The Abegg Love Letter

To those who have been called, who are LOVED by God the Father
and KEPT by Jesus Christ; MERCY, PEACE and LOVE
be yours in abundance.
-Jude 1:1

Our Cup Overfloweth
(so does our plate, our bowl and I think we've lost the napkin...)

As part of the UWM Regional Leader's role for Central America and the Caribbean, Claudia and I have decided to take advantage of the boys reducedstudies this summer (there's no rest for the homeschooler!) and relocate the family to San Jose, Costa Rica for three months to engage with partner ministries and many of the missionaries we're overseeing. In just a few weeks we'll land in San Jose and travel 4 hrs. directly to the regional missionary conference on the Pacific cost. We're looking forward to this time as I've been overseeing the conference planning team since January which is an amazing amount of work, but a blessing to connect with such a stellar team helping pull it together! Pray that as a team we'll finish well and that the nearly 100 participants can be encouraged and refreshed by the teaching, prayer, worship and connecting with missionaries from all over the region.

During these next few months (as Jeremy and Nico take Spanish classes) we'll be focused on how to better partner with ministries such as children's homes, human trafficking rescue, medical clinics, schools, Bible colleges, seminaries, camps, missionary sending organizations and more. We'll be meeting with missionaries who are working with all of these organizations as we simultaneously consider future plans, goals and directions for the region as a whole. Quite frankly, it's a lot, so please pray that we use our time wisely not only for ministry but also to find opportunities for the family to enjoy the unique place where we'll be working.

As we begin this 3 month intensive WE NEED SOME HELP. We have amazingly faithful supporters that enable us to minister, assist partner ministries, provide training on Human Trafficking and care for fellow missionaries. We run a very tight budget covering everything from housing to food to the boys' education, wanting to steward well what our supporters sacrificially give and ultimately God provides. For the next 3 months we'll be ADDING AN EXTRA $800 / MONTH to our budget for rent & other expenses in Costa Rica. We're asking if there would be any existing supporters who would be willing to increase their support, or new supporters who have been following & praying for us that are willing to jump on for May, June & July? If so, please let us know and simply use the support information at the bottom of this letter. Thank You! And Thank you additionally for your Prayers!

Combating Sex Trafficking in Miami,
Central America & the Caribbean

Though our focus is primarily the Caribbean and Central America, in January I took part in an Anti Sex Trafficking presentation and panel discussionaimed at educating the city government of Miami Lakes. It was a hopeful step as our church, Palm Vista, seeks to work with city and local businesses to take a stand for those being abused in this horrible way. Similarly, on 4/27, I'll conduct a training for another church that is sending a team to Jamaica for the purpose of equipping local governments, children's homes and other churches. It's an exciting opportunity in a nation struggling with the "disappearance" of children and a significant problem with sex tourism.
Pray for our family as we spend May, June & July in Central America engaging churches and partner ministries in the region on Human Trafficking (many are still unaware that it exists right in their own backyard).

Miami Lakes Government Presentation & Our Father's Kingdom Training

Projects with Partner Ministries

Back in September Hurricane Irma affected much of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. One of the casualties was a shed used by partner ministry Glory House of Miami to store some of their clients (trafficking survivors) belongings. With funding from Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church (thank you!!!) and the help of numerous workers, we finally got a new and improved shed with 3x the storage and 100x the hurricane resistance.
Glory House has recently opened a drop in center for victims in what can be considered "trafficking central" for Miami between the business district, tourism, concert & sports stadiums and one of the most impoverished areas of the city. Starting next year we'll be working closely with Glory House and UWM interns coming to South Florida for in-depth training and discipleship in anti-trafficking. Pray as we work together with partner ministries like Glory House to reach this city and into Central America & the Caribbean with hope for survivors.

My thanks to these and multiple others who helped bring this project to completion!

We enjoyed an International Easter celebration with our neighbors the Schmatjens and 6 international students from China. Most had never been in a North American home, or attended a church service, so it was a great day of new experiences as we celebrated Christ's Resurrection together!

Leading up to Easter I had the opportunity to tag team teach a 6 week course on World Missions with one of our Pastors, Al Pino. "A Light to the Nations" coveres theory, history and many current trends or practices in missions. I encourage you to take a moment and listen to the series online.