Tom & Debbie Gibbons - Church Planting - Bible Institute - Camp Facility Development

Six of Our Youth at Summer Youth Camp February 13-17

2012-02-13T19:35:00.001-03:00

Pray for our youth as they join around 70 or 80 more youth for a week of Bible camp!

DVBS 2012

2012-02-13T19:30:00.002-03:00

February 7-9 we held a daily vacation Bible school! Our own youth and adults worked in all the different facets of the event and our visitors from Wisconsin headed up the hand work and game times. Praise the Lord for new children who participated and for three who made professions of faith.

February Work Team From Wisconsin Working at Camp

2012-02-13T19:16:00.003-03:00

Seven people donated their time and talent February 3 through 13 to advance the development of our camp facility. In spite of many days of temperatures that exceeded 100 degrees, this group worked tirelessly to accomplish as much as possible.

February 3 through 13 our friends from northern Wisconsin participated in jobs at camp, vacation Bible School, youth ministries in the church as well as sharing testimonies and Pastor Scott preaching.

Pastor Scott helps channel the wall for an audiovisual installation in the main building meeting room.

Pastor Scott and his 13 year old daughter worked hard hanging sheet metal strapping to the wood sub-structure, leaving almost all the ceilings prepared for hanging vinyl tongue and groove. We still need to hang the sub-structure and sheet metal srtapping in the big auditorium.

A little down time at the end of a long, hot day.

The ladies worked hard to grout 900 square feet of tile laid by one of our November building teams.

With 27 years of experience in the lawn care business, Marv was a big asset. He finished mowing the 25 acres with limited help, only to begin anew two days after!!

Danny and Jake worked hard on the new fence line, taking us another step forward toward installing the chain link.

The installed 170 stakes in concrete to tie the fence down between the concrete fence posts (background) and installed all the angle braces we had.

They also prepared the old fence posts to use as markers and began installing them on the property.

Our thanks to the Wisconsin team!

GMSA International Missionary Conference 2012, Paysandu, Uruguay

2012-01-31T11:17:00.003-03:00

The GMSA Family (January 2012)

The GMSA Family met January 19 - 25 for our annual International Missionary Conference. We praise the Lord for an excellent week of challenging messages, fellowship with colleagues, prayer times together, ministries to our children and teens, planning times, and much more!

Our speaker brough life-challenging messages about the twelve ordinary men chosen and used by God.

Though not pictured, Andy was with us during the pre-conference administrative meetings. He returned to Northland on the 19th. and is finishing up his junior year.

Times of fellowship around the table are enjoyed.

Missionaries gather to worship and hear God's Word!

Kati & Devin Prepare for a June 23 Wedding in Maine

2012-01-31T11:04:00.000-03:00

2011 Happenings...among others!

2012-01-31T10:20:00.002-03:00

Pre-marital classes with J & S.

In preparation for the wedding Debbie, Tom and two youth painted the auditorium. The girls chose the colors!!!

Two very capable ladies from church were in charge of decorating the auditorium.

Our humble chapel prepaired for its first wedding!

The bride is given away by her father

Prayer of dedication

Mr. & Mrs. depart from the ceremony.

Kristi turns 18 with friend Ana present from the USA

We were once again grateful for dear friends Lu and Bev and their investment of hard work at camp

November building teams advanced the work at camp! A total of 18 people from three States participated during the month of November!

Visitors enjoyed a nigh out eating supper at the homes of believers from our church.

They also enjoyed a meal out at a local all you can eat beef buffet!

God has blessed our church with a youth! Pray for their spiritual lives!

Danny and Kristi playing guitar and piano prepairing for Sunday School opening.

Sunday School opening

Youth enjoy a soccer game at camp.

Rooting for ARGENTINAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

Debbie and Sandra prepare for a youth sponsored supper for parents.

Martin cooking pizza on the grill! Martin and Sandra are our youth leaders.

National pastors and missionaries met in Santiago, Chile in late October for three days of instruction in God's Word, fellowship and prayer.

2011 Happenings...among others!

2012-01-31T09:51:00.001-03:00

Pre-marital classes with J & S.

In preparation for the wedding Debbie, Tom and two youth painted the auditorium. The girls chose the colors!!!

Two very capable ladies from church were in charge of decorating the auditorium.

Our humble chapel prepaired for its first wedding!

The bride is given away by her father

Prayer of dedication

Kristi turns 18 with friend Ana present from the USA

We were once again grateful for dear friends Lu and Bev and their investment of hard work at camp

November building teams advanced the work at camp! A total of 18 people from three States participated during the month of November!

Visitors enjoyed a nigh out eating supper at the homes of believers from our church.

They also enjoyed a meal out at a local all you can eat beef buffet!!

Sunday School opening

Youth enjoy a soccer game at camp

2012-01-31T09:38:00.001-03:00

Pre-marital classes with J & S.

In preparation for the wedding Debbie, Tom and two youth painted the auditorium. The girls chose the colors!!!

Two very capable ladies from church were in charge of decorating the auditorium.

Our humble chapel prepaired for its first wedding!

The bride is given away by her father

Prayer of dedication

Mr. & Mrs. depart from the ceremony

Kristi turns 18 with friend Ana present from the USA

We were once again grateful for dear friends Lu and Bev and their investment of hard work at camp

November building teams advanced the work at camp! A total of 18 people from three States participated during the month of November!

Visitors enjoyed a nigh out eating supper at the homes of believers from our church.

They also enjoyed a meal out at a local all you can eat beef buffet!!

Sunday School opening

Youth enjoy a soccer game at camp

Kati Graduates from Northland International University

2011-05-25T18:21:00.001-03:00

Saturday, May 14th. Kati did us all proud graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Northland International University.

Danny, Kati, Andy & Kristi

Tom & Dad

Kati receives her diploma.

Left to right: Dad Gibbons, Andy, Kristi, Tom, Debbie, Devin (Kati's boy friend), Kati, Danny and Mom & Dad Philbrick

Devin & Kati

Kati with Grandpa Gibbons

Kati with Grampy and Grammy Philbrick

Kati with Deb and Tom

January & February Wanderings

2011-02-24T09:08:00.000-03:00

Praise the Lord for His protection, provision and blessing during these months of ministering and being ministered to. After a family camp (Jan 10-14) that involved nine churches, we joined the rest of the GMSA administrative team in Temuco, Chile for several days of meetings (Jan 19-21), then a week of conference at a National Church campground in the Andean foothills with the entire Missionary Family (Jan 21-27). The ministry of the Word was rich and the scenery along the shores of lake Calafquen at the base of Mt. Villarica (an active volcano) is always spectacular. We also visited colleagues in Santiago along with parts of the Chilean Pacific coast we'd never seen before prior to crossing the Andes back to Argentina.We're keenly aware that in our travels we often get to enjoy things that others may never see. After a few days at home we participated in our National Fellowship's annual teen camp where we were responsible for giving and exposition of the characteristics of love according to I Corinthians 13, then in alternate sessions helping the campers to discover the application of the same characteristics throughout the book of Ruth.

Lake Calfaquen Southern Chile at sunset.

