).
Moisés did a good job leading the service and I personally appreciated his energy and heart for ministry.
There was a great group out for the evening service. Daryl Thompson (the director of the Bible Institute) gave the message.
In the final post, we will share more photos from the evening service. Please pray for the Bible Institute ministry. There are great needs for the training up of the next generation of Chilean pastors and leaders.
Everyday we spend some amount of time looking for something. The alarm clock sounding, a pair of shoes, something to eat, eye glasses, a file on the computer, or the car keys.
I spent some time looking for things today. A friend and I spent most of the morning looking for two new tires for the truck, since last week I hit a pothole and the passenger tire blew. Our family spent several hours walking around the mall looking for new church pants and shoes for the boys. I stood at the counter looking for the hot dog combo that I wanted to order at the mall. I glanced over the food court while looking for a table for our family to eat, but at the same time looking for a good angle to watch the flat screen TV, which was showing the Cuba vs. Argentina men's volleyball teams, both of which werelooking for the win and the championship trophy. Halfway through our meal, a little boy came up to our table looking for a little sympathy, namely in spare coins.
As I sat there, eating my hot dog, my mind was wandering and looking for new ideas to blog about...when it hit me. People watching is very educational. The mall is a great place for people watching. With the theme of "looking for" in mind I started to wonder, "What exactly are people looking for?"
*The couple sitting two tables down from me, who were playing Tarot cards. What were they looking for? A hint at their futures?
*The young girl kissing her boyfriend five tables over. She must have been no more than 15 years old. What was she looking for? Some "sweet-for-a-season-but-misguided-physical" attention that she probably doesn't get from her father?
*The two middle aged women at the department store gazing and trying on expensive jewelry? What were they looking for? Increased status? A little vanity?
*The group of five 20-somethings walking the mall hallways making fun of each other, other people, and hitting on any young girl walking by. What were they looking for? To sooth their ego? Some trouble?
Everyone is looking for something. The sad reality is, they don't know the ultimate answer: Jesus Christ. In the quote above, Ghandi sums up society's mentality, but from my seat at the mall, I can definitely tell you that people are looking for answers to the basic questions of life: Who am I? Why am I here? What am I supposed to do? and Where am I going?
Pray that our family will be faithful in looking for opportunities to share Christ, the Gospel, and Biblical truth.
Last Sunday, the Temuco Bible Institute students and director came to the 21 de Mayo church to share about the BI ministry and to minister to the members.
This was the first Sunday of several that the students will be traveling to area churches to promote the Bible Institute. The church was looking forward to meeting all of the students and hosting them for a meal.
Each student was responsible for various parts of the worship services. Above: Walter, lead the AM service in prayer and a few hymns.
Pamela, helped Pastor Marcelo with a few songs for the children before all of the SS classes were dismissed.
Andrés gave the lesson for the adult class.
Jordan and Ben had two BI students for their teachers. The BI students are given the opportunity to gain ministry and teaching experience during these "Bible Institute Sundays". I asked Ben later at lunch what he learned during class. His response was, "Nothing, I didn't understand a word they said!". Poor guy, he was a bit frustrated that he can't communicate yet. We keep reassuring him that it will come...but he said, "yeah, like in 200 years". Continue to pray for the children's language learning.
Above: The BI students sit with their SS students at the closing time and share what they have learned (a song and a Bible verse).
Above: BI students, Moisés and Pamela, with the young peoples class.
Overall, it was very helpful for the church to get to know the BI students, see their heart for ministry, and hear of the needs of the Bible Institute ministry.
In part 2, we will share more pictures and commentary about the afternoon and evening activities.
The month of May is quickly coming to a close. Time has been going by quickly, and we wanted to send out a quick update and list of prayer items. We would appreciate your continued prayer concerning the following items:
- The situation with our vehicle. Unfortunately, we have not heard any good news about any progress in the last month. Our paperwork is somewhere on someone's desk, waiting to be approved. Please pray for patience in this waiting game. Pray that our paperwork will be approved soon. Obviously, we want our van to be released, but it's out of our control.
- Kristi's pregnancy. She is at 29 weeks now. Praise the Lord all is normal. She will have another doctor's appointment in the coming weeks. Pray for her daily strength as she goes through this final trimester.
- David's language learning. With the upcoming speaking opportunity in the Lautaro church, much time is needed to study, prepare, translate, and practice. It's overwhelming and, at times, discouraging. Pray for David during this time of stretching.
