Family Matters

Well, hello there!

We hope all the daddies out there had a great Father’s Day this past weekend! At the same time, we know that there are also many who struggle at this time because they miss fathers who have passed on or are hurt by broken relationships with their fathers or children… Family matters affect us deeply, and God made us that way. Ultimately, our joy is in the knowledge that we have a perfect Heavenly Father who loves, guides strengthens & cares for us...

Last Friday we had a special dinner at church to celebrate the fathers in the congregation. I (Karissa) was able to help by making a compilation of photos and video greetings from their children (both younger ones and adults) that everyone enjoyed! Well, Gus helped me with the more technical stuff. (wink) It was fun to see different generations represented, as well as the positive impact that a few of the fathers especially have had on their children and grandchildren. For example, Carlos, a Mapuche man, and his wife Ely are the caretakers of the church and have been members since it was planted. He is an example of grace, love & service, which was seen clearly in the heart-felt messages his children sent him for Friday’s special dinner. These stories are important, because families matter in the church.

(Carlos & Ely [top left] with most of their children and grandchildren.)

We are seeing more & more opportunities to serve the church here, as issues come up in our small group and other conversations, anything from theology to music to multi-media to marriage to parenting… As a couple we look forward to serving together in couples’ counseling and marriage classes, as those have come up as needs in the church and community here! So, there is a plan in the works to have a marriage seminar in the church before the end of the year, to encourage couples already attending and to draw new people in, because couples matter to the God who created relationships.

Our children continue to become more immersed in the church body, in relationships with children & adults, in conversations with members on short-term teams that come to serve (especially with those that stay in our home)...  It is wonderful to see all four of the kids growing, learning, thriving, enjoying classes (for the most part!) and having lots of fun! Because children’s wellbeing matters:

(family game of monopoly)

(Diego's first tooth)

(Jeremy has been helping with the lyrics powerpoint for worship the past few Sundays)

As a family, we all had a bout with colds a couple of weeks ago and now have some sort of stomach bug, though nothing too serious. It seems most people at church have been sick with some bug or another recently, so it’s just that time of year. We greatly appreciate your continued prayers for all of our health, energy and adaptation to the climate here as winter officially begins… because family health matters too!

This past week, we also celebrated Gus’ birthday and our 10^th wedding anniversary!  It was a very busy week between normal life and ministry stuff as well as getting ready for Friday’s dinner and another team’s arrival last Saturday (Gus is working with them all this week). But a friend offered to watch the kids for several hours so we could go on a special date to a nearby natural hot-springs! It was such a blessing to get away for the day, disconnect from work and daily routine, and just spend fun time as a couple in a beautiful place and remember all of the highlights of this past decade together! Because marriage is His beautiful design as the foundation for family.

(Volcano Villarrica on our way to the hot springs for our 10th anniversary)

We believe that God has created each of us with a need for community and drawn us into relationships. Sometimes those will be good, strong, biological families and sometimes only spiritual families, but ideally it will be a combination of both. We are praying that God use us as a whole family to bless whole family units in this church, in this city, and in this region. To draw individuals and their loved ones into healthy relationships, corporate worship, accountability, spiritual growth, pure enjoyment, molding of character…  Because God’s family, His church, matters most of all…

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1) Thank you for continuing to faithfully walk alongside us on this journey! Though we can’t see it yet, our Loving Father already sees the beautiful, complete family portrait currently being created, with people from every tribe, tongue & nation!

In His Love,

~Karissa & Gus, Jeremy, Elizabeth, Cristina & Diego