If you receive our e-mail updates you know how to pray for Diego and his family.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Pray for Diego Esquivel
If you receive our e-mail updates you know how to pray for Diego and his family.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Second Annual Pastor´s and Leader´s Conference
Nearly seventy men gathered at a UCB (our National fellowship) camp in the Andean foothills south of Santiago, Chile for three days of excellent spiritual challenge and instruction. A heart felt thanks to our Chilean brethren for rolling out the red carpet! This historic conference was the second such event for pastors and leaders from Argentina, Chile and Uruguay in the 85 year history of the GMSA.
Our group of 11 men traveled in caravan in two vans from Buenos Aires, leaving Chivilcoy at 2 a.m. Monday morning the 20th. After picking up a colleague in Mendoza, we made the Andean crossing arriving in Santiago, Chile around 7:30 p.m.
At nearly 13,000 feet elevation!
The occupants of my van (less me!) are pictured above on the Chilean side. Left to right: Missionary Tim Goossen, Pastor Julio Llagarias, missionary Harold Goossen, youth leader from Chivilcoy Martin Gorosito, Pastor Guillermo Converti.
The trip down the west side was impressive to some of our men who had never been over the Andes. There are 30 switchbacks heading down the mountains.
The weather was gorgeous and the view in every direction was pretty much as seen in this picture.
In addition to heart challenges from the Word and instruction on teaching from the Old Testament, each night had a special service. One night was a song service, the following night we exchanged written prayer requests with four others and prayed together and the last night had a testimony time.
We departed Thursday night the 23rd. after supper and arrived home the next day at 7 p.m.! We praise the Lord for His protection over the many miles traveled (around 1,500). As we left Santiago to come home my alternator gave out! I´m grateful for my colleague Colby Holmes who graciously and patiently worked together with me trading batteries back and forth until we arrived home in Chivilcoy!
Thank you to all of you who prayed for us during this important event!
Nearly seventy men gathered at a UCB (our National fellowship) camp in the Andean foothills south of Santiago, Chile for three days of excellent spiritual challenge and instruction. A heart felt thanks to our Chilean brethren for rolling out the red carpet! This historic conference was the second such event for pastors and leaders from Argentina, Chile and Uruguay in the 85 year history of the GMSA.
Our group of 11 men traveled in caravan in two vans from Buenos Aires, leaving Chivilcoy at 2 a.m. Monday morning the 20th. After picking up a colleague in Mendoza, we made the Andean crossing arriving in Santiago, Chile around 7:30 p.m.
At nearly 13,000 feet elevation!
The occupants of my van (less me!) are pictured above on the Chilean side. Left to right: Missionary Tim Goossen, Pastor Julio Llagarias, missionary Harold Goossen, youth leader from Chivilcoy Martin Gorosito, Pastor Guillermo Converti.
The trip down the west side was impressive to some of our men who had never been over the Andes. There are 30 switchbacks heading down the mountains.
The weather was gorgeous and the view in every direction was pretty much as seen in this picture.
In addition to heart challenges from the Word and instruction on teaching from the Old Testament, each night had a special service. One night was a song service, the following night we exchanged written prayer requests with four others and prayed together and the last night had a testimony time.
We departed Thursday night the 23rd. after supper and arrived home the next day at 7 p.m.! We praise the Lord for His protection over the many miles traveled (around 1,500). As we left Santiago to come home my alternator gave out! I´m grateful for my colleague Colby Holmes who graciously and patiently worked together with me trading batteries back and forth until we arrived home in Chivilcoy!
Thank you to all of you who prayed for us during this important event!
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
September and October
Driver´s Ed!!! One of the fringe benefits of living away from metropolitan Buenos Aires (14 million people) is the opportunity it affords for the kids to learn to drive in a more calm setting. If you´ve visited us you understand what we mean! Andy, at 17 is gaining experience behind the wheel. Lord willing, in the fall of next year he will be attending Northland Baptist Bible College.
As a family we often spend part of our Monday working on projects at camp and kicking back a little. It´s a great opportunity to use the new fire pit! The fact that we roasted hot dogs is a good indication that we had no Argentine visitors!! Hot dogs would be out!
Our kids are always gracious about taking the most flattering pictures possible of us!
September 21st. marked the first day of spring in Argentina. Traditionally youth all over the country celebrate an unofficial holiday from school and spend the day in parks and recreational areas drinking mate and playing sports. This year the 21st. fell on a Sunday! Our youth met after church for pizza and fellowship (below).
