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Greetings!



December is a great time to look back on the year! For us, December provides additional motivation to look back because in December 2003 we became parents for the first time. I think it was December 2005 when we sent in our application to become full-time missionaries. We moved to Chile to begin our missionary service on December 13, 2007. We then moved to Colombia to continue that service on December 27, 2013. No wonder we get nostalgic at this time of year. Please join us on a walk down Memory Lane.

Looking back at 18 years of ministry

The picture in the rear-view mirror at the top of the page was taken after our final service at Comunidad Cristiana Casa Grande, in Chile 13 years ago. In addition to providing the full picture here, when I look at that picture I am reminded of "the rest of the story." You see, when we were raising support prior to going to the field, we told everyone, "We are not church planters." However, once we got to Chile, God called us to plant a church and it became the foundation for the rest of our ministry! We are so grateful that He is gentle when He realigns us to His will rather than our own! 

That practical experience created a a rich foundation for the five years that Ricardo taught Practical and Pastoral Theology at the Biblical Seminary of Colombia. (This picture was taken soon after our family moved on to campus.)

Then, those two experiences provided a great launch pad for creating the 19 course ministerial formation curriculum that is now used throughout the whole region to train pastors and educate laity alike.

All of that prepared him for his role as Area Director. God also used it to create relationships with key people who serve alongside us on the leadership team. Together we develop healthy leaders who multiply disciples, groups and churches and empower them for holistic transformation.

To see a video of what God has been doing throughout Latin America this past semester, please click on the button below.

Proverbs 3:5-6 is our family verse. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." I often say that it is easiest to see the straight paths God is creating when we look back.

(This picture of our family was take this past weekend at my niece's wedding.)

The biggest thing He has been teaching us this year is to learn to depend more fully upon Him in order to discern His will. He is leading us to move from being a ministry team to become a community of discernment.

As you look back at the past year or years, we pray that you will also be able to see where God has been at work! And, as we celebrate this season, we can't help but look back to the time when God demonstrated His love for us by sending His one and only Son, not to condemn the world but to save it! May He be the center of all of our celebrations!

We are grateful for you and are sending you a great big elephant hug like this one that Beth received in Thailand!

Merry Christmas and much love,

Ricardo and Beth Gomez

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