Kid's Edition - Oct. '11

Kids Club in the park

Kids Club in our apartment

We love mommy!

The Queen and the princess

Kaylee and Lukas at the Portada

Enjoying the beautiful view together.

Alma, Bendice al Señor

In the last few weeks, we have been trying to put together a 30 page "temporary" hymnal/chorus book (lyrics only) to use in our Bible studies. We are attempting to include hymns (new & old), choruses, and Psalms put to music.

While searching for more songs recently, I ran across the following video of a group of Chileans signing, Alma, Bendice al Señor (or Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation). It is a blend of the melody and lyrics of a great hymn of the faith with the distinct sound and rhythm of Chilean folk music. I remember back in Bible college, my roommates would get annoyed because I would play Chilean folk music non-stop in our room. In my opinion, the grand majority of Chilean folk music is beautiful and now it is been forever graphed into our life here on the mission field.

Listen and follow along with the Spanish lyrics below...

Alma bendice al Señor, Rey potente de gloria;

De sus mercedes esté viva en ti la memoria.

¡OH, despertad, arpa y salterio! Entonad

Himnos de honor y victoria.

Alma, bendice al Señor que a los cielos gobierna,

Y te conduce paciente con mano paterna;

Te perdonó, de todo mal te libró,

Porque su gracia es eterna.

Alma, bendice al Señor, de tu vida es la fuente

Que te creó, y en salud te sostiene clemente;

Tu defensor en todo trance y dolor;

Su diestra es omnipotente.

Alma, bendice al Señor y su amor infinito;

Con todo el pueblo de Dios su alabanza repito

Dios, mi salud, de todo bien, plenitud,

¡Seas por siempre bendito! Amén.

The Seven Month Mark

December 1st marks seven months since our family arrived in the city of Antofagasta. Time has gone by quickly and many, many things have happened in this first phase of ministry. If you have been following the Chilejournal blog and/or our Flincks in Chile Facebook page, you have read many of the highlights and challenges the Lord has given us in these first months of ministry.

During these past months we've been attempting to adapt to a new region and new city, appreciate new values, avoid new dangers, adopt new habits, account for new emotions, attain new expectations, ascribe to new regulations, abstain from new taboos, address new problems, anticipate new opposition, answer new conflicts, advocate new solutions, advance new goals, admit new defeats, acknowledge new limitations, all while proclaiming the gospel to those God brings across our paths.

Looking back on these past months, we are thankful for this opportunity to serve Christ in Antofagasta. There have been ups and downs, successes and failures, and blessings and heartache, but through it all God has been faithful and good.

Here are some of the ministry highlights of God's provision, direction, and strength in the ministry during these past seven months.

*The Kids Club in the Park - started in June

*Wednesday night Bible studies - started in June

*Sunday morning Bible studies - started on July 24

*Ladies ministry - started in Nov.

*One on one discipleship - started in June (Faces)

Here are some ministry challenges that we have faced or are continuing to face.

*The housing search. Our apartment rental contract ends in April 2012.

*Language progression (David & the kids)

*Additional financial pressure - Antofagasta is the most expensive city in Chile. The change from Temuco to Antofagasta was a drastic financial adjustment.

*Time management - Struggling to maintain a balance with family, ministry, rest, and time with God.

*General paperwork - David's permanent visa (obtained), Kristi's Chilean driver's licence (obtained), David's Chilean driver's licence (not-obtained), the children's Chilean passports (not-obtained).

So What's On the Horizon in the Next Seven Months and Beyond? That's a good question. There are many unknowns but what we do know is...

*We plan to start a men's ministry.

*We plan to travel to Uruguay in Jan. 2012 for the annual GMSA missionary conference.

*We plan to be moving into a house (Lord willing), giving us more space for our family and ministry.

*Our first furlough is approaching...possibly in early 2013. We are looking forward to seeing our family members, our dear friends, churches, and supporters. We will keep you updated as our furlough plans develop...we wouldn't want to miss a chance to see you again.

We would like to thank each of you who have faithfully partnered with us financially and in prayer these past seven months. It is a privilege and serious responsibility to represent the Lord and you here in northern Chile.

David & Kristi Flinck

Jordan, Ben, Kaylee, & Lukas

Church planting in Antofagasta, Chile

Kid's Edition - Sept. '11

More photos from September events and happenings in the lives of Jordan, Ben, Kaylee, & Lukas...

Kaylee teaching Lukas to color

A special package arrived from Miss Heidi !!!!

Jordan - 10 yrs

Ben & Jordan looking at the Humberstone Ghost Town

Benjamin - 9 yrs.

Jordan & Ben with their MK friend, Owen.

Kaylee - 6 yrs.

the many faces of Lukas...

Lukas - 2 yrs.

at the playground in Iquique

What are you lookin' at?

Going house hunting with daddy and mommy.

Ladies Ministry Kickoff

This past month, Kristi and the ladies in our group planned and hosted a "Ladies Ministry Kickoff Tea" here in our apartment building's event room. Kristi and I have been discussing the importance of having a women's and men's ministry but wrestling with how to start and maintain one (especially after listening to THIS discussion on the pros and cons of Evangelistic Events). Our desire and end goal is to invest, impact and disciple people, instead of running around with our heads cut off trying to run and maintain a program. Lasting spiritual fruit usually comes from effective one-on-one follow up, not necessarily from big events or programs.

Fleshing out a "people vs. program" ministry philosophy is a challenge, especially here in Chile, where big events and over the top hospitality dominates cultural thinking. We need wisdom as we desire to teach, model, and encourage others to invest in people.

