Blog Archives
God Works Through Blessings & Trials — March 2022 Prayer Letter
Reading time: 3 minutes
Dear Praying Friends & Family,
Hectic and crazy are words that could easily describe February and March. At the same time, we have seen God’s blessings in abundance. People are getting saved, baptized, discipled, and commissioned. It’s a great time to serve the Lord in Colombia!
Church at Capacity!
All of the churches here are growing! Our newest work, Agape Baptist, is especially busting at the seams lately. After just over a year, we are now at nearly 100% capacity! Over 150 people gather each week to study the Word, encourage one another and serve together. Several were recently baptized, and we just presented another 30 new people for membership. We enjoyed a joint men’s camp with our other churches in March. Nearly 50 men set aside a couple of days to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:1). We praise God for working in raising up men for his cause. Christ is building his church! Speaking of buildings, though, pray that God gives us wisdom for our next steps. We would love to purchase our current facility and the adjacent property, but it will cost quite a bit. If this is God’s will, we trust Him for the funds.
Bible Institute Back In Session!
In February, we launched a new semester of Bible and ministry training. This year we have a record high of students, with over 60 adults attending classes! Besides our basic Bible and hermeneutics classes, I meet weekly with 25 men who especially want to train for the Gospel ministry.
Robbery at Café Madrid Baptist!
Our second church, which we started around five years ago, is in one of the most dangerous communities in our city. In all these years, we never had any problems… until this February. Somebody stole nearly everything — almost all the chairs, fans, sound equipment, food, and even the children’s ministry craft supplies. After it happened, I posted this on Facebook, and two of our supporting churches responded almost immediately with special gifts. Thanks to Lighthouse Baptist in Georgia and Community Baptist in North Carolina for your generosity!
God Still Works Miracles!
I am still healing well after being run over by a truck in January. Therapy has been brutal, but it’s the good type of pain (if that exists!). The doctors told me two months ago that the tendon that controls my index finger was severed, as I had no movement whatsoever in that finger. The orthopedic surgeon said this could only be repaired through another surgery, though so much time had passed since the accident that the likelihood of a full recovery was low. Miraculously, I have regained movement and some strength in that finger. The doctors are confused, but we praise the Lord — He still works miracles!
Schedule for Furlough 2022
We will be back in the US from May 2022 through January 2023 for a furlough to give an update to our supporting churches and try to raise more monthly financial support for the growing ministry. Our calendar is already starting to fill up. If you would like to schedule us, please email me at aaronlvance@gmail.com or call/text at (678) 696-0082. We’d love the opportunity to come to share what God is doing in Colombia. Many of you receive our update letters but are not yet part of our support team. Would you consider partnering with us to continue to carry out the Great Commission?
Thanks again to all of you for your prayers and support. Everything good here also comes with some hardship and spiritual warfare. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s a blessing to serve our King. Please keep praying!
In Christ’s Humble Service,
Aaron & Aubrie Vance
(Along with the girls: Amira, Anabel, Aris & Alethea)
“For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;”
— 1 Thessalonians 3:9 —
Pastor Félix baptizing an 80-year-old convert at our first church, El Faro. 
Our Man Camp was a great success. Thank God for raising up faithful men. 
One of the best things about the Bible Institute this year is seeing graduates now teaching some of the classes! Pastor Juan is doing a great job teaching this class on the Gospels. 
Amira turned twelve in March! She is becoming quite the seamstress too (she made this dress).
Run Over By a Truck! — January 2022 Prayer Letter
Reading time: 3 minutes
Dear Praying Friends & Family,
We often forget that every day is a gift from God, and every breath we take is a token of His grace. I was reminded of this truth once again at the beginning of January. People said I shouldn’t have survived. But by God’s grace, I did.
Run Over By A Truck
Yes, that literally happened! While doing errands on my motorcycle, the breaks went out on a truck behind me. He pummeled into me, then ran over my left arm. Thankfully it wasn’t worse. Surgeons were able to repair two severe fractures with plates and screws. They are hopeful for a recovery in about 6 months. I may also need another surgery soon to repair a ruptured tendon in my finger. I may never get full mobility back in my hand. Until then, I am learning how to do many things with one hand and thank God for preserving my life. He still has me here for something! Aubrie and the girls have been amazing little nurses.
Standing In The Gap
The accident occurred two days before the youth camp I mentioned in our last letter. I was one of the main speakers, but as you can imagine, my body wasn’t up for the 14-hour bus ride! We still sent a group of around 30 youth, mostly from the new church. Another pastor preached the messages God wanted to be preached, and God mightily worked! Many made decisions for salvation, sanctification, and service. Thanks to all who prayed and gave toward this need.
More Laborers
Jesus told us in Matthew 9:37-38, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” We have been doing this for over twelve years now, both for the world and for Colombia. First, he sent us. Then, little by little, we have seen more missionaries and pastors come to work the ripe mission field around our country. Just in the past month, two more missionary families have arrived to work here in our city. We praise the Lord! Pray with us for the Cox and Carpio families. However, there are still many untouched corners of this harvest field. Will you also pray that God sends more willing workers?
Furlough Tickets Bought!
Lord willing, we will be landing in Atlanta, GA on May 18th to begin a 7-month furlough. We will use this time to rest as a family, to report God’s work to some of our supporting churches, to raise more support for the growing ministry, to reconnect with family, and to help churches and Christians renew their passion for world missions. It will also give the churches and leaders here a chance to step up and not rely too much on our presence. We’re still trying to find a place to stay and a car to drive, but we know God will provide. Also, if you would like to schedule a meeting for us to present the ministry, please reach out to me.
Thank you all for your prayers and financial support. Thanks also to those who have recently sent special gifts. These have helped more than you can know. Friend, our time is short. The night comes when no man can work. If the Lord were to come back today, may he find us faithful and fruitful, laboring in love, by his power, and for his glory!
In God’s Strength,
Aaron & Aubrie Vance
(Along with the girls: Amira, Anabel, Aris & Alethea)
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Our girls are on the balcony of our home. God often sends rainbows to remind us of his goodness and faithfulness. 
The transit police officer is writing up the report after my motorcycle accident. 
You can see the damage and repair done to fix my arm. We thank God it wasn’t worse! 
Our youth pastor, Felipe, with some of the teens at camp. 
Pastor José Nelson is now leading our Café Madrid church.
The Vance Family 
