This our first update as we prepare to head to South America, and take a mission trip through the country of Chile before we study at the Calvary Chapel Bible College in Cajamarca-Peru. We are going to try to do regular updates at least once per month, and maybe more so we can let our brothers and sisters in Christ know what we are up to when we are on a different continent together. We hope that you will remember to pray for us, and hope that we can take this journey together with our family back home and in South America.

First, we want to Praise God for providing for us to so amazingly and for setting up our travel plans. We recently were able to purchase our tickets to Lima, Peru and we will be leaving the states December 3rd. We also have travel plans to Chile scheduled and we will be there until January 30th serving alongside Ricky and Mayra Plazas. We are so excited to see them.

The way our travel plans came together was such a God thing. After receiving some wonderful confirmation at a CC workers conference in Mt. Hermon we were able to buy our tickets to Lima and all our tickets in Chile within 2 days. The day we wanted to leave for South America happened to be the cheapest day to travel for the rest of the year. Praise God. WE bought our one-way tickets for under $400 each. Then there was a special on flying throughout the Country of Chile and now instead of bussing the majority of the 5,000+ miles we will be able to fly. We are flying from Iquique-Antofagasta-La Serena-Santiago and then on the way back Santiago-Arica all for less than $250 each! RIcky and Mayra told us they have never seen such a low rate on flights. Danielle and I were very ready to rough it on the busses for the Lord, but He just blessed us and took care of us. We can’t wait to begin, praise the Lord.

We will then head to the Bible College in Peru at the beginning of February to help wherever we can at the campus and start classes. I can’t wait to dig in to the Word of God. It is just such a privelege and a blessing to be able to get away, and be able to make knowing Jesus and studying the Word the primary way we spend our days and time. We were able to talk to John Bonner, the director at CCBC Peru, and they are still constructing the campus while students are being trained in the Lord and God is being glorifed. The campus will not be done when we arrive, and the place we are supposed to live may or may not be finished, but we believe the God is calling, leading, and providing for us to be there so we will be blessed with whatever accomodations God provides for us.

We really hope to be able to be an encouragement and a blessing as we study at the Bible College. Our heart is to give to the school as much as we receive, and lay down our lives and rights in order to be a blessing in the work the Lord is doing at the Bible College. Basically, we hope and pray to be doormats for Jesus, as crazy as that may sound to some.

As for life back home, as many of you know we are staying with Danielle’s family, the Gillmans. They have graciously opened up there homes to us so that we can save money for the mission field and get to spend some time with them before we leave. We are living in a shed outside there house that was previously a play-house and a hide-a-way for the cats here. We gave it a thorough cleaning, and with some help insulated, carpeted, and painted the room so we have a very cozy 7 x13 space to ourselves. Making the trek to the house in the middle of the night can be a bit of an adventure as we have encountered raccoons, skunks, and foxes but we are so blessed as the Lord has provided for us.

Another praise to God has been how he has provided work for me, Cory, throughout the process. As it goes with construction, work became scarce, but I was only without work for one day as a brother at our church put me to work in the local harbor processing urchins. Not only has God provided for me, I now work in an environment where Spanish is the primary language among about 50 employees and I have the freedom to share Jesus with my co-workers as much as I want. Prasie the Lord for His perfect ways! My Spanish has been getting much better, and I have had many conversations about our work in SA, and have been able to share the Lord with many.

Danielle and I have alse been practicing our Spanish with an audio program on CD, as well as through some practice textbooks that we purchased. By the grace of God, we hope to have some foundation in the language before we are in South America because we want to be able to connect with the people we meet in Chile and Peru, and share Jesus with them to our fullest ability. Your prayers are greatly appreciated.

So, we have about two months to go, and we are still serving our local church, and ministering in nearby Mendocino as we prepare to Go. We have put in our notices at work, and the reality is beginning to set-in that we are really leaving. We know we are going to Chile and then to Peru for a semester, but after that we are uncertain. It seems God has shown us step one, and is just calling us to be obedient to that before he reveals what is next. That can be trying at times, but we want to be obedient to His call, and we are ready to go out for Him. Hebrews 11:8 really ministered to us in that regard.

Finally, we were so ready to go when we originally planned to leave in August, and we are still ready to go, but we are realizing just how much we love our little town, our church, our families, and how we get to serve the Lord here. It will be so amazing to embark on this journey, and we know it is the Lord, and the joy of the Lord will be our strength, but we are going to miss everyone dearly. You will be in our hearts and prayers.

Praise Reports:

-The price of our plane tickets, and how the Lord set up our plans

-The work God has provided for us as we save for the mission field, and the amazing oppurtunities for the gospel and preparation for what He has in store.

-How our living quarters have come together, and the time spent with family.

-The ministry in Mendocino God has given us as we prepare to go.

-Plus, much more.

Prayer Requests:

-That God would direct us in the work He wants as we minister in several cities in Chile, each with a different situation, and plant a deep love in our hearts for the people in each place we visit.

-That we would have the boldness to preach the Word in truth, and share the gospel with many.

-That Danielle and I would be able to learn the language and communicate with the people of South America.

-That the Lord would speak to us on His will as we are in South America traveling, and that we would have ears to hear Him, and hearts to trust Him.

-That God would provide for the Bible College in Peru, and give us hearts of selfless servants as we join the effort.

– That we would be able to have an intimate time with Jesus during this time, and grow in His grace.

-That our travel would not be hindered and that we would remain healthy and safe.

Thank you so much for joining us on this journey. God bless you all.

In the love of Christ,

Cory and Danielle

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. -Hebrews 11:8

God be merciful to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us, Selah That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. -Psalm 67:1,2