Looking east towards Argentina

The GMSA Family

You might enjoy the brief clip (below) Kristi and Danny made of teen camp! Just click on the arrow below. The singing was recorded from the song services.

Remember to pray for Pablo, Marcela and their three children who arrived Thursday morning (Feb. 24) in Trujillo, Peru to study at the Peru Baptist Seminary. They will be missed from our congregation, but we trust the Lord to prepare them for future ministry. Pray with us to that end!

November - December Hilights

2010-12-18T09:44:00.002-03:00

Grandpa Gibbons arrived on November 17th. to spend Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years with us. It will be the first Christmas together in 23 years!

Grandpa checking out camp

Thanksgiving with co-workers and an Argentine friend who lived for over 20 years in California

November 28 Baptisms

The church family enjoyed having services at camp on Sunday, November 28th. to witness the baptisms of Roberto and Jonathan. Praise the Lord the very clear salvation testimonies these two men gave.

Youth play instruments while Pablo leads the song service

Roberto shares how he came to know Christ
and after eight years finally chose to live for Him

Jonathan tells how he began coming to church and
in March of this year trusted Christ for salvation.

Summer Work at Camp

We all work at different times to keep lawns mowed at camp during the summer months, a task that takes many hours. We're so grateful for Martin and Sandra who live on location, and even though Martin works full time secularly, they spend many hours cutting grass and watering trees and manning the drip lines. With very little rain in the last six weeks the survival of many of our trees depend on diligence in this mundane task. Some day people will sit in the shade of the trees, but few will be able to appreciate why they can!!!

Above & Below: Kristi and Debbie cutting grass

Danny & Kristi in front of our home

Multi-purpose Room Near Completion

The tile floor of the multi-purpose room at church was laid recently! Soon the walls will be painted and fixtures installed. The next project will be plumbing and tiling the second bathroom. Praise the Lord for a gift that purchased the tile for the kitchen, multi-purpose room and second bathroom.

Men's Group Closing Event

Each year most of the men and their sons meet one morning a month for a men's breakfast and study. At the end of the year it's become a tradition to gather at camp and have "choripanes" (sausage on a bun). Nearly 30 men and their sons were present on December 13th. for the event.

Above & Below: Fellowship

Martin begins grilling the sausage

We praise the Lord for a fantastic group of men. The potential for leadership is great. Pray for our men that they will step up to the plate: at home and in the local church.

Chivilcoy Celebrates 156 Years

2010-10-31T12:54:00.000-03:00

On Friday, October 22 the President of Argentina, along with her husband (the previous president), the provincial governor, local mayor and other officials visited Chivilcoy for the city's birthday celebration. Our curiosity got the best of us, so we went to the city's main square to have a look! We ended up waiting in a mass crowd for two hours for the President's late arrival. Once she and the other politicians were on the platform we went home to listen and watch on TV. According to the local paper 22,000 people filled the plaza in this city of just 70,000!!! If you follow Argentine news, you may have heard that the presidents husband, probably the most powerful person in Argentine politics, died of a massive heart attack just five days after he was in Chivilcoy.

Debbie, Rocio (one of our youth), Danny and Kristi

A literal sea of people spilling into the plaza (left) and filling the entire width of a four lane avenue. The municipal palace is seen in the background.

View of the platform

Flags and hats are worn by syndicate members. Argentina has very powerful syndicates.

Four thousand students from local schools were present to sing. Some of our own youth were in the group seen on the steps of the Catholic Church in the background holding flags.

President Kirchner comes onto the platform (far left in tan outfit)

A large screen in front of where we stood gives a close up view of the politicians, with Mrs. Kirchner and her now deceased husband on the right.

Mother's Day & Youth Night

2010-10-31T12:30:00.001-03:00

On October 17th. Argentina celebrates Mother's Day. This year we worked with our youth to prepare them for heading up the entire worship service. They did a fabulous job picking hymns, leading the service, playing all the instruments, reading Scripture, poems and several meditations. The kids from children's church also sang. Pray for God to raise up faithful servants from among our youth!

Diego was the service leader. Some of you may remember praying for him a couple of years ago when he suffered a stroke while playing soccer. You would never know today that anything happened to him.

Children's church is a new ministry in our church, which helps to provide three things: teaching oriented to children ages 4 to 8 years; ministry opportunity, especially for our youth; a little quieter atmosphere for the preaching time in the worship service! The children's church kids prepared a special number for the mothers.

Ailen was one of two young ladies who shared a poem in honor of our mothers.

Walter had the important task of giving the announcements. Many of you prayed for Walter around the same time as Diego. He has suffered from a complex sickness involving his immune system. His health is stable, and past symptoms cured.

Rocio was our pianist.

Most of the youth group sang a special number.

Braian did Scripture reading. Braian and his family attend church regularly and need prayer for salvation.

Jonathon read a meditation. He's growing in Christ, and will be baptized in November.

Our son Danny also read a meditation, and obviously we're proud of him!

Matias read the final meditation. Matias is brother to Walter (above), and really seems to be growing spiritually.

They youth did a fine job with the music, which they participate in regularly.

An excellent group was in attendance for the Mother's Day special meeting.

Pastors Gathering in Chivilcoy

2010-10-31T11:58:00.001-03:00

In September, one of our National colleagues suggested a day retreat for missionaries and National pastors to gather in Chivilcoy for fellowship with Deb's folks and to receive needed encouragement from the Scriptures (Deb's dad preaching). Most of our colleagues were able to make it, and the granite counter top in the new kitchen was being installed as they arrived! Not only did we enjoy the Word and the fellowship, but we were able to use the new kitchen at lunch time!

Pastors and missionaries are encouraged as Dad "P" preaches

National pastor and missionary wives

National pastors and missionary men

Important Advances on Phase I of the Church Building Project

2010-10-31T11:48:00.000-03:00

In mid September Debbie's parents and another couple (Scott and Gail) visited from Maine and gave us a hand finishing off the new kitchen just off the new multi-purpose room. Scott painted the portion of the kitchen walls not tiled as well as the ceiling, including the large ceiling in the multi-purpose room. Much waited for new kitchen cabinets were built and granite counter tops installed.

The kitchen floor and walls were tiled just prior to the arrival of our visitors. We ordered the granite counter in advance so they could see it installed before returning to the States.

The pass-through with and aluminum shade makes it easy to serve refreshments into the multi-purpose room

Painting the multi-purpose room and kitchen ceilings was a major job that required cleaning stucco residue from the entire perimeter and cutting the joints in addition to rolling out the paint.

Thanks, Scott and Gail for your hard work!

Thanks Dad and Mom for your hard work!

Saturday Night Youth Group

2010-10-31T11:26:00.001-03:00

Each Saturday between fifteen and twenty youth gather for three hours of youth activities. Martin, our youth leader leads the youth in an hour of singing and study of God's Word. Later, the young people play games like ping-pong, volleyball or UNO. Others may sit in circles playing guitar and singing. Sometimes organized games are prepared in advance. At some point refreshments are served, which could be anything from pizza to cookies. Please pray for three or four who come who are not saved. Pray also for growth and maturity in those who attend regularly.

