The James Family

Dear Parkside,

We are very thankful to God for our partnership in the gospel together with you. We’d like to ask you to pray for our new Bolivian friend Mary.

About 4 months ago God put her in contact with Debbie through a mutual friend involved in ESI (Equipping Servants – our pastoral / church leader training process here in Bolivia). Mary was facing some insurmountable challenges in her marriage, and was looking for help.

When Debbie met with her for the first time and shared the good news, the BEST news, of the rescue operation God provided in Christ to save us from our sins and from God’s wrath through Jesus’ death on the cross, Mary was all ears. Within the first few weeks she understood the implications of the gospel, her sin, and her need to trust Christ alone for her salvation. She made a clear profession of faith.

Download a PDF of this letter including photos here.

Dear Family and Friends -

I only have time for a short letter- like many of you, I have pies to bake, last minute things to pick up at the store, a turkey to fix, and LOTS of details to work out! Still, I just wanted to take time to write a short note to tell you just a few of the MANY things that I am thankful for:

*I am very thankful that God has given me a new son-in law! Sami and Heather (Ross) were married in July, and are happily living in Santa Cruz. Sami is a very kind and thoughtful man, and I truly think of him as a second son. I thank God for his life, and for all of the joy and happiness that he brings to Heather’s life!

*I am very, VERY thankful to be a grandma! Nicole is a sweet baby, and it just amazes me to see such a perfectly formed person in miniature! It is also pretty cool to see your kids become parents! Angie and Andrew are very loving parents and are responding amazingly well to all of the adjustments that the adventure of parenthood brings. I asked Andrew the other day if he enjoyed being a Dad, and he said, “Well, I definitely sleep a lot less, but yes, it is very cool.”

Hello from Bolivia.

Yesterday our La Paz SIM teammates and good friends Scotty and Lisa Miser lost their baby. I wrote you 2 weeks ago explaining that he was born preemie -- 30 weeks, and around 3lbs. After struggling with infections and breathing complications for 19 days, his body couldn't resist the strain. Scotty and Lisa are mourning -- please pray for them during these difficult days. Yesterday they held a funeral service, and it was deep testimony to their neighbors and unbelieving friends of the hope we have in Christ.

Thank you for your prayers,

Kep

We'd like to ask you to pray for the newborn old son of our La Paz teammates, Scotty and Lisa Miser. Zion Miser was born premature one week ago, and he is having complications.

We would value your prayers for strength and growth for him (especially for healing of the hole in his lung), peace for Scotty and Lisa, and wisdom for the doctors.

Thank you,

Kep and Debbie

• Pray for the ESI (Equipping Servants Internship) participants throughout Bolivia and in Oaxaca, Mexico. Currently we have 523 active participants involved in weekly training, and 325 graduates since we started ESI in 2002. Please pray that many churches will be transformed as pastors and church leaders learn to honor Christ by being true to His Scriptures as they dedicate time to study God’s Word.

• Pray for ESI Expansion as we pray and work toward starting ESI in different places around Bolivia and South America. We are hoping to start ESI in the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz soon, and are planning to send PA Tomas Diaz and his wife Nancy and their 2 children to Loja, Ecuador in 2011.

Thank you for praying for us and the work here in Bolivia. Here's what's been happening ...

Bolivian Pastor and Church Leader Conferences: we just wrapped up three very intensive weeks of ministry to over 350 pastors and church leaders in the Bolivian cities of Cochabamba, Santa Cruz and La Paz. We saw God speak into many lives through the clarity, depth and practicality of God’s Word in the book of Galatians. Pastors and church leaders repeatedly told how they were challenged to think and live differently. In fact, many said that they came to realize that they have been living and leading the church on the basis of their own works-righteousness rather than in Christ. Please pray for lasting impact in many of their lives.

• Pray for the ESI (Equipping Servants Internship) participants throughout Bolivia and in Oaxaca, Mexico. Currently we have 523 active participants involved in weekly training, and 325 graduates since we started ESI in 2002. Please pray that many churches will be transformed as pastors and church leaders learn to honor Christ by being true to His Scriptures as they dedicate time to study God’s Word.

• Pray for committed pastors who sacrifice much to open ESI in new regions. Our ESI leadership visited the ESI groups meeting in Oruro, Huanuni, Potosi, Cochabamba in recent weeks, and reports of growth are encouraging.

• Pray for the ESI (Equipping Servants Internship) participants throughout Bolivia and in Oaxaca, Mexico. Currently we have 523 active participants involved in weekly training, and 325 graduates since we started ESI in 2002. Please pray that many churches will be transformed as pastors and church leaders learn to honor Christ by being true to His Scriptures as they dedicate time to study God’s Word.

• Pray for committed pastors who sacrifice much to open ESI in new regions. Pastor Antonio Cruz travels from Oruro (6 hour bus ride r/t) each week to Challapata to encourage and equip pastors. Pastor Jaime Cruz travels from Oruro (12 hour bus ride round trip) each week to lead ESI in the city of Potosi. Pastor Zenon Hurtado travels to the Oruro State mining center of Huanuni each week. Pastors in these new regions report good growth in their lives and churches.

Download the August Prayer & Praise PDF with photos by clicking here.

Hi from very cold (South American winter) La Paz, Bolivia --

We trust you are well. Attached is our August 2010 Prayer Update. Please pray with us for the salvation of many people in the city of La Paz.

Heather and Sami are happily married, and this week are moving to Santa Cruz, Bolivia to begin their ministry with Cafe Alfarero.

Our PURPOSE - Helping Churches Honor Christ by Being True to His Scriptures:

 “We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone complete in Christ.” Col 1:28

Prayer and Praise

• Pray for the ESI (Equipping Servants Internship) participants throughout Bolivia and in Oaxaca, Mexico. Currently we have 425 participants involved in weekly training, and 325 graduates now since we started ESI in 2002. Pray that churches will be transformed as pastors and church leaders learn to honor Christ by being true to His Scriptures. Kep spent time with the ESI participants around Bolivia in May, and is very encouraged seeing how God is touching the lives of many pastors and church leaders as they dedicate time to study His Word.