January Roberts' Report

God desires to heal our wounds
The years of 1976-83 were a dark time in Argentina’s past. During this time there was an internal conflict between the military led government and political activists. The atrocities that occurred are now known as the “Dirty War”. It is estimated that 30,000 Argentine civilians disappeared during this time. The government captured any suspected activists and executed them at will. Stories later surfaced about many of the “disappeared”(some pictured above) being thrown from airplanes into the Rio de la Plata to drown. Just as shocking is the fact that many of the “disappeared” had children who were taken and adopted out by the government.

How tragic would it be to one day lose not only a son or daughter, but also a grandchild. Some grandmother’s still protest these events in the streets of Buenos Aires. At this point, 77 of the adopted children have been returned to their rightful families.

How does one build trust after seeing such betrayal by a government that is supposed to protect its people? How can these wounds be healed for a country and a people? Fortunately, we have a savior who is no stranger to suffering. Jesus Christ has suffered both physically and emotionally to an extent that we cannot even comprehend. His wounds were for us and by his wounds we are healed. Like every country in the world, Argentina needs healing. True healing comes through Jesus Christ. It begins in the heart and brings about an eternal impact. We pray that God will use us to help in the healing of people in this country.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
1 Peter 2:23-25

Our Target Date is September 1, 2009

What do we need to do before we leave? That is a loaded question!! Well first we need to sell a lot of our belongings. Beth is getting very familiar with Craigslist. We need to downsize and store things. Then try to figure out the best & cheapest way to ship a few things to Argentina.

We also need to sell our home. That means a few home improvement projects first. We only need one buyer. Please pray with us that we can sell our home quickly and not loose any money on it.

We would also like to spend time with our families in CO, KS, & WI before we
leave. Our term is 4 years on the field and then one year home. CWW encourages you not to come home your 1st term so you can really acclimate yourself to the culture. So we would like to have some good quality family time before we leave.

Missionary Training International is also a great requirement that CWW has us complete before we go. It is 5 week training in we think.Colorado Springs of learning how to learn a language & learning about all of the many cultural obstacles we will be experiencing. I think September 1st will come sooner than I think.

Almost Half Way There

We have made it to our 45% mark. We are in awe of how God is working. Will you help us get the last 55%? You can contribute on a monthly, quarterly, yearly basis, or as a one-time gift. Please make your commitment on the prayer card and send it in.

1. By Check
Please make checks payable to Converge Worldwide, but be sure to put our names on the memo line. Mail checks to:
Converge Worldwide
2002 S Arlington Heights Rd.
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
After you send in your first check, CWW will send you a monthly envelope to remind you to send in your next months commitment.

2. Automatic Withdrawal
You can make a monthly contribution by an automatic withdrawal from your checking account. Your donation is placed into our Converge World Wide account on either the 5th or 20th of every month. This is a safe and easy way to give. Download the application here. http://www.
scene3.org/contentview/1137/138/

3. By Credit Card or PayPal
Go to www.convergeww.org and click GIVE then MAKE A GIFT. Click on MISSIONARY APPOINTEES then choose our name from the available list and click on the Make a Donation button. If you don’t feel comfortable giving in these ways, please contact us.

Supporters & Travel Plans

So far we have 5 churches that have put us on their yearly budget to support us. Thank you Faith Mountain, The Rock of SW, Troy 1st Baptist, Grace Foursquare, & Arbor Drive Baptist Church! We are excited to share our hearts and visions with them and get them excited about what God is doing in Argentina.

We also have 21 wonderful friends & family that have committed to support us. We know it is difficult with what is going on in our economy today, so we say thank you for your faithfulness throughout this difficult financial time.

The next few months will take us to a variety of different places. Please pray with us as we share our hearts.

Feb .15– The Rock in Littleton, CO

Feb. 26-March 1– Nebraska Churches & Arbor Drive Baptist Church on 3/1

March 6 & 7 -Converge Rocky Mountain Annual Conference in Denver, CO

March 15– Grace Fellowship in Lakewood, CO

PLEASE GO TO THE THRONE WITH US…

*Pray that we can sell our home quickly and without losing and money on it.
*Pray that churches and individuals will catch the vision of the lost and hurting in Argentina and jump onto our support team.
* Pray that we will be sensitive to others as we are ministering right here at home and in many churches

Zane is learning to crawl now....especially if he is motivated with a fine 'non-toy' prize!!!

In Tune with God

So our small group Bible study just started a new video series called NOOMA by Rob Bell. The first video was called Rhythm. It was about being in tune with God on a day to day basis. He did a great picture of showing a symphony playing together, in tune together, and being directed together. It reminded me of a dance, a simple, yet beautiful dance that we do with our Lord and Savior everyday. One of the questions in the study was 'what do you believe about God's involvement in our daily lives?' Now I don't think God puts things on sale just because we want something, but I do believe he crosses our paths with the body of Christ to encourage, uplift, and support us. So here is my little story for the week:

