🌎 Abegg Family Urgent Prayer Request

Dear Friends; Please join us in prayer in seeking wisdom for our upcoming cross-country visit to family, churches and supporters and as we deliver Jeremy to college in Idaho. In our last newsletter I shared about this long overdue (4 years overdue) visitation with the supporters and churches who make it possible for us to continue working in anti-human trafficking and serving missionaries & partner ministries throughout Central America and the Caribbean. Our plan for this trip has been to leave Miami about 10 days from now and head West along the Southern states, to Southern California, then up the West Coast connecting with as many of our support team as possible as we go.We'd pause in the Bay Area & Sacramento where Kevin's mom, sister & family are along with many of our supporters. Then we'll continue North to Idaho where we'd leave Jeremy before heading back to South Florida only weeks before our next scheduled visit to Guatemala. Originally we planned to make the Westbound trip in Jeremy's '05 Chevy and rent a car to make the multiple stops & visits on our way back. However rentals have significantly increased since we considered this 6 months ago, and we're now looking at about $4k to rent a van that will get us home. That's a painful price, especially as we're considering replacing our own '02 Honda Odyssey that's having increasingly expensive "issues" as of late. We're now praying through the possibility of purchasing a younger Odyssey somewhere along the way (the closer to Idaho the better) and kill two birds with one stone… So, we're asking you to join us in praying for the right timing, the right car, and the right decision on how to best steward what the Lord has entrusted to us through many of you, our supporters. We know we need to make these visits. We know we need to get Jeremy to school. What we don't have completely clear is the best way to make it happen (at least the stops on our return). So please pray for wisdom, God's divine guidance and ultimately His provision as we seek His will.  Our faithful '02 Honda just isn't up to the challenge of this next trip. We also hope to see many of you! If you're near our path we'll be in touch with you soon. We're also planning a couple of larger gatherings in Santa Cruz, CA (hopefully between July 20 & 23) and Contra Costa, CA (between July 23 & 27), so if you're interested in helping, hosting, or even know of a venue that would be viable as we emerge from Covid, please let us know.  Thank you so much! Partner with us in the Great Comission:  Prayer Team: Send us note to let us know you're praying for us, and let us know how we can be praying for you.  Financial Support Team:  Visit: Abegg Missionary Support Page Give via US Mail: Send a check with accompanying note stating: "For the Abegg Family" to: 205 Regency Executive Park Dr. Suite 430, Charlotte, NC 28217 Give Via Phone: Dial 800-825-5896 and talk to a very helpful person.

🌎 Mission Central Am/Caribbean- Efforts & Prayer Needs

Love Letters from the Abeggs "…to those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you." (Jude 1:1) "…we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Eph. 2) I've always loved juggling acts, especially those where the artist starts with three simple balls but slowly adds an array of items from bowling pins to running chainsaws, all without missing a beat or losing a hand. Though I'm not nearly as coordinated, the changes over the past year have certainly increased my own juggling skills from state certified anti-trafficking presentations to crisis situations and missionary movements in the region, all while our family prepares for a radically new season ahead.  Here's a brief overview: Anti-Human Trafficking: For nearly a decade, our family has been equipping and training churches, partner ministries and businesses on the dangers and responses to human trafficking. In 2020 the state of Florida passed a law requiring all hotel & property management teams to be trained in human trafficking awareness. A friend asked if we could equip their 25 person staff, so we submitted our program to the state and within weeks were approved as official trainers for the State of Florida. That first training however needed to be in English, Spanish and Creole, so I managed the English, Claudia simultaneously translated to Spanish and a friend of ours from partner ministry Glory House managed the Creole through a dial in service. We thank the Lord for opportunities like these to be salt and light, bringing truth and awareness to those who need training and the Lord's grace. Join us in praying for the time & opportunity to provide similar trainings throughout Central America & the Caribbean where programs like these are nearly non-existent. Abegg Family: Another year of homeschooling has come to an end, only this time around Jeremy graduated from high schooland is now preparing to attend New St. Andrews College in Moscow, ID. We've been working through drivers training with both boys over the past year, and Jeremy passed his drivers test last week (think insurance increases, car needs and expanding boarders). As a family we had to postpone visits to missionaries and ministries in Guatemala two times due to COVID, and now hope to spend a few weeks there in the fall. Nico will continue his studies online even as he takes some classes with the Christian Spanish Academy in Antigua, Guatemala. (I'll take some brush-up courses as well). Finally, we're looking forward to a road trip next month to "deploy" Jeremy, visit supporters and see the friends & family we've been distant from for far too long (2013 was our last visit to CA as a family). If we're coming through your area, we'll be sure to let you know. Please keep all these changes in your prayers, including wisdom in financial planning and that we would trust in the Lord's provision for each step as a family and in ministry. Grieving & Rejoicing With Those We Serve: As the US emerges from Covid response isolations & shutdowns, please intercede for our international brothers and sisters who continue to struggle with the disease and resulting economic disasters. These past few weeks have been tough with missionaries getting sick, losing teammates, and receiving difficult news of relatives falling ill or passing. Please pray for the endurance, health and protection of those Claudia & I provide care and oversight for. Pray also for peace and encouragement during times that our missionaries can't be with loved ones who fall ill while boarders remain closed in Latin America, and flights remain challenging. Pray as well for UWM partner ministry Centro Esdras (CE page translation), a valued partner in the theological education of under-equipped, rural churches throughout Guatemala. Their director Israel Ortiz (71 years) was recently hospitalized with Covid while his wife is caring for her live-in 91-year-old mother. Only a few days after Israel's hospitalization, Centro Esdras lost their relations, fundraising & communications director to complications with leukemia. She leaves behind a 17-year-old daughter. Obviously, the ministry is hurting and facing many challenges, so please lift them up in your prayers along with so many other partners. Join us in rejoicing in lives well spent even as we pray for the families of UWM missionary Sue Givens and longtime partner and influential theologian Renee Padilla. Though Claudia and I had not been able to see either of precious servants in many years, their impact on those they served will echo throughout eternity. Renee Padilla & Sue Givens Partner with us in the Great Comission:  Prayer Team: Send us note to let us know you're praying for us, and let us know how we can be praying for you.  Financial Support Team:  Visit: Abegg Missionary Support Page Give via US Mail: Send a check with accompanying note stating: "For the Abegg Family" to: 205 Regency Executive Park Dr. Suite 430, Charlotte, NC 28217 Give Via Phone: Dial 800-825-5896 and talk to a very helpful person.

