Bob and Terri Metze: Training Pastors in Latin America
January 17, 2012
Dear Praying Friends,
We thank you for your patience with us as we seek to better our communication and keep in touch more frequently at less expense. I know that last month’s attempted changeover was confusing because this “old dog” didn’t do everything completely correct (“old dog” referring to Bob and not Terri).
1. We rejoice to report in this “extra email update” that Terri’s percentage of kidney function improved from 16% to 21%! We just received that call on Friday, Terri’s birthday! It’s seems that the change of medications made a difference but most of all, we thank God for His intervention. Thank you for your prayers on Terri’s behalf! We learn more at her next doctor’s appointment, February 22.
2. With the above great news, we now both plan on our trip to Peru, leaving on January 27th. Terri will be with me for the Peruvian National Pastors and Wives conference and Bob will stay for an extra week to attend the BMM Peruvian Field Conference. Please pray for effective ministry, both in public and personal interaction.
3. Please pray for wisdom in producing theological training materials that are not only true to the Scriptures but that truly communicates with Latin Americans in their context. This trip, along with extensive reading and other interaction with believers from multiple Spanish-speaking countries, has already been very influential as we seek to spread the Gospel by training church leaders!
To follow their ministry, subscribe on their site by clicking here
Dear Praying Friends,
We thank you for your patience with us as we seek to better our communication and keep in touch more frequently at less expense. I know that last month’s attempted changeover was confusing because this “old dog” didn’t do everything completely correct (“old dog” referring to Bob and not Terri).
1. We rejoice to report in this “extra email update” that Terri’s percentage of kidney function improved from 16% to 21%! We just received that call on Friday, Terri’s birthday! It’s seems that the change of medications made a difference but most of all, we thank God for His intervention. Thank you for your prayers on Terri’s behalf! We learn more at her next doctor’s appointment, February 22.
2. With the above great news, we now both plan on our trip to Peru, leaving on January 27th. Terri will be with me for the Peruvian National Pastors and Wives conference and Bob will stay for an extra week to attend the BMM Peruvian Field Conference. Please pray for effective ministry, both in public and personal interaction.
3. Please pray for wisdom in producing theological training materials that are not only true to the Scriptures but that truly communicates with Latin Americans in their context. This trip, along with extensive reading and other interaction with believers from multiple Spanish-speaking countries, has already been very influential as we seek to spread the Gospel by training church leaders!
To follow their ministry, subscribe on their site by clicking here
Matias and Kristine Espinel: Uruguay
November-December 2011
We are thrilled with how God has been providing for our support needs. Several more churches and some individuals have communi-cated with us their decision to part-ner with us in the ministry in Uru-guay. We currently have over 70% of what we need to be full-time in Uruguay. At this point, our commit-ted support is not high enough to be able to make definite plans to stay in Uruguay in February. However, in the previous two years that we have been on deputation, the majority of our support has been designated in December or January, so we are still hopeful and prayerful that the needed amount will come in. Please, continue to pray with us! We have the documents ready that Kristine and David Misael will need for immigration, and we are working on labeling our storage bins for ship-ment, so we will be all ready to
go if the Lord allows. These have been an interesting few months not knowing if we are leaving “for good” or not, but it has been a good time of learning to “wait silently” for the Lord to work as He has foreor-dained. We are so grateful to be His children and to have the confidence that whatever He chooses for us is truly the best.
If you would like to be personally involved in giving towards our minis-try, whether through a one-time or monthly gift, you can contact our mission board and let them know of your desire. In our last update the e-mail address of the mission was misspelled. The correct spelling is office@emuinternational.org.
The address is: 209 Roberts Rd., Taylors, SC 29687.
We would appreciate your prayers and consideration about being a part of what God is doing in Uruguay.
Itinerary for month of January:
-Heritage Baptist Church of Dover, NH (Jan. 8)
-Manchester Bible Church, Man-chester, NH (Jan.11)
-Heritage Baptist Church of Wind-ham, NH (Jan. 15)
-Leave for Uruguay (Jan. 24)
We also look forward to celebrating David Misael’s first birthday on January 18!
Please mark the weeks of February 20 and 27 on your calendar to be in prayer for Matias at camp. He will be translating for both speakers (Brad Lapiska, pastor of Engleside Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA, and Ken Jensen, Director of EMU International) and also preaching for two of the services (one of them be-ing the evangelistic service). As some of you may know from experi-ence, translating on the spot is quite a mental workout, and he will be do-ing it 2-3 times a day for both weeks. “The things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2
Please pray:
-That God will bring in our needed support in His time and through the churches He would have partner with us.
