Earthquake in Chile

This weekend, there was an 8.8 earthquake in Chile. Angel Tomlinson said that they felt the initial tremors for about three minutes. All of the missionaries are physically okay, although there was some damage to their homes and I am sure that the experience was unnerving for everyone. I know that Trent and Angel Tomlinson’s house had some minor damage and the other missionaries have relocated to their house since it is not part of an apartment building. At first, they had no power, internet connection, cell phone service, or water. They now have power and hope to get water within a day or two.


Trent and Caitlynn Tomlinson traveled outside of town to get water from a friend's house and reported a good bit of damage in the city. The hospital was evacuated because of broken windows and water from the A/C units leaking through the damaged roof.


Rich Miller, logistics manager for the IMB in Santiago, had driven to the mission office to turn off an alarm that sounded around 2:00 am (their time). Just as he reached his car in the underground parking lot to go home, the building began swaying, cars were rolling everywhere. He was able to climb up the ramp and escape the building. PRAISE GOD FOR THAT MIRACLE.

Another huge praise is for the Tomlinson’s son, Aaron. He said he was not scared because he knew that even if he died, he would go to heaven because he had asked Jesus to forgive his sins and live in his heart. His family knew he was on the verge of making a profession of faith and they don't know if it was before or during the quake, but Aaron KNEW God's peace. Shout hallelujah for that.

Here are some ways to be praying.


1. Thank God for keeping all of the missionaries safe and for protecting Rich Miller. Praise God for Aaron’s profession of faith in Christ and the peace he has in God.


2. Pray for continued safety and calmness over the next several days as the aftershocks hit; they are unnerving! Looting will be a problem during the night. The yard is surrounded with a high fence and electric gate so they should not have a problem.

3. Luis is a Chilean missionary who lives near Concepcion; he has two young daughters (11 and 9 years old) No one has been able to make contact with them; they would have been hit with some of the worst of it.


4. Right away all the men on the team will begin to assess the worst areas and determine the best way to minister to people. Pray for their safety and wisdom. Pray for God to use the circumstances of this earthquake for good and for His glory—to draw people to Him.


5. Pray that Temuco gets some water soon. Water is so important to daily life, especially bathing! Pray for God to provide water.

6. Pray for God to comfort the Tomlinsons, Snyders, Hinds and their children and all of the people in Chile.

P.S.  The Snyders have updated their blog and it reports that God has protected and comforted them and their children in such a great way. Here's the link to their blog: http://www.arethesnydersthereyet.blogspot.com/

Pray and Ask Expectantly!

God has been working mightily in Chile. Let us praise him for that. Two new outreach programs have started up this month in two locations. The missionaries have been partnering with pastor Abner in these works. Every Saturday morning the Tomlinsons head out with Abner to Entruco and Saturday afternoon the Snyders head out with Abner to San Ramon. These children programs consist of Bible storying, songs, and games. The hope is that these programs will introduce the gospel to many children, and into families, and then perhaps a new church plant that will reach the community. A children’s outreach event like this recently happened in Nueve de Julio, where God granted them a wonderful turnout! Eighty people showed up for the outreach event and many of them stayed to watch the Jesus film! Also, God has been such an encouragement and a provider for the missionaries, showing that His hand is in this work. Please read The Snyder’s Feb. 22 blog post to see the neat way that God showed His sovereignty for the sake of the Mapuche ministry. Also, praise God that the Snyders were incredibly blessed by their recent visit from Jessica’s parents. God is so good.


Praise God:

• For being a sovereign provider and encourager to the missionaries
• For what He has been doing in Chile and for what He will do
• For the fruit he has produced in the children's ministries
• For the team coming to Chile in March

Ask God:

• To prepare the Mapuche people and the Second Baptist Church group for their March mission trip, so that there will be new believers because of it
• To use the children’s ministries in San Ramon, Entruco, and Nueve de Julio to share the gospel and produce a community of new Christ-followers
• To protect the missionaries and local believers against spiritual warfare.
• To help Heraldo in his efforts to follow up after ministry events and form home bible study groups by raising up helpers and new home bible study members
• To bless the efforts of David and Linda Hinds, who are doing work on the coast

• To guide the missionary team as they undergo changes in strategy and direction in reaching the Mapuche people

Here We Go

As of right now, the Arkansas churches in the Mapuche Network are planning some of their first mission trips to Chile. I have a few details to get you started praying for these upcoming trips and the Mapuche people in Chile.

Second Baptist Church of Russellville is planning a mission trip for March 19-26th. Six people from Second Baptist will be going: Bobby Biggers (Second Baptist’s pastor), Duane Helling, Richard Johnson, Peter Krupa, BJ Paschal, and Shane Wooten. They will be sharing the gospel, distributing Spanish Scriptures, teaching basic first aid and dental hygiene to Mapuche children in public schools during the day and to Mapuche adults in the evenings. They will be putting together first aid kits and praying for people of peace to be identified for future church plants.
Please pray:
• For God to prepare the hearts of the Mapuche children and adults to be receptive to the Gospel
• For the first aid and dental hygiene training to be a helpful way to minister and serve the Mapuche
• That the Mapuche people would use and treasure the Spanish Bibles they receive

Bradley Baptist church is planning to go to Chile from June 11-18th. Then, the next trip from the Mapuche Network will be in October.
Please pray:
• For God’s guidance and inspiration in the planning process
• For God to provide the people and the resources needed for the trip
• For the gospel to be shared, for Jesus to be made known among the Mapuche, for new churches to be planted, and for Christian leaders to be made because of all of these trips!

Also, continue to pray for the missionaries in Chile right now:
• Trent and Angel Tomlinson, and their children Ashlyn, Caitlyn, Aaron, and Nathan
• David and Linda Hinds
• Anders and Jessica Snyder and their children Adrielle and Boden. 
• Pray that God will continue giving them opportunities to share the gospel, strengthen believers, and spread His Kingdom in Temuco, Chile

I plan to start posting shorter, more frequent updates, so be prepared!  :)