Dear Pastors and praying friends,
As many of you are aware, and have been praying for us and with us concerning the visa process in South Africa, we were recently denied visas to return to the country.
The last update I sent out was my plans to drive to the South African consulate in Washington, DC to gather information, and ask questions that would help us determine our next steps. I want to update you all now as we have received clear direction and are taking the appropriate steps to follow the Lord’s will for our family.
Several months before we submitted our application to renew our visas, we were praying and asking God to give us clear and concise direction for our family. With the uncertainty of the situation, and the lack of confidence in the process, Ashlee and I began praying fervently for the Lord’s will.
During this time, God began to lay on my heart, a country in which I had been to nearly seventeen years ago! Like many, I wasn’t exactly sure what the Lord was doing within my heart, but He was working none-the-less. Once we submitted our visa paperwork, we left the rest in God’s hands. Our prayer was simply, “Thy will be done!”
After ten solid weeks of praying, God confirmed through our visa rejection that He was moving our family to a new field of missionary service; the country of Argentina!
We are united and excited about this next stage of ministry! God used our time in South Africa to help prepare us, and mold us into better equipped instruments for His purpose! Though our geography will now change, our mission remains the same; to see young men and women reached and trained to carry the gospel of Christ to a lost and dying world!
I would humbly ask you to continue to pray with us over the course of our furlough as we now need to raise additional support to reach Argentina. Much of our belongings, appliances, and furniture that are in South Africa, we have donated to the ministry of Camp Rhino and the Coffey family. This means we will be saving and working toward a new set up in Argentina. I know that Mark and Amy can put those things to immediate use at the camp and that it may help them to better accomplish reaching those young people for the cause of Christ!
I ask you to pray for our team we leave behind. They are our family. We love them dearly. I take great comfort in knowing that the work will continue to thrive with the families that remain in South Africa!
If you have any questions about our transition, or steps leading up to this decision, I will be more than happy to address them! Please do not hesitate to reach out! (470) 399-2036 is my cell phone number.
As always, we are so grateful for your continued LOVE, PRAYERS, and support of our family!
Your Missionaries to Argentina,
Stephen, Ashlee, Peyton, Eli, and Neyland
The Underwood Family
Acts 20:24
So so proud of your commitment to serve and share the gospel. Rob and I will continue to pray for and support you every step of the way. We love you all the time!
Aunt GiGi