Family Pics 2023

 Hey everyone....we had some new family pics done that we wanted to share here.

It is no easy task to get family pics done with 10 of us!

Home Assignment 2023 Update

 

We have been stateside for about a month now and we are adjusting to being here. It has been more challenging for some than others. We are grateful for the time here and to be able to celebrate with family over the holidays. Those are always the hardest times to be away. 

Now that we have a clearer picture of what this year will look like we wanted to keep everyone in the loop. So here are the priorities for this year of home assignment.

• Soul Care: We are taking extra time to tend to the needs of our soul with things like extra time in prayer and the word, counseling, connecting with a local body of believers, sabbath, a 90 days sabbatical, day retreats etc. (Sabbatical is from mid June to mid September so if you don't hear much from us in these months you will know why)
• Family Focus: We are also taking extra time to be with each other and with our extended family.
• Fundraising: We are at about 65% of our monthly needed support so we will be focusing on that especially the first several months of this year. (If you want to hear more about our work in Guatemala send us an email: benjamin@rednuevavida.org)
• Ministry Connections: We are connecting with some of the senior leadership at New Life Network which is based out of Indianapolis. We are also staying connected with and supporting Carlos, Katy and teams in Guatemala. Ben will be making a few trips there this year too.
• Extra Reading and Study: We hope to get some extra reading and studying done on different topics too. (We love having a Library right next door to us)

This statement I heard on a podcast yesterday helped me see this season in a new light. It said: "Missions is not just what God does through you, but also in you by conforming you to the image of Christ, than even when you are back home, God is doing something significant in his mission that is eternally significant."

Thanks for praying for us in this season! 

Christmas, birthdays and family fun...

 We have enjoyed our first holiday season in the United States in several years. It has been great to be with family and friends although we have missed our Guatemalan family. Check out some of the pics and details about our holidays celebrations and birthday celebrations.

Grace's Birthday

Grace turned 4 on Dec 18th. She is a fireball with lots of energy and personality. 

Christmas Celebrations

Christmas with Jennifer's side of the family. All the cousins together at last.

Time with Ben's parents.

Our own Christmas family celebration.

More family gatherings...

Levi's Birthday

Levi turned 20 on Dec 31st. 

Developing and Comissioning Leaders

This has been an amazing time to see how the Lord is raising up new leaders, pastors, disciplers etc to lead this next phase of ministry at both Love Guatemala and New Life Church. Check a few "commissioning" times we have had over the last few weeks recognizing the leaders and pastors God has called and raised up.

A little over a week ago we finished what has been 2-3 year process for some of these guys who were commissioned as pastors. They will serve as the board of elders leading New Life Church along with Carlos Lopez. Check out some pictures from this historic day. Please pray for Josh, Eswin and Yosimar!

We also had a good meeting with our new leadership team locally here at Love Guatemala. This team will support Katy Lopez the new General Director. We shared the history of Lg, shared some things we hoped that they would carry forward in this new season and we finishe our time praying over them and empowering them for the work of leading LG in this new season.

October Birthdays, Getaway and other random stuff

 October holds two birthday celebrations for the Kunkel Family. We celebrated Jake's birthday on the 20th and Caleb's on the 9th. Caleb is 13 and Jake turned 17. See some pics below.

It's hard to believe this boy is 13. He was 2 when we moved to Guatemala.

When the boys turn 13 I take them away for a night to do some focused discipleship/preparation for teenage years. I can't believe that this is the last boy for this special time. 

Jake turning 17!

We took a night away to have some fun at a hotel with some friends.

Girls having fun on the roof. I take them on the roof almost every evening. Emma has started joining in on the fun.