Time is flying by! So much has happened in the last two months that it can be hard to place it all, but God is doing some amazing things! God is doing much in my heart as well. My strength is never enough and I constantly need more of His grace and the empowerment of His Spirit. As the Gospel of John tells us, we can do no good thing apart from Him (John 15:4). I’ve been seeing that power again and again in my life here on the field. Thank you so much for partnering with me, thank you for praying, and thank you for your faithfulness in the role’s you’re walking out in the kingdom of God.

What’s been going on?

We had a very busy vacation in between semesters. Many students stayed on campus which was a blessing for us. We were able to accomplish more with construction and outreach here in Trujillo. They spend a lot of time working on their Chuck Tracks and other work to help free up some time over their semesters as they finish sooner. 

I’ve been working on construction and admin, getting things ready for our current semester. It’s been a lot of work, but it’s been really awesome to see the Lord give me the wisdom I need to accomplish tasks much faster than I would normally imagine. Running service hours for the students has been a growing task and has been growing me as well. It’s forced me to get ahead schedule-wise and plan ahead not only for the students but for myself as I have tasks I still need to accomplish. I’m thankful for the opportunity to grow and I’m thankful to see how the Lord is providing strength for it all. I love problem solving and am loving the Lord’s help in growing in those abilities as well.

We had 3 or 4 weddings over the summer and I even got asked to be in one (I’ll cover that in my next newsletter). We got to celebrate the 4th of July here in Peru and a bunch of people from the church and institute were there to celebrate with us—their Dia de Independencia was just around the corner and it was a great time! In my free time I’ve been training at the gym nearby learning catch wrestling and taking some classes—health-wise I feel great and am loving challenging my body. As for construction a lot has gotten done as well. We’ve had a good “spring cleaning” on a few different occasions and we are now up in our new men’s dorm. We are still finishing up the new guys’ bathroom but the living area is all good to go. In the old one, we were able to knock out a couple of rooms for married couples who want to attend on campus.

There’s also been a good amount of outreach. We’ve done some open street evangelism, but also when we had a team come out we did a couple different outreaches, a huge one for kids and then a VBS at the church! The outreach turned out far bigger than we expected. Our students and staff put a lot of work into it and so did the visiting team. Some of our students and staff went out to invite people in the days leading up to the event, and when it began we were blown away! We believe there were over 500 kids (maybe closer to 750) in attendance with their families! They heard the Gospel, played games, got invited to church, and received free prizes and food! God is doing a work here in Trujillo and we can’t thank you enough for being a part of it and for praying for what God is doing here.

We had another baptism which was combined with one of our church plants—Calvary Buenos Aires and, in total, over 30 people got baptized! That’s including 2 people from our deaf ministry at Calvary Trujillo! It was such a blessing to see and I’m looking forward to what the Lord is going to do next! Already more newcomers are giving their lives to the Lord!

What’s next?

If you could please pray for my friends Julian and Hope, they just got married recently and are now running the new CBI in Brazil for the semester. They are preparing to go plant a new Calvary in Concepción, Chile. After the semester they will go back to the states for a time, but are planning to go in the new year! If you could please be praying for me, Gospel South America (the organization based out of Calvary Trujillo) is in the process of purchasing the new property in Mendoza, Argentina for our new CBI campus there. The plan is to have it closely tied to Calvary La Vid—Maipu in Mendoza, Argentina. Please pray for the process to go smoothly and for the Lord’s leading and wisdom. We will also need help getting the property ready for it’s first semester shortly after. I also need your prayers for this semester. I am running a Casá á Casá that is bilingual through the church. It’s a privilege to be able to teach and lead one of the church’s Bible studies and I want to do it well and in an honoring way. I will also be leading one of the new prayer groups for Argentina as we are getting ready to expand the ministry there. Please pray for wisdom there and for me as I will be teaching 2 days of our Isaiah class that’s coming up in about a week. I’ll be teaching through Isaiah 14-19, and the final day of class on chapters 55-66. Thank you so much for praying and partnering with me here. The Lord has used all of you so much—I can’t wait to see what He’s going to do!

Please pray for:

• Continued faithfulness

• Drawing close to Jesus—complete reliance upon Him

• Being empowered by His Spirit

• The classes

• The new church plants

• Things in Argentina

• The Lord’s wisdom, leading, provision, and guidance

I’m so glad to have you guys in my corner. Love you all!

-Jordon

If you would like to get involved or even help support the school with scholarships for South American students, please let me know! Please let me know how I can be praying for you!

