The story of Sharon, Roxana, Sendry, and a family God has patiently continued to reach
One of the greatest lessons the Lord continues to teach us in mission work is that
His timetable is rarely the same as ours.
Sometimes we faithfully teach God’s Word and see little or no immediate response.
Years may pass before we begin to understand what God was doing beneath the surface.
This is one of those stories.
Seeds Sown Many Years Ago
About fifteen years ago, I began studying the Bible with several members of one
extended family. Among them were Sendry, her husband
Walter, and other relatives. I also studied with
Roxana Hernández and with Sharon’s parents,
Beto and Raquel.
At the time, there seemed to be very little visible fruit. Sharon’s parents did not
respond to the gospel, and the family did not become consistently involved with the
congregation. For a long time, it appeared that the studies had produced no lasting
results.
But the seed of God’s Word had not disappeared.
A Grandmother Brings Her Granddaughter
Roxana Hernández had previously been baptized and had faith in the Lord. After
several years away from regular fellowship, she began bringing her granddaughter
Sharon to worship with us.
Sharon studied the gospel and, on July 27, 2025, at thirteen years
of age, she confessed her faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized into Him.
Sharon’s baptism on July 27, 2025. What began with one young life is now
encouraging members of an extended family to seek the Lord.
We did not treat Sharon’s baptism as the end of the process. It was the beginning.
For several weeks afterward, I continued giving her personal Bible studies to help
her become rooted in the faith. Her grandmother Roxana was present during those
studies.
Sharon is now fourteen years old and has become one of the most active members of
our youth group. Together with Tracy, another young woman who
recently came to Christ, she invites friends to Sunday morning Bible classes and to
other activities organized for the young people.
An Old Seed Begins to Grow Again
Roxana Hernández is Sendry’s aunt. Through the family relationship, Sharon’s
baptism, Roxana’s renewed involvement, and the visible changes taking place,
Sendry’s spiritual interest began to awaken again.
The Bible studies I had shared with Sendry and her family approximately fifteen
years earlier had not been forgotten. In June 2026, Sendry began
gathering with us again.
Sendry is a hardworking businesswoman. She operates businesses in and around
Heredia, including a nutritional beverage business, beauty and personal-care
services, and a bakery. Despite the many demands on her time, she is showing a
renewed hunger for the things of God.
Recently, during a sermon about Jesus declaring His followers to be
“the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world,”
Sendry listened carefully and took detailed notes. She later shared those notes in
the Church of Christ in Heredia’s group chat, allowing the entire congregation to
see what she had learned.
“Years ago, when you came to my house, I saw you as a bulldog that would not let
go. You would not leave us alone—you had to come and give us the Bible study.
Now I appreciate it because I am beginning to see the results. I am gathering
with the church now, and I wish my husband Walter and my brother Roberto would
also respond faithfully.”
— Sendry
Her words deeply encouraged me. They reminded me that faithful teaching is not
wasted simply because the results are not immediate.
The Harvest May Take Years
This story did not develop in a straight line. Bible studies were given, but some
people did not respond. Years passed. A grandmother eventually brought her
granddaughter. The granddaughter was baptized and discipled. She became active
among the young people. Then another relative, who had received teaching many years
earlier, began seeking the Lord again.
We still pray for Sharon’s parents, for Sendry’s husband Walter, for her brother
Roberto, and for the other members of this extended family. Their story is not
finished.
Mission work often requires the patience of a farmer. We plant, we water, and
sometimes we wait much longer than we expected. Yet God is able to preserve a seed
in the heart and bring forth fruit in His own time.
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.”
1 Corinthians 3:6
Mission Lesson
God’s timetable is often longer than ours, but faithful discipleship is never
wasted, and His harvest is always worth the wait.
Please Pray
For Sharon and Tracy as they continue growing and influencing other young people.
For Sendry’s renewed faith and spiritual growth.
For Walter, Roberto, Sharon’s parents, and the other members of this extended
family.
For wisdom and patience as we continue planting, watering, and trusting God for
the increase.
Thank you, Bammel Church of Christ, for standing with us through
your prayers, encouragement, and faithful financial support.
Your faith, expressed through generous action, enables us to remain present,
continue teaching, nurture new believers, and patiently serve families over many
years. You share in the fruit of stories like this one.
To God be the glory!
Carlos and Roxana Ulate
Missionaries in Costa Rica
Didier, Ericka, Roxana, and Carlos—part of the story behind the new work in San Pablo.