Debbie leads organized games

Passing the bean!!

Chilling out with the keyboard and guitars

Ping-pong, the all time favorite of almost everyone!!

May to September Fall & Winter Memories

2010-10-31T11:10:00.002-03:00

Winter vacation with the whole family in Tandil, Argentina. Sleeping in, excessive snacking and UNO marathons occupied most of our time!

Hiking around the hills in Tandil

Kati, Debbie, Andy, Danny and Krist
Tandil in the background

Danny's 15th. on May 17th.

Kristi celebrated her 17th. on August 11th.

In mid August Andy joined the Northland Soccer Team in Paysandu, Uruguay for sports ministry. Kati returned to Northland a couple of weeks later. Airport good-byes are never fun, but are a normal part of missionary life. It brings us great joy that Kati and Andy are in Bible College.

May 10-21 Work Team from Clinton, Maine

2010-10-03T15:19:00.000-03:00

We're grateful for the back-braking work of six men from Clinton, Maine who spent ten days helping to install over 100 concrete steel reinforced fence posts on the southwest property line at camp. Their contribution meant the completion of the goal of getting all 171 posts in. In addition to installing the posts, numerous projects were completed inside the maintenance building to make it more efficient for day to day work.

Left to right: Cliff, Jacob, Dave, Ben & Caleb
Back: Dwayne

Cliff used his welding skills to build a basket for our electric
winch. This helps us to store things in our second level storage area

Work begins to finish installing the posts along the fence line.

Dwayne ran the mixer all day long!

Daily "asados" (barbeque's) helped everyone to look forward to work!

Gathered at the last post!

2010-05-06T09:44:00.003-03:00

West Hampden Baptist Church Building Team

April 16-26 we hosted a group of 14 people from West Hampden Baptist Church to come and work on the camp projectn. Seven teenage girls and three of the ladies worked tirelessly painting, staining and doing yard work, while Grammie Corinne (her first time back since Bud's home going, and fifth time to Argentina) stayed at the house and worked with Debbie in getting meals and keeping everyone stocked with treats! The three men worked long hours on the new fence project, ultimately concreting in 66 six foot, 200 lb., steel reinforced concrete fence posts at a distance of every ten feet. More pictures will soon be uploaded to Argentine Camp Project page (bottom right).

Men's Retreat - Paysandu, Uruguay

Tom had the privilege of speaking at a men's retreat April 29-May 1. By the third day there were nearly forty men in attendance, nineteen from several of the fellowship churches in Argentina. Tom gave an exposition of Philemon that revolved around forgiveness. The other speaker, Stephan Rivoire (GMSA Associate missionary from Buenos Aires) gave messages on soul winning.

Top: A picture of the group taken on the last day. Next: Men worshiping in song prior to the Bible study. Next: A brother from Paysandu, Jorge, Tom and Alberto from Chivilcoy. Below: table-side fellowship in the main dining hall.

Unusually warm weather afforded the opportunity to eat noon meals outside . As you can see there was little suffering going on!!! We enjoyed both grilled chicken and "asado" (grilled beef) while there.

Free time gave ample opportunity for philosophizing around mate!!

Short Termer Morgan M. Returns to the U.S.A.

Morgan has been a part of our family since January 31st., participating in a study abroad program through her Bible College while helping in the ministry here in Chivilcoy. She will be sorely missed by us, our youth and rest of the folks at church.

Morgan & Kristi; some of the youth.

January to March 2010

2010-03-25T12:26:00.002-03:00

January 30th. through February 5th. the annual International Conference of the GMSA was held in Paysandu, Uruguay. Dr. Dan Anderson, president of Appalachian Bible College was our speaker and brought challenging messages from I Thessalonians. During the week over 16" of rain fell making for a soggy stay!! By the time conference ended we were ready to leave our damp cabin and the muddy trail to the bathroom behind! However, a broken pulley on the van caused us some delay. Gratefully, it finished it's lifespan before we could leave the camp property and not along the highway in pouring rain! The pulley had been replaced a little over a year ago but did not carry the "Genuine GM Part" stamp. The rest is history. Fortunately I saved the old pulley, but it was five and a half hours away in Chivilcoy! After some contemplation regarding what to do, with the help of visitors from Massachusetts, we contracted a mini-van and driver and came home. How nice to see the sun again! A few days later Debbie and I returned to Uruguay with friends, had the old pulley re-installed and came home without incident!

Above: GMSA missionaries gathered from Argentina, Chile and Uruguay along with board members and visitors from the U.S. Below: Our picture taken at conference. This one didn't impress any of us, and they probably won't be too happy about me posting it here!!

Below, our friends Jack and Susan and their daughter Morgan. They attended conference as visitors and Morgan ministered along with one of our MK's to the younger MK's, a group of around 20 kids! Thanks Morgan and Leah, and thanks Jack and Susan for coming! Morgan stayed on and will be with us until May 6th. She's involved in a program called "Study Abroad" through her university.

On March 11 Debbie blew out candles. We've resorted to number candles because we've reached the age when it's hard to get so many within the limited space provided by the surface of a cake!

August 18 to September 22 Travels

2009-09-26T14:05:00.014-03:00

Thank you to the many who prayed for us, received us in their homes, fed us delicious meals and shared fellowship with us during our recent trip west. By God's grace we arrived home safely on September 22nd. after driving 4,500 miles and flying 4800 miles. We visited friends, family and churches in Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Washington, Oregon, Arizona and Michigan. During this time we left Andy and Kati in the mid-west for Bible college.

Debbie's brother in Indianapolis bought her dad's used car so we offered to take it to them, saving them a trip to Maine and giving Andy the opportunity to fulfill practice requirements in order to get his Maine State Driver's license! We traveled in caravan, Debbie and Andy in the car and Tom and the rest in the van! Praise the Lord for His help and protection between Maine and Indiana.

On our journey west (Maine-Ohio-Indiana-Wisconsin-Indiana) we appreciated the many service areas with their friendly attention, clean facilities and delicious coffee! We're accustomed to something a little different in Argentina!!!

While visiting friends and supporters in Ohio we enjoyed the picturesque scenery and were privileged to stay two days in the lovely cottage pictured below!

Central Ohio is Amish country, offering stark contrasts between the old and the new!

Debbie and the Girls enjoy a tour of a local cheese factory.

Our next stop was Fishers, Indiana, just outside of Indianapolis, where Debbie's brother Matt and family live. Matt, Kathy and their four kids graciously let us use their home for a coming and going point as we traveled north to Wisconsin the west to Washington. We left our van in their driveway when we flew to the west coast.

Our kids enjoyed spending time with their cousins.

On August 25th. we flew from Indianapolis to Seattle Washington to visit family, friends and numerous churches. We made many memories, some of them shared in pictures below.

A trip to Jetty Island on Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest

Grandpa Gibbons above, a moment of r & r below

Danny and Debbie building a sand castle on the beach,

We were entertained by para -surfers (I think that's the right term), and boy did they skim fast across the water!!

The Snohomish River flows into Puget Sound with Mt. Baker and the Cascade Mountains in the background.