- The Lautaro Ministry Opportunity. As mentioned above, we will be going up to help in a town called, Lautaro, starting on June 7th. We will go up there every other Sunday for two months. This church is without a pastor and is in need of pulpit supply. Please pray that a pastor will come to this church.
- The Temuco Bible Institute Ministry. In June, there will be an anniversary celebration and open house for the Bible Institute. David is helping by compiling pictures into a powerpoint that will share the vision and ministry of the BI, its needs, and upcoming projects.
- The San Ramón Ministry. Pray for men to be saved in San Ramón. Solid men and families are key to this ministry's growth and stability.
- Our family's continual adjustment to life on the mission field. The "Honeymoon Stage" is coming to a close, and culture shock and stress can tend to creep in and preoccupy our everyday lives. We ask for wisdom as we try to deal with these feelings.
- In addition, feel free to use these 31 prayer requests for our family.
Thank you for your prayer and support for our family. You are part of our ministry team!
Ashley, my former language school classmate asks...
a.) What is each person's favorite thing about Chile?
b.) I think you touched on this a little a while ago with the post on the hole in wall restaurant, but I'm curious as to if you have a favorite Chilean food. (and maybe it's different with each person)
c.) Are there any foods that you can't get as easily or miss from the States?
d.) I've heard different things from different missionaries over the years so am curious what your experience is... does being "different" i.e. blond hair, blue eyes, seem to have any affect on your ministry? Does it make it harder, easier, or does it seem to matter?
Answers:
a.) What is your favorite thing about Chile?
Jordan - our new house Ben - The Andes mountains Kaylee - My bedroom Kristi - The Chilean people David - The diverse geography (desert, mountains, ocean, volcanoes, islands, valleys, and glaciers)
b.) What is your favorite Chilean foods?Click on links for photos and recipes
Jordan - Marshmallows Ben - Eggnog & Taquitos Kaylee - Grandma's snacks Kristi - Burrito bowl from Chipotle and anything from Olive Garden David - Anything Mexican, licorice, cheddar and pepper jack cheese, and cream soda
Sneak Peek: I am currently working on a future post that deals with Cooking in Chile. How is it different and why? This will deal more with food and more specifically ingredients that you can't find here in Chile.
d.) Does being different (blond hair, blue eyes) seem to have any affect on your ministry?
YES
Does it make it harder or easier? Both
Easier because: -We have increased opportunities to converse with people. People are drawn to us. -Govt. officials are softened when little blond kids are at our side. -In some sense, being a foreigner gives you clout (whether it's merited or not, that's a different story).
Harder because: -People tend to be friends with you or friendly with you only for selfish reasons. (For money, to learn more English, for the hope of a job, or for increased status "I'm friends with missionary so-and-so!") -People tend to make spiritual decisions to please you instead of God. -People tend to think that the missionary is always more qualified for ministry positions/responsibilities in the church. -Being "different" and having "different" children (esp. teenagers) bring the ever present and unwanted attention from the opposite gender (heckling, cat calling, and whistles).
To those still dying to ask a question, there's still time. As the questions come in, I will attempt to write a post with the question and hopefully, an answer.
From what I understand, your [desired ministry] destination is Antofagasta. That said, much has been done toward getting settled in Chile. You might share a) the steps that are necessary for you to get ultimately settled, b) steps that have passed already to move you forward, c) possible roadblocks we can pray for that God might eradicate, and d) are you where you expected to be, further, or slightly aft?
Here's my best shot at Keith's multi-layered question.
b.) Steps that have already passed: 1. Approval and possession of the children's Chilean ID cards. 2. Approval for David's one yr. temporary residence visa. 3. Obtaining a Chilean bank account (a tedious paperwork process) 4. The clearing of our shipping container 5. Settling in an orientation location that allows exposure to various ministries (Bible Institute, church planting, and camping)
a.) Steps necessary or still pending: 1. Our vehicle to be released from govt. red tape (it arrived back in Oct. 08) 2. More language confidence and skill (i.e. preaching/teaching without a full manuscript) 3. Obtaining David's permanent residency paperwork and Chilean ID card 4. A future meeting with our field council to confirm (or deny) that our orientation goals have (or have not) been met. 5. An understanding with our field council that a move north to establish a new ministry is God's timing. 6. Finding a house to rent/buy in Antofagasta. 7. Packing and moving...again. 8. Wildcard - meaning something unknown to us, but known to God
c.) Possible roadblocks: 1. Our own sin nature 2. The sin nature in others 3. Govt. red tape 4. Linguistic Alzheimer's ;) 4. Pressing ministry or mission needs/opportunities that could come up. For example: changes in mission personnel (deaths, furloughs, or moves). 5. The ever present Wildcard - meaning something unknown to us, but known to God.
