After traveling to the states for a special family wedding and extending our stay through Christmas, we have returned to Peru with one-way tickets to take a deeper dive into our language studies and life here in Arequipa, Peru, before moving to Pucallpa in April. The short video below captures our family at play on a Peruvian red and white water slide, which like wisdom playing before God in His creation in Proverbs 8:30-31 (where “rejoicing” can be translated “playing”), symbolizes life in the mission of God in His new creation. Thank you for joining with us in the playground of His new creation mission which has made what is broken and dying whole and new through the death and resurrection of Jesus!

DSCF2439 from Mark Cote on Vimeo.

Remember our first “family plunge” video? View it here.

As you enjoy these pictures from our first few months in Peru, may our smiles speak of the thankfulness in our hearts for your friendship and encouragement as you have joined with us in this journey. Even more, may we all reflect the countenance of Christmas in gratitude for our Lord and Savior – the firstborn of the New Creation –  Jesus.

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On this eve of Thanksgiving, from the conversation around our dinner table to once again hearing Linus’ reflections at Charlie Brown’s table of friends, I (Mark) found my thoughts trailing back to the realities of the first Thanksgiving feast. In taking a break from peeling a big pile of one of the 500+ varieties of potatoes in Peru, I would like to share some of these thoughts in this space with the hope that we all might be “moved.” Read More

Favorite food and drink?

“Inca Cola and those noodles at that restaurant in Lima. I love the noodles at El Pilon.”

A special memory so far?

“Playing with my friends and loving all the people in Peru and loving the policemans .” Read More

Favorite food and drink in Arequipa?

“My favorite food and drink are whipped cream and Guarana.”

A special memory so far?

“My favorite thing to do is play soccer with Peruvian kids.” Read More

Favorite food and drink in Arequipa?

“My favorite food and drink are pizza and Guarana.”

A special memory so far?

“A very good memory is visiting another family. They are our friends. I like playing on their swing set.” Read More

Seven years ago this morning, our day began in Isaiah 41:8-10 (click here and scroll down to read). Little did we know how this particular Servant Song in Isaiah would characterize our own lives going forward–chosen as His servant and helped, strengthened, and upheld by “His righteous right hand,” or in Spanish, “mi diestra victoriosa.” Within hours after reading this passage, we sat in an ultrasound room as a doctor of man turned to us and declared our baby to have a terminal defect that was incompatible with life. Yet God had already spoken over this child–“His beautiful servant.” How? Read More

A couple weeks ago, I (Mark) called Kristin to see something I was watching from one of our fourth floor apartment windows. When Kristin walked up to the window and looked out, she simply responded, “Wow.” Read More

Today was our children’s first day attending Rey De Reyes, a Peruvian Christian school here in Arequipa. We are so grateful for the ongoing prayer for our children and our family as God prepares us for His purposes. God’s help and peace are as evident as daily bread.  Here is a recap of the day in our kids’ own words… Read More

Greetings from Arequipa, Peru! We arrived in Lima on September 8 after a great week of visiting friends and family on the way to and in Florida. Once in Lima we had an opportunity to meet friends from Kids Alive as well as begin the process for our visas. After a few very productive and peaceful days in Lima, we traveled on September 11 to Arequipa, where we will attend language school and the children a Peruvian Christian school. Read More