Mission Field Update
A Second New Church in Less Than a Year
Dear brothers and sisters,
Thank you for your faithful partnership in the gospel. Your support over the years has not been wasted. By God’s grace, it has helped sustain real work, real people, and real progress here in Costa Rica. We are grateful for your prayers, your generosity, and your continued confidence in this ministry.
At present, our work is moving forward on three main fronts: strengthening the church in Heredia and sending workers into new fields, equipping leaders through EBI Online, and continuing the patient work of discipleship in Turrúcares.
1. Strengthening the Church in Heredia and Sending Workers
A major part of my work continues to be with the church of Christ in Heredia, where I serve as one of the leaders and share much of the preaching and teaching. I work closely with Kenneth Matarrita, a gifted teacher whom the church supports. Years ago, I encouraged the church to invest in him, and that has proven to be a wise decision. Kenneth has earned the respect of the congregation and now helps organize the teaching plan for the entire year.
Our teaching in Heredia is aimed at something very specific: leadership formation. We do not want believers to remain dependent on one local work. We want them to grow in faith, maturity, and readiness to respond when the Lord calls them to serve where they live.
Men in Heredia are being formed for future service and leadership.
That emphasis is bearing fruit. As we reported last year, the congregation in Ciudad Colón continues meeting each Sunday as an independent work about an hour from Heredia. And now, on March 15, 2026, another new work began in San Pablo de Heredia, near the campus of the National University. That first meeting as an independent congregation had 60 people in attendance.
This new work is being led by Didier Rojas, his wife Ericka Chaves, and their daughter Yuliana, together with others who were formally sent out by the church in Heredia. In one sense, Heredia lost precious members. In a better sense, the Lord gained workers for a new field. We give Him the glory for that. Both Ciudad Colón and San Pablo grew out of willing, spontaneous decisions by members who sensed the Lord’s call to serve beyond Heredia.
Women from the church in Heredia pray over and send Ericka into the new work in San Pablo.
“In one sense, Heredia lost precious members. In a better sense, the Lord gained workers for a new field.”
Another part of this first front is a Monday night discipleship gathering that I lead for about 15 to 25 disciples. It is not a traditional worship service. It is a time of shared food, fellowship, and participatory learning. We focus on foundational matters such as identity in Christ, spiritual disciplines, and evangelism. This week, for example, we were studying biblical fasting—what it is, why it matters, and how to practice it faithfully.
Roxana continues to lead the children’s Bible teaching efforts in Heredia. She coordinates 15 teachers and assistants who rotate throughout the year, serving different age groups. At present, these classes serve about 25 children and 15 young people. She also meets with the teachers twice a year to help them improve their methods and materials. This ministry goes beyond Sunday itself and includes special activities that strengthen fellowship and care for the children and their families.
A few of the children served through the Sunday Bible teaching ministry in Heredia.
Part of a special annual activity that helps care for and encourage the children.
We are also grateful for major progress in the Heredia building project. For many years the church had saved toward this goal, and in the Lord’s timing He raised up Juan Carlos Hernández to help carry the project forward. He stepped away from his secular job for a period of three months so he could devote himself to coordinating builders, workers, and technical help. The church had already saved $40,000 over a ten-year period, but more was needed. Through generous gifts from sister congregations in the United States and additional giving from local members, the work is now almost complete, with only the painting still remaining.
The meeting space now has a much better appearance and includes an auditorium with room for about 120 people, a kitchen, bathrooms, a courtyard, and six classrooms for children and youth. This has been a major step forward for the church in 2025 and into 2026.
Teaching continues in the improved meeting space in Heredia.
This front also includes a weekly Bible study with the family of Xinia Morales, whose son Gabriel passed away two months ago. During his illness, the church stayed near the family in prayer and care, and now we continue walking with them in grief. Through that relationship, Xinia’s daughter Andrea, along with her two children, has asked for preparation for baptism. We have already completed four study sessions together, and we are encouraged by the direction this is taking.
A weekly Bible study with Xinia’s family has opened the door to deeper discipleship.
Discipleship Across Generations and Church Fellowship
Healthy churches are built not only through preaching and teaching, but also through fellowship, service, and shared life. Alongside formal teaching, the church in Heredia continues to grow through relationships, mutual care, and opportunities for members to serve one another in practical ways.
Fellowship and care continue to strengthen the life of the church in Heredia.
