Prayer Update

This week we did have some new developments in Nico's adoption paperwork, but not as definitive as we'd hoped.  There are two social workers who have to give their opinions to the judge and only one has responded.  Her response was favorable.  The file has gone back to the second social worker and when our attorney visited her this week to see how long she'll need to get her report back to the judge, she replied it would take at least a day or two.  We thank God for Marcela, our attorney.  She continues to be such an amazing blessing in our lives and without her, our dream of being a four person family would never come true. 

We've had some encouraging news from Esquina, Pastor Hector has some new plans and hopes for the work of reaching the Criollo in Corrientes.  Dave will be traveling down there today to talk with him about evangelism, new outreach groups and summer plans.  On this trip he'll also be in Goya and meeting with the new outreach groups there. 

Colonia Derqui is a very small settlement where the people are closely knit and fairly closed off to newcomers.  Jaun and Ramona are partnering with us there trying to reach out and literally bring the light of Christ into this very spiritually dark area.  Ramona grew up there, so that gives us an entrance and helps to find people willing to listen to the Good News.  Criollo people live very much "in the moment" and making solid plans or creating routines is not a part of everyday life.  So, while someone may be truly interested in Bible study, it isn't uncommon for them not to remember to come to a meeting simply because something else came up.  As you can imagine, this can become very frustrating for small group leaders!

We've officially begun the purging process that comes with moving out of a house you've lived in for 5 years...where does all this junk come from?  We're still hoping to leave Argentina on June 29, even though the adoption paperwork process doesn't seem promising at the moment.  We believe God will be faithful to complete this good work as He is in all other things, so on with cleaning, sorting, packing and selling!

But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. -  1 Peter 2:9  

As you pray for us this week, please keep in mind:

* Ibrid Benitez, the social worker in charge of ensuring Nico's best interests are met.  Pray that she finds herself working well and making progress in all of her cases.  Pray that she has discernment as she makes important decisions about the lives of so many children.  Pray that she sees  how completely Nico has become part of our family and all of her concerns for him are satisfied.  Pray that she is able to get her favorable opinion sooner rather than later.

* Thank God with us for Marcela Navarro, our friend and adoption attorney.  Please pray for her continued health.  She's expecting their third child and first son in just a few months.  Pray for her as she represents her clients in so many important family aspects.  Pray she can continue to be a faithful witness of Christ's love to all of her clients.

*  Pray for Eli as he senses our excitement as well as the tension involved in preparing for our transition back to the States.

* Pray for Dave's travel safety as he goes to Goya and Esquina this weekend.  Pray for him to communicate well God's great love for all of us as he leads evangelical Bible studies with his national partners.  Pray that he will have the appropriate words of encouragement and discipleship as he visits with the young men he is discipling.

*  Pray for Juan & Ramona, Antonio, Federico, Pastor Hector and Alicia who are our national partners.  Pray that God blesses them in their finances, families and time management as together we seek to " to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for us—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted." Among the Criollo people here in Corrientes, Argentina.

Because He Calls,

Alisha, David, Eli & Nico