Ministry Snapshots #1

This post starts a new blog series entitled, Ministry Snapshots. The idea of this series of periodical posts will be to create a small window to look into different ministry opportunities that the Lord has given us here in Antofagasta.

Snapshot #1- A typical Wed. night Bible study in our apartment. In the photo, we are all listening (and following along) to John chapter 11. After that, we spend time answering "text specific" questions and discuss application points. It has been a privilege to read and teach through the book of John these past months with our Chilean brothers.

Birthday Bash - Just For Men

David invited a few guys over for hamburgers on his birthday (Nov. 22). (L to R): Missionary Tom Chapman, Patricio, Dr. Daniel, Pablo (kneeling), Edgar, and David.

We all had a great time together laughing, talking, and, of course, eating.

We want to start a once a month men's group in March. Please pray for David as he develops this new ministry to single men, fathers, and husbands.

Kid's Edition - Nov & Dec. '11

Kaylee and little Daniel

Lukas wants to learn how to play the keyboard.

Pool time!!!!

Playing with neighbor kids from our building.

Most of the children from our apartment building.

At the mall

Forming a LEGO club with Danitza.

Receiving a special care package from the U.S.

Listening to the Bible story at the park.

Learning how to swim.

Family walks down to the beach.

Exploring our city.

Babysitting a friend's dog, Peanut.

Patricio

Patricio started to come to our Bible studies back in Oct. because of an invitation from a co-worker. He put his trust in Christ a few weeks later. He has faithfully coming ever since. He is in his mid-20's and single. I started meeting with him every Thursday morning at the small coffee shop in our local grocery store (two blocks away). We read a chapter of the Bible together. We talk about what we have read. He normally comes with several random questions and I attempt to answer them and point him to Bible passages and/or examples. We spend time in prayer and then our time is about up. Nothing fancy. No program or curriculum. Just time together in God's Word.

Please pray for Patricio as he is learning how to live a Christian life. Pray for me as well, as I continue to invest my life in him.

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.