-For wisdom for those in leadership over us to know how to advise us about our potential move in February.
-For camps in February to be effective for God’s glory.
-For Matias for accuracy, clarity and smoothness of translation so that God’s Word will go forth unhindered.
Thank you so much for your prayers and your interest in our ministry! We wish you a blessed Christmas and New Years!
Matias, Kristine and David Espinel
196 Drake Lane
Ledgewood, NJ 07852 / 864-884-5547
espinels2uruguay@gmail.com
November-December 2011
We are thrilled with how God has been providing for our support needs. Several more churches and some individuals have communi-cated with us their decision to part-ner with us in the ministry in Uru-guay. We currently have over 70% of what we need to be full-time in Uruguay. At this point, our commit-ted support is not high enough to be able to make definite plans to stay in Uruguay in February. However, in the previous two years that we have been on deputation, the majority of our support has been designated in December or January, so we are still hopeful and prayerful that the needed amount will come in. Please, continue to pray with us! We have the documents ready that Kristine and David Misael will need for immigration, and we are working on labeling our storage bins for ship-ment, so we will be all ready to
go if the Lord allows. These have been an interesting few months not knowing if we are leaving “for good” or not, but it has been a good time of learning to “wait silently” for the Lord to work as He has foreor-dained. We are so grateful to be His children and to have the confidence that whatever He chooses for us is truly the best.
If you would like to be personally involved in giving towards our minis-try, whether through a one-time or monthly gift, you can contact our mission board and let them know of your desire. In our last update the e-mail address of the mission was misspelled. The correct spelling is office@emuinternational.org.
The address is: 209 Roberts Rd., Taylors, SC 29687.
We would appreciate your prayers and consideration about being a part of what God is doing in Uruguay.
Itinerary for month of January:
-Heritage Baptist Church of Dover, NH (Jan. 8)
-Manchester Bible Church, Man-chester, NH (Jan.11)
-Heritage Baptist Church of Wind-ham, NH (Jan. 15)
-Leave for Uruguay (Jan. 24)
We also look forward to celebrating David Misael’s first birthday on January 18!
Please mark the weeks of February 20 and 27 on your calendar to be in prayer for Matias at camp. He will be translating for both speakers (Brad Lapiska, pastor of Engleside Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA, and Ken Jensen, Director of EMU International) and also preaching for two of the services (one of them be-ing the evangelistic service). As some of you may know from experi-ence, translating on the spot is quite a mental workout, and he will be do-ing it 2-3 times a day for both weeks. “The things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2
Please pray:
-That God will bring in our needed support in His time and through the churches He would have partner with us.
-For wisdom for those in leadership over us to know how to advise us about our potential move in February.
-For camps in February to be effective for God’s glory.
-For Matias for accuracy, clarity and smoothness of translation so that God’s Word will go forth unhindered.
Thank you so much for your prayers and your interest in our ministry! We wish you a blessed Christmas and New Years!
Matias, Kristine and David Espinel
196 Drake Lane
Ledgewood, NJ 07852 / 864-884-5547
espinels2uruguay@gmail.com
Kim and Lori Fox: France
November 18, 2011
Dear friends and family,
For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shown toward His name,
in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6:10)
It was exactly 23 years ago to the day that we boarded a plane to begin our ministry in
France. That seems like so very long ago. First, we spent about 6 years in the city of Thionville,
until that church called its first French pastor. Although the church has dwindled in size over the
years, and has since changed pastors, there is still a very solid core group and a faithful young
pastor (Samuel Briard) who continue that work.
In 1994 we began a new church work in the city of Rouen. We have been aided greatly over
the years by a number of God's most faithful servants -- Elsa Ramirez, Paul Stevenson, Jared
Stevenson, Jeff Abbett, Brad Jones, and Kristi Colas, to name a few. Today, that church is
doing well, in spite of our unexpected decision to leave France. They are without a pastor, which
is keenly felt, but the believers are united and excited about what God is doing in their midst.
Just last weekend they organized a 3-day young singles' gathering/evangelistic outreach. Many
good contacts were made. We were really encouraged to hear such good news. However,
while we remain confident about the future of that young church, your prayers are obviously as
needed as ever.
Also, Lori and I want to thank you again for the support that you have shown over the years,
not only to our family, but also to these two churches where we were privileged to serve. As of
the beginning of this month, we have now finished sharing our final report with our supporting
churches. This has been one of the most emotionally-charged phases of our ministry. But God
has sustained us, and we are very much at peace that we made the right decision to return to
the States. So, what next?
