{"id":5944,"date":"2023-12-19T15:40:44","date_gmt":"2023-12-19T21:40:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/?p=5944"},"modified":"2024-01-25T15:59:20","modified_gmt":"2024-01-25T21:59:20","slug":"west-newsletter-december-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/west-newsletter-december-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"West Newsletter: December 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Dear Friends and Family<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

I (Ben) turned 40 in August, and we just celebrated my lovely wife\u2019s birthday on November 15. Time flies, as the saying goes, when you\u2019re having fun. Although, \"fun\" doesn\u2019t feel like the best way to describe what it feels like to careen over the top of the proverbial hill.<\/p>\n

These past few months have been crazy busy. Here are a few specifics (for you prayin\u2019 folks), including how God has been opening (and closing) doors.<\/p>\n

Busy Winter in Peru<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Upon returning to Peru in early Winter (Summer for the U.S.), we renewed our evangelistic efforts, continued helping train up a new generation of Peruvian missionaries, and joined the pastoral team at one of our local churches. It was a crazy busy three months, as Peru always seems to pull us in many directions. From the sandy streets of Lima\u2019s coastal desert slums to the cold flanks of the snow-capped Andes, to the steaming hot Amazon rainforest, sincere spiritual needs abound.<\/p>\n

\"Towering,<\/a>

Towering, glacier-clad San Mateo, just over the \"hill\" from our local contact.<\/p><\/div>\n

Deysi and Abby started off on a mission boat far up the Amazon tributaries. Next, we took a family trip to the Andes to minister in a high-altitude (high security) prison, followed by an encouraging visit to a pastoral family on the backside of Peru\u2019s highest peak, Huascaran. Later, my girls and I did a \u201ctwo-for-one\u201d trip, starting out near the shores of the world\u2019s highest navigable lake (Titicaca, 12500 ft). We were just getting (sort of) used to the cold when it was time for the overnight bus journey that first goes up (briefly topping 16,000 ft), and then down, down, down into Peru\u2019s southern jungles which are back at nearly sea level!<\/p>\n

\"Lonely<\/a>

Lonely road through Peru's southern Altiplano (High Plains) in Puno (13,000+ ft).<\/p><\/div>\n

Ministry was sweet in all these places (and more), with the highlight being preaching Christ at an open-air evangelistic service in one of the busiest plazas of Puerto Maldonado!<\/p>\n

Please continue to pray that God would raise up more laborers to reach all of Peru, and many strategic places around the world!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Amazing Autumn in Asia<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

The looming reality of our long-awaited (post-pandemic) return to Asia served as a sort of goal post at the end of summer, encouraging us to squeeze maximum ministry into a relatively short period of time (Jun-Aug, which is technically winter in the Southern Hemisphere).<\/p>\n

We landed in Bangkok on September 9, rented a little car, and thus began a 2.5-month journey throughout Asia which we only completed two days before Thanksgiving.<\/p>\n

The purpose of the trip was four-fold:
\n1) Encourage many missionaries with whom we have previously served, many who are trying to get settled in new and difficult fields of service.
\n2) Look for strategic opportunities for future workers from (especially) Latin America to come and serve as long-term, cross-cultural missionaries.
\n3) Minister the Word in as many places as the Lord would open the doors.
\n4) Attempt to visit China for the first time since 2019 and do #1-3 there as well! (See the next section for the China update.)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Mendez family (Mexico), serving in Thailand, need your prayers.<\/p><\/div>\n

Space does not suffice to tell of all the amazing missionaries and churches we connected with in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Macau, India, and Vietnam.<\/p>\n

Pray for those who are giving their lives to reach the Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and Atheists of Asia, and for even more laborers to rise and target each unreached place!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Open (and Closed) Doors in China<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Ever since being deported from China (May 2018) I have been eyeing 2023 as the year to attempt to return. I was given a \u201cDeportation Letter\u201d by the police stating I was banned from China for 5 years, so there was some hope that I would be granted a visa and be able to visit.<\/p>\n

Alas, China closed its doors for 3+ pandemic years, and the current communist regime has waxed more evil. Missionaries continue to be expelled, and only a few are returning to take their place. In that context, I have both good news and bad news. First, the bad news\u2026<\/p>\n

In the past three months I have attempted to get back into China in three different ways (for security reasons I won\u2019t share them publicly), none of which have worked. And the authorities won\u2019t tell me anything, neither confirming nor denying that my ban has been increased (ten years? indefinitely?). That\u2019s the bad news. Not only can I not get in, but I don't know for how long. The only thing certain is my unwavering dedication to China's truly unreached.<\/p>\n

Now, the good news. China is finally re-open for visitors, and that includes my own brave wife and children (who still have valid visas)! They were blessed to spend 22 days back home in China (late Oct, early Nov), connecting with old friends and accomplishing many strategic tasks.<\/p>\n

Please visit PrayforChina.us and ask the Lord to open doors for the Gospel to flow freely in China!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Merry Christmas!<\/p>\n

The West Family<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To Stay in Touch:<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

