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Dear Praying Friends,
You may have heard that there has been an earthquake in Chile. We know you have already been praying for us and we thank you. Before we go much further, we want to say that we are safe and are praising the Lord.
The epicenter of the earthquake was actually in the south of Chile and we are in central Chile. We definitely had the full earthquake experience in our area and it was a very scary thing to go through. The city of Vina del Mar and neighboring Valparaiso, where our EGM office is, has sustained considerable damage. The aftershocks continue every few minutes to remind us of God’s power.
The earthquake hit at about 3:30am and we were scheduled to conduct a children’s worker conference at 9:30am. Still reeling from the effects of the quake, we were encouraged by our Chilean director to come ahead to the conference location. So much preparation has gone into preparing for the conference; it was hard for the team here to cancel. When we arrived a few minutes late, we found three teachers waiting for us that had traveled three hours to come to the training. Just as they arrived at the church, a strong aftershock occurred but even that did not deter them. We couldn’t just send them home after such an effort so a mini-seminar was given for just them. What dedication!
In addition to praising God for His protection, here are a couple of prayer requests we would appreciate you remembering.
1. One of the EGM staff members, Daniel Gonzalez, lives very near the worst of the devastation. He had traveled up to meet us and is desperately trying to get home to his family. So many bridges are out that buses are not running and the airport is closed. He is also a pastor of a local church and is anxious to return to his home area so he can be a support to his church family.
2. We need wisdom regarding how to continue with our trip. God has us here at this time for a reason and we want to accomplish His purposes, whatever that might be. We are taking it an hour at a time at this point.
3. Our team member, Krysten, who was to arrive today will not be able to get here from Lima, so we are also trusting God for direction in that situation.
4. Pray that we can communicate well with the Chilean family with whom we are staying. They are amazing but we have had our challenges with the language barrier.
If we get internet again, we’ll try to update you. Thanks for praying!
Joe and Julie
Dear Praying Friends,
We believe God has called our prayer partners to serve just as surely as He has called us to serve with EGM! We need your constant prayer and count on it but are especially mindful of that need when we are traveling internationally. We’re heading to South America! Would you like to come with us through prayer? Please do!
This trip is one Julie has dreamed of since she was a 6th grader when she learned about South America in school. Our trip was originally taken off the docket because of budget concerns, but God moved in the heart of a family who has prayed for us and supported us in the ministry for many years. They donated enough airline miles to completely cover the airfare for the trip, making it possible for us to go. We are humbled and thankful for this wonderful gift.
Following is a detailed itinerary of our trip and we’d love to know that you will follow us in prayer. Please post this itinerary somewhere where you will see it, then let us know you will be remembering to pray often. We’ve heard that our itineraries have been placed in lots of creative places! Whether on the bathroom mirror, on the kitchen window above the sink, on the refrigerator, on the dashboard of the car or propped on top of the TV, we love it that you are committed to remembering us before the Lord!
As you review the itinerary you will see that the trip is totally packed with opportunities. It’s also loaded with chances for the enemy to have an inroad. We’ll give you a full report of the trip when we return. If we have access to the internet, we will also give you updates along the way.
We treasure your partnership in the ministry.
Joe and Julie
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Here’s a daily summary of what we are up to. Of course, these are just the highlights and speaking engagements. There’s lots more going on every day, but it’s too much to write here. Pray as you feel led and listen to the Lord. He’ll remind you to pray when it’s most important!
Tuesday, February 23
Joe and Julie fly to Lima, Peru (overnight flight). Krysten Norkaitis, EGM’s Latin America regional director will also be with us on this trip. Pray we will be a united and effective team.
Wednesday, February 24
We will meet today with some of the Peruvians who have agreed to serve on the board for our brand new EGM ministry in Peru. We will also catch up with EGM team members John and Heather Chapman, who have been living in Lima and helping this new baby ministry get started. Since this is our first trip to Peru, we are asking God to show us HIS heart for the Peruvian churches, children’s workers and children. Pray also that we can be a blessing to the Chapman’s.
Thursday, February 25
We will meet with more new board members and spend time with the Chapman’s. In the evening, we will participate in a children’s meeting and then share with adults about the international work of EGM. Pray we can be an encouragement to those we meet with and have wisdom to be a resource to these precious leaders. Pray, too, that we can see the Peruvian children the way God sees them.
Friday, February 26
Today, the Peruvian board will have their first official meeting and the ministry in Peru will launch! Unfortunately, we will miss this meeting, but our coworker, Krysten Norkaitis will be staying on with the Chapman’s for the big event. It’s great to have a team! We must fly on to Santiago, Chile, and then travel by car to the coastal city of Vina del Mar, where our EGM office and team is located. In the evening we will meet with those who have organized a children’s workers conference in which we will participate the following day. Pray for safety in the travel and for rest as we stay with a Chilean family. The Chile part of the trip is a whirlwind of activity!
Saturday, February 27
The conference will run from 8:45am to 6pm. Julie and Joe will both share with attendees about the work of EGM around the world as well as workshops on the biblical methods for working with children. Pray for us to have lots of energy and enthusiasm. Also, pray for good understanding among the teachers attending the conference as we will speak through translators.
Sunday, February 28
We will observe Sunday school classes of those who have received EGM training, and then Joe will preach in a church in Villa Alemania, just outside Vina del Mar. Pray for God’s message to be clear as Joe shares about God’s heart for children.
Monday, March 1
In the morning, we will meet with those who organize the EGM training throughout Chile, to share new ideas and provide counsel on their programs. In the afternoon we will meet with the Executive Director, Board Chairman and Treasurer to discuss ministry issues. One area we hope to encourage them in is developing funding for the work from within Chile. In the evening, Julie will share with all the women (about 20) who are involved with EGM-Chile leadership. This is a long day of meetings and we want to have God’s agenda for each one of the gatherings. Pray for Julie to have God’s wisdom as she shares with the women.
Tuesday, March 2
In the morning we will meet with the team that has been working on developing a Chilean EGM Sunday school curriculum. They have completed one year of lessons for three age groups! Pray that we can encourage and inspire them as they look forward to working on the next two years of curriculum. In the afternoon, Julie will speak to about 50 women at the church of one of our EGM staff members, and asks for prayer for the message to cross the cultural barriers to touch the hearts of the women.
Wednesday, March 3
We will enjoy a day of touring the area and resting. Whew!
Thursday, March 4
Joe will speak throughout the day at the EGM Chile Board Retreat, sharing from the Word of God and also presenting material on important ministry concerns. The day will be full. Pray for endurance today and for fresh truths from God’s Word to touch hearts.
Friday, March 5
Today is the EGM Chile Board Meeting and Joe will teach from the Word again and be available during the meeting to provide counsel and also to support Krysten in her role as the EGM-US representative on the board. Pray that our presence in the board meeting will be a blessing to those in attendance.
Saturday, March 6
A large fellowship of pastors from throughout the region will be gathered together for a full day to hear Joe and Krysten share about how EGM has been used of the Lord throughout Latin America and how the Chilean ministry can help them with effective children’s ministry. Pray these leaders will catch God’s vision for the children in their churches and communities.
Sunday, March 7
We will observe Sunday school classes of those who have received EGM training, and then Joe will preach in two churches (in Belloto Sur and in Valparaiso). Pray for an outpouring of God’s Spirit as Joe shares from God’s Word about the importance of children’s ministry.
Monday, March 8
We will travel back to Santiago and take another overnight flight back to the US. We will arrive the next morning in San Diego. Pray for readjustment to our time zone and for refreshment physically.
