The Abegg Love Letters

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


As Missionaries with United World Mission, we serve in Latin America to provide support & training to missionaries on the field. We work with Latin Partner Ministries that focus on everything from theological education to medical care, from children’s homes to retirement homes. Our goal is to come along side organizations & amplify their impact for good and the Gospel.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Christmas Greetings & Anti - Sex Trafficking Update



Dear Loved Ones;


This is a heartfelt year end update. Apart from struggle, I want you to hear Thanksgiving and Hope as I write.


We're UWM Missionaries working in the difficult arena of human sex trafficking in Miami, FL.  Apart from being the #3 city in the country for sex trafficking, Miami is also the #3 "most overpriced city in the country" according to Forbes Magazine. Supporters like you make it possible to carry out our work of educating to prevent the commercial sexual exploitation of children and provide care for survivors through our ministry at the Life of Freedom Center.


We've considered / been tempted to continue ministering in a more affordable scenario as sex trafficking exists EVERYWHERE in this country & around the world, but we have not sensed the Lord's release to go elsewhere yet, and if He doesn't lead, leaving where He has us would be foolish. Living in such an overpriced city as missionaries has taken some creativity. We are blessed with a wonderful housemate who helps by renting a room and has become family in a very "Matthew 19:29" sort of way. I take care of all house repairs myself, and Claudia's ability in the kitchen means we can still do five star hospitality on a ½ star budget.


The first half of this year I worked hard to reduce our $2,600/month deficit by reaching out to potential supporters, and we are so grateful to have new partners join us in ministry. However, by July I was worn out, and opted to pick up a few side carpentry projects to cover the boys education expenses, a few medical needs and basic family bills. I'm so incredibly thankful that our average monthly shortfall has been cut in half by those new supporters, but that leaves another $1,300/month to raise in order to focus on full time ministry, not splitting my time & energy between the LoF Center, carpentry jobs and support raising. This year we're not spending the $500+ we generally do to send out support letters. All our news is available on facebook, email, & our Blog so please make sure you're connected, because we NEED YOUR PRAYERS!


For the past 7 years (over ½ of Jeremy & Nico's lives) we have put off visiting Claudia's parents (the boy's grandparents) and family in Chile. We'd been praying for 3 years to make a visit, and this year some dear friends have generously blessed us with standby tickets, reducing the travel costs from nearly $7,000 down to just under $2000 for air taxes & fees! Another set of friends creatively donated a fishing boat that sold for exactly $2000! We will finally be able enjoy and hug family this Christmas after such a long absence!


We've been asked why we do what we do. 20+ years of ministry should be enough, right? The thing is, we're not paying something back, or even "paying forward". We've been unimaginably blessed through Christ's arrival in a manger and sacrifice on a cross. We're told to follow His example and love as He loved. We are simply called to glorify God and enjoy Him. He has gifted us to work in ways, and with people, that not everyone is called to. We trust Him and have seen Him first work in us, so we can extend His care to others.


As not everyone is called to minister in the arena of Sex Trafficking, we need the giftings of others to help us continue. We humbly ask if you would join us in prayer for the remaining $1,300 / month in order to meet our basic budget here in Miami, and continue serving those who need protection and healing from Sex Trafficking.


We won't be enjoying a "white Christmas" in Miami (or Chile), and there's no fireplace to hang stockings. However celebrating Christ's arrival transcends our circumstances. As the year draws to a close, we are deeply grateful for all God has done, and count friends both far and near as some of the greatest gifts we have during this season, and year round.

 

Wishing you an immensely blessed Christmas;

Kevin, Claudia,

Jeremy & Nico Abegg

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