Time flies when you are having fun…Well, we had a lot of fun this year and also had our share of trials as we continued to minister to and with our Chilean brothers and sisters. "On the run" is the name of a convenience store in Chilean gas stations, but it also describes how we live (both while in Chile and now in the States…). As we write, we have already been almost three months in the States for our US/PR assignment year! Incredible…

A brief catch up of this "on the run" year, brings us back to where we left off a year ago. We had the Cátedra Ismael Neveu in October with unprecedented attendance, gave a workshop for the youth in November, had the graduation from the Institute in December, continued leading the three monthly mother-to-mother breastfeeding support groups, and hosted three almost-simultaneous mission groups in December/January. We co-hosted with the Bolicks a group from Indiana, received Carla Colon from First Baptist Church of Caguas, Puerto Rico, to prepare a girls choir for the Convention's meeting in January and also for the Convention we hosted the Coral de Varones (Men's Choir) from the same church.

All this while expecting the birth of our third live child, born June 19th, Daniela Judit. From January to July when we left Chile we continued our ministry activities and travels throughout Chile. Only in May did we slow down a bit to prepare for Daniela's birth and prepare for our move to the States. Throughout the prayers of so many faithful, we were able to complete all our tasks on time, including Daniela's birth on her due date! All paperwork for her and for our departure was ready when we needed and we flew out of Chile right after her first month check up.

Being back in the US has been quite an experience. We have really felt the difference of the aftermath of 9/11. Getting settled took a lot longer than we had anticipated. We are grateful that the community of Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wynnewood, PA greeted us as their Missionaries-in-Residence, which has really helped us a lot. Otherwise it would have been even more complicated.

While living on-campus, we're taking advantage to audit a couple of courses, share some of our experiences, and encourage those we come in contact with to continue their theological studies as they seek to serve the Lord in their communities and as they are possibly being called to also serve overseas. We also continue our home schooling with Alberto and Carolina has just joined us. Daniela is growing quite fast and is already able to turn tummy-side-up and vice versa, smiles and laughs; and so do we since her colic is over…

Our deputation schedule has already taken us to many places in the vicinities of Pennsylvania (Engleville, Starruca, Wilkes Barre), and Bridgeton, NJ. We have more visits coming up. Make sure you put your requests for our visit with your Minister of Mission Support in your region. If you are not sure whom they are click here to find out: http://www.abcusamissions.org/contact/ministers.cfm

Continue to pray for our fellow workers, the Heneises and the Bolicks, their families, and ministries. The Heneises just returned to Chile after their US/PR assignment year. The Bolicks have been in the States since February 2004 and are expecting the birth of their second child any day now. Also pray for the Instituto Teologico Bautista and their new Rector (Patricia Cofre) and new Dean (Susan Calliñir). Pray for the Convencion de Iglesias Bautistas de la Mision Chilena, and our home church: New Hope Baptist Church in San Carlos. Pray for the support groups as they continue to reach out to the communities around them. And, please continue to pray for us as a family, our growth, our health, our daily lives in Pennsylvania, and all the visits ahead of us.

Remember that you are part of this adventure and without God's hand on us and your faithfulness we cannot do it. Thanks for sharing with us in this journey.

With cheerful hearts and prayers,

Carlos and Mayra Bonilla