I Love Church!
We’ve been having a wonderful time with the good people at Crossroads of Life Baptist Church in Canton, GA this week during their missions conference, which ends tonight. What a blessing it has been, with good preaching, good singing, good spirit and good fellowship with other missionaries and church members that are passionate about reaching the world… AMEN!
Well, tomorrow, we get to start another missions conference at one of my favorite churches, Vision Baptist Church in Alpharetta, GA. I spent some time in Peru 7 or 8 years ago with the pastor of this church, Austin Gardner. He is a unique leader with a passion for training young men to reach the world. We are definitely honored to have a part in their world missions team. It’s going to be an exciting week, no doubt!
After Vision’s conference ends on Sunday morning, we’ll make the drive up to Sylva, NC to the Victory Baptist Church for their missions conference starting that evening and going until Wednesday.
All in all, we’ll have been in about 32 church services during the month of September. Maybe more, we’ll see.
You know what? …I love church!
I love the opportunity to worship Jesus, study his Word, promote missions, and fellowship with other people who are passionate about God’s GLORY! It’s wonderful, isn’t it? What is your favorite thing about church?
10 Years and 800 Sermons
I was 15 years old, nervous, excited, and desperately wanting God to work through me. It was a Saturday night Youth Revival at a small church in Flowery Branch, Georgia, and it would be my first time preaching.
After weeks of reading, studying, praying, fasting and begging God to do something great, the night came. I preached for 23 minutes about Daring to be a Daniel. I think I preached through about the entire book of Daniel before we finished. 🙂 One young man came forward and dedicated his life to Christ. It was worth it!
That was 10 years ago. God has opened so many doors since then and it has been such a joy preaching His Word. There’s nothing greater than knowing Christ and making Him known!
By God’s grace, He has allowed me to preach around 750 or 800 times in nursing homes, rescue missions, chapel services, mission churches around the world, our Spanish church, and now on deputation at churches across the country. I’m not worthy, but praise the Lamb, HE is!!
Over the past 10 years I’ve learned a few things, and I’m still trying to learn each day. Here are a few things God has taught me:
1. It’s not me, but it is Christ that can change lives!
“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:5-7
2. The Bible text should be the central focus of the message, not my fancy outline!
“Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Acts 20:26-28
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18
3. God’s word will not return void!
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
4. The message must first be preached to me!
“The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” 1 Peter 5:1-4
So, 10 years have passed and unless Christ returns soon, I look forward to many, many more years of preaching and enjoying every opportunity He gives me to bring forth the Word of Life! I wouldn’t trade it for anything. He is worthy!
August Prayer Letter
Thanks for staying up to date with us! (click here to see the full prayer letter with pictures:Â 08-11 vance prayer letter)
Dear Pastor, Partners and Praying Friends,
Deputation Update
It’s hard to believe we’ve already been on deputation for about 4 months now. We have had wonderful meetings in GA, TN, FL, SC, AL, TX, LA and NC since our last prayer letter and have now driven a total of over 16,000 miles. We’re thankful for a couple of new supporters and the interest many others have had in partnering with us soon in order to reach Colombia. We’re now at around 13% of our needed monthly ministry and personal support. Please pray that the rest comes in quickly so we can get to Colombia soon!
This summer we were able to assist in our home church’s Teen Camp and Vacation Bible School. It was wonderful to spend time with these young people and make an impact on their lives. Both Aubrie and I were able to lead several to the Lord at these events. Over 40 were saved total at VBS and several at the camp. Praise HIS name!
I want to thank Hill and Son Tire for giving us a great deal on 4 (much-needed) used tires this month. What a blessing! It’s been amazing seeing how God has provided for our needs from day to day. He is faithful.
Out Of The Mouth Of Babes
The other day while I was holding Amira, I picked up my pen and put it back in my pocket. She looked up at me and with the sweetest voice told me, “Good girl!” Hmmm… It’s amazing how our 17 month old is growing and learning. Check out our blog (bemagnified.org) for a video of some of her latest words and sounds. It’s hilarious (my favorite is her elephant impression!).
Colombian Culture Corner
OK, Spanish lesson time. The word for flour is harina (ah-REE-nah). But don’t get this mixed up with arena (ah-RAY-nah) or araña (ah-RAHN-ya). Those mean sand and spider, respectively. Yummy. Spider tortillas, anybody?
Prayer Requests
1. For our travels as we present our ministry in many churches
2. For our financial support to continue to increase
3. For Colombia’s local elections coming up in October (at least 29 candidates have been assassinated this year alone!)
4. For more laborers to take the Gospel to Colombia!
For Christ and His Glory,
Aaron Aubrie and Amira Vance
Check Out This Awesome New Resource!!
