The Underwood Family

Missionaries to Argentina

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April 2021 Prayer Letter

Underwood Family Prayer Letter PDFDownload

Ashlee and I are now in book two of five in language school! This is very exciting for us as we are able to progress and work to learn Spanish. We are now studying the past tense verb conjugations and are understanding more each week.

It is really encouraging, though we may not be in Argentina right now, to be taking steps in ministry that will only help us once Argentina allows us to enter. We were both reminded the other day, that if we had been allowed to leave for Argentina on our original date, we would have been there for a year, would have finished language school, and would likely be in the process of starting a church. If I’m being real honest, I would have also invested in some GameStop stock while I was at it!

The comforting thought is that our Heavenly Father knew, and understood all of this long before it happened. He was not, and is not caught off guard, and I can trust that His purpose for all of this is far greater than my desire to be in Argentina. That is a wonderful truth that brings me great peace!

On the 11th, we will be in Peru for 90 days, which means I need to get a stamp on my passport. With the uncertainty of things at the borders of neighboring countries, we are not sure how that will work out. Please join us in prayer over this.

I would also like to list a few other things you can pray with us about:

  1. Our language learning and practice.
  2. The Opportunities we have to be involved here and serve.
  3. Omega Baptist Church here in Arequipa. They are currently raising funds to purchase a property. This church has truly become a haven for our family as they have welcomed us, and made us feel like family since our arrival.

I’m so thankful that I can count on your faithfulness to pray for our family. Your love for us is humbling.

Your Missionaries to Argentina,

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

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March 2021 Prayer Letter

Underwood Family Prayer Letter PDFDownload

Praise the Lord, we are just over a month into language school here in Arequipa, Peru! God is blessing our time in spite of quarantine and 6pm curfews. We are just so grateful to be making progress in the Spanish language, anticipating Argentina opening soon, and having a solid foundation to build upon once we arrive!

Just a few days ago, Ashlee and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary! It has caught be by surprise that I am old enough to have been married this long. Each day, she grows more beautiful, and I just get older. I’m so proud of her progress in Spanish and she is working hard to communicate what she learns every day!

The boys have started school. As of now, they are doing homeschool with our helper, Gladys. I am astonished at how much Spanish they are picking up even while completing school work in English! They really are adaptable and just enjoy the journey!

I’d like to ask you to join me in prayer for the following:

  • Language Learning: I desperately desire to learn Spanish well, and preach the gospel as quickly as possible!
  • Restrictions to end soon here in Arequipa: Some of the most valuable language learning comes from being within the community practicing what we have learned. 6pm curfews have made this a challenge at times.
  • Argentina’s borders to open and their restrictions to end!
    We are truly grateful for the opportunity to serve on the mission field. May God bless the time we have here in Peru, and use it to further advance His kingdom. May He use it to prepare us for Argentina, and the works He has for us there!

    Thank you for your love, prayers, and support for our family! Your

    Missionaries to Argentina,

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

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February 2021 Prayer Letter – Peru Language School

Underwood Family Prayer Letter PDFDownload

Buenos Dias de Peru!

I’m excited to report that our family made the decision to fly to Arequipa, Peru to begin language school while we still had the opportunity!

With reports of Argentina remaining closed to U.S. tourists until June, and the likelihood of other South American countries tightening restrictions as well; we decided to do what we can with the time we have to make progress for Argentina. Number one priority on this list is, learn Spanish!

We begin Spanish language school on Feb 1, 2021 and are excited about taking this next step in our ministry on the mission field. It has been 19 years since I spent any time in Arequipa, and I am just so thrilled that we have this opportunity.

As with any move like this, there have been a few bumps along the way, but the Lord has proved faithful time and time again. We have rented an apartment, furnished it, and hope to be able to sell our “lightly used” furnishings when we leave for Argentina. It can be a challenge knowing that we currently have a near furnished house in Argentina and haven’t been able to utilize it since we rented it nearly a year ago.

As you can imagine, the cost of furnishing two places can be quite substantial. We also have a vehicle waiting on us in Argentina, and now find ourselves needing one in Peru while we are here. Taxis are extremely common and accessible, however with Covid restrictions, many taxis do not want to carry our family of 5.

Please be in prayer with us about a vehicle, and the additional costs incurred by renting an apartment in Arequipa.

We are so grateful to each of you for your faithful love, prayers, and support of our family!

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