Colombian Drug Submarine Seized
Check out this video of Colombian police seizing a huge submarine meant to smuggle up to 5 10 tons of cocaine at a time.
Please pray for Colombia. Not all Colombians are part of rebel paramilitary groups. They aren’t all druglords. They aren’t all crackheads. But, just like every human being, all Colombians need Christ!
(Click here if you can’t see the embedded video)
Thank you for staying up to date with us!
The Big Announcement
Yesterday I posted on Twitter and Facebook that we would be announcing something big. Last time we did that, it turned out to be our survey trip to Colombia which preceded deputation. Well yesterday after posting the teaser, there ensued a great swarm of speculation… from “congrats on the twins” to “baby?” to “boys, girls, or both?” to…. wait, everybody really guessed that we’re having a baby? Could it be that simple? Was it that obvious? Hmmm
Actually, all of the guessers was at least partially right. Yes, we are expecting our second child!!
So now, questions fill our thoughts…. What will we name him (I’m pretty sure it’s a boy lol) … or her? What will he or she look like? How will we fit it all into our schedule? But really, we’re so thrilled that God would be so gracious to us in entrusting another precious child into our care. Looks like we’ll get to know the newest Vance in late May or early June.
It will be interesting to see how our little Amira reacts to not being the little baby anymore. If you have multiple kids, how did your older one react when they got a new sibling? Feel free to respond in the comments.
Thank you all for your prayers. Be praying for Aubrie especially as we will be travelling for some far-from-home meetings coming up this fall and into next year as we present our ministry in Colombia.
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: 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
The Vance Family 