“A total of six new churches started
“Chile” Supper
through this missionary ministry,
and several hundred people spiritual banquet!” is how
have come to know Christ.”
“

A
Carmen Rodriguez responded
to the first, formal activity
of the BMAA’s church planting work in
continued from page 5
Santiago, Chile. After many months of
The Rivers of Blessing missionary ministry in the Bolivian Amazon
leading people to Christ and patiently
continues to extend its work. The Arrington riverboat will soon complete
guiding them in spiritual growth,
its first full year of work, reaching many towns and villages almost
missionaries Bill and Jeannette Gibson
completely unengaged with the Gospel. During the past few months,
thought the time had come for several of
efforts have been focused on a 600 mile stretch of the Mamoré River from
these small, mostly family groups to come
Trinidad to the northern port of Guayaramerin. Much of that section of
together in a public event. You might call
the river also forms Bolivia’s border with Brazil, so Rivers of Blessing is
it a “pre-launch” service for the church
actually touching lives in two nations.
they envision. For the location, they chose
There has been a total of six new churches started through this
a hotel conference room in a central
missionary ministry, and several hundred people have come to know
location of Santiago. Bill added, “They all
Christ. In October there were baptisms in three of the communities—
come from different parts of a city of six
Coimbra, Bella Flor, and Villa Jesús. National missionary David Flores
million, so we chose this hotel that is just
wrote, “The work of the Lord is growing in these areas, and we are now
a block away from where all the subway
dedicating a lot of time and effort to discipleship. We baptized 24 in one
lines cross.” The night included some
town alone. The Lord has raised up some leaders. We’re also doing some
musical guests and a Biblical message.
doctrinal studies to ground them in the Word of God.”
Some shared their experience of conver-
In at least three of these communities they have already set aside a plot of
sion while others simply expressed thanks
ground and provided materials and labor to build a church building. Rivers
for the missionary couple who had come
of Blessing is trying to provide tin for the roof and paint for the walls. In
so far to bring them Good News. The
most cases that is about $500 per church building. Another important duty
night ended with a formal meal and a
for the Arrington this year has been the distribution of Christmas Shoe
great time of fellowship and pictures—a
Boxes, a program of the Baptist Medical Missions International (BMMI).
truly memorable occasion for everyone.
Three thousand of these boxes of gifts for children were received in Bolivia
The really exciting thing? Most of them
earlier last year. Because of delays in shipping and customs, the first shoe
are new believers!
boxes were given out by the VSM team in July. The emotion and joy of the
What’s ahead? Other events like
kids as they received their box of gifts is almost indescribable. Some would
this. Other people won to Christ. More
just sit and look at the box, not knowing what to do. Eyes light up and
discipleship groups added. A training
smiles widen when they see what’s inside. This work will continue, from
workshop in February for potential team
village to village, until all the boxes have been given out.
members and ministry leaders. Casting
The Arrington also hosted a retreat during the month of August for
a big vision for a big city. Pray for all
Bolivian national missionaries, led by BMAA Missionary David Dickson.
those pictured here and many more who
In September, the riverboat transported delegates to the BMA of Bolivia
will come to know Him through this
annual associational meeting. For the first time in history, this meeting
exciting ministry. If you would like to
was held in the village of Remanso, on the Chapare River, about 175 miles
know more about how you can pray
upriver from Trinidad. The meeting was hosted by the church in that
specifically, just write Bill or Jeannette
community, the first one started by missionaries M.S. and Katherine
at bill@billgibson.us. They’ll be glad to
Arrington (for whom the riverboat is named) in the late 1960s. Through
know you are praying. n
many years of trials and isolation, the congregation has remained faithful.
Their church building was destroyed by the floods of 2008, but they have
been able to build a new one and used it for the Associational meeting.
Medical work continues as well. In addition to the medical exam rooms
and the pharmacy, the Arrington now has a fully equipped dental clinic.
Before, they could only do extractions, but now they can do cleaning,
dental hygiene, and fillings. Making medical and dental care more available
has greatly improved the quality of life for many in just a short time.
What is our prayer for the Amazon Basin? People to serve in short-term
and long-term missions. People to pray for the many millions of forgotten
By JERRy KiDD
or unknown who are still unreached. People to support financially. Write Director of Africa, Asia, and Europe Missions
to us at riversofblessing@bmaam.com. n
6 theGLEANER n January/February 2010
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