The End of our Last Year

Today, with joy and sadness, I will finish my Peacemakers course in our local Bible Academy.  It has been a wonderful journey of growth with 20 students, but it is also the final class of my final course before we conclude our ministry in Chile early next year.  We restarted the Academy when I arrived in July of 2007, with 16 students in one doctrine class.  By the grace of God and with the help of a growing team of teachers and tutors, we have more than 60 students participating several courses this semester and over 50 certificates will be handed out.  The church of Jesus Christ is growing stronger in Reñaca.

We are also growing in other ways.  Sunday attendance has increased from a previous average of 100 to 125 this semester.  Our church income has finally reached our budget for the first time this year.  Our ministries with men, women and youth have all grown.  To the glory of God, this is not the same church we came to four years ago!

I love numbers, but we know that is not what it is all about.  It's about people and changed lives... people like Miguel and Nisser who attended our September Marriage Encounter.  After five years of separation they reconciled.  That weekend, Miguel came to faith in Christ and in December they were baptized together.  This is what brings joy to our task and we thank you for your partnership with us.