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steinsinperu
vol. 9.1
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2016 IN REVIEW
Dear <<First Name>>, 
This has been a year full of challenges and changes. We have seen how God's plan so often differs from ours. But, most importantly, we have seen how God's grace and strength supports us in everything. We praise Him for the blessing of serving in Peru!!
CHANGES
Moving to another home: This is our 3rd home in 3 years. Relocating, remodeling, meeting new neighbors, discovering new stores, and everything involved in a move is a lot of work. God gave us strength to move our possessions and to remodel of the home where we now live at the same time. We are thankful for God's provision of a home on the Seminary property and for His grace each day.
Serving in a new church: We praise God for the opportunity to serve at La Iglesia Bautista Cristo es el Camino (Christ is the Way Baptist Church) in El Milagro. The church is growing spiritually and numerically. And we love the privilege of seeing God work in our lives and in others as we learn God's truth together.
New responsibilities: The move to the Seminary brought added responsibilities for Caleb (and the rest of the family, too). He serves as the Student Supervisor (Dean of Students and Campus Administrator). The work of shaping lives is hard, but it is invaluable. Through it all, God is refining and changing us and using us to shape the lives of others. 
CHALLENGES
We can be certain of finding Satan's opposition whenever we see God at work. We have seen many challenges over these past months. Due to the nature of the situations, most of them are not appropriate for us to mention here. But, even through the challenges, God provides and proves His faithfulness.
Death of a student: In early August, one of our students passed away unexpectedly in the night. Hours before, he was laughing and talking with other students; around 3 am, he took his last breath. That event reorganized much of our ministry and lives during the semester and still has a profound influence on all of us. God provided miraculous strength during those difficult days and continues to guide us by His grace.
Health difficulties: Our move to the Seminary brought us into closer contact with many more germs. That means that we spent much of the year struggling with various colds and infections. Those challenges were exacerbated by other, more complicated medical challenges that required several months of doctors' visits and tests (a challenge in any culture). But, by God's grace we have the strength to press ahead.
Consequences of sin: One can see anywhere on this earth just how damaging sin is, both for the believer and the unbeliever. This year has been a year of tremendous challenges related to sin and its consequences. By God's grace we seek to remain pure and point others to Christ.
BLESSINGS
Lives changed: God continues to mold and shape us for His glory. He is teaching us patience, faith, and perseverance. We are thankful for the lives that have been changed this past year through God's work in us. We have seen a handful of folks changed by the saving power of the gospel in our church ministry. And we have seen many other lives changed by the sanctifying power of the gospel in both our church and seminary ministries. We are thankful for how God continues to change others and us for His glory.
Gospel relationships: Many of our relationships with unsaved folks are short and random encounters. We seek to make the most of these relationships and to develop more profound relationships with those with whom we interact more frequently. Please pray especially for Evelyn, an unsaved friend.
Increased capacities: The added ministry responsibilities at the seminary and the new ministry opportunities at church have given our family the chance to improve our cultural and language abilities. The increased interaction with students and church members and the multiplied teaching, preaching, and counseling moments have helped greatly. We praise God that we are more and more comfortable with the Spanish language and Peruvian culture.
Visitors: In March, our mothers came for a short visit. It was fun to show them our new home and to see how our children bonded with them after many months of separation. In July, we hosted a pastor and his wife. They came to teach for a week. It was a blessing to share ministry time and to be encouraged by their ministry to us. In August, a teen came to visit the field and to share his musical abilities with our seminary family. His music was a soothing provision from God in the midst of a difficult time for our seminary. We had several other opportunities to open our home to local and foreign visitors. Each time we have visitors we receive the blessing of sharing with them our lives, ministry, and God's provision for us. Come visit!
Financial provision: We are thankful for the financial resources God has provided for us through faithful folks like you. Your faithfulness allows us to participate in the ministry here in Peru. We are investing our lives and dollars to see Peru changed for Christ. Thank you for your investment in us and in Peru.
New Prayer Cards
We printed new prayer cards this past month. If you attend a supporting church then your pastor should receive soon some cards in the mail. If you would like a printed prayer card, please send a note to us: 2326 E 700 N, Alexandria, IN 46001. If you would like a digital version, click on the link below. Thank you for praying for us every day. Your prayers make a difference in our lives and ministry. Truthfully, we could not serve faithfully without your support.
Thank you for praying for us. We need your prayers each day. You are vital partners with us in Peru.

Until all have heard,
Caleb, Ecko, Joe, Jack, Isabel, and Isaac Stein
New Prayer Card: Front
New Prayer Card: Back
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