Roxana and Carlos helping transport sisters for a special church activity.
2. Equipping Leaders Through EBI Online
The second front of the work is EBI Online, a teaching effort carried out through Zoom and WhatsApp in cooperation with Rocky Castleberry, who lives in Costa Rica.
EBI Online currently serves leaders connected to:Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Venezuela, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Texas, and Cuba.
This ministry serves church leaders in several countries. One especially valuable co-worker in this effort is Juan Carlos García of Nicaragua, a Baxter Institute graduate and a leader in Managua. He is an excellent teacher and often helps carry the teaching load.
My role in this work is heavily focused on developing content for the classes. So far, we have taught full courses on Christ-Centered Evangelism and Jesus the Christ. Participants receive the material beforehand so they can come ready with questions and comments. The live sessions function more like guided panels and serious discussion than one-way lectures.
In addition to those who join live by Zoom, about 30 Cuban brothers and sisters from different provinces receive the class content through WhatsApp. These men are eager to learn and to be better equipped for evangelistic work and for the strengthening of local congregations. According to Rocky’s reports, they are seeing dozens of baptisms each month and are growing in their ability to function as indigenous, self-sustaining, and self-organized churches. We thank God for the reach of this ministry beyond Costa Rica.
“The Lord is allowing teaching developed in Costa Rica to strengthen leaders across several countries.”
3. Patient Work in Turrúcares
The third front is the ongoing work in Turrúcares, about an hour from Heredia, where we have been serving since January 2025. We meet there each Thursday night with a group of about 15 people.
This work has developed largely through the family network of Nelcy Sánchez, a member in Heredia who lives in Turrúcares. Her husband Felipe, their son Juan José, and other family members have formed part of the core group. In recent months, others have also joined. During the adult study time, Roxana teaches the children, while several brothers and sisters from Heredia travel with us each week to support the work.
This ministry has required more than weekly teaching. It has involved patient shepherding, prayer, and care through real family hardships. In one especially delicate situation, we were able to give careful emotional and spiritual support to a woman going through deep pain after a personal loss. We mention that discreetly, but it matters, because this is the kind of quiet ministry that often prepares the soil for lasting spiritual growth.
“Some ministry moves forward through public teaching. Some moves forward through patient presence, prayer, and quiet shepherding.”
The work in Turrúcares is still developing. We have prayed and fasted, asking the Lord to show us clearly what He wants done there. We have not grown weary, because we believe the Holy Spirit is still at work, forming Christ in hearts. Our hope is that, in time, this group will also become a healthy and autonomous local church.
4. Current Needs and Looking Ahead
Vehicle NeedI had to purchase a newer vehicle because the one I had been using was no longer adequate for the demands of the ministry. I sold the older vehicle for$6,000and took out a$17,000 loanin order to purchase a2022 Mitsubishi Xpander, a seven-passenger vehicle in excellent condition and very well suited for mission work. The monthly cost of the loan plus insurance is$290. It would be a great relief to our financial situation if funding could be found to help cover this vehicle loan.
Technology NeedWhile I am still using a2022 laptopthat continues to serve well, this tool is essential for communication, teaching, and content production. Because it is difficult to predict when computer problems may arise, it would be wise to replace it before it becomes a crisis. A newer laptop of about$650would be a significant help.
Lord willing, we plan to continue laboring in these same three fronts. We hope to see stronger leadership in Heredia, continued stability in Ciudad Colón and San Pablo, more people reached in the Heredia area, more leaders equipped through EBI Online in several countries, and the gradual establishment of a faithful local church in Turrúcares.
By God’s grace, we are doing well in health and still have strength for the work. The Lord has also allowed me to keep working on two books based on the teaching content we are using in these participatory learning settings, and we hope those may be ready for publication in the coming months.
Please pray with us for:
continued maturity and leadership development in Heredia,
strength and stability for the new work in San Pablo,
continued growth in Ciudad Colón,
wisdom and fruit through EBI Online,
discernment, patience, and spiritual breakthrough in Turrúcares,
and provision for the vehicle and technology needs mentioned above.
Thank you again for standing with us. Your support continues to matter. It is helping strengthen the church, train leaders, send workers, and open new doors for the gospel.
Extension Evangelism: New Church in Ciudad Colón, Work in Turrúcares, Costa Rica
Mission Report for Bammel Church of Christ – November 2025
A New Church in Ciudad Colón
To the glory of God, we’re happy to report that through the work of the Church of Christ in Heredia, a new church has been planted in Ciudad Colón, about an hour from Heredia.