Dear Pastors, Leaders, Supporters and Church Family!

Greetings to all of you!

I am sorry that I was not able to send an update last month. Thank God that I am home this month. I am sharing with you the wonderful work God has done in the last two months.

We had a wonderful time filled with encouragement and God’s Word!

I thank God that He gave my wife and me the opportunity to attend a meeting in the North and arranged flight tickets for us to go there and come back. Thank God that my wife was able to travel in a plane for the first time. My wife and I’s hearts were filled with joy when we met the pastor and his wife at the meeting. It was very nice to see their love and hear the Word of God from them. My wife and I were really excited to go. When we went, our hearts were filled with even more joy than we had imagined!

The pastors taught us many things, including many spiritual tools for helping our church members and personal lives grow through the Word of God. I am very grateful to God that He has placed us in a family that always encourages us and loves us so much.

I told the Good News to a friend who I knew 15 years ago. I also gave him an audio Bible and spent time with him.

Praise the Lord! Many years ago, while we lived in the North for 18 years, we made a lot friends who have now forgotten us. But there is one family whose friendship we have not forgotten. Whenever we enter their home, they welcome us with an open heart. They do not let us leave without being their guest.

This time when my wife and I reached their house, they welcomed us very warmly. I brought them some gifts. My wife and I told them the Good News and gave them an audio Bible. We remembered old memories together and they prepared a very tasty meal for us. After we ate, we went for a walk and took a lot of pictures together. I thank God that people listen to audio Bibles when they get one in their local language. I believe that one day they will definitely accept the Lord.

I am thankful that God gave me the opportunity to share the Word of God in 2 house churches in the North.

One of these is the church of my wife’s relative. He runs a church with great faith and also works a job. He goes door-to-door every week and shares the Word of God verse-by-verse and chapter-by-chapter. I was very excited to come to his church. Even though there were only 8-10 people, everyone knew the Word of God. He has completed a 6 month online Bible study at Calvary Chapel Bible Institute. I will always pray for God to take his ministry further. I am thankful to God for giving me the opportunity to share the Word of God in our colleague Pastor 12’s church also.

My wife’s gall bladder operation went well and God gave a new life to my elder sister’s newborn child.

I thank God that He has given me a wife who helps in every activity of God’s work. It seems like God created her for me. My wife had pain in her stomach. I took her to the doctor and she got an ultrasound. They found a 15 mm stone in her gall bladder. The doctor said she should get the surgery done soon or else it would cause her a lot of problems later. God took care of our financial need for the surgery.

On the same day that the doctor had scheduled my wife’s surgery, I got a call from my elder sister who still lives in the North. The doctor had admitted her to a government hospital to deliver her baby. Because of that, my wife’s operation was put off for a few days.

When my sister gave birth to her son, the doctor did not take good care of him. He became very ill. My wife and I told the doctor that we were concerned about him many times. We showed the doctor the trouble my nephew was having, but the doctor did not answer us. After three days my nephew stopped moving. He could not open his eyes, cry, or make any noise at all. When that happened, my wife and I took him to a private hospital. As soon as we reached the private hospital, the doctor gave him oxygen and started treating him. The doctor said that if we had arrived even a half of hour later, my nephew would not have survived.

Glory to God! God gave him new life. The fees of the private hospital were very expensive. God opened the heart of so many Christians and also some who did not believe in Christ who donated to save his life. He was able to reach home safely with his parents after 21 days. After he was admitted to the good hospital, my wife also underwent a good, painless surgery, in the best hospital for her in the same city in the North. Praise the Lord! Now my sister’s child and my wife are both completely fine.’

Points of Thanksgiving

• I thank God that He helped me to reach my area of ministry safely.
• I thank God that He allowed my wife to have a safe operation and that she is absolutely fine now.
• I thank God that my sister gave birth to a son. Praise the Lord that he is safe now.
• I thank God that my mother’s health has improved a little.

Prayer Requests:

• Please pray for our safety.
• Please pray. There is projected to be a flood in our area this month. May God keep the unemployed and the homeless people who live on the footpaths safe.
• Please pray. There is 2 feet of water on the road in front of our house. Because of that, it is very difficult for us to go places. May God open the heart of the head of our village make a drain for the water to drain somewhere else.
• Please pray. Because of the rain, the roads are wet. While I travel to do ministry, my motorcycle’s tires slip. Sometimes I get hurt. May God protect us.
• Please pray. In the last week of September or the first week of October, my friends and I are planning to preach the Gospel in 4 villages. That village area is about 400 km away from my village. We want to go to the villages, show the Jesus film on the projector and distribute New Testaments. Pray that God fulfills our every need and that this plan becomes successful
• Please pray that the faith of our church members will become stronger. May they understand the depth of God’s Word and face all kinds of persecution firmly.

