A blessed, fulfilling New Year to you all!  The word NEW has such an appeal to it that so many of us make “new” goals and resolutions and how many of us long to “turn the corner” in different ways.  Goals, resolutions, and the turning of corners are good, as they infuse hope and accomplishment.  We do the same in our personal lives and work in Chile.  The following short passage in 2 Cor. 5: 14-15, & 17 gives the basis for all of the above and also directly links us to GOD’S VISION AND HOPE for our lives. (The below italicized, capital letters are ours.)  It’s in Jesus that newness is truly possible and when our personal goals, resolutions, and decisions to “turn corners” start with our identity in and through him there can be no more powerful combination.  The below passage goes on in its following verses to call us CHRIST’S AMBASSADORS.  As we all enter a New 2017, may our goals, resolutions, and “corner-turning” start with our NEW identity in Jesus.  His blessings to you all!!

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.   And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, THE NEW CREATION HAS COME: The old has gone, the new is here!

Our time in the States with family, friends, churches and participation in the 2016 mission conference was rich and blessed.  Here below is our 2016 family Christmas photo, complete with three “additions”.  From left to right (by family) we have Jonathan & Christina and Bella (10) & Joshua (12), Julian & fiancé Devyn, us, Jayme & Malia with 8 month old Havalah, and Jordan & Rob, with Selah (6), Eden (4), Ariana (2), and Tiago (2 months).  Julian and Devyn are due to be married in Houston in March.

Here in Chile we would ask you to pray (with thanksgiving) this month for two of our main ministry focuses, both in new stages of development and growth:

1. As you know, we are seeking a Christian Chilean woman to fill the position of director for our work with young abandoned children who are wards of the court and thus under the authority of SENAME, the Chilean dept. of children & family services. A member of the Christian church that we initially worked with during our first years as missionaries would like to apply for the position. PTL!  Miguel (who is part of our children’s work Foundation board) and his family attend the same church.  We, as a board, want to interview her this month as soon as is possible.  Thank you for your prayers.  With a director in place, it will be a real victory to have this ministry up and running again.
2. We are set to design and undertake this year’s summer VBS’s in middle Chile. In Ñipas (where the land is located that we hope to develop as a Christian center & children’s camp), we have been given access on January 30 & 31 and February 1 to the same school we used last year.  We are also in contact with the municipal authorities in Coelemu, another small community nearby, to confirm the dates they would have us be there, following our VBS in Ñipas.  Please pray for the following (along with other related prayers that God would lay on your heart):

–that local older youth/young adult Christians will be a central part of the activities.  At present, we are expecting the help of 7 local young people.  We are thinking of the real advantage that will come from their participation and ownership of such an outreach.

–that Domingo & Sandra (and hopefully their two adult daughters) will again participate this year.  We are on the board being formed with them to head up this entire project.

–for the receptivity of all of the children that participate, as God prepares their hearts.

–that we are able to initiate and form relationships with parents of the children that participate in both VBS’s.

–that we are able to make further relationship in-roads in the surrounding area toward more purposeful outreaches on the part of the churches there to children in general and also toward a goal of the local churches acknowledging the need for outreach to their children, as well as the development of an area children’s camp and center.

–that the vision for this important work be as large as possible to truly be light to that part of the country.  This will necessitate more “like-minded” and capable board members.

Thank you again for your month-to-month and year-to-year prayer support!

Praising, praying, and fasting as we all serve The One True God of Newness together,

Jack & Janine