This new congregation currently has 15 active members (see photo below), meets on Sundays at 6:00 p.m., and has already witnessed three baptisms. The most recent addition is Guillermo, who was baptized on November 16, 2025, in an improvised baptistery (see photo).
The work in Ciudad Colón is being shepherded by faithful members of the Heredia church:
Mauricio and his wife Wendy
José, Wendy’s teenage son
Randall, Wendy’s father and Mauricio’s father-in-law
Eugenio and Susy, Mauricio’s parents
How Did This Church Begin?
The story behind this new church is deeply personal and Spirit-led. Eugenio and Susy, longtime members in Heredia, relocated to Ciudad Colón. Their son Mauricio and daughter-in-law Wendy began visiting them regularly to share the Word and care for their spiritual growth.
At first, while living in Ciudad Colón, they continued attending the church in Heredia, and those who wanted to be baptized made the trip to Heredia. That’s how the first three baptisms happened.
However, the seed of the gospel began to grow. Neighbors and newcomers in Ciudad Colón started attending the gatherings. On Sunday, November 16, Guillermo’s baptism marked a turning point—this one was held locally. A new chapter had begun.
Discipleship with Deep Roots
Mauricio’s spiritual formation is the fruit of committed discipleship. He was mentored by Víctor Araya (wife: Aura), a brother who had been rejected by other congregations in San José because he came from the International Church of Christ (ICOC). Some churches considered his baptism invalid.
But in Heredia, we welcomed Víctor and Aura with discernment and love, and through them, Mauricio came to us. That was back in 2015. Víctor and Aura then began working with Mauricio’s divorced parents. By God’s grace, not only were Eugenio and Susy baptized, they reconciled and remarried.
Later, Mauricio married Wendy, a single mother, and their wedding was joyfully celebrated in Heredia. Today, they serve as a united and faithful family actively engaged in expanding the Kingdom.
All of this shows how the Spirit moves freely when we allow space for people to grow at their own pace, without forcing institutional expectations.
A Growing Group in Turrúcares
We are also witnessing a new group with great potential forming in Turrúcares, located between one and two hours from Heredia depending on Thursday evening traffic.
At the home of Nelcy (Colombian), a diverse and spiritually hungry group has been gathering weekly. Her husband, Felipe (Venezuelan and former member of Hugo Chávez’s presidential security detail), is part of the group, as are:
Yenny, Nelcy’s daughter, and her husband Gustavo (Peruvian)
Juan José, Nelcy’s son, and his wife María (Venezuelan)
And more relatives and friends from the neighborhood
We’re learning that for groups like this to become spontaneous, self-sustaining churches, it takes time.
“We must first form Christ in their hearts, so that they don’t feel like the demands of a religious organization are being imposed on them. In this way, the power remains with the Spirit—not with our cleverness, nor our methods, nor any agenda of our own. These works often start small, but once they become self-reproducing, a process of multiplication begins.”
This is not about control or human strategies. We want the Spirit to lead. When churches are born this way—spontaneously, locally, and at their own rhythm—they grow to become faithful, durable, and fruitful.
This aligns with what Roland Allen called the “Pauline principle,” what George Patterson described as “immediate obedience and spontaneous multiplication,” and what Ed Mathews taught through his model of “Leadership Training Evangelism.”
A Growing Church in Heredia
The Church of Christ in Heredia continues to grow with spiritual health and vitality. The congregation just inaugurated a new church building, and its members are actively evangelizing.
Just this past Sunday, November 16, Daniel (church treasurer) and his wife Raquel, respected leaders in Heredia, baptized Tracy, a young woman of 18 (see photo).
They are raising a beautiful, Christ-centered family and are part of a growing movement of believers who are living and sharing the gospel authentically. Heredia is not only preaching—it is multiplying.
A Word for the Global Church
These stories remind us that when we step back from institutional control and allow the Spirit to work freely, beautiful and lasting things happen.
Extension evangelism may not be fast or flashy—but it is organic, durable, and faithful.
Just like with Mauricio and Wendy in Ciudad Colón or Nelcy and her family in Turrúcares, the Kingdom of God grows like a seed planted in good soil.
