catching up....

As we've shared with many of you, October, November and December went by in a blur! It's hard to believe that we are already in the new year... nearly half way through January. We'll try to play a little catch up so you can see what we've been up to!

October:

We moved! This is our new house...

i love how you can really see how close the clouds are to us... remember we live at nearly 12,000 feet in altitude! On the hill in the background is written: El Peru Glorioso (Glorious Peru).





Karla has returned to Cusco to work with us full-time. We are so blessed to have her and as you can see, she got right to work! She spent a few weeks back home in Tacna with her family for Christmas and at the present time is back in Cusco to continue leading the children's and youth ministry while Ricky and I are in Chile.

November: Missions teams!

The first team from Corona, CA worked with our children's ministry, did outreach in the community where the church is, served in an orphanage and clinic with special needs children and did a really great construction project!! Thank you Crossroads!

The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Matthew 25:40

The second team was a medical team from Canada (and Rorry.. of course we can't forget him!)

For those who don't know him, Rorry is the man to the right, the one with the hat on....

First, they reached out to the church and neighboring community with a 2 day clinic in San Marcos. Then they spent 3 days in the village of Ancahuasi, serving the community there. These are two of our happy doctors, eh

Carrying the medicines up to the clinic in Ancahuasi was a little bit of a hike

A few Peruvian women waiting in line to see a doctor

December: We had 4 baptisms.... sisters.. who came forward along with several other family members and prayed to accept Christ. Here's a photo of part of the family

At our house in the patio, with the pool... with the four getting ready to be baptized. The water was COLD, but it didn't rain at all until everyone was on their way home! These baptisms were so special for all of us because they are taking this step of faith together as a family, unified in following Jesus. They encourage us that we are doing just what God has for us.

The children's Christmas party was a success. We gave out over 160 gifts to the children in our ministy, as well as gifts to Hogar Amantani, an orphanage in Cusco.

We held a baby shower for Aracely. Her and Carlos welcomed their son Emanuel to the world just before Christmas! What a perfect name for a Christmas baby.

Our congregation has outgrown our building! Although this poses some complications while we look for something bigger, it is a wonderful position to be in!

We had a great Christmas and New Year here in Santiago, Chile. Isabella is growing up so fast. Tomorrow, January 10th is her birthday. I can't believe she is no longer my little baby (although she will always be my baby!).

I am nearly 37 weeks pregnant and about as ready as can be to welcome our son into the world. We love him so much already and can't wait to meet him!

We look forward to another year of planting and watering

"Still another seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty,  or even a hundred times."

Mark 4:8