I strongly believe that Latin America is one of the ripest areas in the world for church planting. The countries are open. The people are receptive. The Gospel is starting to take root. I believe we are on the verge of seeing a massive revival!
If you get a few minutes, I want you to check out this a brand new website chock full of resources for church planting in Latin America. It’s called The Latin Bridge. You see, in order to see this revival come to pass in our generation, we need more laborers and we need to get the right tools in those laborers’ hands.
If you or somebody you know are interested in becoming a church planter, or if you’re a layman or pastor that wants to have a part in seeing people reached with the Gospel we’d like to be a bridge. Check out the website here!
Colombia Is Pretty Fruity!
When we went to Colombia in February on our survey trip, one of the many things that stood out to us was the wide variety of fruits there. I just read this article this morning and thought I’d pass it along. Get to know 11 interesting fruits that you’ll find if you ever come visit us…
11 Exotic Tropical Fruits of Colombia
Colombia is best known for its wide variety of orchids, as well as its other species of flowers, birds and butterflies. Â What some people may fail to explore are all the exotic tropical fruits of Colombia.
The colors, smells, flavors and textures of the fruits that flourish in this rich area are not to be missed.
Here are some of my favorites:
Cherimoya
Cherimoya (Photo: little blue hen)
It has a green exterior that looks like it is covered with soft thumb prints, same interior as the guanabana. The fruit is fleshy and soft, sweet, white in color, with a sherbert-like texture.
Some characterize the flavor as a blend of banana, pineapple, papaya, peach and strawberry. Others describe it as tasting like commercial bubblegum. Mark Twain called the cherimoya “the most delicious fruit known to men.”
Granadilla
Granadilla (photo: quinet)
Hard, round, usually orange exterior best eaten by using your fingernails to crack the skin, then sucking the snot-like crunchy seeds out from the inside. If you can get past the visual, it’s incredible.
Guanabana
Guanabana (photo: clandestino_20)
Massive green fruit with soft thorn-like pieces covering it. The inside is a white fleshy substance with black/brown seeds.
Its flavor has been described as a combination of strawberry and pineapple with sour citrus flavor notes contrasting with an underlying creamy flavor reminiscent of coconut or banana. The Guanabana tree is a miraculous, natural, cancer cell killer 10,000 times stronger than Chemo.
Guava
Brazilian Guava (photo: keetr)
Guava fruit generally have a pronounced and typical fragrance, similar to lemon rind but less sharp.
Guava pulp may be sweet or sour, off-white to deep pink, with the seeds in the central pulp of variable number and hardness, depending on species.
Lulo
Lulo fruit and juice (photo: Luna sin estrellas)
Looks like and feels like a small orange tomato. The fruit has a citrus flavor, sometimes described as a combination of rhubarb and lime. The juice of the lulo is almost always used as a drink since it is usually too strong in flavor to eat.
Mamoncillo
Mamoncillo (photo: iguana_box)
The fruit, somewhat like a cross between a lychee and a lime, has a tight and thin, but rigid layer of skin, traditionally cracked by the teeth. They grow on a branch like grapes and are green in color.
Maracuya (aka Passion Fruit)
Maracuya (photo: Vic Lic)
Similar appearance to the granadilla, interior and exterior.
Pitahaya
Pitahaya (photo: pellesten)
Cactus fruit which are sour and refreshing with a juicier flesh and stronger taste. Â The fruit must be cut to get to the fleshy center which is eaten together with its black crunchy seeds.
Tomate de Arbol
Tomate de Arbol (photo: Luna sin estrellas)
An egg-shaped edible fruit that looks like a tomato. The flesh of the tomate de arbol is tangy and variably sweet, with a bold and complex flavor, and may be compared to kiwifruit, tomato, guave or passion fruit. The skin and the flesh near it have a bitter taste and are not usually eaten raw but in juices with cinnamon.
Uchuva
Uchuva (photo: Mataparda)
Its most notable feature is the inflated, papery calyx enclosing each berry. Inside the skin is the tart, tangy, cream pulp (technically the seed coat), which is sucked by putting the whole fruit inside the mouth. It is bright orange and sweet when ripe but can be extremely sour and face-puckering also.
Zapote
Zapotes (photo: leoncillo sabino)
This unusual fruit is round with a rough brown skin. The pale orange inside also has a slightly rough texture and a sweet, malty taste. There are a few large black seeds but they are easy to remove.
Head to any of the local fruit markets to get the freshest and cheapest variety of these exotic fruits, or try them in juice form from street vendors and restaurants. They are much more refreshing and revitalizing then coffee, or cheese bread.
Or, if you visit the coast, you can find many of these fruits hanging from the trees, waiting for you to pick and eat them fresh.
The Vance Family 