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Travel & Teaching — March 2024 Prayer Letter
Reading time: 3 minutes
Dear Praying Friends & Family,
God continues to open abundant opportunities to serve him here in Colombia and beyond. This year has been packed with travel & teaching. We are deeply grateful for your prayers and support, which have been instrumental in our mission work.
Training Pastors in India And Nepal
I was invited to train national pastors in India and Nepal in January. Over one month, I preached and taught 41 times in 8 churches and 11 different pastors’ and leaders’ conferences. Over 2,000 people attended, with 800 of those being pastors. We were in many regions, each with its own dialect and culture. The travel was strenuous, and the schedule was demanding, but God blessed us in huge ways! The theme of these conferences was Gospel-Centered life and ministry.
Multiply Conference in Chile
March brought a new opportunity to preach and teach in the annual pastors and leaders conference at the Chile Baptist Seminary, hosted by veteran missionary Jason Holt. It was a blessing to share with the Chilean pastors about evangelism and discipleship and learn from the ministry experience of other faithful missionaries and pastors.
Growing Churches in Colombia
We are thrilled with the spiritual and numerical growth of the churches God has allowed us to start in Colombia. We regularly witness new people getting saved, baptized, and joining the local churches, but it never gets old! The Gospel is changing lives! God has blessed our evangelism and discipleship efforts, and we’re always looking for ways to continue to push forward. There is still much to do!
Men’s Camp
The men from our churches always look forward to gathering collectively in March for our annual men’s retreat. We focused this year on living out the principles of the upside-down kingdom of God. Pastors Felix and Juan joined me in teaching, and the Lord worked in many hearts.
New Semester of Bible Institute
We also started a new year of Bible and ministry training classes in March to prepare our churches’ upcoming pastors and leaders. We praise God for the 40(+) students studying apologetics and ecclesiology this semester. Additionally, I gather with 25 men weekly who feel called into pastoral ministry. We go over doctrine, ministry ethics, and homiletics. Only God knows what the future holds for these faithful believers!
Building Prayer Request
We have mentioned the fundraising efforts to purchase our current rented facility for Agape Baptist Church. We praise God for meeting the initial goal and being able to start the paperwork process. However, the US dollar has lost about 25% of its value compared to the Colombian Peso over the past year, and it is now the lowest it has been in 3 years. Aside from affecting our personal finances, this significantly impacts the value of the funds we still need to bring from the US to Colombia to finalize the purchase of the building. Pray for this need.
For The Cause of Christ,
Aaron & Aubrie Vance
(Along with the girls: Amira, Anabel, Aris & Alethea)
“Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the ant of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;”
—2 Corinthians 9:11-12—
I learned to preach shoe-less and in a kurta (man dress) in India. All things to all men! 
What a great work God is doing in Chile! The night sessions were held outdoors. 
“We spent 15 years in a religion that only gave us more fear of eternity. Now we know Christ, his Gospel and his peace!”
-Luis Fernando giving his testimony before getting baptized.
Pastor Felix teaching in the men’s retreat. It’s been great seeing God’s work in him and through him during the past decade. 
It’s a great honor to teach and train God’s choice servants. Pray for his work in them. 
In February & March we celebrated birthdays for Aubrie, Aris (9), and Amira (14)! 
What a Year! — December 2023 Prayer Letter
Reading time: 3 minutes
Dear Praying Friends & Family,
We trust you had a wonderful and Christ-filled Christmas. As we reflect on 2023, we are constantly amazed at the goodness of God. He continues to pour out his blessing and cause the ministry in Colombia to flourish. Thank you for your faithful prayers and financial support!
Celebrating New Milestones
The primary church we’re working at now, Agape Baptist, continues growing and reaching new people. Each month, our attendance average increases. We are witnessing new salvations, baptisms, and discipleship involvement. Many men are advancing in their ministry training. By God’s grace, we have around 250 people attending each week! We celebrated this church’s 3rd anniversary this November.
