David, Rosemary, Charissa and Gregory

^I9H MMILY-

ABOUT THE MISSIONARIES!

David and Rosemary Fish have served as missionaries to Latin America since August of 1976, spending their first several months outside of the United States in

San Jose, Costa Rica, studying the language. In early 1977, they arrived in San
tiago, Chile, to join a group of missionaries which formed Latin American Team Ministries. In two terms of missionary service, they have been active in evangelism, youth work, preaching and teaching and leadership training.

David is the son of J. Fred and Martha Fish, of Marion, Iowa. He graduated from Joliet (Illinois) Central High Schoolbefore attending Ozark Bible College. During
his college years he served as Youth Minister to the First Christian Church of Vinita, Oklahoma and as Minister to the Clayton Christian Church of Deerfield, Missouri. He received the Bachelor of Sacred Literature degree from Ozark Bible
College in 1976.

Rosemary is the daughter of Robert and Mary Ruth McGill, of Ft. Myers, Florida. She graduated from high school at Lawrence (Indiana) Central High Schoolbefore attending Ozark Bible College. During her college years she worked for the Revival Fires ministry, and later worked on the college staff.
David and Rosemary were married on June 21,1975 at the Lawrence Christian

Church in Lawrence, Indiana. Their daughter, Charissa Lynn, was bom on Oc tober 24,1977in Santiago, Chile. Their son, Gregory Robert, was bom on Decem
ber 2,1980 in Santiago, Chile.

ABOUT THE FIELD

Chile is located on the Pacific Coast of the Southern Cone of South America. The

people of Chile have a vast European heritage, dating back from the days of Spanish colonialism. Chile has long been a melting pot of different cultures. The
Forger of National Independence was Bemardo O'Higgins (note the Irish last name). There is also a large precentage of the population from German descent.

Chile was long considered one of the more democratic of Latin American coun

tries, enjoying the benefits of democracy and government stability. In 1970,

Salvador Allende Gossens won the Presidential Election and began his term as the

first democratically elected Socialistic President in the Western World. In Sep

tember of 1973, Allende's govemment was overthrown by the armed forces, and a military junta was formed to govern Chile. The President of Chile is August
Pinochet Ugarte. In 1980, the government revealed a plan with a new constitution to reinstate democracy in Chile by the year 1989.

Santiago is a city of 4,000,000. As capital city of Chile and the center of trade and commerce, we feel that the best possibilities for evangelism lie there. Chile is 90% Roman Catholic. Our experience tells us that most of the Chilean people are very

nominal Catholics, with ^eir religion playing a minorroleintheirlives.

ABOUT THE PASTi

The Christian Church mission work in Chile began in 1949, when Bertrand Smith

went to Valparaiso, the most important port city of Chile.He established churches
in Valparaiso, Villa Alemana and other places in the area. Through his influence, other missionaries arrived in Chile during the 1960's, working either in the North or the South. There are now churches functioning in the northern cities of Antofagasta and Calama, as well as in the southern cities of Osomo and Puerto Octay.

half to two years. In 1976, several more families were recruited to work in Chile, after hearing news of the tragic death of Ed Mills, a young missionary, in a motor
scooter accident. The Fish Family was among that group of recruits.
Twelve of the sixteen existing congregations in Santiago have been founded since 1976, some of them founded by missionaries, others assisted by existing congregations. Many of them are small house-churches or have small and inadequate meeting facilities. The Fish Family started the Neptuno congregation, a house-church, in 1977 and worked almost exclusively with it until 1380. Since leaving it, the group continues to function just as before, with a Chilean leader. The Fishes maintain contact with the leadership of the Neptuno group. During 1981 and 1982, the Fishes worked closely with the Maipu church, directing the educational aspect of the chiu'ch, coordinating Bible studies, sermons, training Chilean preachers and teachers, and heading up the Maipu office of the "El Encuentro" Extension Seminary.
ABOUT THE FUTURE i

In 1974 several missionary famines went toSantiago on short-terms of one and a

The mission work in the City of Santiago began in the early 1970's. A Bible Correspondence Course was prepared and circulated, with considerable success.

Upon returning to Chile, David and Rosemary plan to work in evangelism/discipleship in order to establish a middle class congregation in Maipu, where they live. Maipu is a growing suburb of Santiago, with a current

popi^ation of 400,000.

