One Hundred and Forty-Six

One hundred and forty-six. Not a very attractive number. There is nothingspecial to recommend it. Now, 150 sounds pretty good. In most parts of Latin America if your national constitution is 150 years old it is worth a special celebration - certainly a unique series of colorful stamps.

Still, 146 is sounding pretty good to me today.

This past week, while doing some dreaded office catch-up, it came to my attention that we now have 146 missionaries in Latin America. Or, maybe I should say, we are responsible for 146 International Teams' missionaries in Latin America!

I wonder how that happened?

In 1993 Susan and I returned to International Teams, in part, to help re-develop the Latin America Region for the mission. By the end of 1994 we had five adult missionaries and four kids in two countries.

At about that same time I was asked whether I wanted to stay in the U.S.office and continue to grow my role as vice-president of the mission, or, if I wanted to dedicate myself to expanding our presence in Latin America. I remember the conversation well because in my role as vice-president I was picking up the daughter of the new president from hockey practice.(Sometimes the executive responsibilities in ministry are overwhelming.)

When the new (at that time) president, Stephen Freed, asked me where my real passion was, I thought a second and said, "Latin America. No doubt."

I wonder if I should have included Susan or my daughters in that area of "no doubt?"

God has been faithful. Incredibly faithful. Today we have missionaries from nine nationalities serving in seven countries on sixteen different ministry teams. We have built four orphanages, helped develop one K through12 school, provided biblical training for key Latin youth leaders, planted churches and, most importantly, seen missionaries live out their lives as authentic disciples of Jesus Christ in some challenging circumstances in Latin America.

God has also been faithful in providing friends and supporters like you.The following is not just a polite thing to say. It is true. We could not have experienced all of this without all of you. God has used many of you to encourage us at difficult times. He has used some of you to help us regain perspective when we were in danger of losing it. He has used many of you directly in the ministry here in Latin America.

So, since you are so important in this work, could I ask for something special today? Pray for these 146 missionaries. In one sense, life in Latin America is easier than it used to be. In many countries we can get to a McDonalds within two or three hours. ATM bank cards work... fairly often. Emails usually get through. However, in other ways, it seems that Satan is buffeting God's servants in especially sinister ways. Pray for God's protection on these valuable workers. Pray that we would continue to be real disciples who reflect the character and priorities of Jesus Christ in the complex realities of Latin America today.