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
Class, Camp, Celebration, & Challenge – A Machine Gun Update
Hey friends! There has been much going on lately in the Vance family household. God has been good (what’s new there?!) and we’ve been enjoying each minute. This post is simply to get you all up to speed on some amazing recent events… (I alliterated it for my preacher friends, so bear with me).
Class
The past week was both exciting and exhausting as I was privileged to teach a 14 hour modular class at the Our Generation Training Center on Evangelism & Leader Training in Catholic Cultures. God really blessed as we went through the Master Plan of World Evangelism and some of The Gospel According to Rome. I’d definitely recommend both of these books if you are serious about both learning how Jesus trained leaders to reach the world, and how to deliver the Gospel to those that are close yet still depend on works.
Camp
My family and I will leave Monday morning to spend a week with teens and college students from around the country at the OG Student Leadership Camp. I was at the very first camp that was held 9 years ago just before I spent 6 months in Peru preparing for the mission field. The camp helped me tremendously as I was able to get around missionaries that were getting the job done in reaching people and training men. It was encouraging to see how God was using other young men, and now I’m able to return on the other side of that equation. Please pray that God works in the lives of the many teens and singles that will be there. God has a plan for each of them. Pray that some are saved, some are called, and all would be surrendered to God’s will for their life!
Celebration
This Sunday our little Anabel turns 1-year-old! It’s crazy how time flys by. It seems like just last week that we brought her home from the delivery room. It seems like just yesterday she was starting treatment for her tumor (which is doing fantastic, by the way), and it seems like a few minutes ago she was an infant. Now she’s trying to talk, walk (she’s getting close!) and she’s growing up into a little lady. Wow… We joy in the fact that God has entrusted our children to us, and we take very seriously our responsibility to shepherd their hearts and guide them through their childhood years toward knowledge of, and commitment to, Christ.
Challenge
In our last prayer letter I mentioned that as of right now, it looks like we’ll be moving to Colombia in November. Well, that is becoming more of a reality each day! Our support continues to steadily rise (at 79% now!), and our setup fund needs are being met, little by little. We just received the girl’s passports this week and will be getting our religious visa for Colombia very soon. Here’s the challenge: Would you pray that everything goes smoothly in these last few months? There’s much to do, still some money to raise and lots of traveling to do on deputation between now and then. Secondly, would you pray that God would send more people to Colombia? The need is great. The laborers are few! If we were to plant a church for every 50,000 people, we would need at least 940 churches throughout the country! Maybe God would have you to come and help us.
We love y’all and would love to hear how things are going in your lives. What can we pray for you about? Keep your eyes on Jesus… He’s coming soon, we must be busy in the work he has left us to do. God bless!
April 2013 Prayer Letter
Dear Pastors and Prayer Partners,
I am amazed at the Lord’s goodness to unworthy people like us! Consider the fact that we were once the enemy of God (Colossians 1:21), and now he has made us his representative and ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)… His grace sure is rich!
Deputation Update
We have been blessed on deputation. For a year and a half, God has kept us safe, provided for each of our needs and allowed us to see people saved along the way. We have truly enjoyed each moment! Through your faithful prayers and giving, the Lord has now provided over 77% of our needed support! We are thankful to have added quite a few new partners since our last letter, and we only need a handful more churches to join us before leaving for Colombia.
With our departure nearing (November, Lord willing), we are now in the process of getting our setup fund ready. We will be purchasing tickets very soon, along with getting our passports and visas all set for our move. If your church or Sunday School class is interested in giving to this project, contact me by phone or email or send donations to our mission board and mark the check “Aaron Vance – Setup Fund.” For a list of specific items we will need to set up our home in Colombia, please check out our website: www.bemagnified.org.
From The Mouth Of Babes
Our 3-year-old Amira was talking to my Mother-in-law the other day who told her that she missed her a lot and was crying for her. Amira quickly gave comfort by saying, “It’s OK Mamaw, don’t be sad. God is here!” It’s amazing to see her picking up on spiritual truths like these.
Colombian Culture Corner
There are two words that are often heard in Colombia when people want to say something is “cool” or “neat.” Those words are “chévere” (CHEH-beh-ray) and “bacano” (bah-CAH-no). If something is really cool and you are feeling particularly adventurous, you can put those words together. Now, isn’t that chévere bacano?
Prayer Requests
- For several that we’ve seen saved recently
- For others to trust Christ, here and far away
- For our support & setup needs to be fully funded by this November
- For God to prepare hearts in Colombia even before we arrive
- For God to raise up more laborers for Colombia
- For the Our Generation Camp at the end of May
Thanks again for your constant prayers and financial support. We love you and pray Christ’s best for you. Also, we’d love to hear from you to know how things are in your life & ministry.
Serving the Worthy King,
Aaron, Aubrie, Amira & Anabel Vance
Click to see the printable pdf version of this prayer letter (with pictures!)
A Week That Will Change Your Life {GIVEAWAY}
This summer, my family and I will be joining a team of missionaries in helping out at the Our Generation Camp in Dayton, TN. I want to challenge you to consider coming this year. It has made such an impact in my life, that I plan on giving away a sponsorship for somebody by next week (see how to win at the end of this post).
The following description is from their website:
In 2004 a group of young missionaries headed to the field held a camp (Baptist Camp for World Evangelism) for college age students interested in foreign missions. God blessed in a such a tremendous way that the world is still feeling the impact of the decisions made that week as alumni are now serving all over the world. Over the years the camp evolved into the Our Generation Student Leadership Conference and remained a focused training ground for foreign missions. In 2011 we expanded our vision and began to provide the Our Generation Camp for middle school and high school age students. It allowed them exposure to young missionaries, missions training, plus all the fun and excitement expected in a summer camp.During the Our Generation Camp we have two tracks running simultaneously. Two camps, five days, but for one mission! We are blessed to have over a dozen missionaries families join us to serve as keynote speakers, counselors, and to spend time with the students. We believe this unique equation makes for an awesome week with maximum impact on the life of the teenagers and college students.
Date: May 27 – May 31, 2013 (Mon – Fri)
Location: Fort Bluff in Dayton, TN
Cost: $200 (special pricing for youth groups)
Interested in bringing a group!?!
We would love to hear from you! Please, email Trent@visionbaptist.com. He will communicate with you directly and answer any questions you may have.
We will email you a Youth Pastor Packet that will help you as you promote the camp to your youth group, meet with the parents of the teenagers, and recruit youth sponsors to join you.
In partnership with Fort Bluff Camp and missionaries around the world we believe we offer a premier, missions focused camp at an extremely reasonable price. We have all you would expect in a summer camp plus so much more!!
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To see more info about camp speakers, the schedule, and to register, please visit the official camp website here.
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Now, for the good part…
Sponsorship Giveaway!
If you are interested in coming to the camp or know somebody else that is, I want to help you get there! How do you win? Simple… leave a comment below, share this post on Facebook or Twitter, or subscribe to the email updates. Doing each of these things will earn you a separate entry. Then, next Wednesday, April 17th I will use a random picker to select the winner.
The Vance Family 