Things are moving at Latin America Mission, and I have a HUGE praise. Grace Kim joined the team a few weeks ago for a year long internship as Assistant to North American Alliances (my department working with North American churches and their relationships with our Latin partners). It's been well over a year since my previous assistant Heather Braden deployed to her current assignment in Honduras, so Grace's presence is a direct answer to prayer. With her help we've been able to pursue the necessary US Treasury and Office of Foreign Assets Control licensing to operate more freely in Cuba (something that's very close to my heart). We've also made great leaps in coordinating communication with North American Churches and responding to many of the needs of LAM's missionaries. Please keep Grace in your prayers as she settles into Miami and prepares to spend two months this summer with LAM's Spearhead program in Mexico city (and then return to keep helping me!!!)
...Speaking of Sending Churches: A new team is forming that will be the backbone of LAM's upcoming Short Term Team program. There has been much discussion as to the benefit and cost of the thousands of Short Term Teams that go from US churches to overseas sights every year. LAM is about partnership. Long term partnership, so it's not an oxymoron to say that we have a Long Term focus for Short Term Teams. The first part of this "team" is a Latino who works with our existing International Alliance partners, those ministries that we have been working with for years (some of them nearing 100 years!). With his help, these partners will set and drive the agenda for any teams coming from North America in order to ensure that the teams fit in with the long term plan and vision of the Latin ministry and there is the possibility of a long term relationship between the N. American and Latin American ministries. I like to think that Claudia (Chile) and my (US) marriage exemplifies in many ways what we are working toward. A relationship that has a Kingdom vision for all that is produced. The second part of this team is a North American with extensive experience in leading teams and relating with US churches. He will be working with sending churches with the goal of not only assisting in the sending process but the coaching and discipling each church's understanding of the Great Commission and how their missions programs fit into the overall vision and mission of the church. The third part will be an "in office" (Miami Service Office) assistant to coordinate everything Short Term. Please pray for this process and for wisdom and I oversee getting everything in place and moving forward.
...Speaking of moving: Last I reported on my dad he was with us here in Miami. Since then I've flown back to CA with him and he's settled in a care home not 10 minutes from my parents house. Unfortunately he had another bout of the same intestinal infection that hit him while in Miami, landing him once again in the hospital for 10 days. Thankfully he's on the upswing and back at the home. Please continue praying for all the changes that my sister Lana and I are attempting to walk them trough in order to simply their lives and be able to enjoy the years they have ahead.
...Speaking of "ahead": (Not really sure how that segway works but anyway...) Claudia and the kids keep plugging away at Home School with Claudia teaching at the weekly co-op "Classical Conversations". There doing well, but with the house still upside down from our flood (see previous blog entry) and the plans to remodel the damaged areas, we're anticipating added stress in the coming months. Please pray for peace, patience and wisdom as we have this work done.
Overall the past three months have been challenging on many fronts. We rejoice in seeing the Lord's hand is many, many ways. We do also ask for prayer for endurance and wise balance between responsibilities of family (immediate and extended), work, church, home repairs etc. Many times it has seemed overwhelming aside from the hope and promises we find in Scripture and the presence of our Lord.
Thank you so much for your prayers and ongoing support making the work we do possible. God bless!
In His Hands / En Sus manos;
Latin America Mission
Office: 305-884-8400 x225
Our work, family and ministry is supported through prayer support and financial donations from those who believe in the work God as called us to. Please consider joining our team by contacting us or visiting our missionary page.