🌎 Triumph and Trials -Abegg Family Ministry in Central America & the Caribbean.

Triumphs and Trials in Difficult Times  As we begin Advent season in a year unlike any I can remember, I crave a sense of "normalcy" and deeply anticipate the comfort of Christmas. Our family put up our Christmas tree and decorations a few days before Thanksgiving this year. We started early because more than ever our gratitude and thankfulness is grounded on God's steadfast love and Christ's sacrifice in the midst of a world that has lost sight of any moorings.  Back in March, when things started getting crazy, I chose to include a passage of scripture with my e-mail signature:  - Kevin S. Abegg UWM Regional Leader Central America/Caribbean "...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus…" -Phil. 4   The intent was an encouragement to the missionaries under our care as Claudia and I correspond with them. What I didn't realize was how much of an encouragement Paul's words in Philippians would be to me as I'm reminded of God's promise 20+ times a day! This year has presented countless opportunities to worry, but similarly countless opportunities to trust our Lord and receive His peace. The eternal peace and assurance that broke through at Christ's birth and later sacrifice on the Cross. That peace which "surpasses all understanding" and we even now prepare to celebrate in a few weeks at Christmas. Hurricanes 2020 Central America Our past 6 months have been overwhelming as we navigate the impact of COVID and hurricanes in Central America. During the 1st week of November, Hurricane Eta slammed through Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, Cuba and even flooded us here in South Florida. This was followed one week later by Hurricane Iota as a Category 5 storm on the same track through Central America. Entire villages were covered by mud while many UWM partner ministries had churches, outreach centers and care facilities flooded, as well as entire populations they care for covered in landslides resulting in hundreds of deaths. Please intercede for these communities and UWM missionaries and staff as we consider how best to meet so many needs. Pray for local governments already overwhelmed due to COVID and the new need of emergency housing to entire villages devastated by flooding or winds. Pray for the anticipated pandemic "spikes" as those fleeing disaster are unable to consider health guidelines. Likewise, as we enter this season of giving, please prayerfully consider joining UWM in providing relief through our National Partners who have not only suffered, but minister to those who have lost so much. Please visit: UWM 2020 Hurricane Relief Project.  Pandemic Lockdowns & Missionary Conferences One of the COVID causalities this year was the long planned UWM Regional Missionary Conference originally to be held in Costa Rica in May. We postponed twice and then opted to attempt an "online conference" with our 60+ missionaries throughout Central America and the Caribbean. It was a LOT more work than we thought but in the end a combination of instruction, encouragement, training and reflective retreat times resulted in what many missionaries reported as a "refreshing & uplifting time". Claudia and I came away encouraged as Regional Leaders that despite the separation and inability over this past year to be physically present in the many countries we cover, the Lord provided. Please pray as missionaries continue to battle fatigue from ministry diversions, forced isolations and concern for family far away. Pray for Claudia and I, along with all of UWM as we navigate the many challenges, seeking to minister and equip Christ's body across boarders with so much uncertainty of lockdowns and future changes. Join Our Team   Prayer Team  If you're reading this, you're in, so keep praying! Also... we'd love to hear from you. Let us know how we can be praying for you whether through an email or connect with us on What'sApp. Our work is 100% funded through donors like yourself. If you aren't already part of our financial team, consider joining with your tax deductible support by:  Giving Online UWM-Missionary Support Page   Give via US Mail  Mail check with accompanying note stating: "For the Abegg Family" to: 205 Regency Executive Park Dr. Suite 430, Charlotte, NC 28217 Give Via Phone Dial 800-825-5896 and talk to a very helpful person! In His Hands / En Sus manos; Kevin S. Abegg UWM/LAM Regional Leader Central America & Caribbean