While waiting on the Lord for future ministry, I have begun substitute teaching here in New
Jersey. I have only been part-time up to now, but just after Thanksgiving I will be engaged full-
time. We are still in contact with several churches needing a pastor or assistant. The process
takes time in order to find the right "fit". God knows where He wants us, and we are confident
that He will get us there at just the right time.
A number of churches and individuals have continued our support beyond anything that we
expected, and some support us still. Since I will soon be receiving a full salary from teaching,
there is no need to continue sending us your support. Please feel free to redirect those funds
at any time. And again, we want to sincerely thank you. You have helped us through a VERY
significant and difficult transitional period in our lives. We will never forget what you have done
for us and for our family.
Except to inform you once a decision is made about our next ministry, this will most likely
be our last "official" prayer letter. This is approximately prayer letter #130. That's a lot of prayer
letters. That's a lot of prayer! Thank you for being such faithful prayer partners.
In closing, I would like to share part of a poem, written in fact some three centuries ago by
a well-known French quietist Madame Jeanne Marie Bouvier de la Mothe Guyon. It expresses
a great truth in the context of our decision to leave the mission field.
To me remains nor place nor time;
My country is in every clime;
I can be calm and free from care
On any shore, since God is there.
Could I be cast where Thou art not,
That were indeed a dreadful lot;
But regions none remote I call,
Secure of finding God in all.
While place we seek, or place we shun,
The soul finds happiness in none;
But with a God to guide our way,
Tis equal joy, to go or stay.
In Calvary's love,
Kim & Lori Fox
P.S. Please pray for Lori. She is with her parents in Florida for several weeks. They continue
to battle a number of serious health issues. We are very thankful that Lori can be there to help
and to minister to them.
Tap and Denise Hornor: Mexico
Dear Friends, family and supporters,
We are excited to share with all of you the Lord’s blessing in the recent weeks. Radames, Brenda, and Sara have moved to Alhuey to help as our first full-time paid staff. We are forming a church planting team that will include Brian and Diana Hornor in the near future. “Rada” and Brenda served in nearby Navolato before coming to Alhuey. Rada grew up in our church and both he and his wife are graduates of our mission’s Bible Institute. Rada will serve as pastor of the new mission in Guamuchil, nearby town of 75,000.
We are building an apartment above the back of the church in Alhuey that will serve as living quarters for future staff and/or missionaries–in-training as the Lord sends team members to help us in church planting according to our church’s vision statement: “Glorify God by planting independent fundamental Baptist churches that equips its members and those of like-minded sister churches in Sinaloa and in the rest of Mexico to fulfill the Great Commission.
Prayer Requests:
1) Wisdom and blessing for new mission in Guamuchil (projected first service, June)
2) Completion of apartment at church in Alhuey
3) Growth of mission in Tamazula
4) Protection in the midst of lawlessness, corruption and unabated violence
Redeeming the Time, Tap & Denise Hornor
We are excited to share with all of you the Lord’s blessing in the recent weeks. Radames, Brenda, and Sara have moved to Alhuey to help as our first full-time paid staff. We are forming a church planting team that will include Brian and Diana Hornor in the near future. “Rada” and Brenda served in nearby Navolato before coming to Alhuey. Rada grew up in our church and both he and his wife are graduates of our mission’s Bible Institute. Rada will serve as pastor of the new mission in Guamuchil, nearby town of 75,000.
We are building an apartment above the back of the church in Alhuey that will serve as living quarters for future staff and/or missionaries–in-training as the Lord sends team members to help us in church planting according to our church’s vision statement: “Glorify God by planting independent fundamental Baptist churches that equips its members and those of like-minded sister churches in Sinaloa and in the rest of Mexico to fulfill the Great Commission.
Prayer Requests:
1) Wisdom and blessing for new mission in Guamuchil (projected first service, June)
2) Completion of apartment at church in Alhuey
3) Growth of mission in Tamazula
4) Protection in the midst of lawlessness, corruption and unabated violence
Redeeming the Time, Tap & Denise Hornor
Bruce and Natalie Tuttle: Ukraine
October, 2011
“. . . that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other” (1 Kings 8:60).
I’m writing this newsletter from Bila Tserkva, Ukraine. I returned to Ukraine only 11 days ago, and upon my arrival I grabbed a set of teaching notes, quickly completed some laundry tasks, and packed to head out for a 4-hour drive the following day. Last week was a great week at the Slavic Baptist Institute in Khmelnitsky, Ukraine. I had feared that jet-lag and teaching wouldn’t mix well, but God graciously provided as much rest as necessary. The week culminated with the graduation of 8 students. SBI plans to be involved in the planting of at least 2 new churches next summer. We’re hopeful that we can be of some assistance. Perhaps God will use one of the men whom we will graduate from the Pastors Training Institute this spring. Please pray with us for God’s direction and leading.