Chile is perhaps one of the more evangelized Latin American countries, in that a greater percentage of its population is considered to be Protestant. However, the majority of those Protestants come from the very poor classes, which many times

presents a stumbling block topeople from the mid^eclass. Very little evangelism
has been done in the middle class, yet it is the Fishes' belief that they can break
that middle class barrier.

The congregation which they plant will start out as a house church. When it grows to be too large to meet in a home, they will probably seek a rented meeting place, perhaps eventually looking for a small piece of property, should the possibility be presented, on which to build a meeting place for the church.
ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO i

First of all, you can pray for David and Rosemary on a regular basis, giving thanks to God. You can also pray for the Chilean people who do not know Jesus Christ. You can pray for the other members of Latin American Team Ministries in Chile. You can write to the Fish Family. Their address in Chile is: M/M David Fish, Casilla 75, Maipu, Chile. Should you desire to make a contribution to their ministry, gifts may be sent to their forwarding agents: M/M Harley Mitchell, 1511 E. Washington, Joliet, Illinois 60433. Checks should be made payable to First
Christian Church, designated for LATM account.

m
THE
Vol. X

David. Rosemary, Charissa and Gregory

FISH

FAMILY
No. 1

August 1986

Small Bible Study in Rented Quarters in Cerrillos

In January 1986, we rented a small garage in Cerrillos (about 6 miles east of where we live), in order to have a contact center in that part of the city. I had been working a little bit with a small

group in that area, but was not able to give it much time because of other obligations within the mission. My work load lightened up in late January when the Shead family returned to

First Baptism from Cerrillos

Chile, and we were able to rent that small facility in Cerrillos, which gave us the go-ahead to work there in a more intense way.
Our'location is near a social medicine clinic,

order to give stability and leadership to the

group.

The core of the new church comes from

which means that it has quite a bit of traffic by there. We set up a contact center, at which passersby could enroll in the El Encuentro
course. Oscar Humberto Carreno, a fine

former members at Maipu, which is geographically close, and recently a couple from one of our churches in another part of

Santiago has moved into the area, and should

contribute to the church as well. The Cerrillos

Christian retired man from the Maipu Church,

church had its first Sunday service on May 4.

works every morning in the office, administrating the El Encuentro course. Heisa valuable resource. I continued to lay a foundation for the new church during the summer months, and into the fall. We had our first baptism in April. Knowing that the dates for our furlough were getting closer and closer,
we talked with the leaders of the church in

By the next Sunday, we were already in the

United States. I realize that humanly it may not make much sense to begin a church in that manner, yet I am confident in the Lord that He will bless the new work there. Keep these people in your prayers, especially the following families: the Solis family, the Oyarzo family and the Berrios family. The Maipu church has been privileged to have some U.S. college students who are on a

Maipu, who are working there in our absence. Two men from Maipu attend each service, in

summer internship. On July 11-13, the Maipu

church,with Its interns from the U.S., will be

purchase a house in that area, take out the Inner walls and convert it for a church meetinghouse.
We believe that it Is much more cost economic

leading the Cerrillos church in an evangelistic campaign In a larger rented hall. We are praying for a successful campaign. One of our greatest needs has to do with the location of the group. Our rented quarters are only about 130 square feet. The landlord could possibly move a partition to give us a bit more space. We are praying that we can raise between $8,500 and $10,000 during the next year, so that when we return to Chile we can

to do that, than to buy an empty lot and build a church building. Because we have continuing expenses on the field, It Is important that we raise this money over and above our normal operating expenses. If your church group could possibly help with this project, we would be very appreciative of that. Please pray with us about this matter, and let us know if you can help us reach that goal.

FURLOUGH
On Thursday night. May 8, we said goodbye
to friends in Chile and boarded a DC-10 bound

Church in Jollet, Illinois, and other supporting churches, we have decided to take a year-long

for Miami. After months of Intense activity, not to mention the pressure moments to get everything done before leaving it there for an

entire year. It felt good to get on the plane'and just relax. It was also good to set foot in the good old USA. At this writing, we've been here
for about seven weeks now, which seems

furlough this year, In order to do graduate work In missions. Our previous two furloughs have been 5 or 6 months long. This furlough will be closer to "normal length." We are busy visiting supporting churches this summer. In September we will locate in Columbia, South Carolina, where I will study towards an M.A. in
missions at Columbia Graduate School of Bible

Impossible when we look back to see where we

have been In those seven weeks!

