Only a day earlier, Tommy literally preached up a storm in the Bahamas.
Hurricane Noel forced him to catch a night flight to the States and drive to Miami.

Exhausted, but excited about what adventures awaited them, Tommy and the guys boarded their plane and prepared for Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile.

BOLIVIA

Altitude sickness. Upon arrival, a medical doctor was on hand to administer oxygen to us. La Paz, Bolivia sits 12,000 feet above sea level; interestingly, unpressurized airplanes are not permitted to fly above 12,500 feet. Visitors often experience blackouts, nausea, and extreme shortness of breath. Tommy's assistants were winded from simply loading their luggage onto the carts. Thankfully, Doctor Igor was there to examine our fingernails (discoloration is a sure sign of an oxygen shortage) and medically shoot oxygen into our faces.

Bolivia is the second poorest nation in South America. It is also the third largest coca-producing nation in the world (Colombia and Peru are numbers 1 and 2), providing a steady supply of cocaine to North America and Europe. A population of less than 10 million would seem to make it an easy nation to impact with the gospel. However, its extreme poverty, socialist leanings, and extremely high elevation make it an unlikely destination for many foreign ministers. Tommy's team was determined to make a difference.

After ministering in a great church, it was time to take part in a large conference, Tommy received a missions offering, 100% which was divided among the seven Christian humanitarian aid organizations represented there. For Bolivia, the offering was surprisingly large, and the organizations were thankful for the unexpected blessing.

Then came an invitation to visit the Alalay Orphanage.

Dozens of former homeless children, from ages 3 to 18, make this haven in the Andes their home.

Among them were Sam, a 3 year old who was third generation homeless, found barely alive after being bottle-fed alcohol by abusive parents who left him to fend for himself on the streets. Manny, a 9 year old who appeared no bigger than 5, was discovered with an open head wound after his father tried to kill his mother with a stone. She moved, the rock hit Manny, and the children fled. And there was Vanesa, a lively 5 year old who had somehow managed to stay alive on her own for two weeks after her mother disappeared.

Each of the children here had been rescued off the streets by Alalay's volunteers, who seek such children around the clock.

Providing a full program of Christian love, education, and eventually job training, Alalay is one of the best children's homes we have ever seen. Several buildings are set in their well-taken care of compound, each meeting a particular need of the children.

The children make Christmas cards, a very simple, but effective, way to raise awareness and support for their cause. We ordered 2,000 to pass along to our friends around the world. At GodChasers, our mission has become to reach the hurting by any means possible.

Tommy was so moved with compassion for these children that we are looking for long-term ways to support the work, vision, and children of Alalay. On the spot, we were able to provide $1,500 for one full-month's utilities, and several hundred dollars to provide Christmas toys for the children. For more information on Alalay, or how you can support their children, you can visit www.alalay.org.

Thankful for the ability to help make a lasting impact in the lives of these Bolivian children, it was time to rip off the oxygen tanks and fly to Argentina.

ARGENTINA

Upon landing in Argentina on the South Atlantic coast, Tommy ministered twice to overflowing crowds at King of Kings Church with Pastor Claudio Freidzon. Their church has been in sustained revival and growth for over 20 years now, a true example of humble leadership responding to the hunger of the people and the heartbeat of God.

The next day we were off to the Assembly of God's National Pastors' Conference in Mar del Plata. A few thousand people, pastors and their families, had arrived to receive ministry and encouragement from Tommy. But one almost didn't make it.

Pastor Angel Sanchez from Buenos Aires was involved in a terrible car crash on his way to our meetings. His car rolled several times, with his wife and 3 year-old daughter in the back. Miraculously, they were okay, but Angel was hospitalized. Police attributed his survival to the fact he was wearing his seat belt. Pastor Angel's car was completely destroyed, and he required 2 days in the hospital. He had no insurance to cover damage to his car, but was thankful for the well-being of his family. Tommy and the guys visited Pastor Angel and were able to bless him with over $2,000 to go towards the purchase of a new car.

