Happy New Year? (Yeah, we’re a bit tardy, but who’s counting?) The last quarter has flown as we have attempted to settle into our new home and a new routine. Though spring has already sprung for 2017, we want to take a moment to reflect on the past year and on your incredible faithfulness to us as a family. Your love, encouragement and generosity have been indispensable in our lives. Even more, we want to declare the unending goodness of the Lord as He has seen fit to minister through us. We are honored and blessed to be able to partner with you and the Lord in bringing His kingdom to earth both here in the States and in Costa Rica, and we eagerly anticipate all that this new year has in store!

Costa Rica Update

CRSSM has continued to experience unexpected favor. Over the past few months the Lord has opened doors into the capital city, with several churches in the San Jose area contacting us and asking to link arms. This presents some logistical hurdles, as our ministry base is seven hours south; however, we’re excited to see what God will accomplish through these new relationships.

We’re also looking forward to leading a team from our home church to Costa Rica in late April. Please pray that the Lord will use this group of courageous folks to have a lasting impact through the love of Jesus as we minister in churches, hospitals, schools and on the streets.

Over the past few months, the Lord has made it abundantly clear that we will not be returning to live full-time in Costa Rica during this season of our lives. As we’ve previously shared, we hope to continue to work from the States on organizational development (marketing), while traveling throughout the year to lead ministry teams and to host pastoral training events.

Ministry at Home

Meanwhile, we’ve seen many doors open to us here at home, with one of our favorites continuing to be prophetic training. We’re grateful to have many opportunities in south Orange County to teach in a small group setting, and we are amazed and humbled at how Holy Spirit is changing lives through these sessions.

“All I can say is WOW. This training is in my top 3 teachings I have ever heard and personally experienced in my 35+ years of being a Christian. Chris and Tiffany were two gifted teachers blended into a single concise message to our group. They explained what prophesy is and is not, provided amazing examples of how it is used in a practical way and that it is for EVERYONE.” ~ Bob Ansari

The most exciting part is the fact that God’s kids are learning to hear His voice as He brings words of encouragement to others! We always look forward to sharing the joy of this truth in a relevant and approachable way.

We are also spending an increased amount of time counseling, discipling and mentoring. In fact, over the past few months this ministry has expanded almost three-fold, and it’s a continued delight for us to invest in the lives of couples and individuals in this way.

Additionally, since the new year we’ve been given some exciting opportunities to teach. In February Tiffany spoke at Hillside Church, a new fellowship in San Juan Capistrano pastored by Mike Fanning, and Chris was able to teach on worship at Heritage this past Sunday. We also particularly enjoyed teaching together last weekend at a marriage retreat hosted by Heritage.

Lastly, Chris continues to minister through worship leading, both monthly at Hillside Church and two Sundays per month at Heritage, where he has recently accepted the position of Interim Worship Pastor. This part-time opportunity is well aligned with our vision to see a worship revival in south Orange County and also brings a timely answer to a budget shortfall. We’re so grateful to be partnering with Heritage in this way. Thank you, Jesus!

Family News

Our oldest daughter, Kylene, will be headed to Paris on the first of April to work for three months with our dear missionary friends, Didier and Donna Heslon. She will be interning with their ministry which focuses on reaching the lost through a full spectrum of the arts. Happily, she’ll be able to shadow Didier in his work, honing her skills in photography. Thank you for including her in your prayers as she looks for great fruitfulness in her time there.

If you live out of the area and have spring/summer plans to visit Orange County, please be sure to stop by San Clemente for a visit! We’d love to catch up with you and share in the joy of your family’s adventures. And for those who live locally… we are excitedly looking forward to what God is going to accomplish in Southern California in this new season and are thankful to live in community with you!