Thank you for your prayers, support, Christian love, and partnership for the Gospel.

God bless you all!

Pastor & Mrs. 11*

*Names and faces have been changed or omitted for security reasons.

Hey Friends and Family!

I pray you are all doing well and enjoying these last days of Summer! Joel had an amazing time in Mexico teaching a workshop on raising up and leading a worship team, leading a night of worship and prayer for our School of Missions students, and then teaching a class for them on the theology of worship.

We are looking forward to a BIG month starting this week; here are some of the things going on that we would ask you to be in prayer for us over:

• This weekend, Joel is teaching at a Missions Conference at Calvary Chapel Westgrove
• On Sunday, we are hosting a Dessert Gathering update at the church for the Kanyike Family, SGWM missionaries from Uganda
• The following Sunday, the whole family will be participating in a Walk-A-Thon to raise money for missions (more on that later)
• In two weeks, Joel will be leaving for three weeks in Japan and Thailand. In Japan, Joel will lead a small team who is praying about moving there, check up on our missionaries the Root Family there, and teach at Calvary Chapel Abide in Osaka
• In Thailand, Joel will attend the CCA Missions Conference in Chiang Mai, and then spend an extended time helping lead a separate conference for many of our SGWM missionaries and nationals who will be joining us there

Please pray for a fruitful trip for Joel, and that the Lord would protect and provide for the rest of the family during the trip, as it will be the longest Joel has ever taken!

Now, about the Walk-A-Thon… Our church is putting on a Labor Day picnic that will include a mile walk in Yorba Linda to raise money for missions! All six of us Garcias will be participating, and we would love your help! Would you consider sponsoring us by donating toward the cause we are walking for? It would be a huge blessing! We are raising money to help put our new batch of missionaries in the Middle East through language school, as it is an expensive investment that will be absolutely crucial for their effectiveness on the field there!

To donate, please click the link below, select One-Time, or Recurring if you would like this to be a recurring donation, and select MIDDLE EAST GENERAL as the Fund you are donating to, along with the dollar amount of your choice. Any amount helps!

Click here to sponsor us for the Walk-A-Thon!

Here are some pics of us participating in last year’s Walk-A-Thon:

We would love to keep you updated on our ministry via our newsletter email updates if you are interested. You can sign up for those by clicking the link below:

Email Updates

You can also become a one-time or ongoing financial partner with us by clicking the button below, or by mailing a check made out to SGWM with “Joel Garcia” in the memo line to 17451 Bastanchury Rd, Ste 203, Yorba Linda, CA, 92886. 

Love in Christ,
Joel, Amy, Maggie, Harrison, Jude, and Clara Garcia

おはよう (ohayou)! And so the countdown begins… officially two weeks away from our departure to Japan! This is also our last week of the Missions Training School. Can you believe it has been a year already?! Time really does fly by when you’re having fun! After all the months of training, preparing, and equipping, I am one step closer to being sent out as a full-time missionary.

Run Hard After Jesus!

I had the honor of sharing what the Lord has done throughout my life at a Titus 2 women’s event in South OC. In recounting my testimony, I was reminded of how Jesus not only saved me from the pit of hell, but how He continues to transform my life for His glory!

As Michelle Randall spoke on Mary Magdalene, I reveled in how much I have in common with her faith story. Mary Magdalene was delivered from seven demons, but her testimony didn’t end when she met Jesus. She continued to run hard after Jesus every single day, never leaving His side even during His death and after His resurrection! That is exactly what I’m doing! After being saved by grace through faith alone and freed by Jesus from many demons myself; I will continue to seek Him, His will, and reflect His love to all peoples. <3

Watch Michelle’s teaching on Mary Magdalene here (testimony starts at 51:00)!!

Full Circle Moment

This past weekend, I had the blessing of heading back to El Niño, Mexico- the place and the people where the Lord first stirred my heart for missions three years ago. It was a full circle moment! It has been a little over a year since I’ve last seen them, but I was welcomed as if I had never left. On this special day, we were celebrating the graduation of many university students, as well as some High School students going into University. As a part of the program, Do 4 One also offers sponsorships for elementary and middle school students (pictured below). It is because of this program that these kids are able to have an education and a career. I am truly grateful the Lord has allowed me to be a part of this work for the past two years! If you would like more information, please visit Do 4 One Foundation.

