March Roberts Report

54% SUPPORTED

David & I sit back in awe of what God is doing right before our eyes. Over the past 6 months God has brought 22 families & 5 churches to partner with us in our ministry to Argentina. With those faithful supporters we are now over the 50% mark!!!

In our last newsletter we stated that our target date to be in Argentina was Sept. of 2009. We have since learned that the Converge missionaries that are in Tucuman, where we would be our 1st year of language school, will be back in the states at that time. We were looking forward to being mentored by them during our 1st year & are sad that we may miss that opportunity. All that to say, a date is just a date. We can’t go until we are 100% funded. If we leave in Sept. or if we leave sometime in 2010, God knows the big picture. Please pray with us as we find peace in a target date.

Late Feb. & early March we were able to take a ‘tour of Nebraska’. We were encouraged as we sat down with mission committees & pastors to share our hearts. We heard how God was moving in many churches along the I-80 corridor. The highlight of the ‘tour’ was meeting our new supporting church Arbor Drive Community Church in York, NE! We know we will be prayed for and uplifted by this supporting church. We started many life-long friendships.

March 15th we were able to share at Grace Fellowship in Lakewood, CO. We were very encouraged by many individuals who signed up for our newsletter and showed interest in Argentina. Thank you GFOL for advocating for us. http://www.gfol.org/

IN OUR FUTURE

2009 started off busy and there doesn’t seem to be a lull...which is a blessing, when you are talking about raising support. Please pray with us as we share our hearts & minister to churches. Pray that we will be led by the Holy Spirit.
March 29 - Share at Word of Life Worship Center in Gypsum, CO
April 10-20 Beth’s parents will be in town– Lots of Langlois time:)
April 26 - Share at Faith Baptist Church in Guernsey, WY

THE ECONOMY

Does the present economy make you feel like this? Do you yell and scream and still nothing changes?

OR are you turning your nose up at every government decision made of late?

OR are you trying to grab the ‘bull by the horns’ (or the bulldog by the ear) but you’re not getting anywhere?





In this economic crisis, we need to put our trust in the Lord.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will direct your path.
Prov. 3:5-6

Economic crises are not new to the country of Argentina. Argentina has abundant natural re-sources, a well-educated population, an export-oriented agricultural sector and a relatively diversified industrial base. Though no consensus exists explaining this, political instability, erratic economic policies and global trends contributed to Argentina's fall from its noteworthy posi-tion as the world's 10th wealthiest nation per capita in 1913. Its most pro-found era of economic decline came between 1930 and 1980.

*From 1976 to 1983 over 400,000 companies of all sizes went bankrupt and economic decisions made from 1983 through 2001 failed to revert the situation.

*The most challenging crisis for Argentina in recent years was a severe economic crisis from 2001-2002 which led to violent public protests and the resignation of several in-terim presidents. During that time almost 60% of Argentine’s population fell under the poverty line.

*By 2002, Argentina had defaulted on its debt (the largest in history), unemployment reached 25% and the peso had depreciated 70% after be-ing devalued.

*Recent years have seen steady economic growth. However, high inflation continues to be major issue that is continually underestimated by the government. The inflation rate in 2008 was over 15%.

Argentina is likely not done with enduring economic crises. Who knows what we will experience as missionaries there. Our goal will be to offer hope in Jesus Christ regardless of the circumstances.

GO TO THE THRONE WITH US:

*Praise the Lord for bringing new connections
*Praise the Lord for 22 families & 5 churches that are able to be on our support team.
*Praise the Lord for showing us that He CAN & IS taking care of our family.
*Pray for wisdom as to when to put our house on the market & for a buyer.
*Pray for wisdom on our departure date.
*Pray that God will lead more families & churches to partner with us.
*Pray that God will continue to move in individuals, churches, & missionaries in Argentina.