“At 20 years of age, I began to really live....

“At 20 years of age, I began to really live my life and be able to enjoy it. It all began last year when my life began to lack purpose, direction and self-acceptance. I began my university studies thinking I had achieved something great, but with my life being so empty, I quickly lost motivation to work hard. I was a self-centered person and very cold on occasion. One day I met a classmate during a workshop, and we became friends. She invited me to a Vida Estudiantil (Campus Crusade for Christ in Chile) event, and I went without hesitation. Time passed and I began to realize that I lacked something. I was not happy and, for some reason, I did not have a good relationship with my parents. Time passed, and I unintentionally became more involved in the ministry. The joy that the students from the ministry seemed to share impacted me greatly, and this year I asked God with all my heart to pardon my actions and enter into my life. I asked that He would give me the opportunity to be a good person, to love my parents, and love myself. Soon I realized that my life changed, and now I can share with other people that the love of God is infinite.”

-Macarena Llanquinao, Student of Medical Technology A few months earlier another story was just developing. 11:30pm Skype conversation: “What have you been thinking about what we discussed the other day?” Lisset asked Anna Maria. Anna- “Well, I agree!” Lisset- “You agree with what?” Anna- “I agree that I need to accept Jesus in order to receive forgiveness for sin and have a relationship with God.” Anna’s newfound joy in Christ soon overflowed into Maca’s life.

Grandma Finds Something New

Family News

It is with great joy that we share with you the news that Lisset’s grandmother, Matilde, has placed her faith in Jesus Christ! This has been a prayer and hearts desire of mine for years. She has pulmonary fibrosis. When she got bronchitis last July she was hospitalized. And there in the hospital my dad and mom shared with her and she asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior. Pray with us now that she grows to maturity in Christ. Lisset

Preparing Missionaries for Serving/Living Overseas

“Instead of just looking through the window, come inside.” “Dive into the water, don’t just look down into the depths from the boat.” These were just a few word pictures that helped us begin to grasp the difference between transparency (to see)and vulnerability (to join). In our coaching groups at X-track we were invited to let others really take part in our stories, vulnerability. We found that God showed up as we engaged each others stories with all the mess and the glory. The gospel took deeper root in our lives as we processed our life experiences in it’s light. This summer’s training for cross-cultural missionaries, X-track, was one of the best things I have been a part of during my 12 years on staff. The heart of the missionary being transformed by the gospel was the clear emphasis. And it was also the experience of the participants. There was also good content to put in our heads that will help us do well in life and ministry abroad. We acquired language learning skills, advice for raising children in a culture different from that of his/her parents, and input about making study of the Word and spiritual disciplines a constant area of growth. I was amazed by what God did as we were vulnerable with each other and asked the Holy Spirit to help us see our true self. This exposed both how we were uniquely formed for His glory (very encouraging) and ways each of us were needing the gospel to continue transforming our hearts (leading us to repentance). The experience of grace and truth in spiritual community impacted our lives in a profound way. For me it was humbling and exciting to be used by God to prepare these men to thrive as they leave for their respective assignments in the next few weeks. George

May: New Staff Training

“With God there are no transitions, just preparation...” At the end of last November, before leaving Chile for what will be most of 2011, we attended a weekend marriage retreat with our church in Santiago. One afternoon during a time of prayer the pastor and his wife prayed for us and encouraged us with those words. The first week of May we attended new staff training. It was great to be part of a diverse group, most of whom where professionals who left their jobs, following God’s call to join staff. They will be ministering to families in FamilyLife, soldiers in the Military Ministry, grade school teachers with International School Project and athletes with Athletes in Action. Lisset officially became a missionary with Campus Crusade for Christ at this training. With this new job comes the responsibility of financing our employment as a family in missions. Right after new staff training George went to Bogota Colombia for a week long leadership retreat with leaders representing the campus ministry in 18 countries in Latin America. Next month we will attend the International Campus Staff training called X-Track, which prepares missionaries to establish life and ministry in another country long-term. George will work as a coach at X-track. We are thankful for God’s call to serve and grateful for this time to prepare for the coming years serving Him in Chile.