Praise Reports

• Glory to God I had the honor of sharing what God is doing in my life!
• Praise God many kids are able to go to school this upcoming year because of sponsors!
• Missions Training School year one is coming to an end- I’m excited for the new students that are coming in and to see what the Lord will continue to do!

Prayer Requests

• Please join me in praying for a revival to happen in the Church in America! May we also repent as a nation and turn back to God!!
• Please pray for the nations- for Mexico, South America, and beyond- may they encounter Jesus Christ like never before!
• Please continue to pray for the upcoming trip to Japan, we leave on September 6th- for team unity, guidance, and wisdom as I begin to budget for future living expenses!
• Please continue to pray for provision in paying off my debt- I’m almost half way there!

Thank you family for your constant love! It is because of your faithful partnership in the gospel from the first day till now, through prayer and financial support, that any of this is possible. Love you all!!

For His glory,

-Mayra Alejandra

For the love of Christ compels us…

Romans 5:14

A Ministry of the Calvary Culiacán Church Network

Thank you so much for your continued prayers for me and my family.  Instead of updating you on all that God has been doing this summer (which I will do soon), I’d like to take a moment to highlight our newest ministry, “TRANSFORMED BY HIS LOVE.”

TRANSFORMED is run by 20+ women from 5 of our Calvary Culiacán churches. We go to a women’s rehab center every Friday morning to preach the Word of God verse by verse (currently the Gospel of Mark) and have a time of sharing where the women can talk about what’s going on in their lives and reflect on what God is speaking to them. We leave them with a homework assignment to complete during the week – memorizing verses, praying or reading the Bible, making amends, and more – so they can apply what they are learning and be transformed by the Word as Paul says in our theme verse, Romans 12:2.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

In the nearly 3 months we have been working here, we have witnessed many miraculously transformed lives. Margarita was freed from her 40+ year marijuana addiction by learning to pray and satisfy her cravings with tortillas. Others have been freed from alcohol addictions, drug addictions, and mental illness. Bitterness and seeking revenge have been replaced with forgiveness and seeking reconciliation.  Many women have made first-time professions of faith, and many hardened and damaged hearts have been softened by the love of Jesus.  Those that once prayed only for a quick release, visits, or permission to leave campus are now praying for patience to complete their healing processes, opportunities to reconcile with family and friends, and that they would leave TRANSFORMED.

Today, we had a super INTENSE day of ministry and spiritual warfare. Due to technical glitches, endless interruptions, and distractions, including two women who seem to be possessed, it was a very difficult day, but our God is bigger, and He accomplished more than the enemy! 

The sermon was titled, “Chosen with Purpose.” Flor showed them through Jesus’s chosen disciples that, 1) those who are chosen must be obedient to God’s call and 2) God equips us to be used by Him.  During the time of reflection, we asked the ladies, “What is God speaking to your heart? What is He calling you to do?”  Their answers were varied, but intense, and many were left with a big task for this week – reflect on what God is calling you to do and start obeying.  Here are a few examples:

• Liseth said that God told her it’s time to obey. As a Christian, she has been listening for a long time, but God is calling her to start obeying and putting into practice all that she has heard.
• Delia and Carmen (a former dealer and her client) said that God is speaking to them about starting a support group in the same neighborhood where they did drugs to share their testimonies and help others find freedom from addiction.
• Rocio recently accepted Christ through our ministry. She has never entered a church in her life, but says that God told her it’s time to start reading the Bible, because if she is going to believe, she has to know who/what to believe in, and that can only be found in the Bible. She also said that, when she leaves, she will go directly to one of our churches to be baptized and learn more about Jesus.
• Dinora, a recent arrival whose only concern was getting out as quickly as possible, said that God told her that she has to calm down, be patient, and let the recovery process run its course, because while her children do need her, they need her clean and sober.  She asked us to pray for her complete restoration and transformation.
• Alejandra says God is calling her to help other women with similar problems. “Coincidentally,” one recently arrived at the center, and she has been assigned to help her.
• Recently, Josefina proudly declared that when she died, she would go straight to hell, but first, she wanted to take revenge on the countless people who had hurt her. Today, she said God told her that, upon leaving, she needs to go to her mother’s grave to make amends.

And there are many more stories… just as incredible as these!  Despite all the opposition we faced today, God spoke to these women’s hearts clearly, directly, and specifically.

I also ask you to help us pray for the women/girls who were distracting others today. They are in dire need of Jesus’ TRANSFORMING LOVE!

