We've had quite a time this past month. Thank you for praying us through. We're still waiting on adoption paperwork. We're still encouraging our national partners who've walked alongside us and taken on the leadership roles for small groups and churches-in-formation God had opened over the last years. we're still packing the house and setting our hearts toward a much needed time with family, friends and YOU back in the States. We've had ups and downs and we're working on keeping our focus on the Lord and staying true to the task He's given us here in Northern Argentina. We're learning more about what our task will be when we return as Catalytic Connectors between U.S. churches and Argentine churches allied in the purpose of pushing back the darkness and opening new works in places where there right now this is little or no evangelical presence.

     We ask you to continue praying for us specifically in the area of the adoption paperwork. We've been told that our file is complete and only lacks the judge's final review before she finalizes our permanent guardianship of Nico. Just before the judicial winter vacation began, the judge told us that it would take her 10-15 days to finalize our situation and today is day 15. Our attorney will be at the judge's office early - hopefully before anyone else with the hope of speaking with her personally to understand what she is planning in our case. Marcela, our attorney, will also assess the possibility of a meeting between us and the judge personally in order to present our urgency face-to-face.

      Please pray specifically:

* Pray for Marcela to be able to meet with the judge and then have clear insight and the right words to say as she speaks with her.

* Pray for the judge, Beatriz, to be willing to listen and moved with compassion to FINISH our paperwork. (we have two open petitions in the file permission to travel to the States and permanent guardianship. If granted the guardianship, we won't need the permission)

* Pray for us - if we have the chance to speak #1 that we will have EXCELLENT Spanish communication skills #2 that we will present ourselves in such a way that God is glorified.

* Pray for Juan and Ramona working in Colonia Derqui - there have been some setbacks there as Louisa has been pressured into no longer hosting the Bible study at her home. Pray for a new meeting place to open and for Juan and Ramona as they continue to reach out in Jesus' name to this very dark settlement.

* Pray for Pastor Hector in Esquina and the team of hunters who will be working together in September. Pray that that David will be able to help them organize their time together for God's glory

     Thank you. Truly, your partnership with us through prayer is essential to our ministry.

 

Ahh, national friends are such a blessing! Last week we had a visit with our dear friend Mercy and her family. Mercy has been a friend of missionaries for a long time and we are blessed to be a part of her circle. A couple of years ago, Mercy met and married Aldo, a Chilean and so now we only get to see her occasionally. I can't tell you what a blessing and encouragement it was to visit with her and not only encourage but be encouraged!

We're still waiting to hear adoption news for Nico. Almost three weeks ago, the judge in charge published that she has all of the information she needs in order to sign the permanent guardianship papers. Our attorney tells us it'll take about three weeks before we get an official date to meet with the judge and sign the papers. Please pray with us for a date that come sooner rather than later. We are praying to have the adoption finalized before our next Stateside Assignment in July, 2011. This will definitely take a work of God as the wheels of Argentine bureaucracy turn very slowly.

Last week we enjoyed watching Eli's elementary school present a celebration of Argentina's Bicentennial. Eli played the part of one of San Martin's liberation soldiers. He had a great time and looked adorable! Eli's having a tough time adjusting to the changes in our lives. Up until this year, we've been a team of missionary units. In March, Lisa moved to the province of Santiago Del Estero (about 8 hours away) and this weekend, the Peterson's are moving to Miami, Florida to pursue and exciting opportunity to plant a bilingual church targeting the Latin professionals there. Eli and Isaiah Peterson have been the best of friends since the Peterson family moved here in 2007. Please pray with us for new Argentine friends for all of us - especially Eli to fill this void.

We're facing some changes in our ministry focus. We'd appreciate your prayers as we seek God's face concerning the new directions He is leading us to take. We are excited about reaching out to people in more cities throughout the province of Corrientes. We are deep in planning the details for our 2nd "Shotguns & Fishin Poles" volunteer team in July. This one will be in the far southern city of Esquina, Corrientes and there is only one church in the whole town which focuses on the professionals of the city. We'll be reaching out to the people who live on the outskirts of the city and especially the hunting and fishing guides in this tourist town. Pray for us as we seek some sort of partnership with the believers of Esquina. Pray for good contacts and divine appointments as we work to bring the Good News.

Please pray also for my (Alisha) health. I've been dealing with two injuries - to my foot and sciatic nerve. I'm undergoing treatment and seeing progress, but it is slow and frustrating.

Thank you for continuing to pray with and for us as we serve to push back the darkness here in northern Argentina.