Our First Update!

Thank you so much for your prayers. After resting the first 24 hours in Tacna, we were excited to get started on the after school program; but, God allowed us to be slowed by illness—another reminder that we are working to glorify Christ in His timing, not ours. Once we were better Laura drew a wonderful illustration of our first week.

 

Translation: Welcome Gringas!

We’ve been very busy with the church in Ciudad Nueva the past few weeks. Tuesdays through Fridays we hang out with the youth (ages 12-15). The girls LOVE to dance, so we’ve had a lot of fun dancing with them and building relationships with them. Ana is leading the girls in discipleship every Wednesday. About once a week we go on a field trip with them.

We also went to Miculla, a desert about an hour away.

Ana led the girls in writing prayers and painting prayer boxes.

We’ve also spent time with the younger kids at the church once or twice a week.

We’ve gone to the pool

Stephanie turned 23 the first Saturday we were here. We celebrated at the young adults’ group that night. Christine made her a cake which was a huge hit with the 35 people who ate it.

For two weeks we’ve been painting two classrooms in the church. These rooms will be used weekly for Sunday school as well as every day in the after school program. We have a lot of great ideas and are excited to share pictures with you when we’re finished—hopefully just one more week.

Brian, the pastor, and his wife, Chiqui, blessed Stephanie and Christine with a wonderful place to stay their first few weeks in Tacna. Then they had friends move in with them, so Stephanie and Christine moved into the church in “Local Central” a few miles away from the church in Ciudad Nueva.

Stephanie and Christine have been sleeping with nine other Chilean missionaries who came on a three week trip. It’s been a lot of fun getting to know these young women who share the same heart as us for Tacna.

Laura and Ana are staying with a host family in Ciudad Nueva, about half a mile away from the church where the after school program will take place.

As a team we’ve all been learning that, no matter what plans we make, God has His own agenda. Our plans have often been delayed and sometimes cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control. In fact, we can’t remember a day when we haven’t laughed because of some unexpected change of plans. We remember in everything that God is in control, and it is His will we wish to see through.

Speaking of changing plans, Christine has felt the call to stay until mid-April instead of the original February 17. Her ticket now officially says “April 15.” We’re all excited about that change.

Thanks so much for checking in! Please feel free to comment; we miss our family and friends and would love to hear from you and answer any questions!