Full Send

The month of February was a busy and exciting month for us! We established a Care Team, had a moving sale, taught at CBI Kauai for their Missions class, MOVED from Kauai to California for a time of transition, AND Amalia turned 4 months old!

We experienced many “lasts” or “not for a whiles.” One of those “lasts” was actually a first and last time meeting with our Care Team in our home base of Kauai. We ate dinner, prayed, and worshipped with them. We also got to share more specifics about the ministry with Calvary Trujillo, CBI Peru, and general things about the country of Peru. It was very encouraging to meet with our team before leaving, knowing that they will be praying for us every step of the way, and meeting with us once a month over Zoom to pray with us. If YOU are on Kauai and are interested in joining us once a month, contact Trevor or Carissa Tadiarca for more details! We are so blessed already by our friends who are partnering with us in this way.

Saying a hui hou (see you later) to our home church, CCLihue, and all of our Kauai family was extremely bitter sweet. Pastor Bruce Baumgartner shared, “While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted, prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away…” (Acts 13:2-3). There were many tears, laughs, and hugs shared but we are comforted in the will of the Lord.

Moving means downsizing. You’re probably familiar with that. Racquell and I were blessed to live with family, the Ochoas (Racquell’s brother, our sister-in-law, and their baby boy) for the majority of our time on Kauai. They and some other friends helped us think through what to sell/donate, and put on a garage sale. Despite the pouring rain, the Lord blessed us with a lot of visitors and buyers, and we were able to sell or donate most of our belongings we no longer need. Praise God! Thank you, Kauai family, for helping us MOVE!

We’re also excited to share that we are currently receiving 31% of our monthly budget! Saving Grace World Missions require that we be 80% funded on a monthly basis prior to departing. We’re nearly halfway there.

Thank you for those of you who have graciously given one time gifts to contribute to our part in this great task of making disciples of all nations. Thank you also to those of you who are signed up to give on a monthly basis. Our family is preparing to move to South America and be involved in foreign missions for the long haul. We’re excited and grateful for you to be along for the ride with us! We are partners in this work together, with Jesus as our Master, Commander, Shepherd, and God.

With that in mind, Racquell and I love hearing from our friends (who doesn’t?). If you’ve got a praise report, prayer request, nugget of wisdom or encouragement, some advice, questions, or want to talk story, please reach out to us. You can message us on WhatsApp or Messenger, text us, or respond to THIS email. It will come straight to our inbox.

Since flying back to the mainland, we’ve had lots of opportunities to share the gospel with folks and also share about the work we’re preparing to be a part of in Peru. We’ll share more about that next time! Here’s an Amalia update pic and a few final thoughts for you in the meantime:

Prayer Requests for our family:

• Focus in this short transition time here in California, waiting for our time to go (hopefully the beginning of THIS June)
• Meaningful partnerships and friendships to be forged, and for old ones to flourish and rekindle
• BOLDNESS as we share Jesus with people in San Diego
• 80% funding by June

Praise Reports:

• We are all three in good health and are encouraged by God to press on.
• We’ve got plenty of family and friends who are housing us, welcoming us and reminding us of the aloha we had back on Kauai.
• God is blessing the ministries in Peru, to say the least.
• God is still faithful and unchanging (Psalms 36:5; Hebrews 13:8)

To check out the ministry we are preparing to serve with, please click the link: Calvaryperu.com

By the grace of Jesus and for His glory,

The Stratton Family