BACK IN BRAZIL

Returning to Brazil for the third time this year,Tommy and the team were thrilled to be involved with David Quinlan's Fire & Glory Conference in Sao Paulo. 5,000 young people gathered for one of the most intense and
powerful times of worship we've experienced this year.

Refreshed and encouraged, it was time to revisit our friends back in one of Sao Paulo's worst favelas (shantytowns). You might remember us visiting in July, where we found a family of 7 living in a small one-room shack with dirt floors. At the time, we were able to provide them with a table, small appliances, and the supplies for new floors and ceiling. (Click Here to see the streaming video of Tommy and his team in action with this family!)

We returned to check on their progress, this time learning the entire neighborhood was so bad the Brazilian government had condemned it. For the Brazilian government to condemn a favela, the conditions must be extraordinarily inhumane! Thankfully, the government is constructing a new, permanent housing project in which to move our family. This is truly an answer to prayer!

We also learned their youngest child was not able to attend school because he has no shoes, as several in the family were barefoot.

"Would you like new shoes to go to school?" Tommy asked.

"Of course!" He replied.

Smiling and weeping at the same time, the lady of the house thanked us.
Her smile revealed several missing teeth, to which Tommy inquired if she might appreciate a mouth makeover at one of Sao Paulo's best dental clinics.

Speechless for a moment, she finally answered, "Of course!"

Deciding to not leave anyone in the family out, everyone was set up to receive a new pair of shoes and full care from a local dentist. Tommy prayed for the family, and all were touched by the reality of God's love through Jesus.

We will be back to Sao Paulo, next time to visit the family in their new home, and to see how we can further help them on their road to self-sufficiiency and in their walks with the Lord.

SANTIAGO, CHILE

After a brief but full two days in Brazil, Tommy and team arrived in Santiago, Chile, near the Southern Pacific coast. Tommy's dad has ministered extensively here before, and the local churches were eager to finally meet the younger Tenney.

Santiago has a large homeless population, many of whom are women and children who make their homes in the shadow of a socialized hospital. It is there they can find immediate care and temporary warmth when the streets become too rough or cold. Josh Fuentes, the son of the pastor who hosted us, has been leading an outreach to these physically and spiritually hungry people for quite some time.

It has been his desire to start a non-profit foundation through which a half-way house and educational center can be purchased. His vision is for it be used to help the homeless get on their feet. Of course, his volunteers would continue developing meaningful relationships with those in less fortunate circumstances, sharing the love and truth of Jesus along the way.

We were able to see first hand the fruitfulness of their ministry. One of the most passionate evangelists that night was a young woman who joyfully offered hot tea, a listening ear, and heartfelt prayers to several on the street. We learned that only months before, she too, had been one of those living on the street. A team from the church led her to the Lord, and she had since found honest work, a place to live, and a new family in the Lord. With fruit like this, it's hard to deny the effectiveness of their ministry to the homeless.

Tommy and team did what any good group of American missionaries would do: gave away bags of McDonald's cheeseburgers to the hungry strangers on the streets. We were able to share our testimonies, pray for a few people, and afterwards encourage the two dozen volunteers we accompanied.

It was our pleasure to bless Josh with all the finances he needed to begin the foundation. Legal and government fees are incredibly high to begin such an endeavor. Soon, Josh will be able to begin raising money to make his vision a reality, and to make a greater impact for the glory of God in the lives of Santiago's most desperate people.

Seeing scenes of such desperation so often, Gregg said to Luke, "It's easy to feel like we're not doing enough."

"It's not always possible to change the world," Tommy said, "but it's always possible to change your world." Words of relief, and great encouragement for all of us!

Ministering in organized meetings often twice a day for 13 days in four nations, plus finding hurting people in need to bless, made this a busy but rewarding South American mission. Thanks to all our friends and partners who support us, pray for us, and help make this happen.

Only God knows what adventures await us in 2008! Come join us for the journey. We couldn't do it without you!