We have visited churches In Florida, Arizona,

California, Colorado, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and this week Indiana. In July we'll
also visit two churches in South Carolina,

adding Oklahoma In August. We have been the

missionaries In two different Vacation Bible

Schools, made an appearance at another one,

and have been missionaries for a week of Jr.

and Missions. CGS is very highly esteemed within the evangelical missions world. I visited the school In January of 1985. They rolled out the red carpet for me, and at that time I decided that should the Lord permit, we would pursue study there during this furlough. The Lord has opened all the doors, and I was accepted into the M.A. program even before we left Chile. The week following the NACC we will go to
Columbia where I will take a 2 hour course In

High camp. Next week we'll be at the historic

NACC/NMC In the Hooslerdome in

Indianapolis. Rose will have a workshop there titled Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Being A IMissionary Wife, But Were
Afraid To Ask. She will share that workshop

"Church Growth Principles" under C. Peter Wagner from Fuller Theological Seminary In California. I am looking forward to that course. We will get to know the two Christian Churches
in the Columbia area at that time, and will be

with three other missionary wives.

Latin

trying to see about housing and schooling for

the kids for the fall.

American Team Ministries will have a bootn,

manned by us and Steve and Pam Bond, our coworkers from Oullpue, Chile. Mark Cavenee, a
recruit to Chile, will also be there to help out.

As our sponsoring elders have suggested, we will not be travelling very much during the

The past few weeks we have worked hard to get things ready for the display there. We have put

school year, but will concentrate on the study, and helping in the local churches there. Iwill be
back to the Midwest twice in the fall for Missions

together a VHS format video tape which portrays the present reality of our work. After consulting with co-workers, the elders of our sponsoring church. First Christian

Rallies or Faith Promises, and then down In

Florida in January. Otherthan that, we will be In

the Columbia, South Carolina area, working
with one of the local churches there.

NEW FURLOUGH ADDRESS

We spent the week of July 13-20 in Columbia,
South Carolina. We shared with the Dutch Fork
kids can start school.

Christian Church in Irmo, a surburban area on

the northwest side of Columbia. The church

welcomed us in grand fashion. We feel right at home there. I preached in the church, and we will be active in the congregation during the
time that we are in the area.

I was also able to take an intensive 2 quarter hour course under C. Peter Wagner from Fuller Theological Seminary. I believe it was his first time as adjunct professor at Columbia. It was Church Growth Principles, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I believe that God will really use this time of graduate study to help me be more effective on the field. At this writing, we are heading back to the midwest to continue our summer furlough travels, and will return to South Carolina before Labor Day, so that the

Carey will be in 4th grade and Gregory in kindergarten, both at Seven Oaks Elementary School, which is reportedly the best public elementary school in the state of South Carolina. We had hoped to place them in a Christian school (which coincidentally happens to be about a half block from Seven Oaks Elementary School), but economically it just isn't feasible. During our time in Columbia, we will be living
at this address:
M/M David Fish

3700 Bush River Rd., Apt. F-7

Columbia, SC 29210

Drop us a line when you can. We'd love to hear from you.

Before you move, please send Ihe mtf Itng label below, along with a copy of your new address to:
MISSION SERVICES ASSOCIATION, P.O. Box 2427, Knoxville, TN 37901-2427

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Mission Services PO Box 2427

Non Profit Org. U S. PosUgo

PAID

Knoxviile, TN 37901-2427
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

Knoxville, TN 37301-2427
PafiRll (1374

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ASSORTED ACTIVITIES
The first few months of 1986 flew past at record speed, as we were swamped with activities. I'll highlight a few of them for you, so
that you can all share with us.

film. It will give an idea as to our field in Chile,

and the missions message penetrates. On March 15th, we had the first graduation
ever for our Level 2 studies in the Extension

Our summer camp season is primarily used for family camps, as the different congregations take time to go to camp, and there they run their own program. Eachyearforthepastfouryears, however, we have had Youth Camps at times throughout the summer. We have participated in the Youth Camp for the past several years. This year's camp was one of the best that I had seen, with no discipline problems to speak of, and a great group of young people. Juan Carlos

Seminary, in conjunction with LOGOl and

FLET. I addressed the crowd that night in an

independent Bible church on the south side of Santiago. There were quite a few Level 1 graduates from several different churches and
mission groups, but all of the Level 2 graduates except one had studied under our Extension
Seminary. Over Easter Week, we had the Annual Men's Convention in Osorno. I spoke on Secular

Campos, from the San Joaquin Church, will

assume responsibilities as the National Youth
Coordinator.
church.

