It's been a while since I've been able to get a newsletter out due to significant demands on our time, so I'll be providing you a quick update here in the form of specific prayer requests.
Thank you so much for being part of the team that God has placed around us for this season of ministry!
Family:
Please pray for my mom Birgitta Abegg is nearing the end of her battle with Alzheimer's after nearly a decade of struggle. She has been well cared for in a home in Folsom, CA near my sister Lana and her family. Though none of this is a surprise, and we've had the blessing of visiting her a number of times, thinking each would be the last, it's obviously difficult. We trust in the Lord's timing and have preparations in place should she pass while Claudia and I out of the country. We will let people know about memorial arrangements once we're at that point, but for now we ask for and take joy in your prayers for mom, Lana, and our immediate family and for the Lord to use this time in His mercy to minister to those who knew her and remain behind.
Please pray for Claudia's parents as they deal with their own aging process far away from us in Chile. Overall, they are doing well, and we're thankful for Claudia's dad's miraculous recovery from his 7-month hospitalization over a year ago. We're also grateful for and ask you to pray for Claudia's sister Barbara who lives with them and is taking on most of their care. We look forward to finally planning a time that both Claudia and I can visit together, though it won't been until the 2nd half of this year at earliest.
Central American & Caribbean Regional Missionary Conference:
Generally, these conferences are every 2 years, however due to the pandemic we haven't met since 2018. Claudia and I have been heading up a small team over the past 6 months in preparation for this conference March 20th – 24th, taking place in Costa Rica. Unfortunately, over the past months we've lost a few of our planning team members due to crisis in ministry or various urgent on the field needs, which means a larger than anticipated share of the administrative burden has fallen to us.
Please pray:
…for the 60 + attendees traveling from 6 different countries to attend. Pray for safety and health in travel and for the Lord to prepare their hearts and minds in anticipation of this time despite often exhausting schedules.
…for in country transportation logistics as the conference center is about 1.5 hrs. from the airport, as well as pre & post conference housing due to flights arriving a day before or departing a day after. Pray that all flights would arrive on time as well.
…for the Holy Spirit's blessing, guidance, care and equipping of all missionaries & attendees through our speakers, seminar leaders, prayer times and multiple meetings during the conference.
…for our son Nico who will be traveling from Idaho to join us as our videographer during the event, including some work on mini-interviews to assist missionaries in their own communication and a potential mini-documentary on one of the many ongoing ministry projects.
…for the youth program and the youth ministry teams coming from Mexico and our own home church in Miami. Pray for their own preparations, health, safety and blessing as they serve the missionary families with children. Pray for one passport renewal to arrive in time.
…for Claudia and my endurance along with the rest of the planning team as the time draws near. For joy and anticipation in what the Lord will accomplish during this conference, and for refreshment for everyone in attendance, including ourselves.
Regional Leadership Pre-Retreat:
Over the past year I've been working with several of our missionaries in the various countries we're responsible for in order to develop those who can assist with various projects throughout the region. Claudia and I will gather with a number of these for 3 days prior to the Missionary Conference in order to reflect on the past few years, pray for one another and consider plans for the coming year. Please pray for the Lord's guidance during this time. For an awareness of His direction and purpose for each of us, and wisdom in how to steward the gifts, abilities, experiences and time the Lord has given each in the various areas of responsibility.
Upcoming Visitations & Times of Rest:
We are arranging various visitations throughout the summer and fall, and need wisdom on how to best steward our time and energy for each. Please pray that our in-country visits to missionaries and partner ministries would be beneficial, encouraging and provide solid vision and plans for the future. Likewise pray that our times of rest would be deep and enjoyable, refreshing and strengthening for the ministerial daily demands.
Local Ministry:
As always we remain involved in local ministries here in South Florida that need your intercession as well. Scarlet Hope Miami, a ministry we've written about in previous newsletters continues to build a team and resource center in order to reach the women performing in the many strip clubs in the area, and who are prime candidates for human trafficking. Please pray for Scarlet Hope Miami's director Liz Pino and the team seeking to care for these at risk women.
Palm Vista Community Church: I serve as one of 5 elders at this church that has been home to our family since we transitioned to South Florida. Please pray for our guidance of the body through an exciting time of growth and leadership transitions, and for God's kingdom to be extended through His church here and the many places around the globe He has enabled us to be involved.
Financial support:
With all that we've been managing, we haven't dedicated the attention to our financial support that we believe we should. Still, we are so grateful for you, our intercessors who continue to engage in spiritual warfare and prayer to see His "kingdom come & will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven…". Your consistent, fervent intercession is more valuable than gold, and an enormous encouragement to us. We're also grateful for the end of year gifts many of you provided that nearly made the $10k goal we had set! Also, we praise the Lord for a few new supporters who have joined our financial support team even without our asking. Please pray for the Lord's provision in the midst of the current workload, and for the Lord's guidance, blessing and encouragement for all of those who make up our prayer, financial and relational support teams scattered around the globe!
