MUCHAS GRACIAS!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Strattons!

We are praying you be blessed, wherever this newsletter finds you. We thank God for your partnership in His gospel, and your friendship with us. Keep reading for recent personal testimony of the work here in Trujillo, prayer requests, and announcements!

God provided for us to purchase a car! I (Shilo) went to Lima about a month ago, with some great referrals of some mechanics, and some options. I was in no rush to buy a vehicle, but with high hopes of finding something. Long story short, we bought a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe. Praise God!

As the Bible teaches, following Jesus involves counting the cost. For example. My friend, Daniel, is a student here at CBI Perú. He has a great attitude and loves evangelism.

This past week Daniel, another student, and myself drove a “stranger” home. Before I knew God wanted us to drive him home, we (mostly Daniel) had sat and talked with him, sharing many verses with him from the Bible. Daniel knew this man (we’ll call him “Amigo”) from passing by before, and had been pretty relentless in inviting him to church and trying to seek him out. I had planned to head home earlier than normal this day, and ended up being home a lot later than I expected. I did not plan to drive our “new” car to one of the sketchier neighborhoods of our city after dark.

But the gospel of Christ is worth it. This man did not receive Christ that day, that we know. When we got to his house, he asked each of us in the car some Bible/life questions. He was very thankful we cut his trip home by almost an hour and a half (how long it usually takes the bus/his own two feet).

Please pray for this man, “Amigo,” we’ll call him. He has a lot of questions, and has never really understood the real FREE gospel. He says otherwise, but his actions and stories show that he believes his self-righteousness and achievements will earn him something with salvation in God’s Kingdom.

“Amigo” is not the only one who thinks this way. Many South Americans have never heard the true gospel of Jesus Christ. “Jesus” is a figure — He is painted, and sculpted hanging on fake crosses all over. His Name is thrown around all the time. But SO many people who Racquell and I encounter outside of the church campus are really at a loss when we ask them questions like, “How do you know God loves you?” or, “Do you know if you’re going to heaven or not?” or, “Who is Jesus?”

Racquell and I are consistently reminded by other students, staff, and of course from the Bible itself that the gospel of Jesus Christ is WORTH IT. At least my Lord Jesus thought it was worth it, when He went to the cross for you and for me.

This is why we are here. Because South America needs the gospel of Jesus Christ. And we are extremely thankful for the privilege to be sent by Jesus Himself, and supported and prayed for by you. Thank you!

Family update: Amalia is a big sister! We’re expecting a baby in May of 2025!

Please pray for/that:

• We rely on Jesus to be our Sustainer in this time
• Grace to fill our minds and our home as we raise Amalia together and figure out how to be missionaries in Peru
• We’d be bold in evangelism, and have grace to share Christ with lost people
• Racquell and the new baby would be in great health
• Strength for our friends and colaborers, the staff of CBI Peru and Calvary Trujillo who will be staying in Trujillo this Christmas
• A refreshing time back in the US soon

THANK YOU AGAIN, and Happy Thanksgiving!

By the grace of Jesus and for His glory,

The Stratton Family