Juan

Carlos

is

one

of the

Humanism, which was very well received. Phil Casey spoke on the Holy Spirit and did a superb job. The other studies and messages were
excellent. It was the best convention I had

ministers on the staff of the San Joaquin

In March, Dr. John and Barbara Schmidt from Eastside Christian Church in Fullerton, California visited Chile. On the 14th, he led the

attended. And seeing Halley's Comet on the way back to Santiago was a nice experience as
well.

1 have

been

President

of

our

Mission

missionary team in a mini-retreat which fo cused on Christian Leadership Principles. That night we viewed his son's latest Christian film, The Walt of the World (a John Schmidt Film through Gospel Films). Since it was partially filmed in Chile, featuring some of the Chilean
church members, we were excited about it. It is

Corporation for more than a year. At first I thought I would surrender the responsibility before coming to the U.S. for furlough. Later developments made it such that I would remain President during furlough, in order to assume responsibilities upon our return. Phil Casey,
who is Vice-President, will be responsible for

great!! I have seen it a couple times since arriving from Chile, and am encouraging all of our churches to get it. Don't miss this important

many of the activities at the city-wide, regional

and national level. Keep him in your prayers.

'JlilU

lliCK*

ROSE'S PROSE
The 1986 Chilean Ladies' Convention, held in

February at Padre Hurtado (near Santiago) v^as a big success. We had more than 160, and many good classes. All of the Bible classes this year were led by Chilean ladies, which was so nice to see. Missionary wives led in mini-classes of a practical nature. This convention was held at a
Catholic retreat center, operated by nuns. The center provided both room and board (very modest accomodations), which made it possible to have a lot of time to share and

which will make my house-cleaning a bit easier. It is good to be back in the good old U.S. of A.
It is difficult to travel all over with three kids,

living out of a suitcase for so long. We are enjoying seeing loved ones and visiting churches though. The Lord has taken care of us in many situations over the last ten years. I got to speak in a workshop at the NACC/NMC in Indianapolis and spoke about a lot of those instances. I don't have time to go into much of
that here, but I would like to share the most

fellowship with one another, which is usually not possible of this convention because of some ladies preparing meals for the others, travelling back and forth to their homes, etc. It
was the best convention that we ever had.

After that convention, until May 8 when we left Chile for furlough, I was very busy getting

important idea with you now. You know that the Lord has taken care of us physically in so many ways, which I shared at the convention, but He also takes care of us spiritually. His love for us is so great, so constant, as we see in the Psalms. He is always there when we need Him. He is
also there when we don't even realize that we

my house and family ready for a furlough. A recently married Chilean couple is staying in
our home while we are in the United States. The

city is supposed to asphalt our street while we

are here. It will be nice for them to do the work

while we are here (it was supposed to be finished by the end of February, 1986), which perhaps lets you in on Chilean ways. We trust that by July 1987 it will be finished. There will
be a lot less dirt and dust once it is finished,

need Him. In 10 years on the mission field I've seen that time and time again. I've learned not to over-estimate my own spiritual stature. Leaving the U.S. helped me to see how small I am. I realize how important a close walk with the Lord is. The Lord many times teaches us through difficult situations. I'm thankful to have lived in Chile, because He has taught me many things there. Thanks be to God. Thank you for your prayers throughout the years.

VICTOR SEPULVEDA
I would like to introduce you to a very good Chilean preacher, Victor Sepulveda, from the
church in San Carlos, Chile. Victor is one of the
founders of the Church in San Carlos. church in Chile. His

excellent preacher of the Word of God. He has a secular job as an educational

family was very active in a denominational

Because of a desire to be

"Christians Only," he began a work in San Carlos, with the help of his brother, Naaman, and two others. They called the group "Mission Church of Christ;" reasoning that the church belongs to Christ and to no one else. LATM came into contact with them nearly ten years ago, and we have had a mutual blessing ever since. I have made many, many trips to San Carlos, teaching and preaching there, and know them well. Victor Sepulveda Is an

supervisor for the Chilean Department of Education. He was awarded a work-study grant/scholarship to study/work in the United States. The program is under the auspices of the Fulbright Commission, the OAS and the Council of International Programs in
Cleveland, Ohio. He is located in the

