Greetings to All,
The month of October ended on a different note this year. Last Sunday, Chile held their local elections in each region, which resulted in businesses and churches being closed; a totally different concept to us Americans, but not new to South Americans.
This past Friday marked the historical inauguration of a new holiday in Chile to honor Protestants which now compose 15% of the Chilean population. The choice of October 31st was significant. For history buffs, the date is actually Reformation Day; the anniversary marking the day in 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his famous 95 theses to the door of a church in East Germany and set off the Protestant Reformation. In Chile, the holiday is not officially called Reformation Day, but Dia Nacional de las Iglesias Evangélicas y Protestantes (National Day of Evangelical and Protestant churches).
Bible School
October proved to be a trying month for our students. Several have been hit with situations that affected their focus to a certain extent. Since they are heading into the final weeks of the semester, which typically is the hardest, keep them in prayer that they may finish well!
Over a week ago we traveled to Argentina, along with our residing international student. The trip fulfilled a dual purpose of ministering to the new fellowship of believers in Mendoza and of renewing Elvira’s visa. During our stay, Elvira was able to share her children ministry experiences with Sol, the pastor’s wife, and use the puppet ministry to teach the Bible to the kids.
Ministry
The six hour-plus bus ride to Mendoza, Argentina was beautiful. as usual. Best of all, the Lord blessed us by shortening the normal delays that occur with customs and the international police. We arrived in record time and were warmly greeted by the people.
For the weekend, Pastors Leo & Larry planned a marriage seminar that would be broken down into three days. The first night, the group divided up into men and women: Mary taught on the Proverbs 31 wife, and Larry provided the men with the basic principles of being a spiritual leader in their homes. Afterward, a question and answer time was held. The Lord really used the first night, to open the hearts of the people and reveal existing problem areas in their marriages.
Over the next two days, the couples met for studies, while the children were ministered to by Elvira and her helpers. By the end of the weekend, it was awesome to see the Lord begin to heal the marriages. This was only possible because of their love for the Lord and their hunger to learn more of His Word. They ended the weekend by praying over us...for our future, for our family, and for the ministry in Chile.
Ministry Continued
In preparing for our departure, we wanted to make sure that we visited the church of our helper Lucy. She and her husband, Manuel, began their own church a few years ago. They have been an important part of the Calvary ministry for many years; Lucy has faithfully served as a helper to the CC missionary families that have lived in Chile since 1986. We had such a great time with their group. They are very humble and loving people who enjoy worshipping the Lord in their own style...including saying a few “Amens” as Larry taught!
A few weeks ago, we received official notice that Ricardo Plazas will be the new Director/Pastor of the Bible School in Chile. Ricardo is a CC Bible School graduate of Colombia, who we have known since 1992. He and his wife, Mayra, have been involved in the Mexico and Spanish Ministries at CCGS for many years. Ricardo will be arriving here on November 10th to begin the transition, and Mayra will travel to Chile in the near future.
Family
The word family can have such a broad meaning. As believers, we know that “family” does not just encompass the blood relatives that we know and love, but it includes the family of God. After living in South America for so many years, we have been blessed with a very large extended family. Once again, we are asking the Lord to give us the strength to say goodbye to them. Most assuredly, we count it a privilege to have known and ministered to them..... with that they will always be in our hearts and prayers.
As for our family in the USA, we are most grateful that we will soon be home with them, to be more than just a phone call or email away, but to be present in their lives and to serve the Lord side by side.
We covet your prayers in every way, but especially for our transition to California, for Ricardo and Mayra, and for our beloved grandson, Vicente, who we leave behind. Thank you for those prayers in advance and for your support. See you stateside! Keep in touch!
In His Service,
Larry & Mary Grigsby
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal
for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14, NKJ
ITEMS FOR PRAYER
Bible School: Pray for the students as they finish up the final weeks of the spring semester. Pray for our replacements, Ricardo and Mayra Plazas; the vision and future plans of the Bible School. Pray for Elvira and Eric as they continue to study & live in the mission field.
Sunday Bible Study: Pray for all the families that attend, that they would grow to become mature Christians; pray for Ricardo as he becomes their new pastor, for the Lord to give him wisdom in ministering to their needs; leading of the Holy Spirit during prayer time on Tuesday evenings. Pray for Sylvia’s health, job for Rosie, and for marriages in group.
Women’s Bible Study: The women will finish studying the Book of Philippians in November; Pray for the Lord to continue to use these studies to teach them more about His joy and living for an eternal purpose.
Construction Projects: Completion of needed repairs and remodeling; wisdom in planning future projects; financial provision.
Somebody Loves You Rally: A SLY Rally is scheduled to be held in conjunction with the annual Pastor’s Conference on November 15th. Pray for coordination and teamwork amongst the churches, the evangelism teams and those planning to attend from the USA (pastors and leaders). Pray for the Conference on the 14th...that many will be blessed.
Radio: Pray that the Lord will open the right door for Pastor Raul’s studies to be on the radio in Chile. Pray for financial provision.
Family: Pray for Mary’s dad, Wes, and his health; for Bethany as she works and studies during her Junior year at APU. Continue to pray for Josh & Destiny, Larry Jr & Nicole, and Vicente.