David took the 'good' car to WY to visit some pastors on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. So that means I had to drive the...well...um....taped up window, trunks falling down, loud Ford Torus. Zane had never had to ride in this car before, so it was an adventure. Wednesday morning we woke up and jumped in the car to go down to my sister's house in Lone Tree to hang out. Half way down I25 I heard a THUMP...THUMP...THUMP! Thank the Lord I was only yards away from Colorado Blvd exit. I made it about 30 yards up the exit ramp, pulled over, took 2 minutes trying to find the crazy hazard lights, and got out and inspected the flat tire. Yep is was flatter than IHOP crepe. (I love those.) Anyways. I started to take the stroller out of the trunk then the spare tire & the jack. I tried to pry away the hubcap to get started but it wouldn't budge. I called my sister and my brother-in-law & he was going to come out & help after a work call that he was on. Suddenly a flat bed truck pulled up, stopped, and the driver jumped out. I asked him if he was going to be my angel today & he replies with ABSOLUTELY. So Zane and I stood next to our new friend & angel Garry as he changed my tire. Soon I found out that Garry goes to a Assemblies of God church in Colorado Springs, took a team of 25 youth 15 yrs ago to Argentina for a short term trip, and is totally in tune with God. I truly believe that God sent Garry to me. He was supposed to pick up some 'tin container' for his job, however he couldn't until 4pm. So he just took the next exit (Colorado Blvd) to sit and wait in a parking lot for 5 hrs. There got clashed the symbols (visual of the symphony) and 2 believers came together to be blessed. AMEN! That is truly how the body of Christ should work and sometimes does.

But the story doesn't end there. I made it to my sisters and home again. David returned safely in the 'good' car. So today...Thursday, I went to Walmart to get it fixed. I didn't have a warranty or anything. I just said please fix it. We didn't have a lot of money to fix it but it had to be fixed. The man behind the counter said 'You are finding favor with the Lord today. I will give you a new tire and you will only need to pay $10 for a 'something' fee. I can see that you know the Lord and I know him too.' He went on to tell me that he does nursing home ministry on Colfax for the past 9 years. He has 6 kids, 23 grandkids, and a lovely wife of 40 years. He is another man of God who is in tune with God that God used to minister to me.

I am just so blessed at how God uses his body of believers to minister, encourage, and help other believers. When you are in tune with God it is easy to recognize how he comes to meet your needs. The Lord isn't in an earthly form anymore. He has called us to be HIS hands, and HIS feet to others. Are you in tune with God today? Are you seeing the blessings when the body of Christ comes to meet some of your earthly needs? Are you willing to be HIS hands and HIS feet to others?

Lord-Thank you for keeping Zane and I safe. Thank you for bringing your Church body to me, even though they were strangers. Thank you for meeting my needs for a changed tire and a new tire. May I be your hands and your feet today for others. May I be in tune with you today in all I do and say. I love you Lord. AMEN!

A walk to Starbucks...but not just an ordinary walk...

Last beautiful Sunday afternoon, my friend Jen & I took a walk to our friendly neighborhood Starbucks. We suited up our strollers with our kids, diaper bags, & gift cards(the only way we can afford to go to Starbucks these days...SAD!), and headed out for an walk/adventure. We enjoyed the amazing 60 degree weather the month of January had to offer and just chatted away. After 5 or 6 blocks, we came to a busy intersection where we had to cross a major street(Wadsworth). We raced across safely and soon found ourselves at Starbucks. BUT OH NO! I looked down and saw that one of Zane's shoes were gone. I left Zane with Jen and backtracked to see if I could find the shoe. AND YEP....IT WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSY STREET. One by one cars zoomed by and made the shoe jump like a grasshopper. Each and every time my heart hurt for the little shoe getting pummeled by the mad crazy cars on the street. I pushed the walk button, however it seemed like an eternity til it would allow me to cross. So I inched out into the insane street. I saw a hole and dashed toward my prize. I lunged, grabbed the shoe, and raced back to the safety of the sidewalk. I had won. (If I had a picture I would have wanted to insert it here.) I inspected my prize, Zane's shoe, and saw only minimal black streaks. I waved the shoe like a victory flag as I rushed back to my party waiting patiently at the coffee house. We celebrated together, returned the shoe to Zane's foot then started toward the door.

Now it was such a nice sunny day out that we didn't want to go into a stuffy building, so we decided to go through the drive through with our 2 strollers. They have wheels...right!? So we pulled up to the ordering post and waited. And we waited and waited. We waved our arms and jumped up and down(b/c we thought that they would know we were there b/c of our weight). That wasn't' working, so I asked the lady behind us to move up a bit so that the weight of her SUV would activate the ordering 'thingy'. As I was moving toward the SUV, and as the lady was giving me a very queer look, the Starbucks employee finally asked us what we were doing. (or insert a picture here!!!! lol) We answered with a simple, " we would like to order please". Well that didn't work and we got reprimanded by the lady. She said that we would have to come in and order...seriously! That sucks. So we 4wheeled our strollers over the curb & grass and into the Starbucks. The lady just shook her head at us and said 'Nice try'. Whatever! It was a great idea. Well we learned 2 new things. 1. You can't walk through the drive through b/c it is a liability and 2. weight doesn't make them know that you are there. Metal sensors do! So we ordered our cool drinks, took them outside and enjoyed our time together. The walk home wasn't as near as eventful. That is probably a good thing. We had a great time and...hey who knew that our walk to Starbucks was no 'ordinary' walk.