Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Before we share some plans for this Fall 2007 and for Jan 2008, and what has happened since our Feb journal, we want you to read some quotable quotes from The A Family Team & Network members after their Jan trip to Chile:

Carol Nagy (NJ—Healthcare Advocate): “The churches remind me of the list of churches in Revelation, each one a star, a lampstand, in the very presence of Jesus Christ. These churches, without all the press and fanfare, are undeterred by the size of the job to be done, and simply draw the power and the vision from the Holy Spirit.”

Carolyn Haines (NJ—Regional Advocate): “The next day we flew back to Santiago to be met once again by the Bonilla-Giovanetti and members of the San Bernardo congregation who now felt like old friends. I know that if I were to go back now, or even several years from now, that I would instantly feel at home with these wonderful believers.”

Dick Sharber (NJ—our Energizer): “And for me, it was a time of extra freedom and joy in ministry and also of sharpened clarity about my own calling. I'm grateful for another glimpse of how gracious our God is and how big and wondrous is his world. And I’m glad for a preview of the picture in Revelation, when people from every nation and tribe and language are gathered before the heavenly throne, shouting in unity, “Salvation belongs to our God.”

Dan & Cori Catellier (IN—our MK Advocate and the Energizer for the Bolicks): “We have told our home church family that you will never find a warmer greeting than in the church families in Chile. This is something that cannot be explained, though, it must be experienced!”

Lee & Lynn Riggs (IN—our Church Relations Advocate): “One of the joys of an on-going relationship is to see how God has been at work over a period of time. With this fifth visit in six years, we saw how what began with one church’s visit to a given mission, has now involved many churches both in Indiana and in Chile, and led to the new five year commitment to partnership in ministry between our Region and the Chilean Convention.”

Manuel Hernandez (IN—ABC/IN&KY Region President): “My first trip to Chile was one of the most memorable trips of my life. In San Carlos, I stayed with the pastor and his family; spending time with them and really sharing our lives together. To sit at their table and break bread together was a blessing. A piece of my heart was left there and I know that I will surely return. The Holy Spirit is what binds believers together all over the world.”

Kalyn Broderick (NY—Network member): I´ve been restored, revived, and reborn again because of your little faith in me and inviting me. I just thought that you should know that. No teacher, or person of that matter, truly sees how far their influence goes. I´m just letting you get a little idea of what you´ve done. To just one person. From just one week. Keep shining your light. Someday this dark world will be lit with God´s light.”

Things happen when God’s children are together. These teams worked together to help lay a foundation for the expansion of a sanctuary; helped with final preparations for a church dedication; participated in 3 VBSs; visited 7 churches in two weeks; participated in a yearly convention meeting; worshipped together in a different language and saw God at work in different ways, places, and people (including themselves!); they loved and were loved intensely. You can experience this too. Stay tuned for some opportunities coming up.

Yours because of Him,
Mayra and the Bonilla-Giovanetti tribe

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Carlos & Mayra, and Alberto, Carolina & Daniela Bonilla
ABFMS Missionaries and MKs to Chile

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;
and you will be my witnesses
in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 1:8