Counting the blessings of 2005 in the Patagonia
Looking back always helps us to get a better perspective on our lives and on what is ahead of us. That is what we would like to do now with the year 2005. It was filled with excitement, joy, sadness, challenges, adventure and many many blessings for us who live here at one end of the earth.
- January began with the Raceys in the USA finishing their short state-side assignment (furlough) and Jackie traveling to La Falda Argentina for the missionaries’ annual meeting. What a difference in temperatures from Punta Arenas!
 At the end of the January a team from the Spring Hill Baptist Church in Mobile AL came and led Adult and children’s vacation Bible school in Puerto Williams, which is literally the last jumping off spot before the Antarctica. The town is made up of military and fishermen families. Many contacts were made and several received Jesus into their lives.
 The end of February brought the Raceys back home and Alicia immediately returned to school, which starts the first of March. The team began working with Baptists and other Evangelicals in the preparation for a city wide campaign using “The Purpose Driven Life”. English classes resumed at the theological institute with six classes of students.
 April the team began visiting on a regular monthly basis the elementary school in Villa Tehuelches. This year not only did the team work with Bible teachings and crafts with the children but began a ladies’ class in the afternoon. The first week there were only four ladies but by the end of the year the group would average around 10. This afternoon activity also gives Mike an opportunity to visit and share with the teachers who remain at the school doing their work. Jackie began a Sunday evening Bible study for ladies who were not participating in church settings. Mike and Annette also began working with a couple who still are seeking to understand the purpose God has for their lives and to know Him in a personal relationship.
 The “Purpose Driven Life” campaign began in May with more than 100 participants. In the words of one of the ladies “I have always thought there was a greater purpose for my life but didn’t know that it could come from God. What a blessing to know that He has something special for me to do.” This thought was echoed by many during the 40 days. To date more than 200 in Punta Arenas and Porvenir have studied this book in a small group and many have found a new purpose and direction for their lives.
 June brought very cold weather and snow to Punta Arenas. It also brought a team of five from First Baptist Church Concord, Knoxville, TN. The team and missionaries worked in the Porvenir elementary school teaching morality and God’s love for the children and adults. The entire time that the team was in the Patagonia the temperature never crept above freezing, but their hearts were warmed by the response to their presence and love. More than 400 lives were touched with the Gospel message during their stay.
- July is a great month to stay inside and enjoy the warmth. Mike, Annette and Jackie enjoyed a time of spiritual retreat. Alicia left home during winter vacation and traveled to Santiago. She worked with Mary Jo Cooke and a group of volunteers working in creative ministry in the capital city.
 In August everyone returned to classes. Thus, English classes resumed and the trips to Villa Tehuelches. During the winter months extra time is needed to make this journey because of the ice covered roads. It is no wonder that vehicles need to use studded tires several months of the year.
 A team from Nansemond Baptist church in Virginia arrived the first of September. This team would work with the Villa Tehuelches School and community. The school offered lodging in the dormitory of the school for the week. It was a special time of deep bonding due to the close communion. Adults and children alike heard the Gospel and responded to it in a positive way. The group left funds to provide Bibles to the older children. This would give the children a tool that would help them to understand God’s love and direct their future.
- September also brought sadness. Mike’s mother passed away after suffering a heart attack. This followed close on the heals of the destruction in Mike and Annette’s home towns of Biloxi and Gulfport MS due to Hurricane Katrina. The Raceys would spend a couple of months with Mr. Racey. It was a blessing to know that Mrs. Racey is safe with her Lord as well as seeing Christians throughout the state of Mississippi and the USA coming together to help in the clean-up of the coastal area.
 A volunteer team from Concord Baptist Church in St. Louis, MO arrived October 15. The team was prepared to teach an intensive English course in Punta Arenas. Jackie’s personal goal was to have 50 adults and 20 children enrolled and participating. There were more than 120 enrolled in both groups with an average attendance of 20 children and 84 adults each day. There is a great desire to learn English in a city that has much to do with tourism. During the week the team led a craft and coffee time with 50 ladies. At the end of the week there were 35 people who prayed to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Many responded with a desire to participate in a Bible study group. Because of so many end of the year activities these groups will not begin completely until March, though some have begun participating in established groups already.
 Jackie’s mother came with this group and stayed through Thanksgiving. While she is 87 years old she refuses to just sit around. During this year Mrs. Bursmeyer has traveled solo to visit Michael and Vicki, missionaries in Poland as well as coming to Punta Arenas. She participated in all of the activities and was a great assistant, especially in the kitchen1!
 Mike and Annette returned to Punta Arenas on Mike’s 50th birthday. They left Alicia in Biloxi to spend Christmas with her granddad and the rest of the family there. December is a busy month for the Racey family. Not only did Mike turn 50 on the seventh but Annette did the same on the fourteenth. They celebrate their wedding anniversary (no, not their 50th) on the twenty first.
 There was a craft and tea time for ladies as a follow-up to the October activity. Twenty three ladies participated. Not only did they learn three new Christmas crafts, but they also heard the Gospel once again. Every lady present expressed a desire to participate in a Bible study/craft class in 2006. Three of the English classes participated in a movie night and enjoyed a time of fellowship and reflection. The Billy Graham movie was well received and presented the Gospel in a unique and very real way. We pray that the students will not forget what they saw and heard and sometime in the near future make a commitment to the Lord.
We do not know what 2006 will hold for the Xtreme Patagonia Team. It is sure to bring volunteers, visitors, Bible studies, English classes, and work in Villa Tehuelches as well as other places. But we do know that the Lord has already prepared the way for our ministry. Pray with us as we begin to realize what His plans are for His work in the Patagonia, remembering Jeremiah 29: 11 “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”
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