• Valeria and Alison are new arrivals. After laughing and chattering through the entire sermon, one declared that she is a fallen angel sent to “move” the other women, shake them up, steal their peace, sow discord, and destroy the work we are doing in the center.
• Brianda was recently admitted for addiction, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. She reminds me of the girl who followed Paul everywhere shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation,” … and later had a demon cast out of her!  (Acts 16)  Like that girl, Brianda talks loudly and constantly, reciting Bible verses, anecdotes, and throwing out trick questions, all while fidgeting, pacing, coming, and going.
• Norma, too, seems tormented by an evil spirit.  She related an unbelievable tale of invisible, venemous vipers trapped inside her body, repeated poisoning attempts, invisible wounds that won’t stop bleeding, murders and conspiracies, a dead son and another hidden where the snakes can’t find him, etc… When I told her to read Psalms 91 for peace and protection (because He is the only one who can save her!) she asked, “Does that book talk about getting rid of snakes and surviving poisons?”

We know that our God is far greater than any demon or unclean spirit, and with faith and boldness, we continue to work and pray, doing spiritual warfare to rescue these souls from the enemy and bring these women to the point of decision where they choose to surrender their lives to Christ and be TRANSFORMED BY HIS LOVE. 

To accomplish that purpose, we want to purchase Bibles for ALL these women.  There are approximately 60 residents, but with so many coming and going, we want to start with 100 Bibles. In bulk, we can pay as little as 60 pesos per Bible (less than $3.50 USD each).  If God puts it on your heart to help us with that purchase, please contact me privately or make a dedicated donation through SGWM with a description of your gift (Jenna Pepin, Bibles). 

As always, we thank you for your prayers.  We are on the front lines here, rescuing souls from the enemy’s camp, and the battle is intense. Remember to pray each Friday morning (and throughout the week) for each of the Calvary ladies who will be participating. You can also join us in prayer each Tuesday evening during our weekly prayer meeting (8:00pm AZ time via zoom, Spanish only).

In addition to the previously mentioned women (Liseth, Delia, Carmen, Rocio, Dinora, Alejandra, Josefina, Valeria, Alison, Brianda, and Norma), please join me in praying for the complete transformation of all the precious ladies at this center and the requests they have shared with us:

• Káterin (a young woman who tried to take her life her first week in the home wants to know Jesus)
• Heidy (a vivacious, young woman with a deep desire to know Christ and reconcile with her mom)
• Gloria (an older woman battling severe depression)
• Silvia (seeking to reconcile with her husband and children)
• Alma Alicia (a doctor’s wife battling a prescription addiction who needs Jesus)
• Mirna (anxiety about her mother with Alzheimers)
• Lizette (has schizophrenia, recently left to live with an aunt but was sent back)
• Margarita (overcoming a 40-year tobacco/marijuana addiction)
• Margarita (missing daughter, addicted daughter, estranged son)
• Pamela (open and seeking a relationship with Jesus)
• Concepción (wants a complete transformation!)
• Rosa Isela (has a knee injury, a pain pill addiction, and a missing son)
• Miriam (battling severe mental illness)
• Arely (seeking reconciliation with her mother and salvation for her brother)
• Génesis (a young woman who believes going to the USA will solve all of her problems)
• Elvira (battling addiction and cancerous cysts)
• Adriana (a back-slidden Christian who desperately wants to return to Jesus)
• Arlín (a new Christian battling addiction and mental illness)
• The rest of the ladies who have not mentioned specific requests – América, Sinahy, Miriam, Yesica, Naymar, Connie, Abigail, Elizabeth, Jazniel, Ariany, Carolina, …

Finally, pray for those who have recently left the center (Zaire, Lorenza, Priscila, Alina, Patricia, Brisa, Sonia, Martha, Nayeli, Denisse, Mercedes, Ana, and Claudia), please pray that they remain firm in their newfound faith, join a good Bible-preaching church, and do NOT fall back into their previous habits, vices, or lifestyles.

Zaire is one of our favorite stories of TRANSFORMATION. The weekend she was released, she brought her mother to our church, and both women gave their lives to Christ. A few days later, they brought their whole family (9 people) to our fellowship dinner, and many more professed faith in Christ. While they are still developing church-going habits, they faithfully attend at least 4 services per month. With your support and prayers, we hope to have many more stories of TRANSFORMATION, just like hers!

Thank you and God bless you all!