Bibliography
Allen, Roland. The Spontaneous Expansion of the Church
Patterson, George. The Spontaneous Multiplication of Churches
Mathews, Ed. Leadership Training Evangelism
Bosch, David. Transforming Mission
Newbigin, Lesslie. The Gospel in a Pluralist Society
Thank you, Bammel Church of Christ, for your generous and faithful support. All of this is fruit you share in.
This report is about our missionary trip to Honduras (Aug 22–Sept 1, 2025). The Lord allowed us to revisit long-standing relationships, strengthen local leaders, and confirm again the value of Extension Evangelism—training in the churches for indigenous leadership and reproducible ministry.
Highlights by date
Aug 23 — Instituto Baxter (Tegucigalpa): I preached a 20-minute devotional to faculty and students. Brother Ronny Cerrato later shared that the message met them in a pivotal moment—God’s timing at work.
Aug 25 — La Loma Church (Tegucigalpa): I preached on Sunday; grateful for Steven Teel (Baxter’s rector) and the hospitality at the campus.
Aug 26 — Amacuapa (Olancho): Workshop “Evangelizing with Meaning.” We worked with 25 participants from several congregations alongside instructor David Chacón, emphasizing that evangelism overflows from the treasure we have in Christ—because no one can give what they don’t have.
Aug 27 — San Esteban (Olancho): Roxana and I led the same workshop with about 30 participants at the locally led, self-supported San Esteban church under Manuel Rubí.
Aug 28 — Trujillo: Manuel and Maricruz drove us to this coastal city, where we taught 45 participants in a vibrant Thursday-night session, under Mario Ulloa's leadership.
Aug 29 — Catacamas: At the home of Tacho Hernández and Rosa, we celebrated decades of fruit: their sons now serve in various places. Tacho highlighted how face-to-face formation (character + doctrine) shaped him for long-term service.
Aug 30 — Catacamas (with Santos Espinoza): Santos described the ongoing shift from a school-centered model to church-led extension training—short seminars, weekend campaigns, monthly cohorts, and shared responsibility—with a servant-leadership ethos: “We don’t chase numbers; we do the work and leave results to God.”
Provision & partnerships Lodging at Baxter and at Manuel Rubí’s hotel in San Esteban, along with Manuel’s assistance for our round-trip air travel Costa Rica–Honduras, reminded us how work begun decades ago still sustains today’s training. In addition, Norberto Otero—a former coworker from my Honduras years and now CEO of Leadership Development International—contributed funds toward the vehicle rental. Praise God for this inter-generational partnership.
Why this matters for Costa Rica
These Honduras lessons—indigenous leadership, obedience-based discipling, and simple, reproducible church life—are shaping our Extension Evangelism proposal from Heredia toward the Northern Zones of Alajuela & Heredia and all of Guanacaste. Current fronts include Río Frío (house-church seed with Manix & Maryuri), Turrúcares (leaders Gustavo, Juan José, and Nelsy, ready to launch), and Ciudad Colón (first Sunday gathering held recently).
Please pray
For strengthened local teams in Olancho (Tacho, Santos, Manuel) and health for their families.
For wisdom and favor as we train facilitators and avoid dependency in Costa Rica.
For stamina and clarity as we finalize the Extension Evangelism plan and mentor leaders “on God’s clock.”
With gratitude for your partnership,
Carlos Ulate — Heredia, Costa Rica
November 2025
Church in Tegucigalpa, brother Steven Teel, Baxter's President
We are excited to share that the construction of the church building in Heredia is nearly complete. Thanks to God’s grace, a brother named Juan Carlos Hernández has taken on the responsibility of managing this project. The church had saved approximately $44,000 over the past ten years, which allowed us to begin the remodeling work.
Everything has been done except for the finishing touches, which are being covered through loans that two members have requested from their "Loans and Savings Associations." Additionally, donations have been requested from churches in the United States to help complete the final work.
The leadership of the local men and women has been incredible throughout this process. They have made decisions and shown great maturity and capability, all without needing intervention from this missionary. This is a clear indication of their growing self-sufficiency as a church.
The new construction includes a second floor with five or six classrooms, an office, and other necessary facilities. The main auditorium on the ground floor can now seat up to 200 people, which will help accommodate larger gatherings. There is also a parking area across the street, making it convenient for visitors to access the church.
We are truly grateful for the progress, and we look forward to seeing what God will continue to do in and through this growing congregation.