At the end of our spring semester, and after the subsequent forays into Turkey and Georgia (the country), I returned to the States to be with Natalie. Our last newsletter detailed those activities and the wonderful fellowship and teaching opportunities. When I arrived in the States, Natalie was in fairly good health, but while there her condition suddenly deteriorated into a problem which was so serious that it necessitated emergency surgery. She was almost a month in the hospital, released for a week, and then readmitted for another emergency and the need to reopen the incision. I remained with Natalie for about 2 ½ months longer than anticipated, and only came back to Ukraine after her health was considerably improved. We have spent so many weeks and months apart over the last 2 years that I thoroughly treasure the time we can spend together. So there is a constant tension between the longing to be together and the ever-present passion to be fulfilling the ministry to which God has called us in Ukraine and beyond.
The fall semester of our Pastors Training Institute began the first week of September. This was made possible because some wonderful missionary friends were willing to leave their ministries in Istanbul (Turkey) and Simferopol (Ukraine) in order to bring seminars to our students. We are greatly indebted to them for this. Our student body comprises 4 returning students, all of whom will complete their studies by May. In addition, God has given us 3 more men; we’ve enrolled 2 of these men as students – Stas and Andrey. Please pray that they will be diligent, and that we might be a blessing to each other. The third man is from a church here in Bila Tserkva, a faithful believer and wants to study the Scripture and preach God’s Word effectively. His wife is not yet saved. Since our purpose is to train pastors and help them to plant new churches, we cannot enroll him as a pastoral student. But he has been welcome to profit from our classes and do the required work. So he has been coming every day, and doing well in studies. Of course, we are praying that his wife will trust Christ and begin to grow, and that we may one day admit him as a regular student. His name is Pavel (Paul); please join us in this matter of prayer.
Normally we try to spread the courses I teach over the length of a semester instead of teaching them in blocks. But I’ll be trying to teach 3 blocks of courses between now and Christmas: I am presently teaching eschatology, and will need to also teach a course on the doctrine of salvation and one on the historical books of the O.T. Our students are inquisitive and ever ready to engage in profitable debate, so it will require a tremendous squeeze to fit these courses into the remaining time.
At any time, Natalie might call and be in trouble. If it occurs, I’ll fly home and take sufficient notes so as to finish the semester via Skype, using the internet. We did this last November when a sudden return to the States became necessary. There isn’t an adequate internet connection at our institute, so the students met daily in my living room in Bila Tserkva. They enjoyed the sofa and stuffed chairs. They saw me on a projection screen mounted on the wall, and I could see all of them on my computer’s monitor back in Pennsylvania. It’s a helpful technology in that it still allows interaction with the students. The downside is 2-fold: (1) due to the time difference our normal schedule requires that I teach between the hours of 1 and 6 a.m., and (2) as I’ve told our students, teaching via the internet is about like kissing your sweetheart through a knot-hole!
Would you pray with us over 4 special requests?
1. Please pray for God’s work in Natalie’s health, to hold back the growth of new tumors and to restrain the blockages which have caused her so much misery.
2. Please pray that God would give us wisdom (and the personnel) so that we could know how to adapt the ministry to the limitations we’ve recently experienced.
3. Please pray that He who owns the cattle on a thousand hills will provide the additional support needed due to prices which have rapidly increased over the last 2 years.
4. Please pray that God would provide financial help for a graduate, Sergei, who purchased a car (1987 model) that is badly needed for his ministry. Sergei is pastoring a young church in the nearby village of Potiivka, and doing evangelistic outreach in nearby villages, as well. He and his wife, Tamara, work in a tiny shoe repair kiosk to make ends meet. They don’t have much, nor is that what they seek in life. We have temporarily loaned him $2000 to pay the owner, but it will be a heavy burden for him to repay this over some time to come (plus about 500 he owes to friends). He was a very diligent student and has the reputation of being a very good pastor. He has a good heart and is easy to love. He seldom asks us for anything, and never presses us with any personal expectations. Right now we can’t afford to just give him the funds, or I’d do it in a heartbeat. I’m praying that God has those funds in the pocket of someone who is looking for a place to invest it for God’s glory and the joy and relief of a Christian brother and sister.
Thanks so very, very much for your prayers and continued kindness to us!
Your servants for Jesus’ sake,
Bruce and Natalie Tuttle
