It was Christmas morning in 1999. My siblings and I eagerly gathered on the living room floor, awaiting our parents. Twinkling lights adorned every corner, and the gingerbread houses from the evening before proudly stood on the kitchen table alongside my mother’s famous assortment of Christmas cookies. Indulging in sugary delights, my father began the customary reading of Luke 2. At the story’s close, he pulled out an old wristwatch. “It’s broken,” my younger brother exclaimed! Passing the watch to each of us, my dad patiently explained that the old watch hands had steadily ticked for decades until they stopped. He then spun a dial, and the hands began to move backward. We laughed about going back in time, but no matter how much we spun those hands, we couldn’t relive a single second that had passed. 

I often reflect on that childhood illustration during this time of year, and as I look back on 2023, I praise God for all that He has done. Just this past week, we heard of another couple accepting Christ in our church. Not only are people still being saved, but many are also continuing to grow in their relationship with the Lord through discipleship. On our first Sunday back in Peru this month, we have scheduled another baptismal service! God also continues to work in the lives of our youth as they take on more responsibilities in ministry and pursue their studies at the Bible college. Looking forward, we are excited about all that God will do in this new year, and my prayer for this year is that we will not regret the passing of time. 

Your Missionaries to Peru,
Mitch, Jacqulyn, Landon, and Ryan McCormack

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