Exciting news! Last time I wrote you all, I was planning on going to India and Thailand and now it’s official! I leave for Thailand on September 13 with a brother from Calvary School of Missions. Once the group gets there we will be attending a conference and having a little SGWM Conference with our missionaries from all over the world. Then after the conference I will be flying to India for a short trip to visit some brothers and sisters in Christ out there. During that time I will be praying about what the Lord has for me out there. Some might wonder why go to these places? Well, India alone has over 1 billion people who have not heard the Gospel or have a Christian they can ask or a church they could go to. Thailand certainly isn’t much better having 60 million people who also desperately need the gospel. The reason I want to go on these trips is not for just some vacation, but to seriously and prayerfully consider going to be a part of the work there in reaching these hard-to-reach people. Part of that requires going, seeing, and hearing of what God is doing through our brothers and sisters in those parts of the world. Please be praying for the trip that the Lord would speak to me and show me His will. If you would like to support this trip financially, there is a link below labeled, “Become a Financial Partner” where you can make a donation. All the money will go directly towards funding the airfare and on-the-ground costs.

Trip To Ecuador

Some of you know that I had the privilege of going to Ecuador last month for about a week. During that trip, my family and I got to visit our dear family friend and missionary Pastor Carlos. Pastor Carlos has spent a number of years in Ecuador now raising up men to lead the church he has been pastoring. I got to visit 2 years ago and back then I wasn’t very good at Spanish and I didn’t have the vision of going beyond my local area with the gospel. This time I still wasn’t good at Spanish but I was able to understand and really glean so much more from Pastor Carlos and his missionary experiences. I really felt like a Timothy watching Paul and gleaning from such a faithful servant. I got to see Pastor Carlos raising and discipling men to lead the church for the glory of God. As of right now the church he has been pastoring is looking to buy a property to fit their congregation which has drastically grown in the past two years, not just in size but in love. I ask that you please join me in praying for Carlos and the church he pastors, for provision for a property and that the gospel would expand its reach in Ecuador.

Praise Reports/Prayer Requests

• Pray for the church, Pastor Carlos, the discipleship going on, and for the rehab ministry the church is a part of.
• Pray for provision of a building for the church in Ecuador.
• Pray for me and my upcoming vision tour that God would speak to me powerfully
• Please pray for the upcoming evangelism outreaches at Cal State Fullerton and Fullerton College that God would open the door so we can become a club on campus (more on that next time)

Thank you all for your prayers and support. If you would like to support the financial aspect of the trip you can do so by clicking the “become a financial partner” link and make a donation of your choice. If you would like to help support the church in Ecuador financially, please let me know so I can get you in touch with Pastor Carlos. Nonetheless, please pray for the upcoming trip. I can’t wait to tell you all about it. God Bless.

One year and some change living here in Perú full time. We would like to thank you ALL so much for your prayers and support both leading up to our move, and throughout our time overseas so far. The fact that you are even reading this newsletter means so much to us. Like most great things in life, our first year on the foreign mission field has been a rollercoaster with a lot of: fun things, difficult things, learning experiences, sweet successes, humbling disappointments, huge opportunities, and many, many divine appointments. 

Over this year we’ve had a lot of big changes. Reading the Bible and praying in Spanish used to be the most difficult for me (Shilo), now they’re still challenging, but not as much. We’ve also moved three times, from staying with Cory, Danielle, and their kids (our pastor and great friends), to sharing a whole house with two other couples (and a big dog) we had never met, to now being afforded the huge blessing of living in our place (for the first time since we were newly weds in 2020). Amalia has also grown so much — she is talking and walking. Prayers appreciated as we seek to be examples to her, and learn to discipline and train her up in the way she should go.

We also were accepted for our visa status to be changed from tourist to religious, which allows us to stay here on a four-year basis at a time. 

One of our main responsibilities here on the Bible college campus is hosting visiting teams and pastors who come to preach or teach classes. This last year we had teams come that helped build two large dormitories for the school. Another team came and painted the whole church campus and helped us put on a huge outreach in Trujillo’s biggest public park. We’ve had a great time hosting short-term missions teams here, and it’s been a learning process.

We’ve had the privilege of hosting CBI Peru’s Summer Missions Internship this summer! It was catered towards English speakers in the college age range wanting do something with purpose for their summer break. We taught through the Book of Acts, read “Radical” by David Platt, a few amazing missionary biographies, and did hands-on training here on the foreign mission field. 

We had an amazing time serving with these three young gals. We served with our home-base Calvary Trujillo, also Calvary Buenos Aires (neighborhood of Trujillo), and of course Calvary Moyobamba. The idea was to give them training and outlets to practice what they were learning (work with church plants, share the gospel of Jesus and their testimonies, and be generous with their time to serve others, in spite of cultural differences). 