A New Weekly Bible Study Group in Purral: A Story of Faith and Healing"
A new weekly Bible study group has been started in Purral de Guadalupe, following an unexpected turn of events. It all began when Juan Pablo Quirós, the brother of Frank Quirós, a member of our church in Heredia, suffered a severe bicycle accident. He was hit by a vehicle, leaving him in a coma with fears of brain and spinal injuries.
In the midst of this crisis, Víctor Araya and I reached out to the family to offer our support and prayers at the hospital. During these difficult moments, we got to know other family members, including Kiara, who is married to Memo, as well as Memo’s grandmother, Roxana, and his mother, Jennifer.
The heartfelt care and genuine interest shown by the Heredia church during Juan Pablo’s recovery deeply touched the family. As a result, Memo, Kiara, Roxana, and Jennifer opened their hearts to God’s Word and began attending our gatherings. Since then, we have been meeting every Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Purral, near San José, for Bible study. These gatherings have been a great source of encouragement for the entire family.
Miraculously, Juan Pablo has made a remarkable recovery and is now back on his feet, only waiting for his jaw to fully heal so he can eat and speak comfortably again.
This journey of faith and restoration has been a true blessing, and we look forward to seeing how God will continue to work in their lives, bringing new conversions and strengthening the community.
Juan Pablo (before the accident)
Purral Group with Memo in the foreground
Dominican Republic Mission Trip – June 22 to July 1, 2025
I had the privilege of traveling to the Dominican Republic to assist Rod Aleandre, a preacher from the Key West Church of Christ, with teaching a Bible study group in Santiago de los Caballeros. I served as his translator, and taught some of the classes directly in Spanish. This approach proved to be both useful and fruitful. Additionally, I had the opportunity to preach at the Arroyo Hondo Church of Christ and establish meaningful connections with the local congregation for future collaboration.
During our stay, Roxana and I were hosted by her brother, Mario Chávez, and his wife, Maria Ribeiro. We also had the chance to engage in a Bible study with Mario, which opened the door for future spiritual discussions.
This trip reaffirmed that the church in Heredia is thriving independently, allowing me to serve more broadly as a missionary-at-large.
Arroyo Hondo Church, Dominican Republic
Ongoing Ministry and Future Transitions
As we look to the future, our ministry continues to thrive in multiple locations. The Bible study group in Turrúcares remains vibrant, with Victor and I continuing to lead sessions every Thursday evening. Additionally, the new group in Purral meets every Wednesday night, and we are hopeful that both of these groups will eventually grow into local churches. Your prayers for these budding congregations are greatly appreciated.
It's also a time of transition. Victor, a Baxter Institute graduate and a dedicated member of the Heredia church for the past decade, will be leaving at the end of July to join a missionary team in Querétaro, Mexico. While we will deeply miss Victor and his wife Aura, we trust that the Lord will continue to guide and bless their journey ahead.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers. We are excited about what the Lord is doing here in Costa Rica and beyond.
For the first three months of this year, Roxana and I have been working with a small group that meets in the town of Turrúcares, located in the province of Alajuela, about an hour's drive from Heredia. This mission began in mid-January and continues to this day. The group consists of immigrants from Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, Honduras, and Costa Rica.
We meet every Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. I have been responsible for teaching the adults, while Roxana has been leading the children’s group. The members of this group arrived in Costa Rica over the past few months, some having been here for a couple of years. Many of them have found jobs and some have started their own small businesses.
The group has been very receptive to God’s Word. There is a genuine desire to learn and grow in faith. Our long-term goal is to help them become organized as a local church. We’re praying that, over time, God’s Word will continue to open their hearts and minds, allowing them to understand the work He is doing in their lives. Once they mature in their faith, we hope they will be able to function independently as a self-sustaining congregation.
I have been blessed to have the assistance of Victor Araya, a recent graduate of the Baxter Institute in Honduras, and his wife. The work has been especially interesting due to the diversity within the group, and we’ve encountered different levels of receptivity to the message of the Gospel.
Gustavo, a man from Peru, has taken a leadership role among the men in the group. He opened a car upholstery workshop nearly a year ago, which has provided employment for several of the group members. Nelcy, a Colombian woman, has emerged as the spiritual leader among the women. She is a strong, faithful believer and is considered the matriarch of the group.
Turrúcares is located in a rural area of Alajuela, along the main highway that leads to the Pacific coast. The area has a strong Catholic presence, but there is little evangelical activity. We are hopeful that, through our work, we can plant a new Christian community that will be self-sustaining, self-governing, and self-propagating. 🙏
🩺 Health Update
On a personal note, I wanted to share an update regarding my health. As many of you know, I had been preparing for the possibility of surgery due to a growing mass in my left kidney. Your prayers and support have meant so much to me throughout this process.
