Last year was full of unique challenges for us, but also unique blessings. In I Thessalonians 5:18 we read, “In every thing give thanks . . . .” I think a year filled with a pandemic, rioting, an election, and numerous other headlines is included in that word everything, don’t you? We are so thankful for God’s provision and grace in 2020. We had a safe and healthy delivery of our daughter Emmalynn in July. She is getting so big and now has a new favorite food—ice cream! The only sickness our family experienced last year was a short flu and a few minor colds, but thanks be to God, we didn’t miss any meetings due to sickness. We ended up having 17 of our meetings canceled last year due to COVID-19, but I’m so thankful we didn’t have any more get canceled, which is what I was anticipating. We ended up with a total of 83 meetings last year, bringing our total meetings on deputation to 211 so far. We’re also thankful for the 10 meetings we had in December, 2 of which have already taken us on for support. Praise the Lord! God watched over us last year as we drove approximately 41,850 miles with no accidents. God also doubled our financial support last year. We started the year with about 45% of our support committed, and we finished with 90% of our support committed! Glory to God!
Uruguay News
We were able to cross off some of the steps in preparing for our move to Uruguay while we were home for most of December. We are still planning to move to Uruguay in April, Lord willing. As of now, the border will be opened for us to move after April 4, but that could still change because the president of Uruguay, President Luis Lacalle Pou, is planning to make a statement on January 10 concerning the border reopening. Please pray that the number of cases of COVID-19 in Uruguay will go down and that the border will be reopened soon. Please also pray for wisdom as we continue to look for a place to live in Uruguay.
First Salvation of 2021
My son Ethan and I had the chance to go soul winning in Milwaukee on January 2. It was a cold day, so I drove to an area looking and praying for an apartment building to go soul winning in. We rang the buzzer for the first apartment, and the door was then unlocked so we could go inside. We walked in and met a man named Chris. He listened intently to the Gospel for around 25 minutes and then gladly put his complete trust in Christ to save Him! Afterwards, I asked him if he would be willing to do some Bible studies with me, and he replied, “I’d love to.” So before we left that building, we were able to give him a John & Romans and the first four lessons of a discipleship series. Please pray that he will come to church and grow as a Christian.
Upcoming Travel Plans
We are leaving Milwaukee on January 7, and we plan to be away from home for meetings through the end of March. We will be in the South for the majority of that time. Please pray for our safety as we travel and that we can be a blessing to each church we visit. Thank you so much for your prayers for our family.
Your missionaries to Uruguay,
Tim, Christa, Ethan, Evan, and Emmalynn Simmons
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- Chris and I after he got saved
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- We have raised 90% of our needed support!
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- Christa and I celebrated seven years of marriage at a restaurant in Milwaukee.