Wow! 2017 turned out to be one of the most amazing years, seeing God take command and direct in a way we’ve never seen before. During the first part of the year, I wrote about his direction with the first Season of Discipleship and the chapel. That has still continued through the end of the year. I haven’t been able to write as often as of late due to the Fall Season of Discipleship. Being the sole teacher for most of it had me studying almost all the time. And when I wasn’t studying, the construction of the chapel increased at the same time. The school ended in mid-December and we’ve had four groups visit since then, one of those for Christmas. Christmas was a great blessing and a delight for the kids. We all greatly appreciate and thank everyone who sent gifts down to the kids and the staff.

After the last group leaving yesterday, the Mission is enjoying a quiet peaceful spell until more come in February. A lot of the staff left in December. Over the next few weeks, some are returning and some new people will be joining us too. It’s amazing how the Lord is using the kids to work radical changes in peoples lives. Over and over again, people that only intend to come for a few days to a week are so moved by the kids and the staff that they abandon everything back home to come spend a longer season here.

For a long time, I’ve wanted to share more about the kids, but DIF (the Mexican family services) is now enforcing (rightfully so) that we can’t share names or pictures of the kids over the internet. I’ve tried to find loopholes but they are insistent. I will still write about them by referring to them by their initials.

In general, they have been in good health. Please pray for the oldest boy (J who was born in 1979). Although he is not old, some aging signs seem to be catching up with him. A round of bronchitis went around in November and he still has chronic irritation in his throat and possibly lungs. He’s been tested and doesn’t have TB, but we haven’t yet been able to determine if it’s just a slow recovery from bronchitis or something else.

Our daughters, Sarai and Noemi, finished homeschooling and have gone up to Oregon for three months to study and take their GED (which they like to call their Good Enough Diplomas). Fortunately, they aren’t rushing to leave home and will be coming back after that. But the reality of them moving out is close and looming over Corinne and I. We recently converted all of their old baby videos which we haven’t seen since we shot them. Corinne and I marvel at how blessed we’ve been at the relative ease of raising them. They are such a delight.

Thank you for every way that you all help us and make it possible for us to continue serving our Father in heaven here at the Mission. We greatly appreciate your prayers and support. May our Father in heaven richly bless you.