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Volume 1, Issue 8
September 2009
Upcoming events
September 19-27 September 24 October 10-18 October 14 Dental team #1 Rebekah’s Birthday Dental team #2 Johanna’s Birthday
J&J’s Journal
The Portillo’s Whole Enchilada
Serving with MAF in the rugged mountains of Southern Mexico
ADS invited to an unprecedented event
Two generational enemies in peace talks
In previous newsletters I have mentioned the idea that we work in an area where conflict has been the norm for generations; an area where three people groups converge. We have transported many wounded; orphans and widows abound. It was a privilege for me to be a guest of honor in representation of Alas de Socorro (ADS) during recent peace talks. To me, it shows how much we have become part of their lives. I had to take pictures! At first, I thought this picture was ruined when a man stood up as I was taking it. Looking closer I found it captures the main idea or central point of the meetings: Dialogue, Peace and Unity. It shows two hands stretching out to each other. To the right, the white flag being held high—truce! To most, this picture is about a bunch of men in a Town Hall Meeting. For those involved, it is an historical event that they never thought could ever happen. Two cultures, two languages; very different from each other, although neighbors. A lot of these men have relatives who have been wounded or have given their lives during the conflict. They have suffered; they are seeking a better future for their children. Some skeptical; others with high hopes. Our prayer continues to be that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, would become a reality to them. Please join us in prayer as we continue to minister to their needs.
October 31
Benjamin’s Birthday
Prayer & Praise
Pray for Juan Carlos as he starts planning and budgeting for 2010 Pray for strength and safety during the final stretch of 2009 with only two full-time pilots Pray that God would send us another fulltime pilot soon
Dialogue, Peace, and Unity
Saving lives through medical evacuations
Truce, as mentioned above, has greatly reduced the amount of wounded people we have flown in recent months. Another important change we have noticed is that high risk pregnancies are being treated at a much earlier stage. In the past, they would seek help when it was already too late for the baby and sometimes even for the mother too. The Department of Health has been working extremely hard to reduce the mother/infant mortality rate in our state, and they heavily rely on our service to accomplish this goal. They have done excellent work in prenatal control and helping families understand the risks of delaying treatment. But all this work would be of little help in these isolated areas if it weren't for the airplane. You are an important part of these stories by enabling us to be here through your prayers and support. Thank you!
Praise — Johanna was declared free of cancer on her last screening! Praise — We will be able to “settle” for a few weeks Praise — for the kid’s schooling Praise — Our monthly support has remained steady, even in this slow economy
Mission Aviation Fellowship
PO Box 47 Nampa, ID 83653 www.maf.org Phone: 208-498-0800 Fax: 208-498-0801 Contact us: E-mail: jportillo@maf.org johannaportillo@maf.org www.maf.org/portillo
E-mail Updates
During the initial process with Johanna ’s thyroid problems we were greatly encouraged by the com ments, Bible verses, testimonies, and words of affirmation that we received via e -mail during that time from our pray er partners. We also received multiple comments about how much more connected they felt with short notes updating the process and prayer requests that helped them pray mor e specifically. We would like to continue with these updates and make them available to anyone who would like to receive them . If you are interested, please send us an e-mail so we can share the news more often with you. E-mail us at jportillo@maf.org or joha nnaportillo@maf.org
Mom’s Corner
Mom’s Corner is back! In the midst of my medical treatment and adjusting to life without a thyroid, I have made it my priority to focus on God. I have limited my activities, but continue in the worship team, coordinating the nursery and helped with this year’s VBSVacation Bible School, teaching the pre-teens (10-12 years). It was a challenge! I was exhausted by the end of the week. Looking back, being able to touch the lives of almost 100 children, yes, one hundred kids from K5 thru 7th grade, was worth the effort. (Picture below) “In Christ I can do all things!”
Family News
Summer simply flew by us without much warning! Kids started school the last week of August. All three are now enrolled in a small mission school; Rebekah in 6th grade, Benjamin in 4th, and Hannah is starting 1st grade. This school is God’s provision for us, given Johanna’s health. She will have less of a load from homeschool giving her time for projects she had left aside. An important event for us as a family was to take the first missionary family from our local church to their new home and help them get settled. We will be the church liaison for them as they work on a church plant in an area that is developing fast through
Our kids on their first day of school
commerce and industry. After three weeks without the hormone, towards the end of August, Johanna went through a screening to determine if she needed more radiation. We praise the Lord because the test showed no signs of cancer or thyroid tissue! Please join us as we rejoice and thank God. Thank you for your prayers and partnership!
Juan Carlos and Johanna Portillo