Category Archives: Prayer Letters
December 2012 Prayer Letter & Christmas Update
Merry Christmas from our family to yours! Aubrie and I pray that you have a wonderful, Christ-filled year, and that God would do even greater things through you than ever before.
Deputation & Family Update
This year, we have travelled over 40,000 miles, been in 156 churches, and seen our support grow to nearly 60% (almost all of which has come in since January!). We welcomed Anabel into our family back in May, and have welcomed many into our spiritual family that have been saved along the way. Praise Jesus!
It is always humbling to me as we travel that anybody would let me preach and share our ministry to Colombia. Then to think that many give so sacrificially so that we can go, it is amazing. Thank you, to all of you that have given, prayed, kept in touch and helped us along our way. You have blessed this family! I think of Paul’s words to the church at Philippi in the Bible:
“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 my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:16-19
Amira and Anabel are both healthy and growing. Anabel just had her dosage reduced to twice a day for the tumor they started treating back in August. It has all but vanished, and her doctors are impressed at her progress. Just a few months of treatments left. Thanks to those that have prayed for her.
From The Mouth Of Babes
Speaking of Anabel, she is babbling a lot, and occasionally says “mama” but so far has refused to say “dada.” I’d be dishonest to say I’m not at least a little jealous. 🙂
Colombian Culture Corner
In Spanish, to wish somebody a Merry Christmas, say “Feliz Navidad” (fell-EECE nah-bee-DAHD). If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you could add “y prospero año nuevo” (EE pro-SPEHR-o AHN-yo nu-EH-bo) — “and have a prosperous new year.”
Think On These Things
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:16, 36).
Have you believed on Jesus? Have you been saved? That is the whole reason we celebrate Christmas. Please contact us if you have questions about salvation. It’s the most important decision you can ever make. Please don’t put it off!
I’ve included our Christmas card. Once again, thank you for staying up to date with us, for the prayers and faithful support. God bless!
Serving The King of Kings,
Aaron, Aubrie, Amira & Anabel Vance
Click Here to see the print version of our prayer letter.
September – October 2012 Prayer Letter
Click here to see the full, printable prayer letter (with pictures).
September/October 2012
Dear Praying Friends,
Deputation & Family Update
I am happy to announce that, as of October, we’re at over 53% of our support! After just over a year on deputation, we’re thrilled about getting closer to reaching Colombia with the Gospel. If you haven’t jumped on board as a partner yet, we’d love to extend your ministry to Colombia. Most of all, thanks for your prayers. It’s obvious somebody is holding the ropes for us.
The past couple months have been amazing. We’ve been in some wonderful churches, met people who instantly became great friends, been able to witness to several individuals and seen God provide for great needs. The Hell’s Gates program I mentioned in our last letter was a success with 5,000 attenders and at least 530 that made professions of faith. Amen!
From The Mouth Of Babes
Recently, Amira, our 2 ½ year old daughter, had disobeyed us, so I sat down to talk to her. She was in tears, knowing she had done wrong. Seeing a teaching opportunity, I said, “Amira, we all mess up and disobey sometimes, but there’s one person that is perfect and has never done wrong. Do you know who that is?” She instantly replied, “MAMAW!” (That’s my mother-in-law!). Oh boy, we’ve got some work to do… 🙂
Colombian Culture Corner
When in Colombia, you NEVER slam any type of door, especially doors on a taxi. It’s frowned upon in the USA, but it might get you thrown out of the taxi in Colombia. (We learned this the hard way last year on our survey trip!)
An Event To Consider
The Our Generation Summit (December 31st – January 2nd) is an incredibly exciting missions centered retreat set in beautiful Pigeon Forge, TN. It is a meeting that the whole church and the whole family will enjoy! Each teen, single, couple and church leader will find something that will help them in their walk with the Lord and in the task of world evangelism. This years theme is WITNESS. We are looking at the challenge laid out to us in God’s Word to be a witness to all nations. For info, visit: visionbaptistmissions.com or call: 770-456-5881.
Prayer Points
1. Travels while on deputation
2. Salvation of lost friends
3. Financial support (now over 53%)
4. 46 million Colombians still need the Gospel!
Serving The King of Kings,
Aaron, Aubrie, Amira & Anabel Vance
August 2012 Prayer Letter
Dear Praying Friends,
Deputation & Family Update
It has been quite a busy couple months since our last paper prayer letter! God has blessed in incredible ways and we’ve seen our support climb to 43% as of the first of August. We praise the Lord and trust him for the rest to come in soon so we can get to Colombia. Thank you so much for your faithful prayers and financial gifts. We couldn’t serve the way we do without you holding the ropes for us.
Our newest daughter, Anabel, was diagnosed with a Strawberry Hemangioma (a type of infant tumor) on her hand and eye brow. The one above her eye was growing and forcing her eye to close, so at the end of August we spent a couple of nights in the children’s hospital in Atlanta to start treatment. It has improved and they are hoping for a full recovery after a year of medication! I have posted more details and pictures on our website: http://www.bemagnified.org.
