SEPTEMBER 2026 PRAYER LETTER
Good Day from Bolivia,
To some, this greeting may not hold much significance. However, I vividly recall the moment we transitioned our letters from stating we were missionaries to Bolivia, to expressing that we were writing from within Bolivia. This change occurred 13 years ago, as of August 28th. Over these years, by God's grace, we have welcomed two children, supported several struggling churches, planted three new ones, and much more. As we prepare to send you another prayer letter, we are grateful for your support throughout this journey.
We are thrilled to be embarking on a new project. A few years ago, we were asked to check in on a particular church with the possibility of offering assistance in mind. The church leader appeared hesitant to accept us and seemed uninterested in our presence, so we chose to respect their wishes and did not pursue the idea any further. However, in May, due to an unrelated circumstance, we reestablished contact, and this same leader began to apologize for their previous response. He opened up about the church's struggles and sought our advice on how to improve their situation.
We discovered that this church has been without a pastor for over 20 years due to an internal conflict, was never legally established as a congregation, and their land has never been registered with the local government. In their words, they felt they were merely “maintaining.” Over the past few months, we have assisted them in taking steps not just to maintain but to progress. We have successfully helped them achieve legal status for the church, and Lord willing, we will ordain their first pastor in October. Additionally, we are seeking legal counsel to aid in registering their property, which will not be an easy or cheap process. This church has experienced isolation for many years, so we are excited to host a conference there this month, anticipating attendance from 30 other churches. Our goal is to encourage them, showing they are not alone in their faith. So far, the congregation has responded positively to the assistance and seems eager to take whatever steps necessary to become proactive in their own growth. This has been an encouragement for me as well. Our family had been feeling discouraged because the ministry wasn't progressing as we had hoped or planned. However, Jessica reminded us that sometimes it's beneficial to return to our roots. When we first arrived in Bolivia, we began by assisting three struggling churches, and it seems that may be what God has planned for us to do again at this time.
In other news, I want to provide an update on the Venezuelan boat purchase. Several churches and individuals generously contributed financially, but the process has taken longer than anticipated. There were delays in transferring the funds to the pastor for the purchase preparations, logistical issues arose due to earthquakes, and then the woman selling the boat contracted malaria, from which she has been slow to recover. While things in South America tend to move slowly, we continue working to finalize the purchase as soon as possible.
Lastly, I want to share a prayer request. Many of you may recall that Jessica underwent simultaneous surgery on her knees in 2021. While the surgery was beneficial, she began experiencing pain again over time and started receiving periodic injections for relief. Unfortunately, the most recent injection has not provided the same lasting relief as before. After a local doctor conducted a CT scan, he recommended returning to the states and doing another surgery on both knees. Jessica’s doctor in the States does agree she may require surgery but does not agree on the suggested procedure. Therefore, we are praying for wisdom in making the best decision and consulting with additional doctors. For now, she plans to try a few treatments here to alleviate the constant pain and hopes they will help her manage until next year when we have already considered our next furlough. We would greatly appreciateyour prayers for her and for us as we seek the right path forward.
We are incredibly thankful for your ongoing prayers as we strive to fulfill God's calling here. As we begin our 14th year in Bolivia, we ask for your continued support and prayers to not only maintain what has been accomplished but to advance for the Glory of God.
