Dear
Friends & Family,
As 2016 draws to a close, we consider all
of the blessings we have received as a family this year:
- Moving four hundred miles south from Santiago to this city of Lautaro in February with our family of six: Maybe moving with children doesn’t sound like a blessing, but in this case, knowing that we are doing what God is calling us to, it definitely has been! We do miss family and friends in Santiago, but continue to be excited about the things that God is doing here and how He desires to use us in this vision as a part of this team, to reach this region of Chile and beyond, for His glory and the furthering of His Kingdom!
(there are dozens of indigenous Mapuche communities surrounding Lautaro)
- Getting plugged into church and project responsibilities right away, including: hosting & working with the many short-term teams that have come down this past year, helping to restructure the sound & worship ministries, being an active part of a home group on a weekly basis, teaching a marriage seminar, participating in the women’s group and teaching the women's Bible study, setting an example of practical service through food preparation & cleaning before and after church activities…. This past month, Gus was asked to design the new sign for the church building, which was put up two weeks ago!
(new official sign on the church building)
(Gus translating the sermon for Kevin, a short-term team members from Canyon Hills)
(good times learning different food preparations & encouraging the women's group)
(switching it up a bit by playing electric guitar instead of drums during Sunday worship!)
(the ladies surprised me with an early birthday cake & gift at our last Bible study meeting!)
- Ever-growing opportunities to serve, share with others, and fellowship outside of our “assigned” responsibilities: We are blessed through the deepening friendships with local families and the opportunity to share important moments together. Just a few examples from this past month: I was asked to share a special song at a baby shower for two church members, Gus shared his testimony with a trainer at the gym he just joined, we have mourned with several church members who have lost loved ones recently, and celebrated birthdays and other special occasions with local friends…
(sharing "Mary, Did You Know?" in Spanish at a baby shower)
(Cristina's 4th birthday party!)
(having too much fun at a friend's birthday party!)
- Missions & Training: As plans move forward towards setting up the missions-training center here in Lautaro, we continue to teach others in different areas of ministry as well as receive more training ourselves! Gus was blessed to travel to Ecuador on a great missions trip in September, as well as attend the excellent missions-wide conference in Santiago last month. The speakers at the conference were very encouraging, the material was uplifting & practical, and we are excited about being able to implement these new tools in our personal lives and ministry!
(great time of fellowship and learning at the conference)
(Gus helped out with percussion during one of the days' worship time)
- A good homeschool year: Jeremy took his final exams a few weeks ago (we are waiting to hear back the official results next week), and we are very proud of the progress he and his siblings have all made this year, in adapting to a different house, church, city, while becoming more fluent in the language! I, as their teacher, continue to learn through trial and error what is the best way to teach each of them, but the great thing is that it’s all adaptable to our current reality and family needs!
(The school where Jeremy took his exams: We're so proud of his hard work & focus this year!)
- A productive year of studies for Gus as well: After working hard all year on the assignments and class projects, Gus finished up his music teaching degree, and the graduation ceremony was last Saturday! He was even chosen to be the spokesperson for his class, giving the closing speech!
(getting his diploma from the owner & director of the Academy, Don Guido)
("We did it!!" There was even a nun in Gus' class! )
(So proud of my guy's hard work and accomplishments this year!)
- A couple of good visits with Gus’ Grandma María since she was diagnosed with terminal cancer in August. María is still enjoying life and happy for each new day: She always says that the first thing she does each morning after waking up is get a drink of water and thank God for another day of life!
(a short visit with Grandma Maria in November before the conference)
- Continued faithful monthly support and special one-time gifts: We have been sooooo blessed by generous financial gifts that have helped us so much over these past few months, as well as being ever grateful for those who give faithfully month after month to support our family and ministry. Thank you all so much!!! Last month the kids also received a special early Christmas gift of new tennis shoes from a couple of close friends here. Here's a picture of all the kids with new footwear, accompanied by our friend, Marisol:
This Month Please Pray For:
- This Sunday as Gus preaches his first sermon here in Lautaro (now that we’ve almost finished our first year here, he will be on the preaching rotation about every 6 weeks).
- This next Friday the 23rd as we drive up to Santiago to spend Christmas and New Year’s with extended family there as well as to process Diego’s U.S. citizenship at the Embassy there, for a safe drive and a good visit with loved ones!
- Time to relax and replenish as a family before starting off the next year of ministry mid-January.
- Wisdom and unity for the leadership team here in Lautaro as we all start organizing and planning priorities, focuses, and special events for the church in 2017.
- God’s leading in the things that we do and say, that He would be glorified through our lives, service and example, both in public and in private.
- God’s blessing on our health & wellness, as we are taking new steps to become healthier as a couple and as a family.
- Continued financial provision for family & ministry needs.
Thank you for your generosity, your prayers, your words of
encouragement, your willingness to come serve on short-term teams, and your
desire to see God’s Kingdom continue to expand, that all may hear and come to a
saving knowledge of His Love & Truth!
This Christmas Season,
in the midst of the busyness, the shopping, the cooking, the end-of-the-year
parties, may you always embrace the Joy
& Peace brought to us by our Emmanuel, God with us.
A Very Merry Christmas & Happy 2017, From Our Family To Yours!!
Because His Birth Changed
Everything,
Gustavo, Karissa, Jeremy, Elizabeth, Cristina
& Diego
