Category Archives: Praises
Merry Christmas Video from Colombia
Hey y’all! We hope you all are enjoying time with family, opening presents, eating more than ya ought to, and most of all, celebrating Jesus! Christmas really is a wonderful time. This being our first Christmas in Colombia, things are a bit different for us, but we are so excited that God has allowed us to come this far and we trust he does some great things for his Glory!
Here is a little video we put together tonight, just for you!
Just to give you an idea of Christmas in Colombia, here are a few observations we’ve made…
~ Christmas (both the “Jesus” and the “Santa” side) seems to be an even bigger deal here than in the States
~ This city, Bucaramanga, is known as the City Of Parks, and nearly all of the hundreds of parks are completely decked out with pretty lights and nativity scenes
~ Nativity scenes are seen all over: in Buisness places, homes, government, etc. in fact, people pride themselves on how nice their nativity is set up.
~ Although you start seeing nativity sets in November, Jesus isn’t placed in the scene until the 24th
~ Almost as big as Christmas, a couple weeks ago they had a national holiday celebrating the Immaculate Conception (the party starts the night before and goes all day!)
~ Big fireworks aren’t legal here, but somehow people all around the city have lots of them and love to set them off until the wee hours of the morning. They don’t go down quietly, that’s for sure!
– In the first week of January they celebrate the Day of the Magi (“wise men”) and will also give gifts, mostly to extended family and friends
~ All the celebrations, though religious in nature, are big family get-togethers in which everybody practically marinates in beer, and loud music. A very “festive” time for sure.
I say all this to bring attention to something that beings me to tears… Colombia is so close to knowing Jesus–They even throw huge parties around him; BUT, their trust isn’t in Jesus for salvation, it is in their works, their church, their goodness, their family, their tradition… And if one does not abandon all else and trust on Jesus alone, they will not make it to God! (John 14:6). In other words, many don’t know the very one they celebrate. Do you? Will you pray with me that we can introduce Jesus to these precious folks who are so close?
We love y’all and would love to hear from you. How can we be praying for you? May God bless greatly as you magnify Jesus. Don’t forget– it’s all about Him!
* PS – we’ve been given a cat and a bunny. Please pray for us. Lol…
Happy Thanksgiving from Colombia!
Aubrie and I, along with our girls Amira & Anabel, want to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for your friendship, your support, your prayers, and your heart for seeing God receive maximum glory!
Today is just another day in Colombia, but Thanksgiving is special to us for a few reasons. For one, we got engaged on Thanksgiving! I asked, she said yes, and it’s been a blur since then. Lol
But I give thanks most of all to our Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave his all, so that we might have life. We do not deserve his grace & mercy, but oh, what a wonder it is. Thank you, Jesus!
Do you know him today? Do you know where your eternal home will be? If not, there’s no better day than the present to know that you know, without a shadow of a doubt, that you’re saved! Click here to read more about this or contact us and we can share God’s Good News with you!
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!
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….
July – August 2013 Prayer Letter
Deputation Update
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).
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 — $1,600Baggage Fees — $250Passports — $350Religious 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
The Vance Family 