(Andy and Kristi play the guitar)
Another baby shower. In the last few years we´ve had a bumper crop of babies!! Marcela DeGodos, wife of one of our youth leaders, was surprised by the ladies of the church recently. Pray for Marcela, who has been prescribed bed rest by her doctor until her baby is born by caesarean in November.
Ladies prepare to storm Marcela´s house with a surprise baby shower. Marcela opening gifts.
October 4- 7 we enjoyed the visit of GMSA General Director, Terry Thompson and his wife Carol. Pray for Terry and Carol as the visit missionaries in Argentina, Uruguay and Chile until the end of the month.
Debbie, Carol Thompson and Lois Kenney sing special music at church in Chivilcoy.
Terry Thompson preaching in Sunday School and Church.
Be sure and take a minute to visit the link to right to see progress at the camp site.
As a family we often spend part of our Monday working on projects at camp and kicking back a little. It´s a great opportunity to use the new fire pit! The fact that we roasted hot dogs is a good indication that we had no Argentine visitors!! Hot dogs would be out!
Our kids are always gracious about taking the most flattering pictures possible of us!
September 21st. marked the first day of spring in Argentina. Traditionally youth all over the country celebrate an unofficial holiday from school and spend the day in parks and recreational areas drinking mate and playing sports. This year the 21st. fell on a Sunday! Our youth met after church for pizza and fellowship (below).
(Andy and Kristi play the guitar)
Another baby shower. In the last few years we´ve had a bumper crop of babies!! Marcela DeGodos, wife of one of our youth leaders, was surprised by the ladies of the church recently. Pray for Marcela, who has been prescribed bed rest by her doctor until her baby is born by caesarean in November.
Ladies prepare to storm Marcela´s house with a surprise baby shower. Marcela opening gifts.
October 4- 7 we enjoyed the visit of GMSA General Director, Terry Thompson and his wife Carol. Pray for Terry and Carol as the visit missionaries in Argentina, Uruguay and Chile until the end of the month.
Debbie, Carol Thompson and Lois Kenney sing special music at church in Chivilcoy.
Terry Thompson preaching in Sunday School and Church.
Be sure and take a minute to visit the link to right to see progress at the camp site.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
July - August Blessings!
We enjoy the friendship, fellowship and the mutual encourgement of missionary colleagues and visitors throughout the year. We´re grateful to the Lord for the Mission house we administrate that provides plenty of space for visitors. In July we enjoyed the visit of first term colleauges from Uruguay, Andy and Kolette Thompson and their two children Josiah and Natalia.
Starting left: Debbie, Lois McAllister & Lois Kenney (colleagues in Chivilcoy), Nikki Fredette (student visitor from Northland Baptist Bible College), Andy, Danny, Josiah Thompson, Natalia Thompson (hidden), kristi, Kolette and Andy Thompson (missionaries in Uruguay).
On July 2nd. Tom turned a whopping 43 years old!
On July 23rd. short term missionary Julio Method and Angela Flores (chilean p.k.) arrived for few days visit! Julie was finishing her second short term in Chile before returning to Florida where she teaches in a Christian school.
Angela Flores, Julie Method and Dámaris Pérez (a youth from the Chivilcoy Bible Center)
On Sunday July 27th. at four a.m. we were bleary-eyed, but waiting expectantly for Kati and Grampa Gibbons to come through customs in Buenos Aries!! Kati had been away for one year, almost to the day! Grandpa had not been in Argentina since 2002. We enjoyed a faboulous four and a half weeks together.
Left to right: Grandpa Gibbons, Danny, Tom, Debbie, Katie, Kristi and Andy
Kati shares a testimony at church about her first year away from home at Bible Institute.
Kati, Natalie Holmes, Kristi and Pamela Buasso sing special music. Natalie and Pamela were visiting from Buenos Aires.
One of our family get-aways while Kati and Grandpa were here was a day trip to Temaikén, a beautiful zoo about two hours away.
Grandpa seemed to have a great time, but we thought maybe our daily pace was a little taxing for him!!!!
Below Grandpa takes a trip down memory lane looking over our neightbor´s 1929 Ford!
Debbie and the kids use their music talent in Sunday School and church
We enjoy the friendship, fellowship and the mutual encourgement of missionary colleagues and visitors throughout the year. We´re grateful to the Lord for the Mission house we administrate that provides plenty of space for visitors. In July we enjoyed the visit of first term colleauges from Uruguay, Andy and Kolette Thompson and their two children Josiah and Natalia.
