Heinz Updates
March 3, 2010
Dear Folks:
Thank you soooo much for your prayers. God was at work in amazing ways on this trip. On Monday it did not seem that anything was going to be easy. But, on Monday afternoon the windows of heaven started to open up. I was able to make contacts with the Supermarket El Trebol. Then Tuesday morning as we were dealing with the administrator, the owner walked in. The church in Temuco rented their property from him and he was good friends with Garry. The owner gave us a very large discount, and we were even able to get the ball rolling on a larger shipment of food for next week. Then we hit the road and were able to fill our tanks with fuel before leaving Temuco.
We were able to get to Monte Aguila and check on Pastor Rodolfo Ventura. His house and family are fine. However, the church building will need to be raised. Also, they are not getting food yet. The stores were looted there too. We were able give them food and milk for a few days. They should get help by then. Please pray for his youngest daughter, she has not been able to sleep well.
We pushed on from there but were told that a curfew was in place as of 6pm. It was 5pm. In spite of that we were able to arrive at the entrance to Concepción. There the military met us and allowed us to continue on to Tomé. There the destruction was very noticeable, as it was the whole trip. There were bridges down, overpasses hanging, cracks in the ground and pavement, and long lines for fuel. In Tomé the soldiers told us that we did not have permission to be on the streets. They sent us then to the police. I explained our situation and how far we had travelled. They let us through and we arrived in Dichato around 6:30pm. There a town administrator led Garry and his group of men up the hill to three camps of homeless, where he preached and distributed food. I was led with a group of men down through where the tsunami had leveled the town. At the base of the hill where there were a few houses still standing, I was able to speak to those that were affected and deliver the food.
After we finished up we had to find somewhere to stay while there was a curfew in place. One camp ground was closed. At a private encampment the people would not let us in because they didn’t have permission. So, we headed to Rafael. With some help from the firecompany we were able to get back through Tomé. When we arrived in Rafael we were met by a truck full of police with machine guns. They directed us to camp ground, but the people would not let us is. We returned to the police, and they were able to get us in. The people were simply afraid of being looted. They befriended us in the night and in the morning Garry was able to preach to a large number of them before we left. They were amazed and touched with what we were doing.
The trip home was uneventful, but we found out that Garry is going to have to drive the men from LVBC all the way to Santiago tomorrow to catch their flight. Please pray for their safety. Flights are leaving Santiago now on a regular basis.
Next week we hope to do more. Please pray.
The Heinz Family
February 27, 2010
The Castners and Heinzes are fine! So are the guys from LVBC. Traveling is complicated. Pray for the day. Javier stuck on the highway.
Bro. Heinz
February 25, 2010
There’s a new name in Glory! We thank all of you who were praying for Matias Ibañez. He came running to my house this afternoon saying that he wanted to receive the Lord as his Savior, but he wanted me to be witness to it. We praise the Lord for the work he did in Matias. We’ve been waiting a long time for this. Please pray for his growth.
Don Heinz
January 3, 2010
Happy New Year! We wish you all many blessings. We spent the New Year's holiday at home after a couple of busy weeks. The steaks on the grill were great! Sorry you missed it.
Right now Nathan and I are in Alumine, Argentina, and will be headed up to Ruka Choroy in an hour or so. Please pray as we preach to the folks there today. In the morning we will head home via Icalma pass. That's the route we got stuck on two months ago. It should be fine now.
Please pray for summer camp in one month, and VBS after that.
God bless,
Don Heinz
February 16, 2010
Two weeks ago we had a great family camp that produced some great results in those that went. Pastor Javier Flores preached the evening services. During the morning, Carlos went over the devotionals, Garry preached, and I taught the men. Michelle Castner taught the ladies. Tuesday was rainy, but things cleared up for the rest of the week, and we didn't have to change the activities. All together it has been a cold wet summer.
God moved in the services. There was confession of specific sins, and forgiveness of offenses. When we came home Sergio Sandoval made the decision to be faithful in services, and has been to all the services since camp.
There were several brethren that could not make it to camp due to work. We couldn't complain too much because they were without work for a long time and really needed it. Guillermo was hired to manage a company that keeps municipal properties cleared. This allows him to have a company vehicle that allows him to get to church for both Sunday services now with his whole family. Please pray that his wife will now come with him and the kids. Also, Alejandra got a temporary job in department store. This month they sell school uniforms and supplies for March. When the month is up they will evaluate if they will keep her on. Roberto had to work, and got off for the week after camp. :(
As for future activites, we have Carlos' ordination in Loncoche coming up. A group of four men will be down from Lehigh Valley Baptist to take part, and they will be with us the week after. Also, we are planning a trip as a family to be with Javier Flores in Santiago in March.
Please pray for the jail ministry. A few of the men have asked me to visit their families. This is tough work. There is a lot of bitterness toward them for breaking up their families and getting put in jail. But, the gospel can heal these wounds.
May God bless you all.
The Heinz Family
