Carter January 2013 Prayer Letter

7/30/2019 Carter January 2013 Prayer Letter

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[1] [email protected]

PRAISE:Laura and the kids (and the dog!) arrive

safely in October and have been

adjusting very well to all of the new life

changes.

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE CARTERS?Since 2003 we have served with ABWE and now God is leading us on to an all new adventure.

I (Scott) want to apologize for taking so long to get a more recent update out to all of you. Our fall was

full of activity and now after so many months of no updates I havent known where to begin! I have been

able to be in contact with many of you via Facebook and have talked with a few by phone but I ask you all

for your forgiveness on not getting this prayer letter out sooner.

In our last Prayer Letter we announced our scheduled departure from Colombia and return to the

USA, due to years of health problems and the stress and long-term consequences these have created for

us as a family. After much prayer, discussion and counsel we determined, as difficult as it was, that this

was our next step in ministry. Our plan was to depart Colombia in early December as a family but after

much prayer and in response to more physical problems, we decided that the best thing to happen would

be for Laura and the kids to depart as soon as possible.

In late September Lauras mom, Joyce Stam, came down to help us pack and prepare things to sell

that we would not be bringing back to the USA and to just help Laura with the kids with the day to day

chores around the house. She was a tremendous help and blessing as Laura and I could not have done it

all alone. It also made travel and the airports much less stressful for Laura with her help as I was not able

to do my usual job of immigration liaison, passport guru and heavy baggage grunt!

(Contd pg.2)

Impacting lives for Gods glory

January 201
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Bitter-sweet departure ContdOn the final Sunday in September, final also for Laura and the kids, the church family in Santa

Marta surprised us with a special service and meal after the Sunday morning service. We figured

beforehand that they would do something but we were overwhelmed as they went out of their way to

make us all feel so loved. It was a very emotional day as so many of them shared their appreciation

for our time of service and investment in their lives. We arrived back home exhausted that day but

so encouraged at the spiritual growth we had seen and the love we felt.

The first week in October, Laura, kids, grandmother and dog along with 12 suitcases and carry-

ons departed from Colombia. It was hard to believe that nearly 9 years ago we were doing the

complete opposite, heading to language school! Praise God everyone and all of the bags arrived

safely in Iowa and all things considered it was a pretty good travel day.

Shortly after Laura and the kids departed a buyer gave us an offer on our home and we

accepted. We signed a contract and received the down payment. The bad news was that after 2

months of waiting on the buyers bank I Scott, continued to wait on all of the paperwork to finalize.

Things in Colombia move slow but we seem to be setting some new records for slowness!

With the holidays approaching and after 2 months of separation as a family, Laura convinced

me to return to the USA and continue the process of waiting here. Im so glad for her wisdombecause I sure was lonely as a bachelor in that big empty house (We sold all of our furniture and I

was down to a bed, a small couch and a TV!).

We decided if I was going to return we would keep it a secret from the kids and most of the

family. What a surprise it was when Laura opened the trunk of the car and out popped Dad! I think

it brought tears to all of our eyes and I know I sure do appreciate what many servicemen do for our

country, especially as it relates to not being around your wives and children during deployments!

So where are you in the process of the house sale?We are still waiting for the finalization of the paperwork by the bank of the buyer. We are not

too concerned as they were pre-approved and he is an anesthesiologist, so he is certainly able toafford the home. However for various reason the process has taken much longer than either of us

anticipated. Lord willing, mid-January, Scott will return to finalize the sale of our home, wire the

money to our bank here in the USA (so we can purchase a home here) and finalize a few other

items as well as visit our church family in Santa Marta.

At this time it appears that Scott will be traveling around January 20th for Colombia to finalize

the sale and will remain in Colombia for about a week.

So what are your future ministry plans?When God first called us into foreign missions we often talked about how this was our Next

Step. We are about to take our Next Step and as in all aspects of life it is not what we envisioned

nor planned but God has continued to make the Next Step clearer as we move forward in faith.

Over the years people have often asked how long our commitment was to live in Colombia. The

answer has always been until God shows us otherwise. Well, God has now shown us otherwise.

As we mentioned in our previous prayer letter our plan is to continue in full-time ministry as

church planters. How we will do that and where we will be serving has now changed.

(Contd pg.3)

CHANGED LIVES

Pray for the church in

Colombia

Pray for the Boyds and Medinas

as they continue to lead the

church plant in Santa Marta.

Pray for spiritual growth of the

church members.

Pray for more people to be

reached with the gospel in Santa

Marta.