From The Mouth Of Babes
Recently while at a church in Madison, GA, we met with the pastor before the service. Our 2 ½ year old Amira heard a crinkle sound when he put his hands in his pocket. Without missing a beat she asked him, “You have candy for meeee?” He then took her to a basket full of sweets and made a new friend. 🙂
Colombian Culture Corner
In Colombia, using your two fingers to indicate length of something is an obscene gesture. Instead, extend your right arm and use your left hand to mark off distance.
My wife is from northern Ohio and she experienced a bit of southern culture shock while in our Georgia home the other day… a live scorpion by the baby bed! Yikes! (We’re just getting prepped up for Colombia, of course.)
An Event To Consider
HELL’S GATES is an outdoor end-times drama put on by our home church during October. Last year was a huge success. Over 400 people made salvation decisions and many others were challenged. If you live anywhere near Georgia, bring your church group or lost friends! For more info, and group or individual tickets, visit http://www.hellsgates.com or call 1-888-295-0099.
Prayer Points
1. Travels while on deputation
2. Salvation of lost friends/family
3. Financial support (now over 43%)
4. 46 million Colombians still need the Gospel!
We have just printed new, updated prayer cards. Please let me know if you would like any of these sent to you.
Serving The King of Kings,
Aaron, Aubrie, Amira & Anabel Vance
Click to see or print the entire letter (with pictures).
June 2012 Prayer Letter
June 2012
Dear Praying Friends and Family,
Deputation and Family update…
She’s here! Anabel May Vance was born on May 26th, was 7 lb 8 oz and 20 ½ inches long. Healthy and beautiful, both her and her mommy are doing wonderful. Amira loves having a baby sister and has responded extremely well to having the new little one around. (You can see more details and pictures on our website: www.bemagnified.org or www.facebook.com/aaronlvance)
I am constantly amazed at how good God is to us. We gained 7 new monthly financial partners in May and 4 in April. This puts us at 33% of our needed support. Praise the Lord!! Would you pray that we would reach 100% support by our goal of the middle of next year? Perhaps God would have you to join our team of partners. We’d love to help you extend your ministry to Colombia.
Out of the Mouth of Babes…
Our 2-year-old Amira is learning and growing every day it seems. Recently, when we ask her to do something (like pick up her toys) she often says, “Sorry Mommy & Daddy, I’m too busy!”. And sometimes when she asks us for something (like candy) and we say no, she says, “What I got to do?!” … Where does she pick up this stuff? 🙂
Colombian Culture Corner
In Colombia, once a friendship has developed, greetings become warmer and a lot more hands on. Men will embrace and pat each other on the shoulder (known as an “abrazo”) and women kiss once on the right cheek.
There are over 200 cities in Colombia that still don’t have a Baptist church. Would you pray that God would send more laborers? Maybe he would send you. Let us know if we can pray with you about this.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support. We couldn’t do what we do without you. We love you and thank God for you. Stay even connected with us through our website: www.bemagnified.org or give us a call: 678-696-0082. God bless!
Prayer Points
1. Baby Anabel and Aubrie as they recover
2. Travels while on deputation
3. Salvation of lost friends/family
4. Financial support (now over 33%)
5. Colombia, 46 million people still need the Gospel!
April 2012 Prayer Letter
Click here to see our full prayer letter (with pictures!)
Dear Pastors, Friends and Family,
Deputation & Family Update
It is hard to believe it’s been almost a year since we sent in our application to Macedonia World Baptist Missions, had our initial interview and were approved as church planting missionaries to Colombia. We’ve been through much since then, including turning over the Spanish church I was pastoring in Georgia, orientation, hundreds of hours on the phone booking meetings, over 54,000 miles of traveling, preaching, meeting people, and seeing God work in amazing ways. We’ve seen people saved, others that God has called as missionaries, and we’ve seen the Lord provide financially, even when it has seemed impossible. Also, there has been a great surge of people deciding to partner with us financially, especially since the first of this year. For us, deputation has been both a growing experience and a blast!
Our family is now preparing to welcome baby girl #2 (still no name!), due around May 24th. Hopefully I’ll be able to introduce her to you in the next prayer letter. Amira, our oldest just turned two on March 26th and is elated at the thought of having her own, living baby to play with. Do you think she’ll share? It sure has been interesting working in the appointments with Aubrie’s doctor around our travelling schedule. We’re hardly around our home, it seems.
Out Of The Mouth Of Babes
[From Aubrie] It was funny a couple weeks ago when Amira ran up to me while I was brushing my teeth, hugged my legs and said “I carry Mommy’, and I thought it was so sweet until she stopped and said “Mommy heavy” and ran in the other room….. 🙂
Colombian Culture Corner
A common phrase you’ll hear in Colombia is “A buen hambre no hay mal pan” (ah buEN AHM-bre no eye mahl pahn) which means literally, “To great hunger there is no bad bread” or our idiomatic equivalent: “Beggars can’t be choosers!”
Prayer Points
1. Safe remainder of pregnancy
2. Travels while on deputation
3. Salvation of lost friends/family
4. Financial support (now over 25%)
5. Colombia, in need of the Gospel!
Thank you so much for your prayers and support! We love you and thank God for you.
Servants of the King,
Aaron, Aubrie, Amira (& Baby) Vance
*PS – Check our our website for more frequent updates! http://www.BeMagnified.org
The Vance Family 