Above, Dan and Kris enjoy a snack at Grandpa's table.

(Above) Departing for meeting at Nehalem Valley Bible Church in Vernonia, Oregon.

(Below) Thanks to Tom's Dad's car and our GPS ("Mike") travels were pretty convenient!!!

One of the highlights for Kristi and Danny was a trip with Grandpa Gibbons to a Mariner's game at Safeco Field in Seattle.

(Below) A view of Puget Sound and the Seattle skyline from Bremerton on the Kitsap Penninsula.

(Above & Below) On the boardwalk in Bremerton.

We enjoyed seeing many friends, some we hadn't seen for many years. Paul & Debbie (below) were introduced to each other by Debbie (Gibbons) several years ago and tied the knot in February. What a joy to spend a weekend with them.

We enjoyed the beautiful views at their lakeside home in Bremerton.

...And what's fellowship without good food?

Kristi and Danny kicking back in Paul & Debbie's family room.

Another great highlight was spending time with Tom's family. That included a supper at "Bucca Di Beppo", and Italian Restaurant in Seattle.

Above left to right: Tom's sister in law Claire and brother Gary, Tom, Debbie and Kristi.

Below left to right: Kristi, Danny, Tom's niece Jamie and Husband Eric, Tom's brother Gary, Grandpa Gibbons, Tom's niece Michelle, Debbie and Tom.

Our travels in Puget Sound were made easier by the Washington State Ferry System. This saves literally hours of driving time!

Danny and Deb on the Ferry.

Arriving in Seattle from Bremerton on the Ferry.

An Olympic Mountain sunset from north Seattle.

The next leg of our journey took us from Seattle to Flagstaff, Arizona! Tom's Dad joined us at this point for the rest of our trip back to Maine. Below a beautiful picture of Mt. Rainier taken by Kristi when we took off from Seattle.

I'm not certain everyone was as thrilled to ride this plain (below) from Phoenix to Flaggstaff as Tom was!!

While in Flagstaff Uncle Ray and Aunt Carol took us on a day trip to beautiful Sedona, 35 miles down the mountain from Flagstaff. Flagstaff is at an elevation of nearly 7,000 feet.

Above: Aunt Carol, Uncle Ray and Grandpa Gibbons.

Below: Having lunch in Sedona overlooking a canyon.

Below: The summer home of Lucille Ball in Sedona, Arizona.

What would a drive down the mountain be without an excursion to Dairy Queen???

Below: "The family nose". Tom's cousin did the sculpture which is on display at Northern Arizona University.

Below, Grandpa Gibbons standing next to historic Route 66.

On September 16th. we continued our journey and returned to Indianapolis where we spent a day with Debbie's brother and family, then continued on to norther Wisconsin to visit Andy and Kati at Northland Baptist Bible College.

Above, brunch on the 19th. before our departure.

Below, Andy and Kati.

Below, Lake Michigan on the upper peninsula.

Above, below: the Mackinac Bridge - Lake Huron to the east and Lake Michigan to the West.

After weekend meetings in Ann Arbor, Michigan we departed Monday for home. What a relief to cross the river from New Hampshire into Maine on Tuesday the 22nd.

July Family Happenings

2009-07-28T16:35:00.011-03:00

On July 19th. and 20th. the entire Philbrick/Gibbons family was together in Maine for the first time in 10 years. The 29 family members included mom & dad Philbrick; us and our four kids; Dave, Lena and their three kids (one more due next month) on furlough from Spain; Mark, Tammy and their eight boys visiting from Penna.; Matt, Kathy and their four from Indiana.

All nineteen (soon to be 20) grandchildren are pictured below.

The only granddaughters!!! (Kristi & Kati - back right). With 12 "Philbrick" grandsons, the family name is thought to be eternal.

No home was large enough for everyone to sit down for supper Sunday night so the church basement provided a comfortable place to be together for pizza after church!

Below: Debbie with sisters in law Lena (Spain), Tammy (Penna) and Kathy (Indiana)

One of the few sunny days in the month of July was the 20th!!! God was especially gracious to provide such a beautiful day to be together at the home of mom and dad Philbrick.

The "older" generation challenged the kids to a game of volleyball. If the kids thought they had the cat in the bag, guess again. Though winded and spent up, the wheezing old geezers won!!!

On the evening of the 20th. around 45 or 50 including immediate family and a few long time friends gathered to honor our two graduates from high school: our niece Silvia (mk from Spain) and our son Andy.

Above, Andy and Silvia are remembered from a few years ago!

below: Kati, Danny, Silvia & Nathan (niece and nephew from Spain), Kristi and Andy sing a special number in English and Spanish.

Andy and Lena play while Debbie's brother Dave sings to his daughter Silvia.

Uncle Mark (Penna) and Grammie sing to the graduates.

Nothing could be more meaningful that having Pastor Grampie bring a challenge from God's Word.

Uncle Matt closes in a prayer of dedication for the graduates.

below left to right: Mark & Tammy, Matt & Kathy, Mom & Dad, Dave & Lena, Tom & Debbie

The Philbrick family

Below: siblings - Debbie is the oldest. The rest fall the order of their age from left to right.

"Isn't it, just, just - wonderful?????"

Matt & Kathy

Dave & Lena

Grammie & Grampie

May & June 2009

2009-07-02T10:05:00.011-03:00

We're grateful for an uneventful trip from Argentina to GMSA International Headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on May 8th! In Argentina we host short term workers, colleagues, work teams and friends all year long, so we're accustomed to airport runs! Danny summed it up well while we were checking in at the airport outside of Buenos Aires, "yeah, we're finally the ones travelling"!!!! It had been four and a half years since Andy, Kristi and Danny had been in the USA.

While at GMSA headquarters we had a full schedule. May 12-15 Tom participated in teaching in this year's candidate orientation school and Debbie cared for the candidate's children while home schooling Kristi and Danny. The 18th-21st was General Council, US Board and other meetings.

While in Florida we enjoyed attending Emily Steward's (mk from Chile) baccalaureate and graduation from high school, fellowshipping with colleagues and board members and being hosted by Raul & Jane Villalba our U.S. Office Manager and Bookkeeper.

A major highlight was the acceptance of James and Donnelle Morrell and family and their appointment to Argentina as missionaries. Lord willing, James and Donnelle will be working full time with us on the camp project in Argentina and in a new church planting team.

The Morrell family.

***If you're located in and around the New England states and would like the Morrell's to present their ministry in your church or to another group, please contact me!

On May 26th. we departed Fort Lauderdale for Maine. The second day of our journey we picked Kati up in Beckley, West Virginia where she was doing her first practicum as a requirement for her major at Northland International University.

After lunch with Kati's friend we continued on to Hagerstown, Maryland where we crossed paths with Debbie's brother Matt and family for supper. They were also traveling! We arrived in Maine near noon on Friday the 29th. In spite of a lot of rain and traffic along the way, it was an enjoyable trip as a family.

above: traveling through the Appalachian Mountains

Because Danny and Kristi are on the Argentine school schedule they will continue studies through the U.S. summer, though on a more flexible schedule. They're troopers!!