Pray for the church to become

self-sustaining.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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As a couple we have both lived apart from family since we departed for college and with all of

our family health problems we determined one thing that would certainly help improve our quality of

life would be to live closer to family. We decided for various reasons to live in Iowa, close to Lauras

family.

For the time being we have been able to live in Lauras parents home (1hr SE of Des Moines)

as they have a finished basement with 3 bedrooms and living area that meets all of our needs. In

the spring we will be moving to Des Moines to begin the groundwork for a new church plant. We are

currently praying for Gods leading on which part of Des Moines based on the needs we are

beginning now to see.

How will you be starting the new church?We will be officially resigning from our duties with ABWE at the end of April. In the spring we

will be partnering with one of our supporting churches, Crossway Community Church in Altoona

(www.crosswayaltoona.org). We have already begun to get involved (preaching, music ministry)

and are looking forward to our move in the spring to allow us to become even more involved.

Currently we are in prayer and discussions with the lead pastor, Barron Geiger, regarding the

details of the church plant and will continue to keep you posted as we progress. For now, please

pray as we already have some awesome opportunities coming our way!

How will you be supporting yourselves financially?Knowing that we will be loosing financial support since we have left Colombia, Scott is currently

looking for employment to supplement our income. We are asking all current financial supporters to

prayerfully consider continuing their support until the end of April or beyond if they would like to

continue to partner with us in USA church planting. We are also looking for any new supporters who

would like to help us financially on either a regular or one time basis as we establish the church in

Des Moines. All gifts will continue to be tax-deductible.

Jackson, Makayla and

Avianna are all adjusting

well to life here in the

USA. They wish they could

go back to live in

Colombia but understand

Gods new direction in ourlives. Jackson and

Makayla are enjoying 5th

grade as well as piano,

guitar, sax and drums.

Avianna is loving 1st

grade at the local

Christian school and

enjoying Toby and her new

pet kitty Smokey.

KIDZ KORNER
http://www.crosswayaltoona.org/http://www.crosswayaltoona.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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How can I be involved in your ministry?Please check all of the boxes that apply and return via email or mail. Once we receive your

response we will be in direct contact with you regarding the details of your decision.

I/we will continue to pray for you on a regular basis.

I/we could like to continue to support you financially as you establish the new church in

Des Moines for $___________ until ___________ (month/yr).

Monthly

Bi-monthly

Once a year

Other ______________________________

I/we would like to begin supporting your church planting ministry financially for

$___________ until ___________ (month/yr).

Monthly

Bi-monthly

Once a year

Other ______________________________

I/we commit to support your church planting effort until: ________________________.

I/we would like to make a one time gift of $___________ towards the church plant in

Des Moines.

My Current Contact Information is the following:

Name: ____________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

Phone: __________________________________________________

Cell: __________________________________________________

E-mail: __________________________________________________

E-mail 2 __________________________________________________

Facebook: _________________________________________________

Twitter: _________________________________________________

A huge thank you!

We would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love and support for the past

9 years. We realize the sacrifice that many of you had made in order to further the gospel in

Colombia. Having you as part of our team has been an amazing encouragement to us. May God

continue to bless you in all you do as you continue to further the good news of the gospel. We look

forward to hearing from you soon!

Love,

BEAUTIFUL COLOMBIA

Our new contact information

2420 Osburn Ave.

Oskaloosa, IA 52577

Phone: 641-660-6983

Scott email:

[email protected]

Scott Facebook: http://

www.facebook.com/ScottJamesCarter

Scott Twitter: @pastorscarter

Laura email:

[email protected]

Laura Facebook:

www.facebook.com/laura.s.carter.5
http://www.facebook.com/laura.s.carter.5mailto:[email protected]://www.facebook.com/ScottJamesCarterhttp://www.facebook.com/ScottJamesCarterhttp://www.facebook.com/laura.s.carter.5http://www.facebook.com/laura.s.carter.5mailto:[email protected]://www.facebook.com/ScottJamesCarterhttp://www.facebook.com/ScottJamesCartermailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.facebook.com/laura.s.carter.5http://www.facebook.com/laura.s.carter.5http://www.facebook.com/laura.s.carter.5http://www.facebook.com/laura.s.carter.5mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.facebook.com/ScottJamesCarterhttp://www.facebook.com/ScottJamesCarterhttp://www.facebook.com/ScottJamesCarterhttp://www.facebook.com/ScottJamesCartermailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

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Carter January 2013 Prayer Letter