Columbus, Ohio, area, and is participating in

one of the churches there. Victor has a wife and

four children in Chile.< The Chilean Department of Education pays his salary in Chile to his wife, and he is given expense money for his weekly expenses in the United States. Please keep this servant of God in your prayers.

l/
1 1986

December

1986

Dear Loved Ones,

Merry Christmas greetings to you from South Carolina! I hope that you and yours are well. We are doing real well> and are pretty busy at this Holiday Season time. On the picture we are sending you are family members present at the Fish Family Reunion in Cedar Rapids, Iowa last August CAdults left to right: Bob and Melody Voss, Mom and Dad, Rose
and David Fish; Children left to right; Charissa Fish, Christina Voss, Rachel Voss, Gregory Fish, Kimberly Fish]). We really enjoyed attending that day and travelling throughout the summer months. God protected us on the highway at all times.

It has been a good furlough. We travelled all summer long, basically with no place to call home Cour van did get crowded). It was such a blessing to visit with supporting churches and individuals, attend the NACC/NMC at Indianapolis, see family and friends, all through the summer months. It was also nice to arrive at 3700 Bush River Road, Apt. 7, Columbia SC 29210, unpack the car, and get settled
for a l i t t l e while. During our time here we have become very active with Dutch Fork Christian Church, and have been blessed by them in a great way.

David has been busy with his graduate studies at Columbia Graduate School. They have been very challenging and exciting as well as
relevant to the work in Chile. He is thankful for this opportunity to study, and to interact with so many people with a heart for missions.

He also leads a Bible Study group at Dutch Fork Church, and teaches an Adult Bible School Class. In 1987 it appears that he will have opportunity to challenge the church to become more actively involved in world missions. Rose is active in a ladies Bible Study through the Dutch Fork Church, as well as participating in a student wives fellowship group at the Grad School. She audited a college course on Bible Study which should be very helpful, and looks forward to doing the same next quarter. Carey had her ninth birthday in October. She has adapted well to 4th Grade at Seven Oaks Elementary School. This past week she was the
first of a series of children who will be awarded the "Terrific Kid

Award"

in her class.

She enjoys school,

and has become a

voracious

C??that may be a little exagerated) reader lately.

The fact that her

class is in a Pizza Hut Reading Program may have something to do with it, but I hope it will stick. She will be in a Christmas program called "Getting Ready for the Miracle" at Dutch Fork Church, for which
she has a leading role.

Gregory Just had his 6th birthday, and really love it. He has a lot of fun in life, likes Kindergarten, and says he wants to be an actor. He's got potential there, I think. His Sunday School teacher calls him her "Helper", as according to her, he already knows every single Bible story that they have for a lesson. We took him and two friends to Showbiz Pizza for his birthday, and he wondered if one of them could come from far away. CHe though Jeff and Kathy Phillips

/
rt-~
1 '.rrii

could get on a plane,

bring Gabriel here,

and then go home,

so Gabriel

Phillips could go with him for PizzaO.

Kimberly is a real cutie. She's getting bigger all the time, and yes, she does have a mind of her own. She Is into the routine of life. At bedtime she wants the same familiar routine everynlght. She gets down on her knees to pray, which is followed by a series of hugs and kisses, and then gets Into bed. She really Is a cutle, but doesn't like sleeper pajamas with feet In them or coats. Fortunately it hasn't been really cold here, and we've been able to alternate a hooded
sweater which she likes with the coat she doesn't like.

We've received good news recently about the work in Chile. There was an uplifting retreat of missionaries and Chilean ministers the first part of November. There have recently been 5 more baptisms at
Cerrlllos, the new church we started earlier this year. When we get back to Chile, there will be fewer missionaries In Santiago, as some will be returning to the U.S. permanently, leaving only three families in Santiago. It will be good to get back there, and begin applying some of the concepts I have picked up in my graduate studies in
missions.

Have a very Merry Christmas, and a blessed New Year.

In iri^ Christian r i r i s c i d r i x love, ovc^

God bless.
\

David, Rose, Carey, Kimberly Fish

Greg and