Some of our first friends in Chivilcoy were Adriano, Sara and their daughter Ana (Aylen was added later!) Though they attend a Korean church in Buenos Aires, two hours away, Adriano and Sara have been a great blessing to us personally and to the ministry in Chivilcoy. We were able to help them get their daughter Ana enrolled at South Merrimack Christian Academy in New Hampshire for her junior and senior years of high school. Ana graduated on June 6th. What a privilege to attend and later receive our friends for a visit where we're hanging our hats in Maine during these furlough months!

below: Adriano, Sara, Grammy and Grampy Philbrick

On June 15th Debbie's brother and family arrived from Spain where they are missionaries. For Tom, Andy, Kristi and Danny it had been ten years since we'd last seen them! Debbie and Kati saw them two years ago when Kati came to begin college.

above & below: enjoying one of the few sunny days renewing our relationship after so many years. We're grateful that all the cousins have hit it off so well!

Our young entrepeneurial children and their cousins have gone into the strawberry business! Mom's & dad's are taking their early morning turns shuttling them to the "u-pick" berry farm, back home for breakfast then down to the only four corners in town where they spend the day until everything is sold out!

above: Kristi, Nathan, Danny and Andy (missing: Silvia)

Kati is working at a local grocer to earn money for college and just sent in for an appointment to obtain her driver's license after fulfilling 35 hours of driving time on her permit. Since kids cannot drive until they're 18 years of age in Argentina ours are a little behind by U.S. standards.

above: Debbie and Kati taking their own picture while enjoying a picnic together near the Maine coast.

Our kids along with cousin Silvia have enjoyed using their talent together at our home church in Maine.

above left to right: Kristi, Danny, Andy and Silvia play the guitar

below: Kati at the piano

Kati and Andy (below) playing the piano together.

And what's going on in Argentina? We praise the Lord for GMSA General Director Terry Thompson and his wife Carol who are taking our place in Chivilcoy. Please pray for a fruitful ministry during our absence!

The first phase of construction on the new church building has gone very slow, and just now what was projected is finished.

above: kitchen area to the back with serving window

below: one of the new bathrooms

above: a view of the multi-purpose room (three sliding doors) and kitchen (right)

below: a view of the multi-purpose room from the roof looking down

below: the kitchen, two bathrooms (tall doors) and stairs up to the terrace.

Construction Advances on Phase I of the Chivilcoy Bible Center Building Project

2009-03-29T12:01:00.009-03:00

Structural work was completed for 960 square feet of new building that will house a multi-purpose room, kitchen and two much needed bathrooms.

Light weight pre-cast ceiling beams are lifted onto the structure (above). The beams are reinforced with steel and insullated with styrofoam. The bottom side of the beams come finished ready to paint (below).

On the top side rebar is dropped into each nerve and steel grid is set in place. Plastic corrugated hose is laid and wired into position for the bottom floor lights, ceiling fans, etc. (above and below).

Concrete was pumped 95 feet from the street to the back of the property and up onto the ceiling beams.

The wide part seen below will be temporarily roofed and the narrow part will be tiled with ceramic. There are stairs (not pictured) down to the back yard. Eventually in the wide part the parsonage will be built. The narrow part over the church kitchen and bathrooms will serve as a deck for the parsonage.

January - February 2009

2009-02-26T18:32:00.008-02:00

Danny (piano - first time for a meeting) and Andy playing for the worship service in Chivilcoy.

Kati (piano) and Kristi (organ) getting ready for church.

"Fifth Sunday Fellowships"
Last year we implemented a "fifth Sunday fellowship service". Each month that has a fifth Sunday we set it aside for testimonies, favorites and a social. It´s been an encouragement to see the church family participate and hear how God is working in each life.

Some of the youth singing choruses new years eve at the camp project site in Chivilcoy.

Family camp was held for our 11 churches January 5 - 9. Around 140 were in attendance. The Gibbons campsite is seen below.

On the road again!

(above - our green van) January 19 traveling through the Andean foothills in Patagonia Argentina en route to southern Chile for the annual international GMSA Missionary conference.

(above, below) After the Andean crossing into Chile the road literally ended at a lake. Where the road ends there´s boat service 19 miles to the other end of the lake.

Andy gives his testimony at conference sharing with the missionary family about his plans to attend Northland Baptist Bible College in Wisconsin this fall.

Lake Calafquen with Mt. Villarica in the background. Notice the smoke coming from the crater! The Mission camp where conference is held is on the shores of this lake.

Missionaries enjoy a ride on the lake with many spectacular views.

Our conferences are working conferences, but there´s always some time for recreation.
(Above) - a game of volleyball, (below) a game of Rook.

The GMSA missionary family - January 2009

Fellowship - a coveted part of conference each year.

General Director, Terry Thompson enjoys a few minutes of fellowship with former General Director George Black (above). Below, Uncle George (as we know him), a church planter in northern Chile, shares his life testimony. He´s 101 years old and may very well be the oldest active fulltime missionary!!!

Our family. Missed and missing Kati (below)

Our return voyage with the Chamberlands. Waiting for the boat back to Argentina.

Progress!
Below - work underway on the first phase of our church building plan. It will include a multi-purpose room, kitchen and two bathrooms.

Pray for Diego Esquivel

2008-11-13T17:23:00.002-02:00

If you receive our e-mail updates you know how to pray for Diego and his family.

2008-10-29T13:43:00.005-02:00

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!

September and October

2008-10-07T09:29:00.009-03:00

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.

2008-09-18T08:40:00.017-03:00

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

April to June Memories

2008-06-21T08:58:00.007-03:00

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!!

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.

Debbie turns ?????? It´s becoming a military secret, but it happens every March 11th.!

2008-03-20T18:23:00.004-03:00

Since Tom was leaving on a ministry related trip on March 10th., we celebrated Deb´s birthday a couple days early with co-workers Lois and Loida (pictured above). However, the ladies of the church planned a surprise party for her actual birthday!

Summer Ministries & Activities

2008-03-20T11:46:00.016-03:00

December 23rd. was our annual Christmas program

We praise the Lord for people from the church family of all ages that participated.

The Gospel was explicit throughout the program, then Tom preached a salvation message. Praise the Lord for many unsaved who were present.

Family Camp in Argentina - January 7-11

Around a hundred people from our nine churches in Argentina gathered for family camp at a rented location.

The schedule afforded ample time for fellowship and fun. National Pastor, Julio Llagarías, brought excellent messages on the family.

Bible teaching and devotional times were very edifying for all of us.

January 19-25 Cliff Rissinger and Dave Daniels were in Chivilcoy working on laying the slab and porch of the camp house. We´re grateful for their labour of love! (See more about camp by clicking on to the ling to your right.)

GMSA 2008 International Missionary Conference

February 1, 2 and 4 the General Council of the GMSA met in in Paysandú, Uruguay followed by our annual international conference the which began the evening of the 4th. and ended Sunday night the 10th. We were blessed by the challenging ministries of Dr. Les Ollila and Dr. Douglas McLachlin, both from Northland Baptist Bible College. Pictured below is the GMSA missionary family along with short termers and friends.