Starting left: Debbie, Lois McAllister & Lois Kenney (colleagues in Chivilcoy), Nikki Fredette (student visitor from Northland Baptist Bible College), Andy, Danny, Josiah Thompson, Natalia Thompson (hidden), kristi, Kolette and Andy Thompson (missionaries in Uruguay).
On July 2nd. Tom turned a whopping 43 years old!
On July 23rd. short term missionary Julio Method and Angela Flores (chilean p.k.) arrived for few days visit! Julie was finishing her second short term in Chile before returning to Florida where she teaches in a Christian school.
Angela Flores, Julie Method and Dámaris Pérez (a youth from the Chivilcoy Bible Center)
On Sunday July 27th. at four a.m. we were bleary-eyed, but waiting expectantly for Kati and Grampa Gibbons to come through customs in Buenos Aries!! Kati had been away for one year, almost to the day! Grandpa had not been in Argentina since 2002. We enjoyed a faboulous four and a half weeks together.
Left to right: Grandpa Gibbons, Danny, Tom, Debbie, Katie, Kristi and Andy
Kati shares a testimony at church about her first year away from home at Bible Institute.
Kati, Natalie Holmes, Kristi and Pamela Buasso sing special music. Natalie and Pamela were visiting from Buenos Aires.
One of our family get-aways while Kati and Grandpa were here was a day trip to Temaikén, a beautiful zoo about two hours away.
Grandpa seemed to have a great time, but we thought maybe our daily pace was a little taxing for him!!!!
Below Grandpa takes a trip down memory lane looking over our neightbor´s 1929 Ford!
Debbie and the kids use their music talent in Sunday School and church
Saturday, June 21, 2008
April to June Memories
On April 17th. Andy blew out candles celebrating his 17th. birthday. Andy is a dilligent student and continues to work hard at the bakery. We´re very proud of his example.
How about a weekend in Argentina? We were privileged to have the visit of Dave Schwanke and his daughter Katie for a weekend in April. Dave is from Merrimack Valley Baptist Church in Nashua, NH, and came to expose his daughter to missions and visit the camp and church ministries here in Chivilcoy.
On May 17th. our last child became a "teenager!!" Danny turned 13 years old! Danny recently started working some hours at the bakery operated by a family in our church. What a great opportunity to learn skills and aquire a good work ethic.
Each Friday evening Debbie and Tom teach an extension course at the church here in Chivilcoy. Debbie is teaching "Women in Ministry" (her class pictured below), and Tom is teaching "Leadership in the Local Church".
In March our Chilean National Church Fellowship sent Chilean Missionaries, Saul and Claudia Pailahueque to the southern Argentine city of Bariloche to begin a church plant. Our Argentine Fellowship is facilitating their visa process and necessary paperwork for legal permissions to meet as a church. This month (June) the Pailahueques are in Greater Buenos Aires and here in Chivilcoy getting to know the Argentine Fellowship of Churches. Pray for the Argentine churches to be burdened to pray and give to their support needs. Remember this young couple and the new ministry in Bariloche.
Danny, Andy and Kristi team up to tickle the ivory playing a little "Heart and Soul!!!"
Debbie and Kristi practicing choruses for Sunday School opening.
Our men´s breakfasts have had a fabulous turnout! This month we had the visit of a building team from Maine to work on the camp project and they participated in the June men´s breakfast. Our visitors prepared a real american style breakfast for the Argentine men with bacon, eggs, hashbrowns and toast!! Visitor Danny Chamberland shared his salvation testimony.
The youth group sharing special music in our worship service.
Friends Luis and Bev Arce of Merrimack Valley Baptist Church in Nashua, NH have come to Argentina to help on building projects so many times I think we´ve lost count. They arrived in Chivilcoy the end of April to work on the camp house project. Their hard work was a great asset in preparation for the group that came on May 31st., especially since Tom was at the Annual General Meeting of the GMSA in Fort Lauderdale, Florida May 16 to 26. Thanks Bev & Lu. Click here to see all the work accomplished at camp in the last seven weeks.
On May 31st. Danny and Rita Chamberland, Pastor Bob Philbrick and Roy Welsh arrived from Clinton Baptist Church in Maine to work on the camp house. What was accomplished in just nine working days is truly astounding!! Click here to see the work accomplished.
Debbie took advantage of her Dad´s visit (Pastor Philbrick) to have a surprise birthday party. His birthday was celebrated ahead of schedule (don´t know if he liked that or not at his age!!!) since he wasn´t due to turn ??? until a couple days after his return to the U.S. We won´t tell you how old he turned, but if you can read backwards just look at the cake below!
