Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.      Eph 3:20-21(NIV)

Joy = Strength

Through these last few crazy weeks, God has proven Himself faithful in so many ways - to the point of exceeding my expectations! Have you ever had one of those weeks where you have no idea how you would get done all that you had to do? Well, that is how I felt for a few weeks. Yet He was my Strength and Joy!

In Nehemiah 8:10 among other places, the Bible promises us that the joy of the Lord is our strength. Now, stop and ponder that for a moment. How can joy be strength?

I guess that depends on how we define joy. Today I am defining it as a restful, peaceful sensation knowing that God is in control. This month I have been overwhelmed with peace and overwhelmed with joy. Even in the busiest, stressful times, God gave me a strength that words can not describe. Several times recently, I've sighed peacefully and said aloud, "There is no place I'd rather be! Lord, thanks."

ADAMM Conference

Last month's Americas' Directors and Missions Mobilizers (ADAMM) conference went incredibly well and exceeded expectations. We felt a sense of unity and excitement as we discussed SIM policies and heard reports from the field. SIM wants to come alongside what God is doing in mission mobilization in Latin America, and I'm so excited to be part of it. Thanks for your prayers for my three presentations. I felt encouraged as others said how much they appreciated the magazine and the website. When I unveiled the e-newsletter idea, they said that nothing like it exists in Latin America and that doing it will fill a great need that churches and potential candidates have.

PRAY now for how we put this excitement into action and for my part in it.

God gave me more time to work on my talk before arriving in Abancay for the Interdenominational Women's Retreat as a strike caused me to be stranded in Cusco for a day. Though the previous couple years around 60 women came to the event, more than 100 showed up this year, causing some last minute thinking.

The theme this year, "living in the beauty of the Lord," gave the ladies practical ideas in living out their faith. I spoke on the book of Esther, which challenged me as much as the ladies. A fellow missionary sent me this email note:  "I asked her, ‘What helped you most out of the talks yesterday?' She answered, ‘The life of Esther - her attitude was a real example to me.'"

PRAY that we all can put into practice what we learned and live His beauty.

Media4Missionaries

I'll teach the Media for Missionaries class this week in Lima. In the three-hour class, I plan to go over storytelling, basic design and photography, new technology, etc.  Then Friday and Monday, I will teach specific classes on photography and PowerPoint, not only for SIM missionaries, but for other organizations that want to participate. PRAY that we can all learn how to better communicate.

English Ministry

We laughed a lot as my English students tried to bowl. Many had never bowled before, so it was a good thing the bumpers were up!  The next 4-week course starts on Thursday. Like last course, we will watch an episode of Friends then discuss it, then we do a devotional/study on something spiritually related to the program. The topics this session: "a time for everything," "favoritism," "weddings and how the church is the bride of Christ," and "what others think of us." PRAY that those who need to hear the devotional each week will be there. PRAY that I would have creativity as I teach and that I will not miss any opportunity that God provides to share about Him.

Birthday Beach House

In anticipation of a "big" birthday in December, three of my best friends and I rented a beach house in northern Peru for a week last month. The vacation exceeded all our expectations as we had lots of great walks and talks on the beach and an amazing boat trip where we saw 200+ dolphins and at least a few whales! I praise God for good friends, both here and home. PRAISE with me that God gives us rest and restful times with friends!

Two other missionaries and I are organizing the third annual missionary women's retreat and would appreciate your prayers. In the event, Nov. 14-16, we will study Philippians with the theme "NEW MIND (NURTURED by the Spirit, to serve EVERYONE, with an attitude of WORSHIP and joy, MATURING in our relationship with God through INTIMACY, being made NEW in Christ to serve with great DEVOTION!"  PRAY that God will bring the right group together (from other missions too) to encourage and be encouraged.

Exceeding grateful for your prayers and for our God who answers them,

Chris

PRAYER POINTS

PRAY with me for 1-2 more missionaries to come to Peru specifically to work with me in English ministries.

PRAY that God will provide for all my needs (both support and ministry accounts are a little low).

PRAY as Meeka (the short termer I am supervising) and I study Beth Moore's Believing God together. So far it has been quite challenging!

PRAY for Christine, a new long-term missionary coming soon from Canada. Pray that her support comes through in His timing and prepare her for life in Peru. Pray also for me as I will be her supervisor as she settles in.

PRAISE God for His joy, strength and great love.

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SIM is a community of God's people who delight to worship Him and are passionate about the Gospel, seeking to fulfill the mission of Jesus Christ in the world.

www.sim.org or in Spanish: http://misionessim.org/