Prior to conference we had the privilege of hosting a number of friends and colleages. Jonathon and Carolin Rea and their two children spent two days with us en route to Uruguay from Chile, then Kevin and Lisa Gower arrived from Clinton, Maine on January 28th. to minister for the third time the mk teens. Curtis and Diane Steward and Daryl and Earlynne Thompson stopped in on their way from Chile and we later traveled together in caravan to Uruguay. Cal and Alice Arnold (retired board member) were in Chivilcoy and traveled to conference with out gang too. After conference most of these were with us again, and we were able to add the Dan Thompson family and Bill and Linda Hixson and their little girl Andrea to the guest list. Bill is chairman of the U.S. Board.

Above: heading north to Uruguay; above: Cal and Alice Arnold; below: Daryl and Earlynne Thompson and Curtis, Diane and Emily Steward begin their near thousand mile journey back to Santiago, Chile from Chivilcoy.

Below: Kevin and Lisa Gower. After working all week with our youth Kevin came back to chivilcoy and spent five hours on the tractor cutting 12 acres of grass! Bottom: Bill and Linda Hixson with Kevin and Lesa.

Dan and Liz and their children stopped in on their way through back to Chile and were able to see the ministry in Chivilcoy as well as the camp project!

Long Awaited Family Vacation!

February 25 through March 2 we enjoy resting in Potrero de los Funes, San Luis, 400 miles west of Chivilcoy. This favourite vacation spot is nestled in a small mountain range and surrounds a small lake. We enjoyed playing Skip-Bo and Rook, walking, paddling around the lake in kyak, playing volleyball, and cooling off in the pool among other things.

The obvious missing picture is Kati´s. This was our first vacation without her and we missed her terribly. By the way, Kati is close to finishing her first year at Northland Baptist Bible College, and Lord willing, at least part of her summer (our winter) she will be with us in Argentina.

Pictured above: the view from our cabin, Kristi

Pictured below: Andy prepares for star gazing, Danny relaxes in the grass.

A Small Congregation in Villa Regina Joins Bible Center Churches

March 10-13 Tom had the privilege of traveling with colleagues (pictured below left to right) Colby Holmes, Pedro Buasso and Julio Llagarías to the city of Villa Regina. Located over 600 miles southwest of Chivilcoy, Villa Regina is situated in the Rio Negro Valley, well known for growing apples and pairs.

Though we enjoyed the sights, the purpose of our trip was to represent our National Church Association to a small group of believers desiring to join the fellowship. Some in the group were in a church planted by Ron Holmes (Colby´s father) in the 70´s, which dissolved around 20 years ago. Most of the present group left the local Baptist Church when it went charismatic ten years ago. Pictured above are Ricardo and Silvina Daglio. Ricardo, a native Argentine, has served with our National Church Association pastoring in Salto, Uruguay for 16 years. He and his family are transitioning to Villa Regina and are in the process of being called as the group´s first pastor. Silvina´s mother and grandmother are residents in Villa Regina. On March 15th. our National Association´s board voted unanimously to accept the group into the fellowship.

Above: Colby Holmes and Ricardo Daglio do special music at a mid-week service in the Villa Regina Church. Though known for apples and pairs, I enjoyed the grapes harvested from a vine, though unseen, just above my head!!

2007-12-22T13:04:00.000-03:00

Welcome Ana Widgeon

Ana arrived on December 14th. from Salavador, Brazil wheres she´s doing a year of university studies on an exchange program. She will be with us until January 24th. This is Ana´s third stay with us in eight years!

Church Inauguration in Uruguay

On December 2nd. a new church facility was inaugurated in Fray Bentos, Some 250 people were present, including neighbors, friends, business people, the local mayor, and believers from the other U.C.B. churches in Uruguay. Tom had the privilege of preaching at the inauguration, and then again on Sunday. This beautiful new property and facility replaces a small chapel six blocks away that had no potential for expansion. Missionaries Sergio and Andrea Duarte have been ministering in Fray Bentos for eleven years.

November 5-9 Tri-Country Pastor & Missionary Conference
For the first time in the history of the "Unión de Centros Bíblicos", the National Church association founded by the GMSA in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay, our pastors and missionaries from all three countries met for three days of teaching and fellowship. Some traveled as far as 24 hours by bus to participate. Others crossed nearly the whole width of the southern cone, while still others crossed the craigy Andes.

The conference was held at the base of the majestic Andes Mountains. One of the highlights was renewing old friendships and making new ones.

Missionary Stan Templeton, and pastor and seminary professor Enóc Príncipe came all the way from Trujillo, Perú to bring messages in the Pastoral Epistles as well as teaching on expositional message preparation.

We suffered through four days of fantastic food! Inspite losing power because of a major electrical storm, we enjoyed a typical Argentine "asado" (beef cooked on an open grill over hot coals).

We praise the Lord for new relationships that were forged as a result of this historic retreat, and for the sound teaching of God´s Word. Many pastors have already requested that we make this an annual event! Pray that this retreat will help further the cause of Christ establishing His church in the southern cone of South America.

2007-09-01T12:05:00.000-03:00

June - July - August 2007

Debbie leads a June Baby Shower

Baby showers have provided an opportunity to encourage young mothers, draw the ladies together, teach Biblical principles related to child raising, and invite unsaved relatives. As displyed in the pictures, it also provides a time for fun!

Short Term Missionaries Visit Argentina

Brother and Sister team, Esther and Drew visited Argentina as short term missionaries for three weeks in July. They were able to spend several days with four missionary families. They left behind an excellent testimony, and deserve your prayers regarding their future.

Drew shares his testimony in church in Chivilcoy while Tom interprets.

Esther shares her testimony while Debbie interprets.

Happy Birthday Kristi!!!

On August 11 Kristi turned 14 years old. Since Kati and Debbie were leaving on July 30 for the States, we celebrated a little early!

Youth Ministries

The church here has been blessed with a youth group of 14 to 16 kids. We´re constantly grateful for the ministry of Martin and Sandra Gorosito and Pablo and Marcela DeGodos with the youth, which includes Saturday nighte youth group, individual discipleship studies, as well as a variety of other events throughout the year.

Kati enjoys a sleepover with girls from the youth group.

MK´s in Ministry
Kati, Andy, Kristi all have been active in music in church. Kristi plays both the organ and the piano, and Andy plays guitar. Below Kati plays the organ. Andy and Kati take their turn working in the nursery.

Saying Good-bye

We are thankful for the opportunity Kati and Andy have had to work in the bakery of a couple from church. The picture below was a going away party they had for Kati.

A last picture of Kati with her Sunday School class.

One last family picture before our nest begins to shrink!

Kati, Carol Thompson, and Debbie at the Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport enroute to Maine from Florida after an overnight flight from Buenos Aires to Miami.

April & May

2007-06-09T19:12:00.000-03:00

April 22, 23 & 24 Evangelistic Meetings
This year we held our second annual evangelistic meetings at the Chivilcoy Bible Center Church. National Pastor Julio Llagarías brough excellent evangelistic messages. Over the three days of meetings we received nineteen visitors, mostly unsaved. There was also excellent attendance on the part of the church family. Praise God for two decisions for Christ as a result of the meetings!