Exciting Building News
Despite concern over the recent devaluing of the US dollar, by God’s grace and through the generous donations of some of our supporting churches and the Colombian members of Agape Baptist, we have met our fundraising goal to purchase our current rented facility! We praise God for this open door. Pray for us as we work out the paperwork in the days ahead. As God leads and provides, we’re already making future plans to purchase an adjoining lot that will allow us to continue growing and expanding.
Opportunity To Train Pastors
God opened the door for me to travel to India and Nepal in January and February of 2024 with another missionary friend. He has been several times and wanted me to join him on this trip. Lord willing, I will teach around 500 local pastors in training seminars between 10-12 locations. Some of these areas have been affected by persecution and oppression. I pray that I can bless those leading Christ’s church in this needy area. Though traveling from South America to South Asia is odd, training pastors has always been at the heart of my calling. This is an incredible opportunity! By God’s grace, my primary travel expenses have already been taken care of by my missionary friend. However, I could still use some financial help to get around the country and try to be a blessing to the local pastors and hosts. We know where God guides, he provides.
Aubrie’s Health Update
Aubrie had a tumor removed in October. This turned out to be malignant, though it is a very treatable type of skin cancer. We were told that she would need another surgery sometime in the coming months. Thank you all for your prayers for this and the other health needs Aubrie has been facing lately.
We Thank God For You!
November marked ten years since we moved to Colombia as church-planting missionaries. Our hearts were full of dreams and expectations to spread the Gospel and God’s glory, but we didn’t know the full scope of what the Lord would do. Thank you for holding the ropes for us. Many of you have faithfully supported us since the beginning, and others have joined our team of partners recently. We thank God for you!
For The Glorious Christ,
Aaron & Aubrie Vance
(Along with the girls: Amira, Anabel, Aris & Alehea)
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
—Ephesians 3:20-21—
Our little family continues to grow. How is the time going by so fast?! 
Agape Baptist Church celebrated its third anniversary. Christ builds his church! 
Thanksgiving is just another ordinary day for most Colombians, but we had the privilege of hosting several ex-pat families for Thanksgiving again this year. 
We were blessed to host Pastor Alberto Gomez in October. He was the first to challenge me to pray about Colombia when I was a student nearly 20 years ago! 
We celebrated Alethea’s sixth birthday in November. How is she our youngest? 
God is still working, even in the middle of COVID19! – March 2020 Prayer Letter
Dear praying friends and family,
Many of you will agree that this year has already proven to be one of the most unique and challenging we have faced. But Christ is still faithful! Join us as we review God’s great work here in Colombia, and we look forward to the days ahead.
Church Growth
During the last two months, we experienced a surge of new converts and attenders in our churches. We rejoice in seeing several baptized, 21 adults in our most recent new members class, dozens now in discipleship, and 12 additional students in our Bible Institute. All three of our churches have grown, and we praise the Lord for how he is building his church.
Evangelistic Events
In February, we held evangelistic events for area children. We were able to reach over 150 kids through the local ministries of each of our three churches! Additionally, we took a team of 5 people to the remote village of Bocas Del Rosario. To get there, we drove 4 hours to a river port city, then took a small motorboat up the river for 3 hours. Over that weekend, we held Bible-Club style classes for 100 children, as well as an evening service for 80 adults (nearly everyone in the entire village!). The team plans to return each month, and the locals are asking us to start a church soon. Pray for wisdom in this new opportunity. We praise the Lord for dozens of professions of faith during each event.
Television and Media Outreach
In March, we hosted a team from Christian Media International. They have been raising funds to help us improve our media outreach and to get on local and national television. We’re very excited about this new door that is opening up to get the Gospel message to millions of Colombians who have yet to hear. They finished up their quick visit and brought us a couple of cameras to get started just before the outbreak of the Coronavirus. We must now go to digital services. God’s timing is impeccable!
