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December 23, 2020 By Stephen Underwood Leave a Comment

December 23rd Quick Update

I wanted to give a quick update and timeline on our attempts to arrive in Argentina. This year, along with everyone else, has been several road blocks and detours; however, we are continuing to research and exhaust every avenue we can to get to the field.

  • March 31: original departure date, canceled
  • July 15: Rescheduled departure, canceled
  • Sept 20: President of Argentina extended border closure until Oct 30
  • Oct 30ish: Argentina announced Nov 15ish they would open to neighboring countries and residents of Argentina only
  • Nov: we researched the possibility to fly to Uruguay, ferry across the bay to Buenos Aires. Migraciones in Argentina said we would be turned away at the border.
  • Nov 28: rescheduled flight for Dec 31st on word that borders would be open for tourism Dec 20
  • Dec 20: Border closure extended until Jan 31, 2021

    – We have expedited all documents needed to apply for visas.
    – We have paid for FBI Background checks and apostille service twice.
    – We were told by Argentina Migraciones that we could apply at the Atlanta Consulate for our visas.
    – The Atlanta consulate requires a special exception by Migraciones in order to process visas from here.
    – Migraciones will not except any paperwork, or requests concerning visas currently.
    – We have been refunded our tickets for Dec 31 and are researching any other possibilities in order to leave ASAP…Though I have no idea when that will be at the moment.

Please continue praying with us that the Lord will open this door, so that we can get to the field He has put on our hearts.

I’m thankful for the opportunities that God has given me to preach and serve here during our time of waiting. I am working every avenue possible, studying, and continuing training. We, more than anyone else, desire to be on the mission field doing what God has called us to do! We desperately covet your prayers as we strive to get to the field!

Your Missionaries to Argentina,
Stephen, Ashlee, Peyton, Eli, and Neyland
The Underwood Family
Acts 20:24
argentinamissions.net

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Filed Under: Prayer Letters, Reaching, Teaching, Training, and Sending Tagged With: Argentina, Departure, Family, Furlough, Ministry, Missions, Updates

November 30, 2020 By Stephen Underwood Leave a Comment

December 2020 Prayer Letter

December Prayer Letter PDFDownload

I cannot express just how much God has blessed our family throughout the month of November! November is a month of Thanksgivings, gratitude, and reflecting on God’s goodness. He certainly has given me more than what I deserve and I want to praise Him!

We were privileged to be in several churches in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The Lord brought in several new supporters that have committed to help us reach Argentina with the gospel of Christ. Several extremely gracious and generous love offerings were given to help meet travel expenses, and cover some of our set up fund costs.

One of the highlights of the month for me was our Unity Men’s Retreat! We had the opportunity to spend a few days hearing from Pastor Austin Gardner, and Missionary Jim Roberts III on several topics like; team work, forgiveness, expectations, and bearing one another’s burdens. My heart was stirred to be a better friend to our co-laborers taking the gospel to the world.

I do have a few special prayer requests that I’d like to ask you to join me in prayer with:

1) David Gates and family. (Church planter to Muslims) David’s mother passed away recently. Ask God to comfort them during this time of loss.

2) Keith Shumaker and family. (Church planter in Burkina Faso) Keith’s dad passed away after a long fought battle with cancer. Pray for comfort for them as well.

3) Lori Holt and her family. (Church planters in Chile) Lori’s mom is undergoing cancer treatment and is trusting God during her battle. Pray for her, pray for Lori as she tries to care for her mom, pray for Jason as he tries to lead and encourage his wife during this trial.

4) Blake and Bridgette Young. (Church planters in Colombia) This young couple suffered a miscarriage. Pray for their hearts to be comforted during this time.


Thank you all for your faithful prayers for us! Knowing how faithful you pray for us encourages me that you will also lift up our friends in their time of need!

God bless you all,
Stephen, Ashlee, Peyton, Eli, and Neyland Acts 20:24
argentinamissions.net

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Filed Under: Prayer Letters, Reaching, Teaching, Training, and Sending Tagged With: Family, Furlough, Ministry, Missions, prayer letter, Prayer Request, Updates

October 9, 2020 By Stephen Underwood Leave a Comment

Replacing Routines

Like most everyone, 2020 has been a year of… let’s call it, a “trying of our faith!” January was an exciting month for our family as we purchased airline tickets to leave for Argentina on March 31, 2020. We were nearly packed by February, had all our visa paperwork in order by March, and then the now familiar statement that has been made countless times over the last six months… “and Covid happened!” This is when a rollercoaster of emotions, frustrations, and revival happened in my, and Ashlee’s hearts together.