Tom Gibbons, Alberto Tufilaro, and Martin Gorosito sing a special number.

Debbie and Kati Gibbons sing a special number together.

Another Birthday Celebration!!!
Danny turned 12 years old on May 17th. Wow! Our baby will soon be a teenager. Since Tom was traveling to the U.S. for Mission adminsitrative meetings the 16th. through the 27th., we celebrated Danny´s birthday on the 15th.

Continued Training for Present and Future Sunday School Teachers.
Though it may appear to be a church supper!!!!, in reality it´s a brief lunch break during teacher training sessions held on May 19th. We´re grateful for the ministry of colleague Priscilla Goossen who taught the sessions (the third time she´s taught our teachers).

Studens hard at work learning how to better communicate the truths of God´s Word to boys and girls in Sunday School.

A Surprise Project
While Tom was away in the U.S., Debbie and the kids repainted the hallway and the boys room!

Debbie recuperates energy!!!

What a job well done!

Below, Kristi and Kati. Just six more weeks and Kati will be off to Bible College. Our lives will change drastically as we begin this new part of life: letting our kids leave our protective care. Pray for us!

Kristi (above), Kati (below)

"Cool sisters"

Please take a few moments to visit the Argentine Camp Project link on the right hand side of this page and see what was accomplished during the May 29 - June 8 visit of a building team from Clinton, Maine.

2007-05-02T12:49:00.000-03:00

March and April were birthday months in the Gibbons household!

Kati proudly inspects her new "mate" while celebrating her 18th. birthday on March 8th! At her ripe old age it was decided she probably couldn´t blow out 18 candles, thus the "1" and the "8" on her birthday (cheese) cake! Kristi looks on (below) while Katie exerts her energy.

Not to be outdone, Debbie celebrated her birthday three days later on March 11th. We can´t mention her age, only that she was born in 1964! She too likes cheese cake for her birthday. Kristi, Kati, and Danny look on while Debbie closes her eyes and concentrates on blowing hard!!!

April 17th. marked Andy´s 16th. birthday. He had the lung capacity to blow out all 16 candels!!!

Below, Andy enjoys a birthday celebration at the bakery where he works.

A March 27 Baby Shower for Sandra

Baby showers have become a common event in our church with the number of young couples having children! This was Sandra´s second baby shower, and was done after baby Mateo´s arrival in order to maintain the element of surprise! In the picture below Sandra is seated in front of a grey door holding her new born.

A contest is held to determine who can empty a baby bottle first. Below, ladies compete to eat the contents (carmel cream) of a disposable diaper. Gross!!

Three friends: Paloma, Alfonsin and Sofia (daughters of three young couples from church).

Welcome Arces!!

Bev & Lu Arce were with us for three weeks in March. They origionally came to work on the maintenance building at camp, but God had other plans! Because we were unable to enclose the building so Lu could work inside, he spent his time doing much needed computer maintenance for the Gibbons, along with a variety of projects doing finish work on the Mission house here in Chivilcoy. Mrs. Arce kept everyone in sweets!!! Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Arce!!! Pray for the Arces who are now working for a few weeks on a construction project of an orphanage in Greater Buenos Aires. Later they´ll work on the Temperley Church building doing finish work, and Lord willing back to Chivilcoy the end of May for three more weeks.

.
Pardon the feet!!!!

April 8th. - Easter Baptisms

On April 8th. five people shared their testimony of how they came to Christ for salvation and after were baptized. The Lord gave us a day of sunshine among many days of rain. The service was encouraging and different visitors were present. This is the fourth baptism in the work here in Chivilcoy. A portable pool was set up in the back yard of the church for the event. Pray for each one baptized that they will continue on with Christ.

Paula & Matías (above)

Marcela & Vreni (above), Silvana (below)

Summer Activities January, February 2007

2007-02-28T13:35:00.000-03:00

Danny, Kristi and three other youth ready to head out to summer youth camp (ages 11-14) in mid January!

The Chivilcoy Church ministry team meets to go over scheduling and ministry responsabilities in preparation for our absence during annual Mission administrative meetings, the GMSA International Missionary Conference (held in southern Chile January 24-31), and vacation.

Tom and Debbie enjoy cooler weather in the Andean highlands while waiting in a line up of 40 cars to cross the border from Argentina into Chile (January 20, 2007).

GMSA missionaries, appointees and board members gathered for seven days of Bible conference, seminars, business meetings, fellowship and fun in beautiful southern Chile. Dr. David Burgraff of Clearwater Christian College in Florida was our guest speaker.

A little exercise makes sitting long hours more tolerable!!

Missionaries are seen fighting for the fire at the traditional hot dog and marshmellow roast!

Kati follows in the footsteps of many previous mk´s, sharing her testimony and future plans with our Missionary family. Lord willing she´ll be attending Northland Baptist Bible College in the fall of this year.

GMSA MK´s were ministered to by short term workers Jared Park, James Parker, Teresa Thompson (GMSA MK ), and Julie Method. They did a fantastic job with our kids! Apart from being ministered God´s Word, our youth enjoyed activities that included kayaking, swiming, riding zip lines, playing mafia, etc.

GMSA Argentine Field Missionaries. Back Row: Stephan Rivoire (Buenos Aires), Tim Goossen (Gualeguaychú, E.R.), Tom Gibbons (Chivilcoy, B.A.), Colby Holmes (Ezeiza, B.A.). Front Row: Lois Kenney (Chivilcoy, B.A.), Marianne Rivoire (Buenos Aires), Cristina Goossen (Gualeguaychú, E.R.), Debbie Gibbons (Chivilcoy, B.A.), Lesa Holmes (Ezeiza, B.A.), Lois McAllister (Chivilcoy, B.A.). On furlough: Harold and Priscilla Goossen, our Bible Institute Director (Témperley, B.A.).

January 2007

Gospel Mission of South America Missionary Family - January 2007

After conference we journeyed north to Santiago, Chile where we spent three days with colleagues, then crossed back into Argentina and travelled two and half hours east to a small resort area called "Potrero de los Funes." We spent five nights and four days on vacation nestled amongst mountains near a lake. We slept a lot, played lots of "Rook", swam and ate too much!!

Ten days after arriving home our nine Argentine churches held their annual family and youth camp. Over a hundred youth and families met Febrary 19 through 23. Missionaries Tim Goossen and Colby Holmes brought messages on the subjects, "Can Christians Have Fun?" (Tim), and "The Preeminence of Christ" (Colby). In the above picture Kati is playing the accordian and Colby Holmes the guitar (foreground).

November 2 - 4 Ladies Retreat in Paysandú, Uruguay

2006-11-23T12:23:00.000-03:00

Forty women from Uruguay and five from Argentina attended the annual retreat.

Co-workers, Lois Kenney (far left) and Lois McAllister (far right) attended, along with two ladies from Church. Debbie was speaker.

Annual all UCB National Church Picnic - October 16th.

2006-11-23T12:11:00.000-03:00

Jorge Ponte from Chivilcoy exercises his expertise in preparing a delicious Argentine "asado" (grilled beef).

