Category Archives: Praises

Our First Week In Colombia


It has been one crazy week. We have finally made it on the ground in Bucaramanga Colombia, thanks to many of you who have helped us with your prayers, finances and helping hands. You are a blessing to us!

This is just a quick update to let you know what we’ve been up to. Be sure to follow us on Facebook & Twitter for more frequent postings!

  • We left on early Wednesday the 13th of November.
  • My parents and Josh Sims (an awesome fellow from our home church) helped us get our stuff to the airport.
  • We hauled 15 checked bags, 8 carry on bags, 2 car seats, a stroller, and oh yeah, 2 kids too! That was crazy
  • In Bogotá we were picked up by and spent the night with good friends of ours, Pastor Freddy Nieto & family.
  • We had to get up and going again about 3 AM to catch our flight to Bucaramanga Colombia, our final stop.
  • Once we arrived, we were met at the airport by a Panamanian missionary, José Morales, and another new friend with a big truck (we filled that up quickly!)
  • We already had a temporary furnished apartment lined up and took our things directly there
  • Our first week we have gotten blood drawn for legal paperwork, received documents that let us sign for things here (called a cédula), gotten our cell phones working with a local company, and begun looking at houses.
  • Please pray that God will give complete wisdom in choosing a house or apartment. We hope to be signing on something thing by this weekend
  • We have also participated in Sunday and midweek services with our Panamanian missionary friends the Morales. There is a new church plant hosted in their garage on the other side of town from us. I preached on Sunday night and we were so glad to see two people accept Christ after the service! Pray for Santiago and Michel
  • I finished my Bible reading plan yesterday. It is called the four streams plan, basically taking me through the NT 4 times, the OT once, Proverbs 4 times and Psalms twice. I only missed one day the whole year (the day we had our Miscarriage in May)! I highly recommend you getting a reading plan if you are interested in knowing and serving God. It’s amazing how many Christians have never read the Book they say they believe!
  • The girls are well, though Amira is somewhat disappointed all her favorite cartoons on TV are in Spanish! Lol
  • Both of the girls are making lots of friends and picking up a little on the language. That will come very soon I believe.
  • Side note: Our little girls are always in the spotlight and are affectionately called “Monitas” which literally means, Little Monkeys. It’s what they call blondes here. Kinda catchy!
  • Extra side note: Yes, the coffee here is very good. 🙂
  • I can’t help but to think everywhere I go, “God, you can build a work here! God, this man could be a pastor! God, this woman could be a Sunday school teacher! God, this area could be filled with light instead of darkness! God, would you do a work through us here? We know you are able!”
  • I’ll try to post an update like this at least weekly so you can know how to pray for us.
  • Remember, you can always email us at aaronlvance@gmail.com or call/text at 678-686-0082. This US number forwards to my phone here. We’d love to hear from you! God bless. We love you in Christ.

    Here are a few pictures of the things I have mentioned….

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    July – August 2013 Prayer Letter


    Deputation Update

    Click to see and print our full prayer letter (with pictures)

    Click to see and print our full prayer letter (with pictures)

    The countdown has begun! As I sit here to write this letter, it is almost surreal to know that in just over 2 months we will land in Bucaramanga, Colombia to begin our ministry of church-planting. For the past 2 years on deputation, we have been so blessed and humbled by the many churches and individuals that have helped us along our way. Thank you all for holding the ropes for us. The work is just beginning.

    Many have helped with our setup fund needs, and we are most grateful! If you’d still like to have a part, we’d encourage you to check out our website (BeMagnified.org) to see an updated list of our needs. Gifts can be given online through PayPal or by sending a check to our Mission Board and marking it “Aaron Vance” or “322.” Pastors, would you consider taking up a special offering for this?

    Family Update

    My wife and our little girls are excited about moving to South America. It seems every time we get in the car, Amira asks if it’s time to move to Colombia yet. To say there is much work to do is quite an understatement. Please pray everything goes smoothly in these last days.

    Aubrie is recovering well from her surgery. Thank you all for your prayers in that matter. Our God is always faithful and good, and we pray that even in most difficult moments He would receive great glory.

    Colombian Culture Corner

    According to CIA.gov, 75% of Colombians live in cities. This rate is going up rapidly as every year more families and students are looking for a better life and future. Looking at the New Testament model of church planting in Acts, there is a strong focus on reaching cities, whereby the Gospel could easily spread into smaller towns and villages. We need more laborers for the thousands of cities around the world that lack a strong Gospel witness. There are still about 200 of these cities in Colombia. Would you be willing to give your life to reach a city?

