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Soggy Shoes In Medellín!
We made it to Colombia! Our flight landed at about 2:15 PM and we were met at the airport by Rick & Jackie Washburn. They have been missionaries here for well over 30 years and have been so kind as to let us stay in their home for a few days while we’re in this city.
Medellín is a beautiful city. They call it the city of eternal spring. It was 77 degrees today, with overcast skies. Absolutely gorgeous.
Then, it rained.
And rained.
And rained.
And…. rained.
For a good 2 hours there was a constant downpour that overflowed the local canal, which immediately flooded local parking lots.
This picture was taken from the apartment we’re staying in. Crazy.
After the hard rain, it stopped entirely and we were able to walk around the neighborhood downtown close to the Washburn’s apartment.
We have a busy schedule the next few days while we’re here. On Friday we will drive around the city and see the need in different areas. Rich areas, poor areas, business areas, commerce areas, etc… We’ll take the metro (similar to MARTA in Atlanta, GA), and cable cars up to the hills. We hope God will open our eyes to much of the need that is here.
Saturday we will be visiting the Open Arms Foundation pretty much all day. This is an organization that rescues kids out of abusive situations and off of the streets. Many of these, as young children, had been pushed into prostitution, drugs and so many other bad situations. This foundation rescues them from this and gives them the hope that Jesus offers.
Sunday I will be preaching a couple times. Once in a brand new work that the missionary has started, then again at another church that is pastored by a Colombian National.
Then Monday we’ll head to Bucaramanga. That should be interesting!
Thanks for your prayers! We need them.
Getting Back Up To Speed
Life has been zooming by at full speed! We’ve had quite a bit going on over the past few weeks, so here’s an ultra quick update:
1. Hopefully The First Of Many…
Lighthouse Baptist in Dawsonville, Georgia has been my home church since my sophomore year of college 6 years ago and my wife’s home church since 2008 when she moved down to Georgia. We were so honored to be a part of their missions conference this year and look forward to being sent out to start churches and reach the lost in Colombia, South America. This was our first time presenting our ministry in a missions conference! My wife gave her testimony, and I was able to present our ministry plans and preach. Thank you, Lighthouse family for loving us, supporting us and for the generous love offering. We love you guys!
2. More Elbow Room….
God opened up the doors for my little family to move just this past weekend. It was incredible to see how he worked out all the tiny details to get us a place with a little more room. We now have a place that I can use as an office during deputation as I call hundreds of pastors and churches around the nation. Thanks, Lord! Now we’ve got to get unpacked. I don’t know… the “Box Jungle” look is growing on me…. nope, nevermind.
3. Wait, How Old?…
They always say that time flies, but it’s never been so true as now. It’s hard to believe that Amira is already 10 months! That’s almost 1 year! And that’s almost 18! Yikes!! Ha…. Well, anyway, she is now pulling up to stand, crawling like a speed demon (a cute one, of course), drinking through a straw, singing and talking like a politician just before election day. 🙂 Love that little girl!
4. Ten Days & Counting….
Our long-awaited survey trip to Colombia is only 10 days away! We’ve seen the Lord provide in a phenomenal way and now have 100% of our support for the trip. Be praying for us as we visit the cities of Medellín, Bucaramanga and Bogotá. We’ll be visiting a couple existing missionary works, a children’s rescue home and a couple indigenous churches as well. We’ll also be in some areas where there is nothing to be found. It burdens our hearts that we cannot find any like-minded churches or missionaries in so many parts of this country. Will you pray that God works in our hearts and lives as he gives us clear direction as to his will? We are confident that Christ will be magnified.
Thanks for keeping up with us. Feel free to send us a message get in contact with us with any questions or comments you might have. God bless. Love you guys
Colombia Survey Trip Details
Colombia Survey Trip Details
Aaron & Aubrie Vance | February 2011
Target Cities:
∙ Bogotá (July 2009 metro population–8,500,000)
∙ Bucaramanga (July 2009 population–1,300,000)
∙ Medellín (June 2009 metro population–3,500,000)
Goals:
∙ To obtain a larger burden for and understanding of the Colombian people and culture
∙ To gain more of an grasp of God’s Will for us in Colombia, specifically, the when and where
∙ To evaluate possible cities in which God would have us to work
∙ To plan general financial budgets, both personal and ministerial
∙ To assess specific needs and goals for long-term mission work
∙ To look upon the harvest, and to allow our eye to affect our heart
∙ To get footage, pictures and materials to assist with deputation
Information To Obtain:
Cost Of Living:
∙ Rent/Housing Costs per region/estrata
∙ Average Utility Costs per estrata
∙ Available Transportation and Costs–Buses, Taxis, Train, Purchase a Car, etc.