Around three hundred people from the nine UCB churches in Argentina attended the annual picnic.

Tom had the privilege of sharing a message from God´s Word.

Fun at the Lujan Zoo 50 kilometers from Buenos Aires

2006-11-23T11:54:00.000-03:00

Missionaries enjoy the occasional opportunity to get away and do something different! In September we enjoyed a visit from colleagues, Dan and Becca Vallette and their four children, who serve in Paysandú, Uruguay. Their visit gave us a good reason to visit the Lujan Zoo, an hour away.

Daniel in the lion´s den!!! Dan Vallette enjoys an endearing moment with and eight month old lion.

Danny and Keven Vallette enjoy a brief ride on a camel!

Tom with Camila and Vanesa Vallette in the monkey cage!

Becca Vallette - not too sure if she likes riding elephant or not!!!

Scenes from the lives of our kids

2006-11-10T07:35:00.000-03:00

Kati and Kristi work making candles with Flavia, a girl from the youth group. The girls make candles to sell and help pay their way to youth camp.

Andy enjoys being with friends (Victor and Ben Holmes) at a birthday party in Buenos Aires.

Danny enjoys seeing again!! Glasses have made home schooling a pleasure!

Can you pick Kati and Andy out of the crowd?? Both work afternoons at a local bakery owned and operated by a couple from our church.

Church Planting - Bible Institute - Camp Facility Developmente

2006-11-08T10:14:00.000-03:00

Youth from the Chivilcoy Church attended winter youth camp in July. They enjoyed teaching from God´s Word, singing, fellowship and games.

One of the highlights of camp is a Bible competition in which contestants from each church memorize whole chapters of a book of the Bible and participate in answering questions about that particular book. The youth from the Chivilcoy church came in second place!

Andy has had a great school year studying art two evenings with a local art teacher. Ths is one of his masterpieces!! The odd looking black bottle at the top left is recognized in Peru for containing a regional drink called "chicha morada", "Coca-Cola" is typical to the States, and "mate" is a typical Argentine drink. The drawing depicts the diversity of Andy´s background - born in Peru, a U.S. citizen, and living in Argentina!

Church Planting - Bible Institute - Camp Facility Development

2006-08-01T14:03:00.000-03:00

Grampa Philbrick trims Danny´s hair!

Tuesday, July 25th. 22 ladies gathered for a special "evangelistic tea." Debbie´s mom, Joanne Philbrick shared from God´s Word.

Sandra Gorosito shared her testimony and Carol Thompson, in Chivilcoy for a few days with her husband Terry, shared a testimony as well.

National Pastors and GMSA missionaries gathered on Saturday for a time of teaching, prayer and fellowship. Bob Philbrick, pastor and GMSA U.S. Board member shared from God´s Word.

Architect, Juan Carlos Otero, and builder, Roberto Quiroga hold up the finished plans for the future Chivilcoy Bible Center facility. Both men are members of Bible Center Churches in Greater Buenos Aires. Mr. Otero has designedbuildings for our churches as a ministry for many years.

Church Planting - Bible Institute - Camp Facility Development

2006-05-06T08:04:00.000-03:00

Serving in Argentina with Gospel Mission of South America since 1991

Recent Events

Sister Church - Temperley Bible Center -celebrates. A group from Chivilcoy made the two hour trek to attend the 30 year (plus) anniversary and inauguracion of the new facilities in a thanksgiving service held on March 26th. Some 150 people participated in the event. What a blessing to hear of God´s faithfulness through three decades of ministry and see the fruit of God´s generous provision. The Temperley Bible Center was the first church planted by GMSA missionaries in Argentina.

The new auditorium seats 100 people and was filled to capacity with many standing in the aisles and up back. Participants included National pastors, missionaries and believers from most of the Argentine Bible Center churches.

May 1 Labor Day pic -nic

An estimated 200 people from eight of our nine churches gathered for a day of fellowship at a park outside of greater Buenos Aires. For most of the believers, who live in heavily populated areas, a day in the country is a welcome attraction! For the fourteen of us who traveled in from Chivilcoy it´s an opportunity to renew friendships and make new friends.

Missionaries, Lois and Loida, along with two believers from our ministry in Chivilcoy share a time of fellowship drinking "mate" together. Mate is consumed in Argentina like coffee in the Sates. The herb is put in a a gourd, sugar are added, hot water is poured over the tope, and you sip it through a steel straw with a mesh filter on the bottom.

Debbie enoys a time of fellowship with missionary wife, Lesa, believer, Rosa, and a National pastor´s wife, Gabriela. Living a couple of hours away from the rest of our churches make these events extra special.

What ´s a picnic without food?!!? Obviously it was quite a cool fall day (it´s fall south of the ecuator), but the cold south wind didn´t hamper anyone´s appetite!

A pic nic without a soccer ball is like a hot fudge sundae without the hot fudge!!! Andy and friend Santiago kick the soccer ball around with Joanna.

A time of singing praises and hearing a message from God´s Word are a special highlight during the day.

Church Planting - Bible Institute - Camp Facility Development

2006-04-21T12:44:00.000-03:00

Gibbons family update

Kati - turned 17 on March 8th and is in her senior year. She plans to attend Northland Baptist Bible College in Wisconsin in the fall of 2007. In Sunday School Kati co-teaches 6 to 8 eyar olds with Marcela De Godos. God has given her music talent that she uses in a variety of ways. She plays guitar, accordion, piano and organ in church and teaches piano to Danny and Kristi. She continues to study piano as well with a teacher from the local conservatory. Four weekday afternoons and Saturday mornings Kati works behind the counter at a local bakery. (Kati with her Sunday School co-worker and class & playing piano in church)

Andy - turned 15 on April 17 and just started his sophomore year. He´s presently burried in geometry, and I´m sure both he and his mom would appreciate your prayers!! Andy loves sports: soccer, volleybal, ping-pong, and virtually any other sport he has the opportunity to play! He enjoys playing his guitar in church, and also studies piano with a teacher from the local conservatory. Andy works for 2 to 3 hours every day but Sunday at the same local bakery. His work is out back where the bread is made. (Kati playing accordion and Andy, far right, playing guitar. Andy celebrates his 15th. birthday.)

Kristi - is 12 and in the 7th. grade. She and Andy are our quiet ones! Kristi enjoys baking and makes some mean desserts! She also studies piano, and hopefully will begin playing in church before too long. Kristi is wrapping up her first year attending youth group, and has now been to two youth camps! March 26th. marked an important day in Kristi´s life as she followed the Lord in Believer´s Baptism. (Kristi is baptized by her dad! Busy baking!)
Danny - will be 11 in May and is in the 6th. grade. Our baby is growing up!! Danny (like the other three) loves to read, and really enjoys playing table games (Rook, Skip-bo, and you name it!). Danny is another up and coming piano player and likes having his big sister as his piano teacher! March 26th. also marked a mile stone in Danny´s spiritual life, as he followed Christ in Believer´s Baptism. Probably Danny´s favorite summer pass time is swimming! (Danny after a dip in the lake during conference in souther Chile & being baptized by dad.)