Merry Christmas everyone,

Christmas season is upon us, and Danielle and I can hardly believe this is our second straight Christmas in South America. We recently celebrated our first year in South America, and we are looking forward to what year two holds for us.

We want to say thank you for all your prayers for us, the church in Chilete, and the Bible College. We have several praise reports, recent news, and some prayer requests since we sent out the last update.

First of all, Danielle and I went to see the doctor today. Our baby is about 3 1/2 inches long and very healthy. Also, Danielle is into her second trimester and has been feeling much better. We are still planning on having the baby here in Cajamarca, and we are figuring out the dual citizenship and embassy process. Thank you for praying!

Secondly, a large container of supplies and materials was sent from Florida to the Bible College here in Peru several months ago, and after much work and patience we finally received the contents last week. Getting the approval of the Peruvian government was very trying, but the container was finally released and we praise God for His provision and answer to prayer. Again, thank you for praying.

Third, the church in Chilete is continuing on. I went to a Lima for a conference last month, and the group that took over for a weekend did an amazing job. I was actually able to make it back to Chilete for the service and see the different young people from the Bible College minister in different ways. The teaching and worship was excellent, and the sunday school was run well as usual. Now, all of the students here at the Bible College are either on Christmas break or have returned to the United States, but we have been so blessed by the faithful servants who have helped us so much in Chilete. One of the most rewarding parts of the ministry at La Cosecha is seeing young people grow in the Lord, and to be able to watch them learn ministry and serve faithfully.

Last week, I traveled to Chilete on my own as the journey is still difficult for Danielle, and I had a great time with the kids. It was so cool to see different children see the needs of the church and start helping. I had 9 and 10 year olds wanting to prepare the sunday school worksheets, help me wash dishes, set up chairs, and more. I didn’t say a word, and our little church was operating beautifully and many children got to hear the words of Jesus. God is good!

This week we are preparing to a traditional Peruvian chocolate and cake celebration for Christmas. We will have chocolate milk (Instead of hot chocolate because it is really warm in Chilete, and we don’t have a stove to make the normal hot chocolate) and the Peruvian Christmas Cake, Panatone. Please be praying that many families will be ministered to, and that God will be glorified.

Finally, Danielle and I are really missing our family and friends back in the States and all over the world, but we are very blessed to be spending Christmas with the Bonners and Bauers here in Cajamarca. Our apartment is becoming more and more homey as we continue to work on it and add things. Today Danielle actually put up some Christmas lights, and thanks to the container arriving, we now have couches and a bookshelf. Praise the Lord!

We are also really looking forward to the team coming from CC Fort Bragg and Ukiah. Lord willing, Danielle and I will get to see both of our dads, one of our littles sisters, and several other people we really love. Not to mention the blessing the team will be to the Bible College and the church in Chilete. We can’t wait, and please be praying!

Thank you all for your support and prayers. We are so blessed by how faithful God has been to us, and the amazing family in Christ He has given us.

Please continue to pray for our growing family, the ministry in Chilete (especially with almost all of our help no longer here), protection over the Bible College (there are only seven us here now, and robberies are very common around Christmas), the class of Nehemiah I will be teaching next semester, and the ongoing construction project here at the Bible College. Thank you all so much!

With love,

Cory and Danielle

Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” – John 11:40