Central America Ministry & the Abegg Family 🌎

On Mission, Online & On Target! Update on the Abeggs & Ministry in Central America & the Caribbean     Though we are still unable to physically visit the missionaries and ministries we care for and oversee, we've been in regular contact more often than ever before as each navigates the particular pandemic challenges to their miniseries and the countries in which they serve. There are a few areas that we're particularly excited about and would love to have you join us in prayer for:   COVID Opportunities: Sounds like a strange thing to be excited about, but Claudia and I find that when things don't go as we hope… like so much of 2020, God has some thing in store that we would have never considered. ProMETA, one of our partner ministries in Costa Rica has always provided online Biblical training all the way up to master's degrees. In the past we've had national pastors, missionaries, and entire partner churches take advantage of the theologically sound, economical and convenient courses, but now that the entire world has been forced online, ProMETA has emerged as a front runner in Latin America. I'm currently conversing with them on possibilities for new UWM missionaries to join them and ways that ProMETA can engage the needs of the rural Guatemalan churches. In discussing how COVID lockdowns have affected Latin ministry, one missionary commented "ProMETA's biggest problem right now is wiping that silly grin off their faces as we all try to figure out how to do what they've already been doing for years!" PLEASE PRAY for ProMETA, the missionaries and staff serving there and for wisdom as we consider with ProMETA's leadership on how we can work together to serve the church in Guatemala and throughout Latin America.   Likewise, please keep the Abegg Family in your prayers as we work with both missionaries and national ministries throughout Central America and the Caribbean where COVID continues to impact the population in a disastrous way. Lockdowns not only decimate fragile economies but render countless churches (most of which number below 50 members) unable to support their pastors and are faced with losing the very properties they meet in.  As a family we're looking for new members to join our work in this region. The economic challenges have meant both increased expenses and a loss of some supporters facing economic difficulties. We'll be sharing more in the coming weeks about in-depth opportunities to understand our work, but as always, feel free to reach out to us in advance, we're always thrilled to share what God is doing through your partnership with us.  See below for contact & support information.  I'd like to share an encouragement I sent to the missionaries in our region a while back, I hope you as well will find it uplifting during a time when we are surrounded by discouraging news:    As we look forward, there's constant chatter of a "new normal". These words are usually seasoned with tones of resignation, grief and disappointment. They just don't taste right when paired with anticipation or optimism (unless you're a producer of masks or provide online meeting platforms).  Still, I see in the Psalms, the Prophets and throughout scripture how suffering and hope are often pared in ways we wouldn't anticipate or choose, and like a masterful chef, God brings something unexpected out of peculiar ingredients.  I've recently marveled how the 1st century Church in Acts gives us real-life examples of believers, in the midst of Roman occupation and suffering themselves, carry a message of hope to an oppressed and lost world.   We are presented with a time that included sheltering in place (the upper room and meeting in secret in Acts 2 & Acts 12), fleeing persecution, imprisonment, death by stoning (Acts 8-12), the sword and colosseum animals… but at the heart of it all was a Gospel centered confidence that extended beyond the grave... Continue reading full article... Join Our Team   Prayer Team  If you're reading this, you're in, so keep praying! Also... we'd love to hear from you. Let us know how we can be praying whether through an email or connect with us on What'sApp. Our work is 100% funded through donors like yourself. If you aren't already part of our financial team,  Give Online UWM-Missionary Support Page   Give via US Mail  Mail check with accompanying note stating: "For the Abegg Family" to: 205 Regency Executive Park Dr. Suite 430, Charlotte, NC 28217 Give Via Phone Dial 800-825-5896 and talk to a very helpful person! In His Hands / En Sus manos; Kevin S. Abegg UWM/LAM Regional Leader Central America & Caribbean

I’d like to share an encouragement I sent to the missionaries in our region a while back, I hope you as well will find it encouraging during a time when we seem to be surrounded by discouraging news: 

