November, 2024
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (II Corinthians 4:7) “Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy: That they many know that this is thy hand, that thou, Lord, hast done it.” (Psalm 109:26,27)
Dear Friends and Brethren in Christ,
Looking back over these last few months, we are mindful of our failures and God’s faithfulness. He uses us because we are earthen vessels, that all would see that the excellency of the power is HIS, not ours.
In September, about 20 from our youth group joined in the Annual Youth Congress of our church in Huepil, many hours to the south of us. We are so thankful to the Lord for what He is doing in our youth group. They really took the initiative to save funds to go, and were a blessing to all at the Congress and churches that they visited. We’ve never had so many from Arica go to a Congress. All glory to God!
This December we’ll have approximately eight graduating from high school or college. Please pray that the Lord would guide them in their decisions and direct their lives. We are starting a new series of lessons on “Holiness” in our weekly youth meetings; praying God will use it in their lives. Also, Nehemias and Silvana, a young married couple in our church, are conducting weekly discipleship classes with the youth, which are having a positive impact on their lives.
Back in September we had a wonderful blessing of a two-week visit from Melody’s sister and brother-in-law, Kent and Joy Ramler. It was their first time to come to Chile. Joy spoke for a special Ladies’ brunch and Kent preached in our services. With the young people, we had a “round table” discussion where Kent answered questions for well over an hour. Everyone was blessed by their visit. Kent and Joy also invited us to go with them to Machu Picchu, Peru; an unforgettable experience!
In October we recalled the 31st Anniversary of our church on Reformation Day, the 31st of October. Jim spoke that night on the spiritual heritage of the believer in Christ. Our prayer is that we would always be true to that heritage.
Many of you were praying for the National Ladies’ Congress, held here in Arica on November 8-10. Thank you so much! We certainly saw God answer and lead us each step of the way. We were told to expect 200 to 300 people. There were several times when we were tempted to just say that we couldn’t do it! But God provided a former movie theater, loaned to us by the municipality. Many said they had never been so comfortable in a conference! God provided a beautiful place on the outskirts of town where we could all eat together, and buses to transport everyone. Over 230 ladies attended, as well as a number of pastors. About 20 ladies stayed in our church building. Many others stayed in Jonathan’s church, and in the homes of both churches’ members. Others stayed in hotels close to the theater. Many have expressed what a blessing the Congress was. There is no doubt in our minds… “thou, Lord, hast done it.”
It was such a blessing to us to see how everyone in our church pitched in to help; whether it was housing people, cleaning the church, inflating mattresses, donating sheets and blankets, picking people up at the airport, working the sound system, registering the attendees, or getting everything set up, etc. Both the young people and adults alike worked so willingly. God is so good!
Sunday evening after the Congress had ended, was also a blessing as both the Jara’s church and ours were full. We were so happy to have Pastor Alvar Carreño come, for the first time, and preach for us. His parents were at the dedication service of our church building over 23 years ago!
Now, December is almost here and we have many requests to share. Pray for our Ladies’ Evangelistic Christmas Tea on the 5th. This has always been a great outreach. Each of our ladies commits to invite one or two unsaved ladies to join us. There will be refreshments and Christmas related games, and then a time to share the gospel with them.
Also, this year will be the fourth year for our Venezuelan Christmas project. Many of you have given for this project in past years and it has been such a blessing. With the money given, we buy presents for the Venezuelan children of the families that we have been ministering to in our church this year. Our young people especially enjoy helping with wrapping and delivering gifts. We also put together a food box for each family with all the fixings for their Christmas dinner. If there is enough money given, we try to buy a new outfit for each child to wear on Christmas Eve, as is their tradition. In years past, this has been such a blessing and a way to show Christ’s love to these who have so little. I remember one year when we brought the gifts to a mother of four children. She asked if she could save them for Christmas morning to put under the tree, as they had no other presents to give the children. By the way, that mother and her children continue to come to our Sunday School, and this year she made a decision to trust Christ as Savior. Pray for this project that God would continue to use it in the lives of these Refugees. If you would like to give toward the Venezuelan Christmas Project, please mark your gift accordingly.
Would you also pray for our December 21st Christmas program; the title is, “If Jesus had not come.” It’s difficult to imagine what our lives would be like if Jesus had not come yet! Please pray that everything will come together for this, for all those participating, and for all who hear the program. It’s always a time for visitors to attend. Please pray for God to work through this program for His glory.
We are also very excited for December because all of our children are planning to come to Chile to visit! Jim hasn’t met our little grandson, Gideon, yet, and we are excited for our church people to see him too. Oh, and his parents, Jeremy and Daniella, of course! Jake and Becky are also planning on being here for Christmas. We are thrilled that they are expecting our first grand-daughter in March! Joshua is hoping to squeeze in a short visit as well. Debbie will be able to stay the longest as she doesn’t have to be back at BJU until mid-January. Pray for their travels! We can’t thank the Lord enough for this wonderful blessing.
With 2025 around the corner, we would likewise appreciate your prayers for our Summer VBS, held here in February. There is a lot of planning and preparation to be done before this ministry can begin.
As we close, we must express our deep thankfulness for each one of you who support us with your prayers and offerings, it means so very much to us. YOU all mean so very much to us and we are so thankful for how God has used each of you in our lives. He’s so very good to us.
May the Lord bless you with a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year. Maybe we’ll meet in the air in 2025!
Love in Christ,
Jim and Melody Bjur