The Underwood Family

Missionaries to Argentina

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October 2021 Prayer Letter

October 2021 Prayer Letter PDFDownload

We have had a tremendous time over the last several weeks here in Peru, while continuing to work our way through language school! It has truly been an encouragement to our family to be able to take these steps toward our goal of planting churches in Argentina. Of which would not be possible without learning the Spanish language.

Last month, news came to us that Argentina will be opening its borders to tourist travel for their cruise industry. While this doesn’t mean we can pack up and leave just yet, it does mean it is a step in the right direction. We are planning to be there by January at the latest!

This past month, I was honored to preach my first five minute message in Spanish at Iglesia Bautista Omega. The following week, I preached it again at Iglesia Bautista Libertad. I’m thankful for the opportunities we’ve been given to minister, and the sanctuary we have to serve as we learn. It has been a great advantage many do not have during language school.

Eli, our middle son also celebrated his eighth birthday! It’s so hard to believe that our “rainbow baby” is eight years old. He was an answer to prayer after we tried for years to have another child after Peyton, and suffered a miscarriage. Eli is our personality in the family, and we are so thankful for him.

Please continue praying with us that Argentina will continue in the right direction of reopening to tourists! We’ve been blessed to have the help of Patrick and Leslie Henry throughout this journey. They’ve really taken a weight off our shoulders.

Pray as we strive to finish language school and continue growing and learning Spanish for the years to come. My goal is and always has been to be able to preach, share the gospel, and teach the Bible in Spanish.

Thank you all 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
argentinamissions.net

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Buenas y Grandes Noticias!

The day that we have been praying for, anticipating, and waiting for since March of 2020 has finally arrived!

We will arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina on November 6, 2021!

News of Argentina opening its borders came to us yesterday morning, and were confirmed this morning by our friends on the field, Patrick and Leslie Henry. We immediately began planning and preparing for this much anticipated transition, making arrangements, and diligently working to finish book four of our language school here in Arequipa, Peru.

Our current plan is to fly back to the U.S. on Wednesday, September 29th, arriving on the 30th. We will immediately get the covid vaccine as it is required for entry into Argentina. We will also, for the third time, do our FBI background checks, have them apostilled, and repack and regroup for our November departure.

While we still lack book five to finish the language school course, this will give us an opportunity to spend a few days with the Henry’s on the field before they begin their furlough. We will finish book five with Argentine teachers, and continue working to grow in the language before stepping out to start our own church in the near future.

Please be praying with us about this exciting time as there is so much to get done before we leave Arequipa, and during our time in the U.S. I cannot thank the Peru team enough for the time and energy invested in teaching us Spanish, and giving us a place of refuge to grow and learn. We will greatly miss our friends at Iglesia Bautista Omega, and look forward to seeing God continue to use them and bless the ministry here.

With any short notice change of plans, also comes a cost; one in which I am certainly willing to pay. However, if you would like to be a help in this area, I know that it would be a tremendous blessing. The cost increase of our airfare is around $500 for the family. We also purchased our tickets to Argentina which cost just under $3000. Our paperwork will cost roughly $700 to have expedited and apostilled.

To give you an idea; we set up an apartment, in Arequipa, while paying rent on our house in Argentina that we signed a contract on in July 2020. We are not selling anything. We are giving everything away to our Peruvian friends to use and enjoy. We are giving our car to the pastor of Omega to use for his family and ministry. Our hearts’ desire is to be a blessing as we depart Arequipa and arrive on our field.

If you would like to help with these costs, please feel free to do so with the following link:
https://visionmissions.org/give/

or you can mail a check to:
Attn: Stephen Underwood
Vision Baptist Missions
P.O. Box 442
Alpharetta, GA 30009

Thank you for praying with us and for us!

Your Missionaries to Argentina,

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

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September 2021 Prayer Letter

Underwood Family Prayer Letter September 2021 PDFDownload

August was a month of several ups and downs in our family, and ministry. I always want to write a positive update, be able to express how well things are going for us, and the blessings we have experienced throughout the month. I always want to be 100% transparent; there are times where it can be quite difficult. This, is the purpose for your prayers, and intercession on our behalf to a loving, gracious Heavenly Father.

Many of you prayed for Ashlee last month when she had to deal with a kidney infection, and we are so thankful that she has recovered from that. There were several days where she could barely move due to the pain, and as a husband, that was extremely hard to watch her go through. I am so thankful for God’s goodness and touch on her body!

I would like to also give God praise that we have finished our third language school book, started our fourth, and only have one more to go after our current book! This is a huge milestone for us as we learn Spanish, and continue preparing for the day that Argentina opens its borders.

Another praise concerning Argentina; our landlord that we have been renting from asked to have his house back. A house that we have been paying on, that is nearly furnished, and yet we have not been able to live in as of yet. This was discouraging to say the least. However, after Patrick Henry spoke to him, explained our situation, and our desire to be there as soon as possible, he was extremely understanding and gracious! This was a huge answer to prayer!

Concerning the language; I was privileged to teach a Sunday school lesson for our married couples class! It was a challenge to my ability and comfort, but God blessed and I got through it. I am thankful for the opportunities I have had in order to stretch my comfort level and grow in the language.

We want to thank you for your love, and prayers for our family. We pray for each of you, and thank God for your partnership in our ministry!

Your Missionaries to Argentina,

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