August, 2026
“Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.” II Corinthians 1:11
Dear Friends and Brethren in Christ,
We are happy to relate certain blessings and privileges that the Lord has of late bestowed upon us in these summer (our winter) months. Please forgive the long letter, but there is so much to tell! Answers to prayer were evident in God’s protection in our travels, some long-time desires fulfilled, God sending the helpers we needed, opening doors that had been closed and providing in ways we hadn’t imagined. It’s a pattern often appearing in II Corinthians: The more problems, the more prayer; the more prayer, the more grace; the more grace, the more deliverance; the more deliverance, the more thanksgiving; the more thanksgiving, the more God is glorified.
Let’s start back in June as Melody was invited to speak for a Ladies’ Conference in Lima, Peru at the end of June. It was a delight to be with Pastor Alex Woehr and his wife Carmen. They have such a heart for God and for the ministry. Melody enjoyed so much being able to teach on the character of our great God to the ladies that came.
Upon returning to Arica, it was “full steam ahead” getting ready for our Winter youth camp. The theme was Abraham: Friend of God. We looked at Genesis 18, especially considering the relation of the Christian to the world and the need of prioritizing our relationship with the Lord. The mayor’s office gave us free use of a local park during the day and then everyone walked back to the church for the evening activities. We are so thankful as the church people pitched in and helped. The Lord also sent several special guests and helpers to give messages, help counsel, and encourage our young people. Elder Keith McCoy (pictured right) of Collingswood, NJ came to minister to our young people, preach, direct choral numbers, and be a great friend to the young people, by taking interest in each one, participating in every activity and bringing, as he did last year, a suitcase of candy from the US as special treats loved by all.
Then the Lord sent Pastor Juan Hoyos from Iquitos, Peru, from the Peruvian Union Church, with his wife Yoli and her cousin Lily. Juan is a long-time friend and faithful preacher of the Word. We’re so thankful to the Lord for leading us concerning the theme, because it seemed to be exactly what we all needed.
The Lord also opened the doors for a group of seven Bolivian young people to come from La Paz. That was a direct answer to prayer because Bolivia had been shut down for two months due to protests; no buses were being allowed to come or go between Chile and Bolivia during that time. We’re so thankful that conditions improved and the blockades were removed in time for the group to come to camp. In all, we had about 60 campers this year, with one coming from the south of Arica.
There was also a long-time wish and desire granted by God. Forty years ago, Jim went to Kenya as a missionary, where he served for 4 ½ years before returning to the US to marry Melody and then relocate to Chile in 1992. He really didn’t think it would be possible or realistic to ever return. But when the ICCC Congress venue for 2026 was announced for Kenya, we began to pray about the possibility of going. The Lord led and provided through special gifts. So, the morning after camp ended, we flew, along with Maritza, a single lady from our church, to Kenya, via Brazil and South Africa. It was a long trip! Arriving at the hotel in Nakuru, Kenya, from a distance Jim’s eyes met with Patrick, a former student of Jim’s. His big smile grew even bigger! It was a wonderful reunion seeing at least five former students, talking to several others by phone and fellowshipping with several former teachers.
Melody headed up the Spanish translation effort, with help from Becky Rodriguez, Josiah and Sarah Durand, as well as Rev. William Greendyk. The distance and costs prohibited many from Chile, who really desired to go, from making the trip, so they were grateful to hear the translated messages online.
On Saturday of the Congress, we had the opportunity to visit a small game park and see many African animals. Then, that evening, we enjoyed an informal time of music. A group of children from the host church sang a chorus in English, Swahili and even Spanish! It was a joy to hear them.
Many of the Congress messages dealt with the Christian’s spiritual armor. Jim gave a message on the Breastplate of Righteousness on Sunday morning at the host church in Nakuru. On Sunday afternoon, we enjoyed a sacred concert by two Mennonite families (19 people in total!) that had come all the way from PA to serve the Lord with their instruments and voices. They were such a blessing to us all.
The greatest blessing for Jim was meeting Pastor Ibrahim Kiarie, who said that Jim was his very first Sunday School teacher. Jim often thinks of the children he taught in Sunday School while working BCEA, who are no longer children. So, to see one who has gone on to serve the Lord was such an encouragement and makes the time spent there well worth it.
After the Congress, we were blessed and privileged to go to Isovya where Gary and Pat Johnson served. We traveled there with Maritza, Pastor Jonathan Smith from Iowa and Purdee Yeo from Hope BPC in Adelaide, Australia. Also, a team of eight from Chile, under the leadership of Daniel Matamala, went and we all stayed together at the team house. We stayed for the weekend but they stayed for over a week, prepared to teach and preach in churches and schools in the area. Their love for the children that came every day to the station was evident.
It was amazing to see the property and all that God has done in Isovya. There is currently a great need for laborers as the clinic and Bible School are no longer functioning. Students are needed for the Bible School. Permissions and workers are needed for the clinic. Pray! And pray some more! The greatest need of missions is MORE vision, MORE prayer, MORE laborers, and MORE compassion (Matt. 9:35-38).
It’s hard to explain the emotions of being back after 40 years. On our last full day in Kenya, we returned to Nairobi, arriving after sunset at BCEA, led by Revs. Kim and Yoon, but we were still able to have a quick tour. Jim didn’t recognize hardly anything on the way there. What were open fields before were now filled with buildings and businesses. What was a seldom traveled road in front of the college, is now a busy street. Even at night you could see how beautiful and developed the campus is. We give thanks and glory to God that it is still going forward. We saw the chapel and with Brad Gsell playing the piano, Melody sang, “How Great Thou Art.” To see the college once more, and Rev. Kim and his daughter, was an unforgettable blessing from God. Thank you for your prayer for God’s provision and protection along the way. And THANK YOU so much to those who gave to make this trip possible.
Now back in Chile, there are many challenges. Both of our elders are fighting severe health conditions. Recent earthquakes in Venezuela and Columbia have many concerned. We know Venezuelans who have lost loved ones in these quakes. Pray that God will help us meet the challenges of the work here with faithfulness and compassion.
In September, Lord willing, 11 young people from Arica will be traveling down South to the annual youth conference. Melody will also be traveling to speak to the young teens conference. Please pray for these ones traveling. If you would like to help with the expenses for the youth, it would be wonderful.
Pray for our daughter Debbie, who is starting her Senior year at BJU, for provision for her needs, God’s help on her Senior Project, and for direction in her life for after graduation. With that in mind, we are looking at going on furlough next year; please pray for us as we make plans. We will probably be doing it in “stages,” going to the US for Debbie’s graduation, then returning to Chile for camp in July and perhaps a Congress in Peru, then going back to the US to visit churches, etc. Pray for the Lord’s leading, provision for a car, for lodging, etc.
We thank God for His special “tokens of good” that He has shown, and we thank you all for your prayers that always encourage and uphold us.
Your servants, for Christ’s sake in Chile,
Jim and Melody Bjur