September Happenings

Dear Partners,

September has been a very full month here in Lautaro! Throughout Chile in general it is an important and festive month, as it is when the country’s independence is celebrated, called the "Fiestas Patrias". Every street and home is decorated with flags, traditional music is heard and danced to, and the food…! Well, let’s just say it’s not the best month to start a new diet plan. 😉

(A special “Fiestas Patrias” party at church on September 17^th after the worship service)

The second Saturday of September we drove up to Melipeuco as a family, with several other people from the church here in Lautaro. It was a construction day, working alongside our brothers and sisters to help them with the building of Pastor Luis’ house on the new property in Melipeuco. Gus had gone up a couple weeks before with a short-term team from Riverside, CA, so this local group was able to keep moving along with that project. In the evening there was a kids' movie and a family movie shown in the church with an open invitation to the community, so it was a fun, busy day! Even some of the kids helped out with the construction:

(Jeremy and a friend doing their part to help!)

Continuing with the celebrations, this past Sunday there was a baby dedication in the service (I believe that makes five this year!). These are always such a blessing as extended family and friends who are not believers come for the special event, and we as a church have the opportunity to reach out to them with God’s love! 

(Baby Camila being dedicated… her mother, Claudia, is a believer but her father is not yet)

And this coming Sunday, October 1^st, there will be a double wedding celebrated after the worship service! Two men who immigrated from Haiti have been attending the church here for almost a year now, with one of them getting baptized several months ago, and both of their fiancées will be arriving today! It is a blessing to be a part of a congregation that recognizes the beauty of multi-culturality in God’s Kingdom.

Another exciting thing happening this Sunday is that Gus and Jeremy will be leaving for Ecuador to help a short-term team there with construction and outreach! Jeremy is thrilled to be going on his first official mission trip and is especially stoked that he’ll be going with his daddy! 😊  

In October, Please Pray For:

• Gus as he prepares for and preaches this coming Sunday (yes, the same day as the weddings and the trip!).
• A safe trip for Gus & Jeremy to Ecuador, leaving here October 1^st and returning October 18^th.
• A good 2 ½ weeks for the three younger kids and I here at home while our “men” are gone!
• Continued good weekly women’s Bible study, as we are rotating homes each Tuesday for that meeting.
• Jeremy & Liz as they continue their homeschool studies in preparation for final exams in November.
• Deepening of relationships with local believers, seekers, and their families.
• God’s continued financial provision and wisdom for using our time, energy and finances well.

Thank you for your prayers, for your financial support and for your encouragement! It is a blessing to be in this partnership with you, to further His Kingdom!

In His Love,

The Guevaras