And Our Lives Today

As we look forward, there’s constant chatter of a “new normal”. These words are usually seasoned with tones of resignation, grief and disappointment. They just don’t taste right when paired with anticipation or optimism (unless you’re a producer of masks or provide online meeting platforms).  Still, I see in the Psalms, the Prophets and throughout scripture how suffering and hope are often pared in ways we wouldn’t anticipate or choose, and like a masterful chef, God brings something unexpected out of peculiar ingredients.  I’ve recently marveled how the 1st century Church in Acts gives us real-life examples of believers, in the midst of Roman occupation and suffering themselves, carry a message of hope to an oppressed and lost world.   We are presented with a time that included sheltering in place (the upper room and meeting in secret in Acts 2 & Acts 12), fleeing persecution, imprisonment, death by stoning (Acts 8-12), the sword and colosseum animals… but at the heart of it all was a Gospel centered confidence that extended beyond the grave. A call of God’s mercy not only to the Jews as it had been for generations, but one that crossed racial and tribal lines. None of this was “business as usual” for the Jewish believers as members of the early church. Prior to the cross, the thought of receiving Gentiles as equals was unthinkable. Still, there was a fresh understanding of the God given continuity that didn’t start with Moses but stretched all the way back to Adam. God’s purposes had not changed since creation, they just weren’t immediately recognized by those who followed Him. Salvation was no longer just for the Jews, but the Gentiles as well. It was literally being poured out on their very Roman oppressors (Acts 10) and the traitorous Samaritans (Acts 8). This was not how the children of Abraham thought it would be. (See Peter’s testimony to the Jerusalem church in Acts 11). Step by step, God faithfully lead the apostles and the church in the direction He had planned from creation, ultimately extending His mercy to every nation, tribe and tongue (Rev 7:9).  

 

As we live through our current unique time and trials, like the early Church we must remember, and find hope in the continuity that has existed throughout scripture and throughout history. And like our forefathers, we are called to step forward in faith and follow God in new, often uncomfortable or even potentially dangerous ways. I encourage you to read Acts in its entirety. Already done so? Then read it again! Prayerfully look for how God addresses and annihilates first century walls of sin, fear, isolation, separation, segregation, exclusion, hopelessness, oppression and racism, using even sickness and death itself to bring His people where He can use them best. His Word and His plan have not changed one iota, but perhaps like the children of Israel, our understanding and attitude on how to follow Him in this “new normal” needs an adjustment. Though we ourselves wouldn’t combine the ingredients of suffering and mercy or even grief and grace on the same plate, our eternal Lord knows how to unite these and so much more for His glory and the eternal good of His people. 

FOCUS your eyes on the spiral…you’re feeling very distracted…

Whether taking a picture, studying for an exam or watching a movie, “focus” is essential. When Covid-19 hit and derailed plans for our missionary conference in Costa Rica and development of partnerships in Guatemala, I thought “OK, I’ll be able to focus and catch up on projects and correspondence”. Now, nearly half a year into this strange new world, I have way more in my inbox than when we started this whole thing! I didn’t anticipate how significantly the needs would increase with our partner ministries and missionaries, but neither did I anticipate all the residual clamor that has crept in through infection reports, lockdowns, international governmental responses (or lack thereof), and just plain, frankly useless noise.  Having to sift through such an amplified flow of information had me striving to work faster and longer just to keep up, yet neglecting to share with friends and supporters (both prayer and financial) the essentials of what we’re doing. Each morning I pray for our missionaries and projects in Central America, the Caribbean or around the world, and each morning I focus on something worthy of sharing with you and requesting intercession for. Yet by the time I sit down my inbox is screaming and my focus gets drown by other demands. So, I’m sharing these thoughts now, quickly before the next demand hits. Admittedly it’s “half baked” so as always take these thoughts to the Word, don’t just rely on my word. 

In discussing with Claudia my inability to find the summit of this current mountain of demands  we landed on a need to be clear on what we’re called to do as opposed to doing more and faster everything that is demanding our attentions. I have to say I like that word “called”. The understanding of “calling” relates to, or rather is the root of our modern word “vocation” which we commonly use to describe our jobs, but the meaning goes much deeper. A vocation, from the Latin word vocātiō, literally means “a spiritual call” or summons, such as an occupation that a person is specifically equipped for by God. Today we use the term “calling” in secular contexts, but the meaning actually originated in Christianity. So, if God has called me to a particular work, whether that’s missionary or masonry, He also equips me and makes me able to carry it out as a means to glorify Him. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:8-10). 

So, a significant part of my responsibility lies in seeking Him for what I’m called to do, and differentiating it from what I’m not called to do. Does this mean that saying “that’s not my job” can be a spiritual exercise? I believe so, with the qualifier that where you dedicate your time and energy actually uses your gifts to glorify the King and further His kingdom. Serving coffee, brokering mergers, raising children, cleaning warehouses or managing missionaries. What am I called to do and not do today, and how do I honor God in the midst of it.  Oh… so much more to consider here, “tyranny of the urgent”, guidance given us in His word, knowing when to wait and when to push, but that’s it for now. I have other aspects of my “calling” to focus on, like dinner with Claudia and the boys. 

God bless!