∙ Cost Of Food–Market, Grocery, etc.
∙ Availability and costs of Appliances and Furniture
∙ Residency/Visa Costs, Taxes
Ministerial:
∙ Rent/Purchase of a Building & Property Costs per Region
∙ Legal parameters of starting a church–license, zoning, permission, etc.
∙ Evaluate need and reception of the Gospel per Region (locate other missionaries/churches)
∙ See what is already being done for God’s kingdom and the opposition that exists
∙ Meet experienced pastors and missionaries and learn from them
Missionaries For Possible Contact:
Bogotá:
∙ Michael Hart (mikerhart@juno.com)
∙ William Aya (ayacolombia@yahoo.com)
∙ Ruday Garrido (rgarrido.com)
∙ Johnny Bolin (juanandsusana@abwe.cc.com)
∙ Craig Lingo (craig.lingo@bbfimissions.org)
∙ Freddy Nieto (ibscolombia@yahoo.com)
Bucaramanga:
∙
Medellín:
∙ Rick Washburn (kennethsr@vandaliabaptist.org)
∙ Jerard (ayacolombia@yahoo.com)
Other:
∙ Paul Clark (clark1997@aol.com)
∙ José Morales (josemorales1234@hotmail.com)
Expense Summary For Our Trip
Transportation
Flight from US to Colombia $1000
Flights Between Cities $300
Buses Between Cities $100
Taxi/Buses/Metro $300
Total: $1700
Hotels/Lodging
Bogotá $300
Bucaramanga $300
Medellín $300
Total: $900
Food/Dining
Bogotá $200
Bucaramanga $200
Medellín $200
Total: $600
Miscellaneous
Bogotá $100
Bucaramanga $100
Medellín $100
Total: $300
Grand Total: $3500
THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
Many have tried to guess what our “Big Announcement” would be. Are we having another baby? Are we starting deputation? Did we win the lottery? lol… Most have probably figured it out already by hearing it through the grapevine, picking up on hints, or just being super smart. Well, wait no longer to be sure. Here’s our big news:
September 2010
Dear Friends and Family,
Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! We hope this letter finds you blessed by God, and living daily for His Kingdom. Aubrie and I have some exciting news to share. We are thrilled to announce that we will be taking our survey trip to Colombia in February of 2011!! This is something that we have been anticipating for years as God has burdened us for this place that so desperately needs Christ.
Colombia is commonly reported as the least evangelized of all Latin American countries, yet in recent years its doors are opening wide to the Gospel. Its reputation as a violent and dangerous country is also changing as leftist rebel groups and drug lords are loosing ground. On our trip, we plan to spend 2 weeks visiting missionaries and national pastors that are there doing the work, as well as scan out the land to see exactly where God would have us eventually live and serve. This is a vital step for us.
God has been working on my heart for missions since I was 11 years old. I have been able to go on several mission trips around the globe, including a 6-month internship in Peru, South America. I graduated in 2007 from the Baptist College for World Evangelism. In 2006 God allowed me to begin and pastor a Spanish ministry out of my home church, Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville, GA under Pastor Charles Blackstock. We have seen God do some amazing things during the past 4 years! People have been saved and baptized, lives have been changed, and we’ve seen many rise up in leadership. We have learned so much that will be put to use on the mission field. Although we love serving in the Spanish ministry, our heart is continually burdened for Colombia. We see that God is now opening the door to move on to the next stage of our lives. This survey trip is the next step for us before deputation.
As much as we anticipate our upcoming trip to Colombia, we desperately need your help in order to get there. We need people that will partner with us prayerfully and financially. This trip will cost around $3,500. We know that God will provide every penny, but we also know that he uses people to carry out his work. Will you be one of these people? Will you be a yokefellow together with us? If so, you can make a check out to Lighthouse Baptist Church and mark it “Vance Colombia Trip,” then mail it to 329 Harmony Church Rd. Dawsonville, GA 30534. This gift is tax deductable. If you would like to follow our life and ministry, feel free to check out our website at: www.BeMagnified.com. Thank you, and may God continue to bless you and your family.
May Christ Be Magnified,
Aaron, Aubrie & Amira Vance
Philippians 1:20-21
The Vance Family 