Category Archives: Prayer Letters
November – December 2013 Prayer Letter
Dear Prayer Partners,
Hola From Colombia!
We have at last arrived on the field! It’s been quite a process, but now the easy part is done and the work has just begun.
The last month in the US was very hectic with 15 meetings in 5 states (what was I thinking??). We sincerely appreciate all that helped us prepare for our departure as well as those that gave monthly and one time gifts. God used you to get us here. You have advanced the cause of the Gospel and there will be eternal fruit to your account.
The Holidays
It was definitely a different experience spending Thanksgiving and Christmas in Colombia without the rest of our extended family, but God’s grace is always sufficient! Christmas is an exciting time here, as everything was completely decked out with lights and nativity scenes. On the surface it appears that Colombians celebrate the Christ of Christmas even more than in the States. However, it brings tears to my eyes that most Colombians don’t KNOW the Christ of Christmas. They know the religious traditions, holidays and rituals, but all without a sweet relationship with Jesus. There is a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof (2 Timothy 3:5). Please pray as we introduce Christ the Savior to those that know him only in tradition and religion.
Click to see a printable version of our letter.
Ministry Opportunities
We have been able to survey different areas of this growing city and have it narrowed down to a couple of neighborhoods for our first church plant, hopefully by Spring. The need here is incredible. We have seen some people saved and are currently working on making contacts and conducting home bible study groups in preparation for the church launch.
During our time getting established we have also been able to attend and help out another Baptist church started by a missionary brother from Panama on the other side of the city from us. I’m currently preaching here each Wednesday. Please pray for Pastor José Morales and this dear church.
Prayer Requests
Again, thank you for your support in prayers and financial gifts. For those that have been holding out, we remain at about 95% of our needed funds and could definitely use a few more monthly partners as we launch our ministry. Please prayerfully consider if God would have you support the work of church planting in Colombia. Souls are in the balance.
Also pray for wisdom in all that goes into starting a church, for open doors to present the Gospel, for men & women as well as young people that we could not only see saved but also trained and discipled.
Lastly, pray for the family as we adjust. The girls are doing great learning some Spanish and Aubrie is gaining fluency. It’s a big change to all but we’re excited to be here for the glory of our great God.
All for Jesus,
Aaron, Aubrie, Amira & Anabel Vance
Philippians 1:20-21
P.S. – Here is our new field address:
Carrera 51 #50-103
Bucaramanga, Santander
Colombia
You can also call us any time on an US number that rings on my cell here: 678-696-0082 or email us: aaronlvance@gmail.com
Farewell, USA! September-October 2013 Prayer Letter
Dear Prayer Partners,
Well friends, this is the last prayer letter you will receive from us for a while…from the USA.
Deputation Update IS FINISHED!!
Yes, within days we will land in Colombia to begin the next stage of our ministry! Deputation has been a blessing to us over the last 2 years. We have made many “yoke fellow” friends. Thank you for standing with us as we take the Gospel to South America.
The best I can tell from our numbers, we were in just over 300 churches, travelling about 150,000 miles. We were in 23 States, stayed in 42 prophet’s chambers and over 100 hotels. It’s been a very busy but exciting time. God has taught us many lessons, primarily that we would trust him. He is a great God, and he always takes care of us. We don’t deserve his blessings, but we are so grateful both to Him and to you that have helped us along our way.
Currently we are at 95% of our needed support. Please pray with me that God would enable just a few more monthly partners, so that we may fully minister to the Colombian people.
Staying In Touch
Technology is great to stay connected overseas. Here’s how to get in touch of us while in Colombia. Be sure to check out our website, bemagnified.org (or sign up for email newsletter!) for periodic updates that aren’t included by mail.
Email:
(also works with iMessage/FaceTime for apple/mac users)
aaronlvance@gmail.com | aubrie888@yahoo.com
Phone:
(US number that will work for texting & calls)
(678) 696-0082
Facebook / Twitter / Skype:
search: aaronlvance
Mailing Address:
(contact us after we arrive and we can give you info on how to send us letters or packages)
Colombia Visit Opportunity!
Upon arrival to Colombia, we’ll immediately begin setting up our house and ministry. I would like to invite you to visit us on a short-term mission trip. We are organizing a special trip for singles & college aged students on June 9-26, 2014. This will include one week at the Our Generation Camp in GA for training, and nearly 2 weeks of seeing the need in Colombia, assisting with the beginning stages of a church plant and making an impact. The cost is $1700 and includes airfare from Atlanta and expenses. See our website for info and to fill out an application. Also, if you are interested in bringing a church or youth group, call or email me to work out a time. We’d love to have you!
Prayer Requests
- Our flight to Colombia on November 13
- That we could find a home to rent quickly
- Contacts to be made & souls to be saved
- Wisdom and safety
- Family back home. It will be hard on them too!
God bless. We love, appreciate, and pray for each of you. Thank you for giving so that we may go. As we see from the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:16-19:
“…Ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
All For Jesus,
Aaron Vance & Family
Philippians 1:20-21
Click for a printable PDF version of our prayer letter.
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
January – February 2013 Prayer Letter Update
January / February 2013
Dear Praying Friends,
What a joy it is to greet you once again and share the goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Deputation & Family Update
Since our last letter, we have added several new monthly financial partners and quite a few others that have expressed interest in joining us. I’m always amazed how God opens doors and crosses our paths with people and churches that desire to have an impact in Colombia. If you haven’t done so yet, I want to encourage you to jump on board with us. Each little bit really does help us get closer to reaching people in Colombia with the Gospel.
Also, if you know of a church that would be interested in supporting us or having us in to present our work, please let me know. You can contact me by clicking here.
From The Mouth Of Babes
Amira, who will be turning 3 in March, has made a habit of singing songs about people she meets. Her last song was about her new friend Kylee and went something like this, “I love my friend Kylee… She likes to color… She likes green, purple, blue and red… She’s my best friend ever… And she loves God too… We like to play… LaLaLaLa….” Maybe someday Amira will write a song about you! 🙂
Colombian Culture Corner
When you visit a home in Colombia (a common occurrence, since they are very relationship oriented), it is customary to bring a gift for the hostess, such as fruit, quality chocolates, a potted plant, or flowers. But DON’T take marigolds or lilies, as they are used in funerals!
An Event To Consider
The Our Generation Student Leadership Camp, May 27-31, is actually 2 camps in one. There is a track for youth groups (Middle/High schoolers) and another for College Students/Singles that are already interested in missions. With all the things you’d expect at a summer camp (Yes, there is a BLOB!), what sets this apart is its focus and theme on missions. Missionaries come from all over the world (including us, Lord willing) to challenge and train young people to live for God and be a WITNESS in our generation. Bring a group, bring a friend, and plan to be there. For more info check out: visionbaptistmissions.com. {{Also, keep an eye on our family’s website, as I’ll be giving away a free sponsorship soon!}}
Prayer Requests
- For growth in the new life of recent converts
- For others to trust Christ, here and far away
- For our support to continue to increase
- For Colombian hearts to be prepared
- For God to raise up more laborers.
Serving The King of Kings,
Aaron, Aubrie, Amira & Anabel Vance
Click on the icon to see the print version of our prayer letter (with pictures)
The Vance Family 