\u2022 Call\/Text: 405-265-5695<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Email: china.myadventures@gmail.com <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Blog: China Call Substack<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Twitter: www.twitter.com\/chinaadventures <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Instagram: www.instagram.com\/chinaadventures<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dear Friends and Family I (Ben) turned 40 in August, and we just celebrated my lovely wife\u2019s birthday on November 15. Time flies, as the saying goes, when you\u2019re having…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":5305,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29,1,4],"tags":[487,165,265,31,121],"class_list":{"0":"post-5944","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-missionary-newsletters","8":"category-uncategorized","9":"category-world-missions","10":"tag-487","11":"tag-ben-deysi-west","12":"tag-december","13":"tag-missionary-newsletter","14":"tag-west","15":"entry"},"title_es":"Bolet\u00edn Oeste: abril de 2020","content_es":"\u00a1Saludos en el precioso nombre de Jes\u00fas!<\/strong> Es un placer estar con socios y amigos para agradecerles personalmente por sus continuas oraciones y su apoyo incondicional. Hemos estado viajando en los Estados Unidos desde el 6 de diciembre de 2018, desde California hasta Carolina del Sur y del Norte. \u00a1Dios es bueno! \u00c9l siempre nos proporciona un lugar para quedarse y un autom\u00f3vil para usar para desplazarnos. Agradecemos a las siguientes iglesias que hemos visitado por su amabilidad, calidez, hospitalidad y generosidad: la Comunidad Internacional de Cristo, los Ministerios Cristianos de Berea, Jes\u00fas es el Se\u00f1or, la Iglesia de la Ciudad Cristiana, la Cruz a la Vida, la Palabra de Vida, la Iglesia Cristiana Filipina, Springfield PH Church, Laurinburg PH Church, Woodville PH Church, Abundant Life Church, Goose Creek PH Church y Brock's Chapel. Nos sentimos honrados y encantados de testificar de la bondad y la fidelidad de Dios. \u00c9l continuamente prospera y bendice el ministerio en Tailandia y los pa\u00edses vecinos (Laos, Vietnam y Myanmar). El 23 de diciembre, 24 budistas recibieron al Se\u00f1or Jes\u00fas durante la celebraci\u00f3n de la Navidad en nuestra iglesia en Don Muang, Bangkok. El 24 y 26 de enero, el pastor Steve Willis y Jim Cox de Valley Harvest Ministries en Virginia llevaron a cabo un seminario de liderazgo en el Centro de Capacitaci\u00f3n de Misiones Indo-China (Mekong Bible Training Center) en Mae Sai con la ayuda del Pastor Chi Chang, el Pastor Big Laddawan, y los misioneros, Doug y Jill Nelson. Fue un gran seminario al que asistieron 40 l\u00edderes provenientes de Tailandia, Laos, Camboya y Myanmar. El tema de la conferencia fue \"S\u00e9 fiel\". La construcci\u00f3n de la tercera fase del dormitorio en el Centro de Capacitaci\u00f3n B\u00edblica Mekong y la cafeter\u00eda en el Seminario Teol\u00f3gico de Tailandia est\u00e1n avanzando. Ambos proyectos deben completarse para obtener mejores instalaciones y programas de discipulado efectivos para nuestros estudiantes. Si desea ser parte de este esfuerzo, env\u00ede su contribuci\u00f3n a IPHC WMM, Oklahoma City con el n\u00famero de cuenta del proyecto designado: 74015 para MBTC y 74520 para TTS. Gracias a IPHC WMM, a la subvenci\u00f3n del Proyecto Antioch, a Valley Harvest Ministries en Virginia, a Bible Temple Church en Toledo, Ohio, y al Equipo de Construcci\u00f3n de Cornerstone por apoyar el proyecto MBTC. Agradecemos a nuestro director nacional, el Dr. Wallapa Wisawasukmongchol, por asistir a la sexta Asamblea Mundial en Chile, del 20 al 22 de febrero, para representar a Tailandia. Ella fue animada y tuvo un tiempo maravilloso con hermanos de diferentes partes del mundo. Damos gracias a Dios por su liderazgo. Tuvimos la suerte de participar en los eventos de comidas de la Gran Comisi\u00f3n de Carolina del Norte, dirigidos por Doug Bartlett, que comenzaron el 14 de febrero y se extendieron hasta el 7 de marzo (totalizando 12 reuniones). \u00a1Estas comidas estuvieron llenas de grandes personas, excelentes informes de misioneros, excelente comida, excelente compa\u00f1erismo y una gran oportunidad para que las iglesias se asocien con misioneros! Gracias a los representantes de IPHC WMM, el Dr. Terry Tramel y el Reverendo Brian Nix, por animar a las iglesias a ganar almas para Jes\u00fas en todo el mundo al apoyar a los misioneros y diferentes proyectos. Sus oraciones y amables invitaciones para que vayamos a su iglesia son muy apreciadas. Puede contactarnos al (916)841-7412 o jiepalbert@hotmail.com. Por favor, oren para que podamos cumplir con nuestro presupuesto y regresar al campo en o antes de mediados de junio por otro per\u00edodo de tres a\u00f1os. Que se haga su voluntad. Gracias y que Dios los bendiga a todos.<\/strong> Sus<\/strong><\/em> colaboradores<\/strong><\/em> en Cristo, el<\/strong><\/em> hermano Albert y la hermana Jiep<\/strong><\/em> \u00a0<\/em> Gonzales<\/em><\/strong>\r\n

<\/div>\r\n

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\u2022 Facebook: www.facebook.com\/Pray4Gansu<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n