The boys have mixed feelings about Grandpa´s visits because it usually means a haircut!!
Rita Chamberland "adopted" Aylen, a girl from our youth group. She wanted to take Aylen home with her!!
How about a weekend in Argentina? We were privileged to have the visit of Dave Schwanke and his daughter Katie for a weekend in April. Dave is from Merrimack Valley Baptist Church in Nashua, NH, and came to expose his daughter to missions and visit the camp and church ministries here in Chivilcoy.
On May 17th. our last child became a "teenager!!" Danny turned 13 years old! Danny recently started working some hours at the bakery operated by a family in our church. What a great opportunity to learn skills and aquire a good work ethic.
Each Friday evening Debbie and Tom teach an extension course at the church here in Chivilcoy. Debbie is teaching "Women in Ministry" (her class pictured below), and Tom is teaching "Leadership in the Local Church".
In March our Chilean National Church Fellowship sent Chilean Missionaries, Saul and Claudia Pailahueque to the southern Argentine city of Bariloche to begin a church plant. Our Argentine Fellowship is facilitating their visa process and necessary paperwork for legal permissions to meet as a church. This month (June) the Pailahueques are in Greater Buenos Aires and here in Chivilcoy getting to know the Argentine Fellowship of Churches. Pray for the Argentine churches to be burdened to pray and give to their support needs. Remember this young couple and the new ministry in Bariloche.
Danny, Andy and Kristi team up to tickle the ivory playing a little "Heart and Soul!!!"
Debbie and Kristi practicing choruses for Sunday School opening.
Our men´s breakfasts have had a fabulous turnout! This month we had the visit of a building team from Maine to work on the camp project and they participated in the June men´s breakfast. Our visitors prepared a real american style breakfast for the Argentine men with bacon, eggs, hashbrowns and toast!! Visitor Danny Chamberland shared his salvation testimony.
The youth group sharing special music in our worship service.
Friends Luis and Bev Arce of Merrimack Valley Baptist Church in Nashua, NH have come to Argentina to help on building projects so many times I think we´ve lost count. They arrived in Chivilcoy the end of April to work on the camp house project. Their hard work was a great asset in preparation for the group that came on May 31st., especially since Tom was at the Annual General Meeting of the GMSA in Fort Lauderdale, Florida May 16 to 26. Thanks Bev & Lu. Click here to see all the work accomplished at camp in the last seven weeks.
On May 31st. Danny and Rita Chamberland, Pastor Bob Philbrick and Roy Welsh arrived from Clinton Baptist Church in Maine to work on the camp house. What was accomplished in just nine working days is truly astounding!! Click here to see the work accomplished.
Debbie took advantage of her Dad´s visit (Pastor Philbrick) to have a surprise birthday party. His birthday was celebrated ahead of schedule (don´t know if he liked that or not at his age!!!) since he wasn´t due to turn ??? until a couple days after his return to the U.S. We won´t tell you how old he turned, but if you can read backwards just look at the cake below!
The boys have mixed feelings about Grandpa´s visits because it usually means a haircut!!
Rita Chamberland "adopted" Aylen, a girl from our youth group. She wanted to take Aylen home with her!!
Roy Welsh shares special music.
Rita Chamberland shares her testimony as Debbie interprets.
Pastor Bob Philbrick preaching in Chivilcoy.
Our team poses with bakers, Ana and Alberto, after eating "calzones" at their bakery one night - a real treat! They gave a hat with the name of their bakery to all the visitors. Left to right: Roy Welsh, Ana and Alberto Tufilaro, Bob Philbrick, Bev & Lu Arce, Danny and Rita Chamberland.
Northland Baptist Bible College student Nichole Fredette arrived on June 13th. for a two month short term in Chivilcoy. Nichole is teaching and observing in a local English Institute to meet requirements for her graduation. She´ll also be doing some cultural studies. We appreciate her helpful spirit and desire to be involved in the different facets of the church ministry here.
On Saturday June 14th. we participated in a day pastor´s retreat in Greater Buenos Aires at one of our fellowship churches. These a great times of fellowship and welcome encouragement are a blessing. Our speaker brought messages on ethics in ministry.
Over one hundred days of agricultural and trucker strikes ended last night. We look forward to saying good by to gas rationing and long lines at the gas stations, as well as the increasing lack of daily commodoties in the grocery stores and price gouging. Pray that many will come to Christ in this needy land.
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