“Let’s hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds,” Hebrews 10:23-24
This year has been a year of grit, determination, and perseverance, yet we hold firmly to our hope in Christ. We have transitioned from online classes in the fall of 2020 to welcoming students again in-person in January 2021. We have had to hold onto hope to go back into the nations after a time of not being able to go.
This spring we had the awesome opportunity to buy the condo that we have been renting and living in. We had not really considered this option before but as we prayed and sought the Lord, we felt like we were to go for the opportunity to buy. As we started fundraising we went through all the emotions of excitement, to doubt, and unbelief. In the end, through extreme generosity, we saw our whole down payment come in from 69 different families and individuals, people from 16 different nations, and all in only 34 days! Now this is a place for us to have as a home, to welcome others, and a place we can rent out to others as we are in the nations. We are so grateful.
This summer we got to hold firmly to the hope in our hearts to have some time together as a family in the nations loving others. After much prayer and waiting to see what country would be open, we went to Guatemala. This is where Cory started out in missions more than 20 years ago. We were able to “mask-up” and do Bible distribution as a family and were even joined by Brooke’s parents and do ministry together. It was an honor to share the love of Jesus with the local community there. We were able to minister to a local family and build a fuel-efficient stove for them. This will mean no more smoke in their home, so much less wood that they will burn, and it will be safer for the family as well. It was so great to minister in the practical needs as well as share in the spiritual also.
This fall we hit the ground running straight into one of the largest groups of students for our YWAM campus. Our students no longer need to quarantine on arrival and we are now preparing to launch them out to more than 40 different nations. God has been so faithful! Cory continues to serve and lead out in many logistical ways with all our training schools on campus. This quarter alone, we have 17 different courses from seven different Discipleship Training Schools and upper level schools ranging from health care for developing nations to schools in film making to tell the stories of all God is doing. Brooke has been able to meet with girls weekly to disciple them, but spends most of her time with our children. As we prayed about this year ahead, we had a sense that this would be a significant year for our girls, so we have continued homeschooling.
As we wrap up this year, our children are growing and doing well. Our twins, Norah and Maria, are now 12 years old. Hannah is 10 years old. They all three continue to enjoy hula and often get to dance and welcome our new students, and have been able to dance in churches this Christmas season. Judah is now 5 years old and is trying his hand at T-ball, but honestly, he would prefer to work over play any day. Throughout the year we have also experienced loss of close friends and family due to Covid and other illnesses. We pray that this Christmas we will all know the peace that passes understanding that only comes from Jesus. We pray you know the hope that is found only in knowing him, for He who promised is faithful.