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Van Clan Update (Tuesday, May 23, 2000)
We would like to thank those that have stood with us trough all our transition phases up until now. We have had positive reactions in response to our last newsletter and we are deeply grateful for those the Lord has raised up to stand with us in the ministry here in Chile.
Thanks for those who prayed about the blocked plumbing. Last Thursday we finally had a the problem resolved - not without struggles! They had to chisel through the front porch tiles to get to the piping. Finally a mass of sand and grease from the kitchen could be broken up to finally clear the piping. We are glad as we now can wash clothes and dishes again without flooding the back yard!
Our presbytery meeting in Osorno was fantastic. The church there is a small one, but vibrant it its testimony and love for the Lord. The Sunday was a special anniversary service with several pastors from the local ministers fraternal and local dignitaries attended the full (small) church. The believers there were so encouraged by our presence as they have always heard that they were a part of something bigger, but now they could see for themselves and meet people they have heard about.
Gary Waldecker who is our team leader(and regional director) have asked us to be involved with them in helping the work in Reņaca, which is on the coast, about 2 hrs. due west from Santiago. The mission church there has had a difficult time and we want to see that the Lord brings healing and restoration and rebuild the body soon. The challenge for Stephanie and myself is to get to know the people is a short time to such an extent that deep levels of confidence can be reached in a short period of time. We want to get bible studies going and a ministry for the women as well.
All this is apart from what is happening in Santiago at Cristo Rey. The senior pastor is Richard Crane who is wanting the church to grow by following the Saddleback model of Rick Warren. This congregation has also come through a spiritual earthquake as many of you know, and the ministry is beginning to grow, but we need to have the structure put in place where people will not fall through the cracks. We are excited that we have to have 2 services on a Sunday - even then people are standing outside the doors throughout the service! Stephanie is also involved in the ladies' workshop and we are developing relationships with many in the church as we are just as new now as many of the newcomers.
Please pray for me as I preach at this Reņaca for the first time this Sunday and plan to meet several people before that. Pray for Stephanie as she has been asked to get a ladies seminar started there as well. We will need to find a suitable time for Bible studies there as well. At Cristo Rey, I will be involved with discipling as well as working with attendees and new-comers.
God is busy doing a lot and it is exciting to be a part of what He is doing. You are a part of all of this. Thanks.
Johan
pp. the Van Clan
- Tuesday, May 23, 2000
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