COVID-19 In Colombia
Yes, we’re feeling the effects of this worldwide pandemic. Since mid-March, our city and country have been on total lock-down. All schools and most businesses are closed. Nobody can leave their houses except to get groceries and medicine, and all public meetings are banned, including churches. Police and military check every person that is out to see if they have a permit or a valid reason to leave their home, heavily fining those who violate the lock-down. Everything changed quickly, and we have tried to adapt. Our main church has gone entirely online, for now, using Facebook and YouTube to hold our services, as well as doing daily Bible studies. We have stayed connected to most of our people, and have even reached new people during this time. Our second and third churches have suffered more, as they are in more vulnerable areas, and not everyone has a reliable Internet connection or a device to watch services. The people, like many around the world, are hurting financially. Most aren’t able to work and were already living day-to-day. We have tried to deliver essential food supplies to those who need it most. It has been a great chance to minister even more and fulfill 1 John 3:16-18. Pray for us as we try to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Any additional support during this time will allow us to provide for more families.
Our Living Hope
There are many uncertainties and changes in our world today. Historically, that is when Christianity flourishes the most! When the pressure is applied, what’s on the inside comes out. As Christians, we have a living hope. We ought not to find our joy and identity in present circumstances, in health, in investment accounts, in job stability, or even in ministry itself. Our hope is in Christ, and HE never changes. We trust him to provide for us. We also pray for you as you go through much of the same there in the United States. We love you, and thank you for your faithfulness. Let us know how we can pray for you!
For Such A Time As This,
Aaron, Aubrie, Amira, Anabel, Aris & Alethea Vance
Enjoy some recent pictures from the ministry…
We had our very first Valentine’s banquet with 100 people present! 
We recognized over 50 ladies for International Women’s Day, which became our last “normal” service. 
Some children from the river village. Thank God for this open door! 
Thanks to CMI, we are able to broadcast the Gospel online and soon on Television! 
Facemasks, closed businesses, and military presence is now our new “normal.”
Between Here & There — April 2018 Prayer Letter Update
Dear praying friends & family,
We are in the full swing of our furlough and God has proven himself more than faithful. Thank you for keeping up with us and the ministry in Colombia.
Click here to view/print a PDF of this prayer letter
On The Road Again…
So far, we have updated several of our supporting churches, and shared the work in new churches in Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. We’ve already seen five new monthly supporters join our team, and a few more that will be voting on us soon. Praise the Lord! We are still praying for 10-15 more partners to reach our needed support. If you’d like to schedule us to come to your church, or if you know of a church that may be looking to take on new missionaries, please get in touch by email: aaronlvance@gmail.com or phone: 678-696-0082. We have a few openings left for the remainder of the year.
Meanwhile in Colombia…
Our leaders back in Colombia are doing a phenomenal job with all the preaching, teaching, event planning, and ministering in both of our churches. I continue to receive wonderful reports of the growing ministry, new families, as well as how edifying all of the sermons have been. We praise God for his faithfulness in this area as well. God allowed me to travel back to Colombia for a quick trip over Easter week. What a blessing it was to meet some of the new converts, minister to both of the churches, as well as meet with and encourage the leaders!
Family Funnies…
We take for granted how many things in the USA are foreign to our children. Our two oldest children were 3 and 1 when we moved to Colombia, and the youngest two were born there, so it’s been fun to expose them to the following “new” things: Taco Bell, vacuum cleaners, Wal-Mart, baseball, bagels, white eggs sold in the refrigerated section, root beer, free refills, all-you-can-eat buffets, snow, booster seats, and the abundance of other kids that look just like them.
The Time In Between…
As a family, we are enjoying furlough. Sure, we miss some of the stability and sense of purpose of being in Colombia, however, being here is more needful for now. Each side presents its own unique challenges and blessings. Here, we are learning how to juggle the girls’ education, the countless hours on the road, the changing environment, etc., but we’re also learning how to make it all very positive and beneficial. We are grateful for opportunities to share the Gospel around the country, realizing that people need Christ everywhere. We are reminded about the need to lean on God and not our own understanding. It has been a rewarding time to meet new friends, grow personally, rest a little as a family, plan for the future, and consider how we can improve each area of life and ministry.
