Maya is 2!

On Tuesday, September 9th, Maya turned a big 2 years old! We had a great week of fun and celebration.

To celebrate Chile's Fiestas Patrias (18th of September), Maya danced the cueca with her classmates from "The Happy House", her little school.

The next day we returned to share the joy of Maya's birthday with her amiguitos. Kay made an amazing 3 layer cake that everybody enjoyed.


Finally, when we got home we got to unwrapping the gifts. From Daddy, Maya got some new shoes. From Mommy, a toy stroller to take her baby dolls around. And from both Grandmas some new clothes!

Speaking words in Spanish and English, learning new things everyday, jumping, running and playing; we're so proud of our big 2 year old! Happy Birthday Maya!

Trip to Concepción

We had a great time a couple of weeks ago traveling south to Concepción to visit the small church there. In April, we sent out from Santiago an incredible couple, Patricio and Daisy, to the small mission church. They are working part time for the church and are doing an incredible job there. Carolina was baptized about a month ago and has brought joy and encouragement to the group. We are so proud of Pato and Daisy and the church. It is so great to know that they are fighting "with all his energy"(Col 1:28) for Concepción.

Let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation!

Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.

Isaiah 25:9

This week there are angels rejoicing in heaven and many rejoicing with them here on earth because two incredible campus students have decided to make Jesus Lord of their lives.

On Wednesday night the campus ministry piled in to our living room to share this special moment with María Paz. God has taken her through many intense times in her life up until this point in order to draw her to him. Over a year ago, María Paz started thinking about God as one of the brothers in the campus shared with her about his life. She began to study the bible with some of the sisters but very shortly after, decided to step away from the challenge of living her life for Christ. Almost six months later, God drew her back as her older brother was in a life-threatening accident. He survived and has recovered well, but her heart was changed completely through it. She decided to begin studying the bible again and didn't slow down for two months. On Wednesday she shared with intense gratitude and brokenness before God and the brothers and sisters. It was encouraging also to have her mother, her cousin and her best friend there with us on her special day.

Thursday night the fun continued as we piled in the campus students once again to be apart of Alejandra's baptism. God has worked similarly in her life as she first visited the church in 2006 and studied the bible last year but walked away not wanting to give up everything to follow God. A few months ago she came walking in to church alone, scared that no one would accept her. Her heart for God has been a light for the ministry. He has carried her through some rough times and left her convinced that there is nothing more worth living for than God. In the process of studying the bible this year her mother suddenly became very ill and has been in the hospital now for nearly a month. She has undergone multiple surgeries on her intestines and is recovering slowly. Alejandra has been forced to look to God and learn about faith, about believing in what she does not see. Thursday night was a time of great joy and rejoicing for her and for all of us who have fought alongside her.

God has brought two girls from opposite sides of Santiago to know the wonders of his love and the joy we find in his amazing grace. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation. Isaiah 25:9

Thank You Florida!!!

We want to say thank you to all the churches in Florida who have constantly and unconditionally given to the churches in the Southern Cone of South America. This VIDEO is a thank you specifically from the Spanish speaking churches in the Southern Cone to each of our sister congregations. We are forever indebted to you for your generosity spiritually, emotionally, physically and financially. You have watched out for us, discipled us, prayed for us, sent us missionaries and have been a great example for us in the Lord. From Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Bolivia: THANK YOU!

Los Tigres Blancos

Fútbol. Soccer. Whatever you call it I knew when we decided to come to South America that I was going to have to learn how to play sooner or later. Here in Chile, they are not into fútbol as much as perhaps in other countries, but that doesn't mean they don't love it. I hadn't actually had the opportunity to play until June came around and the church had it's first tournament.

So I decided that I'd go ahead and play with the teens figuring that being on a young team probably wouldn't be too bad. We were called the Tigres Blancos (White Tigers) and I was totally mistaken. We played on Sundays after church, five games in total. The first Sunday I was sick, but I went along to watch and take some pictures. It didn't appear that hard and I was optimistic. To make a long story short, we lost all five games - 13-3, 17-3, 9-4, 8-4, 5-4.

It wasn't pretty, but I was encouraged by a few things.

1. We stuck together as a team and got better. After every game there was talk of quitting, but we fought through difficulties and not so great attitudes and kept going. The last two games we were actually winning for the majority of the game but couldn't pull it out.
   
2. We had fun. Having fun is super important in life. It can be so easy to be boring and serious, but we ended up having a great time. I'm sure that we could have had even more fun if we would have won, but we're saving that for next time.
   
3. I (sorta) learned how to play. We were playing "baby" (fútbol), a version that is played on a shorter court, kinda like a tennis court. I'm not great, or even good, but I did grow in my understanding and feel like it was an important learning experience for my development as a missionary! And I even got a medal for participation. Amazing!

   Now I'm just looking forward to the next opportunity we have to jugar la pelota. ¡Vamos Tigres Blancos!

This last picture is of the winning team, Los Pinoguachos receiving their trophy.