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The Pohls: Craig & Stacy Mission to the World Karis (12)
& Aimee Grace (10) A Chilean summer update: Feb. 2015
Dear Praying Friends,
From our corner of the globe to yours, we pray that this le er
nds you well and trus ng in the Lord’s goodness andprovision each
new day!
In Chile, we’ve no ced that certain periods of the year seem to
be marked by spasms of intense ac vity some mesfollowed by a bit of
a lull. Situated as we are in the southern hemisphere, the last
quarter of each year is jam -packedwith produc ve possibili es for
schools, businesses, and churches as the close of the academic and
calendar yearcoincide with a crescendo of Christmas and New Year’s
celebra ons. Now that we can catch our breath and lookback, we
invite you to rejoice with us in the ways the Lord has enabled
Lonquén Valley Presbyterian Church to reachout to their community –
and how He con nues to open doors for our family to serve together
with our new churchfamily in unique opportuni es.
Evangelism at the Crossroads! Without a permanent loca on, no
local malls or other popular gathering points, church leaders have
beenlooking for new ways to meet folks in Lonquén —a semi -rural,
semi -residen al area on the outskirts of San ago.“What about ‘el
cruce’?” someone asked. ‘El cruce’ is what some locals have dubbed
the mee ng place of thetwo main roads which crisscross the area —
and also quite near the town hall where we worship. Perfect!
So, on two consecu ve Saturdays in November about half of the
church headed for ‘el cruce’ to share a messageof Christ’s
redeeming love in a dynamic visual presenta on ( med to t with each
cycle of the stop lights).Others greeted passersby with a warm
personal invita on to join us for worship and a custom
-designedpamphlet explaining the Gospel message. Many thanked us
for our e orts; a few were put o . Severalenthusias cally remarked,
“We had no idea there was a church so close by!”; and at least one
person we methas joined us for worship on several Sundays.
A few carols to go with your produce? In December our church’s
Brazilian pastor, EgimarOlivera, approached the manager of the
largestsupermarket in the area (also near ‘el cruce’)about the
possibility of singing Christmas carols atthe entrance of the store
and distribu nginvita ons for the Christmas Eve service. We wereall
surprised by the response: “Of course! But yourchoir might need
more room. Why don’t you planon presen ng inside? We’ll free up a
large spacein the center of the store.”
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Our family is pre y sure it’s the rst me we’ve played and sung
“O Come, O ComeEmmanuel” between discount signs and dish soap
displays. However, we also trustand pray that it’s not the last me
that many in the Lonquén area of San ago willcome into contact with
Chris ans living out their faith - in the center of everyday
life!
Equipping a Growing Nucleus of Church Leaders As many of you
know, our main ministry focus is to assist the Chilean presbytery
intraining a new genera on of pastors, church planters and leaders.
While some students use the summer months tocomplete remaining
coursework, we are busy planning for the new academic year which
begins in late March. Please
pray for wisdom, a pastor’s heart, cultural insight and organiza
onal ability as Craig directs the Reformed TheologicalAcademy’s
faculty and students in this upcoming year. Give thanks with us
that many of the Academy’s studentsdemonstrate a genuine hunger for
the Word and a strong desire to prepare for Gospel ministry. Some
are alreadybeginning to preach and teach occasionally in their
congrega ons, applying what they have learned in recent courses
likeSystema c Theology and Bible Interpreta on.
Our family was also privileged to par cipate in the inaugura on
of the church building of a new church plant in Chillán(about 5
hours south of San ago). This year Craig has been asked by the
presbytery to mentor church planter Juan CarlosRenderos who is
spearheading this new work in Chillán. We praise God for raising up
faithful churches and servants, likeJuan Carlos and his family, to
proclaim the Gospel in new loca ons throughout this this long, beau
ful country!
Some of you have asked, “Does Craigcon nue to preach?” The
answer is both“Sí” and “Yes”. Recently, he preachedtwice in Spanish
at Lonquén Valley Presand twice in English at San Marcos
(thepresbytery’s interna onal, English -speaking church). We thank
the Lord foropportuni es like these to strengthenlocal congrega ons
through God’s Word!
Craig also con nues to serve on the board of CEMIPRE a ministry
lead byMTW’s country director, Rev. John Rug. CEMIPRE serves and
equips to thosea ected by blindness and other disabili es. Please
pray for God to guide Johnand the board as we urgently seek a
Chilean Chris an uniquely quali ed toserve in a key ministry posi
on for the center.
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask
orimagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to
Him
be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus… (Eph. 3:20 -21)
Thankful for your partnership in Christ, Craig, Stacy, Karis
& Aimee Grace
giving options On -line
Go to www.mtw.org Donate Now / Ways to Give
By Mail NEW DONATIONS ADDRESS
Mission to the World PO Box 2589 Suwanee, GA 30024 -0982 Please
make checks to Mission to the World.Note on memo line: Craig &
Stacy Pohl Acct # 16019
Celebra ng the Lord’s Supper at dedica on of the Cristo
Rey—Chillán church facili-ty. Par cipa ng from L to R: Craig,
Walter Vega (pastor of Cristo Rey in San ago), JuanCarlos Renderos
(church planter), Francisco Calderón (director of a Chilean
churchplan ng network), and MTW missionaries Johan van der
Westhuizen and Sam Mateer.
We were recently blessed by a wonderfulsix-week visit from
Stacy’s parents! On abrief trip to southern Chile we marveled
together at God’s handiwork including thisview of the Osorno
Volcano.
email [email protected] 901 -414 -2354
(US # reaches us in Chile!)
