fulfilling semester
What a busy and satisfying semester! The first two and a half years of our term were definitely a phase of continued preparation and adaption (not that we're perfectly adapted now--but MUCH more than we were when we first arrived). Now we feel like we're actually starting to do some ministry!
Grupo de Vida (Small group "Bible Study")
Since August, every Tuesday night we've hosted about 10 people in our home in order to fellowship and study several works of perhaps the most influential Christian writer of the twentieth century, C.S. Lewis. We managed to read three of his books, Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, and The Four Loves and thoroughly enjoyed the rich and edifying conversations that they provoked. Tomorrow night we will have our final official meeting, followed by a celebratory Argentine barbecue next week.
Teaching & Preaching
George taught two subjects at the La Plata Bible Institute, Church History and Praise and Worship Ministry, which was, to say the least, a very stretching experience. But rewarding. He is now convinced more than ever that this type of training is one of the greatest needs in Argentina (and the rest of Latin America). In the last month and a half, George was also called to preach several times at La Union (the church we attend in La Plata) and once at a church in Buenos Aires. Next Sunday he will be traveling with Greg to a town on the other side of Buenos Aires in order to lead worship and share his testimony.
Other News
About a year ago we asked you to pray for a 19/20 year old cancer patient named Germán. His cancer went into remission for a few months and then reappeared, having spread significantly and leaving little hope for recovery. Well, good news--the cancer seems to have completely disappeared! The doctors are mystified and are planning on submitting his story to be published in a medical journal.
George finally received his grade for his first seminary class (which he took online). It was a missions class, and we had said jokingly (mostly) that if he failed the class we'd have to pack up and go home. Thankfully, he passed. We get to stay!
Posted November 23, 2009 by George and Emily.
...and we're back.
This is the longest we've gone without posting an update, and we apologize for the lengthy silence. But, as you all know, we have a decent excuse--actually she's a really stinkin' cute excuse. The transition into parenthood thus far has been surprisingly smooth. We are grateful for a happy, healthy, and low-maintenance baby. God is good!
OK. We'll try not to make this whole post about our daughter... :)
Visits
At the end of July, we hosted Emily's mom, and a few weeks ago we hosted George's parents. It was a blessing to see them meet their granddaughter, as well as to receive their help around the house as we adjust to our new life. Currently there is a short term mission team here from Denton Bible serving in various ways, and on that team is one of Emily's close friends from Denton Community Church. She will be staying with us for five days after the rest of the team leaves, and needless to say, Emily is excited to be able to spend some quality time with her friend.
Ministry
In mid-August our reading group started meeting in our house again. This semester we will be discussing three classic works by C.S. Lewis: Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, and The Four Loves. This meeting is one of the highlights of our weekly schedule. Not only do we enjoy the rousing conversation, but the folks who participate are sweet people that we enjoy being with, too.
Also in mid-August, the La Plata Bible Institute began its Spring semester, which has become George's main ministry focus this semester. He is teaching two different subjects--Church History and Worship Ministry (with emphasis on music)--at three different times during the week (one of the subjects has two meeting times). Both are areas that George is interested in and really enjoys studying and preparing for.
Finally, as the Bible Institute began, George finished his first seminary class! He hasn't gotten his grade back, yet, but he's pretty sure he passed (if he doesn't, we have jokingly said that we would resign as missionaries, since this first class was an introduction to world missions). So far he's really enjoyed it and has already started his second class.
Posted September 11, 2009 by George and Emily.
classic!
A week ago today, George picked up our brand spanking used car from the dealer--we had actually bought it earlier, but because of a few repairs that needed to be done and the typical "tramites" (an Argentine word that has no English translation; it's kind of like "red-tape" and usually refers to a bureaucratic mess of required paperwork) that accompany buying a used car, we had to wait about ten days until we could actually have it in our possession. On his way home from the used car lot, George realized that the car was really low on gas, so he decided to stop at a gas station. After filling up, he got back in the car, turned the key, and...nothing. There was no coughing, sputtering, or cranking. Just silence. It doesn't get any more classic than that--purchasing a used car, driving it off the lot, having it die on the way home.
Thankfully we were able to get the car home that night and the next day get it to a shop where we found out that it was the battery and starter that were causing the problem (at least it wasn't the alternator). After fixing the urgent issue, the mechanic looked over the engine, made a few small adjustments and replacements (filters and belts), and then gave us the thumbs up. So we now have a car that works! Praise the Lord!
This is good timing, since there is now a bigger possibility that Emily could go into labor any day. On Sunday she will reach 36 weeks, and according to a sonogram she had last week, the baby has already dropped. We are hoping that Madeleine will wait until at least 37 weeks, but we will be glad to have her whenever the Lord decides that it's time.
This last week has been pretty busy. All of our team members (except for Lore, Kurt's wife, and their son) are in Denton for the missions conference, so we have been holding down the fort, so to speak. Last Sunday George preached in City Bell and will preach again this Sunday and then will be giving an evangelistic talk on apologetics at the College of Humanities at the University of La Plata on Friday. The university engagement has been organized by Campus Crusade, and George would be very grateful for your prayers, since he has never spoken in this context before.
Answered prayer: The BTCP revision is finally done! Praise the Lord! Now the books are off at the printer, and we hope to have them all printed within the next two or three weeks.
Posted June 5, 2009 by George and Emily.
05-04-2009 we're havin' a girl!
03-16-2009 march madness
02-25-2009 21 weeks and a healthy heart
02-23-2009 news bites
12-15-2008 winding down a bit
11-11-2008 story time
09-19-2008 international spiritual warfare month
08-16-2008 bigger city life
07-04-2008 Moving to La Plata
06-13-2008 God moves in a mysterious way
05-13-2008 calm after the storms
03-31-2008 stormy weather
02-28-2008 A New Priority
01-22-2008 not going anywhere for a while, hopefully
12-04-2007 prayer needed...
11-08-2007 A real update...
09-06-2007 real life...it's real.
08-01-2007 ready, set, serve!
06-04-2007 answered prayers
05-02-2007 cultural cookies
04-02-2007 we're still here!
03-01-2007 stay tuned to party!
02-06-2007 even closer
01-03-2007 gettin' ready
12-06-2006 and now this...
11-13-2006 five more weeks!
09-19-2006 August short term trip
08-07-2006 almost there
07-09-2006 plowing through 'vacation' months
03-27-2006 A few changes...
04-05-2005 In the thick of it
12-20-2004 Break Time!
11-12-2004 He Is Faithful!