I’m not sure how to describe how a man feels when he is in a place of limbo, not knowing when he will be able to “get back to work,” or make plans, or schedule new meetings, or anything else for that matter. The best way to describe it was; I felt unemployed with a salary. Since we didn’t have any scheduled meetings past March 31st, I tried to get on the phones to do just that. The problem was, churches were not even able to meet for several months! The one’s that did start, certainly were not scheduling missionaries that were not already previously scheduled. So frustration began to set in.

I tried to use the time I had to enjoy my family. I began taking a few online courses using my Montgomery G.I. Bill from my Army service. I even researched and wrote a small book that really helped me grow in my personal convictions, if it helped no one else at all. However, I was still growing weary, which made me short, and sometimes unpleasant to be around.

One afternoon, my precious wife, humbled herself, and came to me with these concerns. The Holy Spirit of God gripped my heart as she brought to light the errors I was making in leading our family. My heart broke, I fell to my knees, I prayed and asked God to forgive me, then I went to my wife and children and asked them to forgive me. I can without hesitation tell you, that that was one of the worst, and best days of my life, and became one of the best weeks of my family’s life!

Ashlee and I made a commitment to each other, and to the Lord. It was time for us to regroup, and refocus on our responsibilities as husband and wife, and parents to our boys. For some time, we had gone through the motions. We each had our own time of devotions and prayer, we read our own books, watched our own shows, basically, did our own thing. The problem was, none of it was together. We may be in the same room, but we might as well had been miles apart. When it was time to turn the lights out and go to sleep, we each rolled to our side of the bed, checked email, checked facebook, and stared at a 2×5 inch phone until it was time to sleep.

Our boys had their own deal as well. They did school work in the morning, played outside in the afternoon, maybe some video games in the evening, and were in bed by 9pm. We’ve always taught them to be in the Word and allow God to speak to them. The homeschool curriculum we use has lots of bible, and so I took for granted that they were “getting what they needed.” Again, the problem was, they weren’t getting it from me. So we made some changes.

We have a “new routine” and I, we love it! I lead the boys in family devotions before starting school work in the morning. We take as long as they want if they have questions, and I will pick out several things to discuss. Peyton, Eli, and even Neyland at times will pray for the day, and over specific prayer requests. Everyday, weather permitting of course, I will take a few minutes to just play with them. Honestly, I think I enjoy it more than they do. By the way, 9pm is still lights out! (I’m mean like that.)

At night, Ashlee and I will read a marriage book together, out loud. We will discuss what we read, any issues that need to be addressed, either between us, or with our sons, and then we will make a plan for the next day. We will end each day reading from God’s Word together. This was something we started just after we were married, and like many other things in life, often neglected over time. Our phones are plugged up on the opposite side of the room and silenced. We have set aside time that is 100% devoted to each other. Its at this time, I ask Ashlee, “what can I help you with tomorrow? Is there anything you need me to take care of?” Usually, she simply says, “just love me.” Isn’t it truly amazing that the one thing most wives desire from their husband is not more things, its simply love and time?!

Is our marriage perfect? Not by a long shot! Do we agree on everything? Not at all! But as we create new routines, replace bad habits with good ones, grow in our relationship with God, and each other; even our disagreements are filled with love and tenderness. Right now, Ashlee and my marriage is the strongest it has ever been! I know this is a long post, but I also know that there are likely many others that especially during this time are facing many of the same frustrations we were and are. If this will help give you some ideas about nurturing and protecting the MOST IMPORTANT human relationship you have on earth, you and your spouse, then to God be the Glory! Please know that Ashlee and I are praying with you and for you as you seek to honor the Lord together, and raise your children to follow Him, even in these uncertain days!

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Filed Under: Prayer Letters, Reaching, Teaching, Training, and Sending Tagged With: challenge, Character, Devotions, Family, Marriage, Ministry, Praise, Prayer Request

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