To find a happy medium, Kristi and the ladies decided to have a sort of "kickoff" tea time to invite ladies to attend and encourage them to join future Bible study times. The idea was to have an opportunity to gain some new contacts and personally follow up on each one.

Above: Anna, Lilian, & Susana. All of our ladies in our group were in attendance. Several of them brought friends with them.

Kristi gave a short introduction and devotional and invited all the ladies to participate in future Bible studies that will be held in our apartment or in the homes of the ladies.

Kristi with co-organizer, Lilian.

We think that the original goals for the "kickoff tea" were met. Now comes the most important part of the ministry...intentional personal follow up with the new contacts.

Click HERE to view all of the photos of the Ladies Tea.

Please pray for our ladies as we encourage and equip them to participate in follow up and personal ministry of the Word with others.

Please pray for Pia (a friend of Anna). Kristi and Anna are meeting with her to discuss the Gospel and attempt to answer the many questions she has about God, the Bible, and Salvation.

Unexpected blessings

It all happened so fast. It started by receiving an email from some friends in Mississippi (former missionaries in Chile) asking if we could put together a short list of items that we needed or wanted. Our friends had heard of a university missions team that was planning to serve in Antofagasta and wanted to send some items to us with the team.

We met up with the team from William Carey University on a Saturday to get to know them and pick up our package from our dear friends. Our family wasn't a part of their trip or activities, but was thankful for their willingness to pack the items in their suitcases.

We were overwhelmed with what the package contained. Small blessings from dear friends. A few board games, chocolate chips, fruit snacks, and books.

I (David) was able to help the team on their final day in Antofagasta by driving them around the city for some last minute shopping as well as to the airport to catch their flight. Several friendships with Americans and Chileans were made during this short time together with the team. We thank the Lord for crossing paths with these believers.

2011 National Pastor's Advance

The plane tickets were purchased months in advance. The thought of leaving dry northern Chile to spend five days in "greener" Santiago was exciting. But it wasn't just a trip for "sanity's" sake, but for spiritual fellowship. Each October, our mission hosts a national pastor's conference (called Avance Pastoral) with the goal to encourage, equip, and energize national pastors in the ministry. This year the Pirque Bible Camp (just south of Santiago) was the host site for the conference.

National pastors from Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay attended the conference. Time spent in conversation, prayer, playing soccer, and around the supper table was a big encouragement to me personally. Above: I was able to spend some quality time with my friend, Marcelo (he pastors at the 21 de Mayo Church in Temuco, where we served and participated in during our first two years in Chile). I miss being able to meet with him to talk and pray about the ministry.

The conference aims for one or two main themes each year to will equip pastors in the ministry. In reality, the sessions and speakers are lined up to serve as a "mini-seminary" course (including notes and a textbook for each pastor).

Left to Right: This year's speakers were David Wile (former Biblical Ministries Worldwide missionary to Uruguay). He spoke on various issues from the book of I Corinthians. Mark Rubin (ABWE Chile missionary) spoke on how to study, interpret, preach, and apply the book of Psalms.One of the strengths of this conference is that the speakers MUST speak Spanish. While there are many other capable conference speakers out there, we seek those who can effectively speak without an interpreter. This amplifies possible teaching time, plus it gives the conference a more "national" feel. Both speakers did a fine job stretching us all within the themes presented.

For each conference, our mission (Gospel Mission of South America) invests (key word) money in the purchase of theological books that go along, or amplify the topics. Above: Kaiser's book, "Teaching and preaching from the Old Testament."

There are many opportunities for the speakers and missionaries to "informally" impact and encourage the national pastors during times of conversation outside of the main sessions. Above: Mark Rubin is chatting with Pastor Wilfredo (from Ovalle, Chile).

David Wile teaching his session on I Corinthians.

A MacArthur commentary on I Corinthians was given to every national pastor...and missionary ;)

While some didn't make it in this photo, the above shot is the majority of GMSA missionaries from Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay.

Above: The group shot of all the national pastors and missionaries in Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay who were able to attend this year.

Pray for these men!

They (we) need your prayers.

Ephesians 4:11-16

Click HERE to view all my photos from the Pastor's Conference.

A Visit from Sharon

Whenever we have a visitor in our home, it is a special blessing to our family (especially to our children). Back in late Oct, our GMSA co-worker, Sharon Bisbee, came for a 5 day visit.

Kristi and Sharon have been long time friends, since Sharon taught Kristi at Santiago Christian Academy back in the mid-80's when she was a short term school teacher.

Sharon was able to see some of the sights in and around Antofagasta as well as see the new church planting ministry first hand. Above: Kaylee & Lukas enjoyed showing her the Portada just north of the city limits.

Lukas at the Portada.

We enjoyed having Sharon with us and introducing her to the people we minister to here in Antofagasta. Sharon is prayerfully considering joining us to minister in Antofagasta. There are many unknowns and dynamics that would go into the final decision for her to move from Santiago to Antofagasta. We have been praying for more church planting team members and will continue to do so.

Kid's Edition - August '11

Living in northern Chile through the eyes of Jordan, Ben, Kaylee, & Lukas...

growing up as brothers

Kaylee at the park

Jordan & Ben enjoying some green grass and playing soccer with friend Rafa and his dad.

Lukas loves to color.

Practicing the earthquake drill...get under the table!

experiencing the Tsunami drill... evacuating to higher ground.

Enjoying reading and buying some English books at a South African family's house.

Participating in gametime at the Kids Club in the park ministry.

Kaylee & Lukas

Receiving snail mail from a friend in Temuco, Chile.

Coloring in the sun room.

Lukas watching daddy playing tennis with Edgar.

Kaylee practicing her imaginative storytelling.