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
Vance Family Footnotes
• Wednesday – Sunday of this past week was spent in Zachary, LA at Grace Baptist Church. I don’t know of many other churches that are so given to missions! What a blessing it was.
• On the way to Louisiana last week I was able to stop by Pensacola Christian College in FL to see my brother Zach. He’s a music major in his 3rd year there… love that guy!
• We’ve picked up two new supporters (and a couple other “hopefuls” as well!) over the last two weeks. I believe this puts us right at 50% — Praise the Lord!
• Iglesia Bautista El Faro, the Spanish church we started in GA celebrated their 6th anniversary last Sunday. It really killed me not to be there, but I was told that the Lord really blessed in a great way! The Lord is doing such a great job through Pastor Alfonso.
• Hell’s Gates, an outreach event at our home church, has also gone very well. My pastor told me today that 84 people have made salvation decisions so far this month! If you haven’t been yet and live anywhere near Georgia, you should definitely make plans to go. There are only two weekends left. Let me know if you have any questions.
• IN THE NEWS: Please be praying for Colombia as they begin peace talks with the FARC rebel group today in Norway. This has been a highly anticipated event that has brought many mixed feelings amongst Colombians. May God’s will be done.
• VIDEO: Why You Should Bring Your Young People To The Summit
• PAST POST TO CONSIDER: Colombian Fruit
• FROM THE WORD: “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10
• Some pictures from the week:
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- Anabel and Amira, all ready for Sunday church!
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- Zach is working hard at PCC studying music. Love that guy
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- Grace Baptist in Louisiana took the missionaries skeet shooting during the missions conference. Can you believe that I missed all 50 skeets?! Man, I need to practice…
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- The Parade of Nations at Grace Baptist. This was cool.
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- Thank God for modern technology like Skype. I get to chat with my family all the time when travelling my myself. Notice the little eyes behind the couch. 🙂
Thanks for keeping up with us. We’d love to hear from you… just comment, message or email us to let us know how we can pray for you. May God bless!
Vance Family Footnotes
- It has been North Carolina week for us!
- Started out this week’s meetings at Community Baptist Church in Siler City, NC for their Missions Sunday.
- I was blown away by the generosity and heart of this dear church. It’s exciting to see people who love Jesus and His mission
- I preached and presented our ministry in Sunday School, then a director from BIMI (another mission board) preached the main service.
- This man is a member of the church near Chattanooga that I went to as a child! It’s crazy how time flies… I remember him well.
- Sunday evening I preached and presented our ministry at Pleasant Plains Baptist in Apex, NC.
- What a fine group of faithful people. It was a joy to be there and meet these folks.
- Wednesday I was privileged to be with the people of Temple Baptist in Mount Airy, NC
- (This is the “Mayberry” of the Andy Griffith Show) — It was cool to stroll around town while in the area.
- After the service here, they, along with 2 others this week, expressed their interest and plan to take us on for support. Praise God!
- Also, God met a huge need through an unlikely source. I’ve been without a computer for a little while, and a young man said God laid it on his heart to buy me one with some extra money he had. What a huge blessing! Thank you Joseph.
- I think it’s easy to feel spoiled as a missionary. We’re way blessed beyond what we deserve, that’s for sure.
- Video to consider: Do You Suffer From D.I.M.S.?
A few pictures from the week…
Vance Family Footnotes
- It’s been another blessed & busy week.
- We were able to be with Pastor Steve Powers and Oconee Baptist Church in Bishop, GA last Wednesday to present our ministry.
- He started the church that Chris Webb, a good friend of mine and former assistant pastor at our home church now pastors.
- Sunday Morning through Wednesday we were part of our mission board’s annual conference at Crossroads Baptist Church in Lawrenceville, GA.
- Morning and Evening services were such a blessing and encouragement to me!
- Thanks Crossroads Baptist Church and pastor Kuykendall for all you did for us. We were blown away by your hospitality!
- Monday morning Anabel had her follow-up appointment with the Pediatric Dermatologist who oversaw her care last month in beginning her treatment.
- She upped the dosage of Anabel’s medication according to her weight and will see her every month for now to keep monitoring her.
- Amira has been sick all week and was kind enough to share it with me.
- Two more churches let us know they took us on for monthly support this week!
- We praise the Lord for His provision and care of us.
Vance Family Footnotes
I’ll be starting a regular posting of where we’ve been and what’s going on with us as we raise support to go to Colombia. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this type of update.
∙ We enjoyed being fairly close to our home this past week after being on the road for quite a while
∙ I attended a conference Tuesday and Wednesday in Atlanta in Spanish geared toward evangelism. It encouraged me to see hundreds of Hispanic pastors and their members excited about reaching others for God’s glory.
∙ Last Wednesday I presented our ministry at Good News Baptist Church in Candler, NC with Pastor Steve Smith. Great meeting and great church!
∙ Sunday Morning I got to preach twice while at Trinity Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA for their missions month. What a fun time we had with these dear people (and they gave us several pints of strawberries… Amira’s favorite!). The last time I was at this church was on my 11th birthday when my parents were part of their missions conference. My, how time flies.
∙ Sunday evening we had the rare privilege to be at our home Spanish church (where I had pastored) and to interpret for my Dad as he ministered there through an evangelistic Chalk art presentation.
∙ Anabel had a follow-up appointment with her eye specialist who was the one to recommend the treatment for her tumor. She was very impressed on how Anabel has improved! We won’t go back there for another 6 months. Next week we’ll see the Pediatric Dermatologist that oversaw her treatment at Egleston Children’s Hospital.
∙ My trusty Macbook computer has officially died after 6 years of hard use. I thought it was just the hard drive, but I took it to a repair place and they said it is the logic board/magsafe board. Anyways, repairs will cost hundreds more than it is worth. Time to save up for another. Pray God provides for this need.
∙ I was able to witness to two young Mormon missionaries yesterday after helping them jump off their car battery. Matthew 5:43-48 and Proverbs 25:21-22 come to mind. Pray that these men will trust Christ as their Savior.
∙ We’ve had 3 new financial partners just added to our team. Praise the Lord!!
Thank you for all for keeping up to date with our family. It means so much to us and we are very grateful.
How can we pray for you? Let us know in a message or comment.
The Vance Family 