The Arbelaez Family Missions Update
Puerto Rico:
Starting the year with a trip back to the island of Puerto Rico for a missions conference focused on reaching the continent of Africa! What an overwhelming joy it is to see the many years of investing in leaders, and churches on the island bearing fruit as we begin to see them strengthen their calling to the nations. There was a team from the Democratic Republic of the Congo with a Congolese Pastor who has invited us to come and teach his churches and mobilize his people with a passion for the nations. Exciting. With your help we will one day help mobilize the DRC!
After the conference we were introduced to new leaders interested in our mobilization work. I will be returning this November for a full week of teaching on missions with one of the new pastors we met with. We also had the opportunity to meet with the Director of the Assembly of God Theological School of Puerto Rico and are now making plans for me to return and teach a full course on Missions to the entire seminary.
While on the island I met with a couple who will be joining us as Go To Nations Missionaries. (Pictured here to the left). This is a grand development as we have been working with churches to raise up and send missionaries outside the Spanish speaking world to the Muslim nations. These are the first Puerto Rico missionaries that will be heading to an African Nation. We are excited to pour into these called and passionate Spanish missionaries. I had the honor to preach at their church, where I taught on how to get over our perception problem. How we perceive ourselves will determine how we perceive God and His mission of redemption being proclaimed to all nations.
The Chinese are Coming:
As we draw close to the months of July and August we are turning our attention to the gathering of good Christian host families to house these students. Our program has received high ratings over the last 4 years. We have been requested to increase our numbers to 80 Chinese kids this summer! Michelle has expanded her team with two new ladies joining our efforts. Every year we see Chinese kids hearing the Gospel for the first time in their lives. They then transport that Gospel back to their families where God begins to touch the entire family. We are working with 7 area churches in assisting their people in doing missions work to an unreached nation right from their dinning room table. This is exciting and rewarding work. Pray for us as we attempt to compel church families to become host families ready and willing to care and evangelize these Chinese kids.
Colombia:
I am currently in Colombia preparing to teach at Christ for the Nations Bible Institute in Medellin. My two youngest kids and Michelle are with me here in Bogota as we have been at a great family Reunion of my Mother’s family – the Bonilla Clan. This is the first time back in 36 years to my home country. What a joy it is to see and meet so many cousins and relatives as we celebrated our oldest uncle’s birthday.
We will be traveling to Medellin on the 21st of this month to teach 6 sessions with students, a community gathering at the Bible Institute, and preach in various churches. Pray for God’s anointing on all my teachings as we seek to develop an ongoing relationship with this school.
2017 Ministry Trips
- January – Puerto Rico
- February – Colombia
- May – Brazil
- June – Honduras
- July & August – Chinese
- October – Haiti
- November – Puerto Rico
- Cuba possibility!!
We cannot thank you and the Lord enough for your continual partnership with us as we seek to mobilize the world-wide Church, train missionaries, and equip leaders to reach the nations. Pray for us as we continue to have greater vision to do more for the sake of the nations and His Glory!
God bless y’all,
Dr. Mitch, Michelle, and Family