During the internship the Lord spoke to these girls and mighty ways. One of them specifically through the book of Acts class as her heart was being stirred for the nations. She was confident that the Lord was calling her to missions and knew that coming here for 6 weeks was another step. As she prayed about what was next the Lord kept making it clearer that she was to come back and serve as a student/intern this fall semester in Peru. In choosing this she’s giving up comforts and opportunities but she has been so encouraged to pursue the Lord wholeheartedly. To see the growth and the heart of service in each of these girls has been a great joy for us. We’re so blessed and excited for what the Lord has in store for each of them.

Racquell and I just kept on thinking to ourselves, “Wow, what an opportunity.” What an opportunity! These Americans are here to sit at the feet of Jesus, to experience foreign missions…and they are only here for 6 weeks. It was on a trip to Peru 7 years ago that God really started to show me (Shilo) what missions is. Then Racquell and I participated in Calvary School of Missions a few years ago where we further developed a biblical view for foreign missions. I knew that God would want to change these new interns’ lives and work in mighty ways. He did.

Our fall semester is starting at CBI Perú, and soon we’ll have pastors and their wives coming to visit and teach “block” classes that run a week or two weeks, through different Books of the Bible, or different themes and topics to train our students. We’re excited to host them, and especially for God to use these classes to help shape the students’ biblical worldview as well as train and equip them for their future service in South America and beyond. 

What’s next for our family? Whatever Jesus wants. We just need to obey Him. We plan to continue living in Trujillo until God clearly calls us away and to another place, if He wills that. So we are putting our roots down, trying to make friendships and pour into discipleship times. We are currently car-shopping, potentially a truck or an SUV that would fit our family, with the potential to be used to move church items or pick up guests, and mobilize students and friends here around town.

We’ve got one more year until we graduate from CBI Peru’s Church Planting Class, and we’re excited to study the Word of God, teach short sermons every week, and take notes from talks by pastors who serve all over the world, that we might be better equipped to serve God in the future. So whether long term be here in Trujillo and helping to keep home-base strong (at CBI and the church), or leading/being part of a church planting team to some far away place, or doing something else…we are surrendered to Jesus and wanting to live everyday as if it were our last, for God’s glory and our good.

One year in Perú so far. Years are cool. But we want to make every day count. Moses, a man who had lived 120 years and had basically three 40 year blocks in his life, prayed to God, “So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

PRAYER REQUESTS:

• HEALTHY churches in Trujillo, Buenos Aires neighborhood, and Moyobamba
• HUMILITY to work with our young team
• WISDOM to train up Amalia in the way she should go
• BALANCING time well with family, friends, and the ministries’ responsibilities

We love you all so much and thank you for partnering with us. Through your prayers and generous financial support, you have made this ministry possible for us, and we want to let you know that this is the fruit of your labor as well. If the Lord leads you to partner with us financially, or increase your already generous support, you can do so by clicking on this financial button or mailing your support check to:

Saving Grace World Missions

17451 Bastanchury Rd., Ste.203 

Yorba Linda, CA 62886

*Note “Stratton” in memo*

To check out the ministry we are serving with, please click the link below or find us on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube:

Calvaryperu.com

By the grace of Jesus and for His glory,

The Stratton Family

“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.”

Revelation 3:8

We are back in Cambodia after spending June 6 to August 6 visiting and sharing at more than a dozen churches, a pastor’s meeting, a Bible school chapel, and visiting as many friends as possible in addition to Kayo’s parents in Hiroshima.

We had a blessed and busy time in Japan. We traveled and stayed in Tokyo, Kansai/Osaka, Okayama, Hiroshima, Kyushu, and more. During our time in the Kyushu/Imari area, Benjamin came down with a very serious ear infection. The church and missionary we were visiting arranged for their doctor friend to meet him on his day off (Sunday), this probably spared Benjamin from a ruptured eardrum, possible ER etc. and hearing loss. After visiting two more specialists and a couple of rounds of antibiotics, his infection went away completely without hearing loss. We are thankful for all the prayer cover and practical support/hospitality we received in Japan during our entire time there.

Closed and Open Doors

In my May update I asked for prayer for God to open and close all the right doors related to whether or not I should pursue employment as an English teacher here in Cambodia so that we could close a financial gap related to Benjamin’s Christian international school tuition and other needs. Before the trip, I started making practical steps in that direction. However, God had other plans and provided unexpectedly and miraculously so that it is not necessary for me to seek extra income in this season! So now we can keep focusing completely on ministry and even expand into new areas.

