Blog Archives
January – February 2013 Prayer Letter Update
January / February 2013
Dear Praying Friends,
What a joy it is to greet you once again and share the goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Deputation & Family Update
Since our last letter, we have added several new monthly financial partners and quite a few others that have expressed interest in joining us. I’m always amazed how God opens doors and crosses our paths with people and churches that desire to have an impact in Colombia. If you haven’t done so yet, I want to encourage you to jump on board with us. Each little bit really does help us get closer to reaching people in Colombia with the Gospel.
Also, if you know of a church that would be interested in supporting us or having us in to present our work, please let me know. You can contact me by clicking here.
From The Mouth Of Babes
Amira, who will be turning 3 in March, has made a habit of singing songs about people she meets. Her last song was about her new friend Kylee and went something like this, “I love my friend Kylee… She likes to color… She likes green, purple, blue and red… She’s my best friend ever… And she loves God too… We like to play… LaLaLaLa….” Maybe someday Amira will write a song about you! 🙂
Colombian Culture Corner
When you visit a home in Colombia (a common occurrence, since they are very relationship oriented), it is customary to bring a gift for the hostess, such as fruit, quality chocolates, a potted plant, or flowers. But DON’T take marigolds or lilies, as they are used in funerals!
An Event To Consider
The Our Generation Student Leadership Camp, May 27-31, is actually 2 camps in one. There is a track for youth groups (Middle/High schoolers) and another for College Students/Singles that are already interested in missions. With all the things you’d expect at a summer camp (Yes, there is a BLOB!), what sets this apart is its focus and theme on missions. Missionaries come from all over the world (including us, Lord willing) to challenge and train young people to live for God and be a WITNESS in our generation. Bring a group, bring a friend, and plan to be there. For more info check out: visionbaptistmissions.com. {{Also, keep an eye on our family’s website, as I’ll be giving away a free sponsorship soon!}}
Prayer Requests
- For growth in the new life of recent converts
- For others to trust Christ, here and far away
- For our support to continue to increase
- For Colombian hearts to be prepared
- For God to raise up more laborers.
Serving The King of Kings,
Aaron, Aubrie, Amira & Anabel Vance
Click on the icon to see the print version of our prayer letter (with pictures)
Happy Birthday to My Amazing Wife!
You are an amazing woman.
I don’t know a better wife, mother, helpmeet, Christian.
Your strength inspires me.
Your smile encourages me.
Your love blesses me.
Thank you for loving God, and loving me through God’s love.
I love you and would give my life for you.
Happy birthday.
May the Hope, Peace & Love of The Lord always reign in our hearts and lives, and may He give us many more years together to serve and magnify Him.
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
- 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 