Please note: While Antofagasta is on our hearts and we know that there is a great need there, and that we have a burden to serve there, the Lord might not lead us there in "our timetable". We have been called to preach the Gospel and we desire to be faithful to that calling and wait on the Lord for his direction, leading, and guidance in our future ministry involvements.
d.) Are you at a place in the process where you expected to be at this point?
Yes...and...No
Yes, because we knew that this orientation time would be a time for more lessons to be learned.
No, because: 1. We feel that our vehicle situation has been delayed...majorly. 2. David is about to be stretched linguistically a little bit earlier and further than he thought at this stage in the orientation process.
Thanks Keith, and I hope this has helped not only you, but others understand some additional dynamics that we face here on the mission field. Follow up questions are allowed. And for some who haven't submitted a question yet, there is still time for you.
Come back for Ashley's questions about food and hair color...
A short time ago, we posted We're All Ears to ask you, the reader, to send questions that you have about our family and/or ministry.
Becky wrote...
I was wondering how they [the children] do at interacting with all the Spanish speaking children and adults? Do they try to speak some, do they get frustrated, are they picking up quickly?
Answer:
- Overall it seems like the process of learning Spanish is going slow for Jordan, Ben, & Kaylee. From week to week there isn't noticeable outward signs that they are advancing by leaps and bounds. But after studying some language learning techniques and methods, I can guarantee that all three are soaking in the new sounds. One of their favorite pastimes is watching cartoons in Spanish.
-Interaction with adults depends on the kid's general disposition for that day. We have been working through a book called "Manners Matter" and the chapter on greeting others (shaking hands, looking others in the eye, and speaking when spoken to). Here in Chile, there is an added element of "fake kissing" someone on the cheek when you greet them.
All three children know how to verbally greet people (Hola...¿como está?...bien). They get tons of practice with this at church, since everybody greets everybody every service. Many adults try to use their extremely anemic English on them (like...Good morning or how are you?, ect.). Their SS teacher gets a little frustrated that she can't completely communicate with them during the lesson time. The kids don't care, they are just happy to be with the class. They are making some new friends, but sometimes, they do mention that they miss their friends in Texas and Minnesota.
Of course, there are times when they want other people to just go away. Like when we are at the mall, or a store in town, people will just come up and say "Look at those blue eyes!" or "You look just like your dad (or mom)". I'm sure that the kids sometimes must feel like, "Who are these people? and "Why are they touching or pointing at me?".
-Interaction with children and teens is fun for the kids, due to the fact that language isn't a big mental hangup for them. They enjoy playing ping-pong with the teens after church. The teens are always hitting up the kids to teach them a new word in English. Several of the girls have taken a special liking to Kaylee. As a matter of fact, we think their attendance in church meetings has risen since we've arrived in Temuco. Kaylee gets carried and passed around immediately after every service.
Kaylee was singing a short phrase of a song to us the other day. It was in English and it was a song we didn't know, nor teach her. Come to find out, a teen at church was teaching her an English pop song...good grief!
-Ben is the best at sheer effort. He tries words here and there, even if we are at home.
-As for if they get frustrated...occasionally yes, but normally, they just shake it off.
For example, I asked Jordan and Ben to tell me what they learned and did at SS class while at the dinner table.
They looked at me and said, "I have no clue what my teacher said to me!".
I replied with, "Well, did you have fun?".
"Oh yeah, we colored and made a craft.", they answered.
To them, at this point, it's all fun and games.
-As parents, and especially with Kristi's MK background, we know that they will pick up Spanish as well as maintain their English throughout their childhood. We are not worried about rushing them, nor holding them back. It will come in due time...now, if only I could learn Spanish like a child!
Come back again to hear the answer to Keith's multi-layered question. Also, it's not to late to submit your question (hint hint... AMC, and others).
Dear faithful reader,