The above closed door came with a few open doors. During my time in Japan, several Christians including a pastor and a missionary from Japan encouraged me to write, have translated, and publish a new short Apologetics book in Japan. My vision for apologetics ministry for many years has been to provide apologetics/evangelistic books, videos, and other media in other languages beyond English and Cambodian. I have made steps in this direction (Spanish and Chinese etc.) in the past but the doors always closed. Please pray for this opportunity because the Japanese Christians need a lot of encouragement and resources right now.

More than a decade ago, I co-authored a book called, “Christianity: Reasons for Faith.” I continue to use it as a textbook but it has been out of print for some time because I have not had the resources to make a new edition or print. Now, with the opportunity to write a short book for Japan, the doors are also opening now for me to make a version of that same book in Cambodian as well.

In addition to these long-term book projects, I will continue to teach Apologetics and Christology at local Bible schools/churches, help Cambodian ministries/organizations in various roles, and help our local international church/community. Please pray for me as I prepare to teach Christology September 10-27 at a local Bible school.

Kayo will resume her ministries with Precious Women organization, the women’s ministry at the international church, and other ministries related to Japanese Christians/missionaries in Cambodia.

Benjamin has started 10th grade and is doing very well. He’s also planning for his future life in the USA in less than 3 years. Please pray for wisdom and open doors for him as well.

There is so much more to share but this is getting long. Feel free to connect with me via email or social media if you have any questions and to let us know how you are doing. We always love to hear from you!

In Christ’s Love,

Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin

The summer has been heating up here in Loreto. David and I have been keeping busy serving the Lord here in Loreto with many faithful servants. Seeing God’s purpose for our lives here through his church Calvary Loreto has been so amazing. We thank all of you who have continued to pray and financially support us, none of this work could be done without your faithfulness.

Calvary Loreto has been able to start its 3rd life group in one of the poorest areas of town. This weekly life group has grown up to 25 people who are hungry for the Word of God. Through your support, we have been able to teach and share the Word of God and begin a weekly feeding ministry where we can share a meal with them. This allows us to show the love of Jesus through actions while also meeting the physical need for food for them. Additionally, our church van has added this location to its route on Sunday mornings to pick up people who have been unable to attend church without transportation. Please pray that the Lord continues to provide for this weekly feeding ministry as its growth continues weekly.

Calvary Chapel decided to change up our baptisms this time around and rented a location with a pool. It was a huge success with many blessings for everyone. After Sunday service we gathered and had a time of worship and fellowship along with food-eating competitions. We had the opportunity to baptize 14 people who wanted to take the next step of faith in their walk with Jesus.

In July we took a team of faithful servants on a one-day mission trip to a small village of about 300 people in the rural mountains to do a children’s and movie outreach in a pueblo called, ”San Javier.” We were able to play games with all the children, as well as provide a meal for over 75 people. Through this mission trip we were able to share the gospel message with those who might not have ever heard it and praise be to God, 2 adults accepted Christ into their lives. We’re praying for continued provisions to be able to keep doing these mission trips up in San Javier every few months and continue the good work that was started.

David is teaching on Wednesdays chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse through the book of Acts. We are so blessed that God is using David to preach and use his gifts. Please keep him in prayer for continued wisdom and strength to honor God and to always be teaching truth with boldness and love.

David is leading the men’s group every Monday night. These men are growing so much in their walk with Jesus. They are becoming the men that God created them to be. So many of their lives are transforming right before our eyes. They are sharing in the breakout groups along with praying for each other. For some, this is the very first time they are sharing openly with other men. Satan is continually attacking these men as they are truly becoming a new creation as disciples. Please pray for these men and their ministry, it is such a blessing.

It wouldn’t be an update without the children. Our children’s ministry is nothing less than spectacular. The teachers had the children perform during a Sunday for Father’s Day and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house. We are seeing these children start to grow so much in their love for Jesus. We see them praying and treating one another with love and respect. We pray this next generation here in Loreto, Mexico will be a God-led generation. Loving God with all their hearts.

We thank you all for your continued prayers. David and I are serving the Lord here in Loreto, Mexico, and truly believe this is where we are meant to be. Somedays are much tougher than we would like or even think we are equipped to handle but God is good and faithful. He has a purpose and plan. We could never do this work here without your prayers and financial support. Everything that happens here for the Kingdom of God is your fruit as well so thank you and blessings to you all. 

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