    Prayer Requests

    • Pray that the remaining 10% of our monthly support would be raised before we leave
    • Pray for several setup fund needs to be met (see website for details)
    • Pray for travels to our remaining 2 dozen meetings with churches around the Eastern US
    • Pray that God would prepare hearts of Colombians to receive the Gospel before we arrive
    • Pray for more laborers. How about you?

    It excites me to know that soon, many Colombians will hear the true Gospel message for the first time. You have had a part in this through your prayers and financial support. Thank you. Please let us know how we can pray for you.

    All for Jesus,

    Aaron Vance & Family

    Prayer Letter for May & June 2013


    Dear Pastors and Prayer Partners,

    Deputation Update

    Click To See Printable PDF (with pictures).

    Click To See Printable PDF (with pictures).

    It has been whirlwind since our last letter. We’ve participated in youth camps & weeks of training, seen people saved and called into missions, and of course we’ve had a blast preaching and sharing our ministry in churches all around the Eastern US.

    Colombia is getting closer each day! Our tickets are paid for and now set for November 13th. God constantly takes care of each need, and he has used many of you to do that. Thank you!

    Our support is currently just over 80% and we hope to be fully supported before leaving. Will you pray that God will enable churches to join us as monthly partners? Also, we’ve been saving for our setup fund, and many have so generously given, but we still have some more needs in this area. Would you pray about making a special offering through your church or Sunday School class for this need? This will help us as we get started in reaching people in Colombia. Below are several items that we will need and others which have already been provided for. Gifts can be sent through our Mission Board or online through Paypal.

    Set Up Fund Needs

    • Four Airline Tickets — $1,600
    • Baggage Fees — $250
    • Passports — $350
    • Religious Visa — $500
    • Hotel upon arrival — $500
    • Apartment deposit — $2,000
    • Beds & Furniture — $1,500
    • Refrigerator — $500
    • Washer/Dryer — $1,000
    • Oven/Range — $300
    • Water Purification — $300
    • Used Vehicle — $6,000

    Family Update

    As many may have heard, we recently lost our 3rd child which we were expecting to be born in January. Many others who have also gone through this have helped with words of encouragement. In addition, we discovered that Aubrie also has a painful disease called endometriosis. Her doctor wants to do surgery on August 1st {*UPDATE – July 25*} to relieve the pain. There is no real cure for this disease and many of those affected continue to have surgeries most of their lives. Aubrie is also looking into some alternative treatments, including drastic diet changes, to hopefully reduce the pain and need for additional surgeries. Thanks for your prayers with us in this matter. God is still good, and he knows each struggle we have. We couldn’t imagine going through this without Him!

    From The Mouth Of Babes

    During our family devotions, our 3-year-old Amira prayed, “Dear Jesus, please let my little brother come back from Heaven because I miss him!”

    Colombian Culture Corner

    672 Colombians died today… And yesterday… And the day before… According to Colombia’s death rate, 672 people will meet God each day! The saddest part is that most of those will not make it into heaven. They are trusting in their own works, their religion, their effort. And the Bible says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9). You see, it’s not what we do, it’s about believing in what Christ has DONE. Colombians need to hear this! Thanks for helping us take God’s good news to them. We love y’all!

    In Christ & For His Glory,

    Aaron Vance & Family
    BeMagnified.org

     

     

    I Just Need To Say…


    Thank you.

    I was thinking today about all those of you that have invested us, and it really blows me away!

    You have sacrificed time in praying for us regularly.

    You have sacrificed finances and given so that we may go.

    You have treated us more kindly than we deserve.

    You have cared for us, loved us, helped us, kept in touch…

    We are spoiled.

    I feel like the most blessed person in the world.

    Every minute, every dime, every thought and kind word given has helped us on our way to Colombia.

    God has been doing a great work, and you’ve had a part!

    Lives have been and will be eternally impacted because of you.

    So, thank you!

    Video Update – June 2013


    Here is a quick video to let you know what is going on with our family this month as we journey to Colombia, South America to start churches and teach the Bible.

    In this update:

    • Deputation is almost finished!
    • We lost a pregnancy, but we know that God has a plan in it
    • Challenge about Colombia

    Keep up with our story and find out more at http://www.bemagnified.org