Pactoween

Last week we were super busy with the four day weekend for Reformation Day (Día Nacional de las Iglesias Evangélicas y Protestantes) on October 31st and All Saints Day on November 1st. As an alternative activity to Halloween, our church hosts an overnight for the youth that is filled with games, food, and devotionals. This was our second year participating in "Pactoween" (a play on the church's denomination which is Del Pacto) and we had a great time. Missy was in charge of all the food, and though we were pretty busy making all the purchases leading up the event, we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.

Everyone arrived Monday afternoon and we played games and took Once (the Chilean light evening meal) then had a small devotional and played a Swedish night game. Then we made a big bonfire and everyone brought snacks to share while our friend Pastor Cesar spoke. We didn't stay up there overnight, but we left late and returned early so as to have the breakfast ready.

We had a devotional time in the morning, followed by a talk by Pastor Luciano, then lunch and a rally -- which is one of those games where you have groups and go to different stations to perform activities -- followed by some soccer and Once.

Long few days, but really great to hang out with the youth for an extended period of time outside of church. And the predio (the camp we stayed at) is just plain fun!

Hope you had a great 31st, it's springtime here so it didn't feel too much like Halloween, but we enjoyed it all the same!

Blessings,
Missy and Jordan

He is risen!

The Easter celebration we had at church was pretty mellow here, Jordan made some bookmarks for people with a verse from John on them, as well as the tri-fold with all the service information. 

On top of that, it was our group's turn to set up and tear down. (Since the church here rents the space they use for Sunday service, they have divided the congregation into 5 or 6 groups so that every week a different group comes early to set everything up, provide the coffee break treats, etc.) I made about 100 cookies, and they went like hotcakes! 

The kids and I had a great time, it was our last Sunday together for awhile – and because it was Easter we had a big celebration for the resurrection of Jesus! It was great, and we had some time left over so I pulled out a VeggieTales Go Fish game that they love to play. It's pretty funny because the cards are all various fishes – in English – so the kids are always laughing about the pronunciation of the names. Whale comes out “wally” and eel comes out “ale” very cute.

Happy Easter to all of you!

Missy and Jordan

Carol's Visit: Women's Night

Carol, Jordan's mom, was able to host a Women's Night during her time with us this fall, and it was a great success! We had many of the women of the church come together for a night at our Pastor's house, where Carol was able to share her testimony and encourage our church family.

We had great conversation and prayer as well

The women sharing a bit about their lives

The nerve-racking part for me was the translating - yes, I was official translator for the night, and though it was a HUGE challenge, it was also a huge blessing to practice translating, and to come alongside Carol to help enable her to share her story with the women.

We also had chocolate mint cookies a la Carol, which the women LOVED!

The women ended the night praying for Carol, very cool time for all of us to share. It is amazing to come together and realize that many of the struggles we face and victories we have in faith are not limited to countries or language, but rather cross all borders and barriers. God is doing great things all over our world.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Happy Thursday!

- Missy

Carol's Visit: Married Group Dinner

A few weeks ago, we had the chance to go out to dinner with our married group to celebrate Valentines Day. We spent the evening at a restuarant in Dichato.

Some close friends, Alejandro and Paloma

Pastor Luciano and his wife, Alejandra

Me (no I'm not alone..Jordan is taking the picture)

A "parrilla" which basically means a big bowl of meat with burning coals underneath to keep it warm. It includes chicken, blood sausage, chorizo, intestines (chitterlings I believe is correct?), beef, with some potatoes hidden underneath. Not really our thing..but everyone else loved it!

Carol with Luciano and Ale

The whole gang after the feast, most of our married group was able to attend.

(I know I'm not looking at the camera, but oh well!)

Have a great Tuesday!

-Missy (and Jordan!)

Anniversary

This last Sunday marked a major event here in Chile, the anniversary of the earthquake of 2010 and following tsunami. The entire weekend was a reminder of how fresh this event still is in the minds of the Chileans that lived through it. Thinking on the fact that a year has now passed since the earthquake hit, it also is a reminder of how much reconstruction still needs to happen. There are still thousands living in temporary houses, some still without running water. There are still people without work, struggling to regain the lives they had.

Please, pray for these people who still feel so displaced.

Temporary Housing Community

In honor of those who worked, and continue to work, on reconstructing the region around Tome and Dichato our church held a breakfast last Sunday. We invited fireman, policeman, and others who responded to the initial needs of the people after February 27^th.

Breakfast Table Groups

We also invited those who have been elected presidents and secretaries for the temporary home encampments. Though living in temporary housing themselves, these people are still responding to the day-to-day needs of those living in the camps of houses that the government constructed after the earthquake.

Getting to Know One Another

The breakfast was a big success, leaders from our church were spread out among tables to dialogue with those invited as to how they are feeling now, a year later; how they felt like the church responded to the situation; and simply to share their stories.

Our Table

We were placed with a few people from the camp in Dichato we worked at with the group from Merge, along with some women who live a bit outside of Dichato. It was a good time to simply talk and share what it happening in our lives, where we came from, and what the Lord is doing. The two women are sisters, and they have begun going to a free school offered in their camp to get their high school equivalency diploma. They were very sweet, and though their lives were completely turned upside down from the earthquake, we've really never sensed any bitterness – from anyone we've talked to.

Jordan Setting Up

All that to say, keep praying for these people! They are coming up on their second fall/winter season without permanent homes, so pray for the Lord's protection to cover them and their families. Pray also for guidance in how we, our church, and other aid organizations can come alongside of them!