Thank You…
Thank you all for your prayers and faithful support! Thanks as well to those who have given special offerings. God has used you to not only encourage us, but to reach many people in Colombia and beyond. Please let us know how we can pray for you.
May Christ Be Magnified,
The Vance Family
Aaron • Aubrie • Amira • Anabel • Aris • Alethea
“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” — Philippians 1:20-21
Here are some recent photos:
November 2017 Prayer Letter
Dear Praying Friends & Family,
We just finished up Thanksgiving here in Colombia. It’s just another day for most folks, but it causes us to remember that we truly have much for which to be thankful! Besides the turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin cheesecake we were able to enjoy (thanks to my mother-in-law!), we are sincerely thankful to God for everything around us. His blessings are plenteous, and his grace is abundant!
Click here to see and download a printable PDF of this letter
Thankful For Our Newest Baby Girl
We are pleased to introduce you to Alethea Jewel Vance, born November 16, 2017. Aubrie and the baby are doing great, and we are all adjusting to having a household of 4 daughters! Alethea is Greek for truth, and Jewel is Latin for Joy. We pray she can be a beacon of truth and a conduit of joy to the world around her!
Thankful For Our Upcoming Furlough
Our tickets have been purchased and we are starting to fill up our calendar for our furlough from the first week of February until the end of December 2018. Our goals are five-fold: (1) To give a report to our supporting churches of the work God has done; (2) To raise urgent financial and prayer support for the growing ministry; (3) to visit with extended family; (4) to raise awareness for world missions; (5) to give an opportunity to our leaders and churches in Colombia to exercise their gifts and calling.
We are praying to add 20 supporters to our team. If you haven’t yet begun partnering with us to reach Colombia, would you prayerfully consider us in your monthly missions budget? If you would like to schedule a meeting with us, or just need more info, email us at aaronlvance@gmail.com. Also, please see the included recommendation letter from our sending church pastor, Dr. Charles Blackstock.
Thankful For Recent Church Growth
Both of our churches have been growing stronger each month. We recently met with 30 of our church leaders to plan out the 2018 calendar while we’re gone. I look forward to hearing how God continues to use the church to reach our community. The need is great, and the doors are wide open to get the Gospel to the people! We are already planning to starting at least 3 more churches by the year 2020, Lord willing. Several of our men have taken great steps toward leading the two established churches while we are away next year, which also serves as preparation toward starting their own churches.
Thankful For Christmas In Colombia
Our entire city transforms every year at Christmas. Extravagant lights, fireworks shows, elaborate nativity scenes and a festive environment makes this time of year a lot of fun. However, most people see Christmas just as an excuse to party, have time off of work and relax. Though it would seem on the surface that Christ is more prevalent in Christmas here, most people still do not know him. They haven’t heard the true Gospel, of salvation that isn’t earned through religion or works, rather by grace through faith in Christ’s finished work. In other words, many here “have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge” (Rom. 10:2). Christmas is a great time to share the Gospel, both here in Colombia as well as wherever you live and minister. Let’s not hide the hope we have!
Thankful For Our Prayer Warriors
We appreciate all of you and your prayers for our family and ministry. Truly, God is working in spite of us, and I believe the prayers of His saints have had a great impact. Don’t stop! In fact, here are some specific requests you can lift up to God on our behalf:
- Pray for Alethea, and all the paperwork left to do for her to be a dual citizen and be able to travel.
- Pray for our furlough travels coming up January 31st, as well as the meetings we will have next year.
- Pray for the men and women who are leading the various ministries in our churches, both now and while we are gone. Especially pray for the men who will be preaching the Word.
- Pray for more missionaries in Colombia. Never has there been a time in which people were more re- ceptive to the truth of the Gospel, yet there is a need for more full-time Gospel-preaching laborers.
With love & prayers from Colombia,
Aaron, Aubrie, Amira, Anabel, Aris & Alethea Vance
Recommendation Letter from Pastor Charles Blackstock 2017
The Vance Family 