I’m happy to report some good news: my most recent ultrasound, taken on April 2nd, shows that the size of the mass has not increased. In fact, it has slightly decreased, from 28 mm in January to 27 mm now. While it’s a small change, it’s an encouraging sign, and we’re praying that it continues to move in the right direction.
I wanted to share this update with you because you’ve been with me through this journey. Your prayers have lifted me up, and I am truly grateful for each one of you. 💖
Thank you for continuing to keep me in your prayers as we move forward in both the mission and in my health. 🌟
🏠 The Church in Heredia
The church in Heredia continues to grow as a self-sustaining, self-organizing, and self-propagating congregation. It was founded in 1996 by Freddy Astorga, who passed away in 2005. I took over leadership after Freddy’s death, stepping into a role more like a missionary than a local preacher. My focus was to allow others in the church to rise up and use their gifts for God’s work.
One of the key leaders is Kenneth, who started as a young boy with a passion for teaching. Today, he is a theologian and a licensed psychologist, and he serves as one of the church’s main teachers. Didier Rojas, who joined the church in 2012, is another important leader. Didier has taken charge of the youth group and is involved in strengthening marriages and families within the church. He essentially functions as one of the church elders.
Juan Carlos Hernández, another leader, has played a crucial role in the renovation of the church building. The church has been using the same building since 2002, but due to growth, it needed significant updates. Juan Carlos has dedicated the last two months to supervising the renovation work. Despite working for an online company, he has committed several hours each day to this project. The church had raised about $40,000 for the renovation. Juan Carlos managed the entire process, hiring a construction company, obtaining the necessary permits, and contracting an architect to design the plans. The project is moving forward well, and the church is currently meeting in a nearby communal hall while the renovation takes place. There are several communal halls in the area that are used for community activities, and we have been utilizing one of these for our Sunday meetings.
The new building will include classrooms for children and youth, and the auditorium will have a seating capacity of 150 people. We are excited about this progress and the opportunities it will bring for the church to grow further. 🙌
💧 David Zúñiga: A New Member in Christ
David Zúñiga is a 19-year-old student at the University of Costa Rica in San Pedro, Montes de Oca. He is originally from Sarapiquí, a canton north of Heredia. David became a member of the Church of Christ three weeks ago when I had the privilege of baptizing him.
David’s journey to Christ began when he was about 15 years old. During the pandemic, some brothers from Ecuador began to evangelize him online. They contacted me to help guide him further. At that time, David was still quite young, and I needed permission from his mother to baptize him, which delayed things. However, David remained very interested in baptism.
About a month and a half ago, after completing his first year of university, David reached out to me again, expressing his desire to be baptized. He had been studying physics, and with his heart fully dedicated to the Lord, he traveled from San Pedro to Heredia, where I baptized him.
Since his baptism, David has been attending our meetings in Heredia and continues to study the Bible with me. As a student, he often has many questions, and I’ve been happy to provide biblical answers. It’s always a joy to see how satisfied and encouraged he is when he finds answers in Scripture. 📖
We thank and praise God for David, who is now a member of the young adults group at the Church of Christ in Heredia. His sincerity and devotion to the Lord are a true blessing to our congregation. 🙏
After a deeply emotional visit with Eugenia in Poró de Grecia, Roxana and I headed to Turrúcares de Alajuela for a very different but equally important meeting. It was our third visit to a small group of immigrants, most of whom had come from four different countries, seeking a fresh start in Costa Rica. The group gathered in a small corner of Turrúcares, a humble place where lives are being transformed by God’s presence.
Turrúcares (pronounced too-ROO-kah-res) is a little town on the outskirts of Alajuela, nestled against the backdrop of an animal feed factory. This tight-knit group of fifteen people lives in modest apartments and one large house, tucked away in this peaceful corner. Among them, there’s a young 18-year-old woman from Honduras, a 35-year-old man from Peru, his wife from Colombia, three Venezuelan women, and the rest are from Colombia. They’ve found a common bond not just in their shared experience as immigrants but also in the hope of building something new—something greater than the life they left behind.
Gustavo, the 35-year-old from Peru, is a gifted upholsterer who runs a small workshop in the large house where most of the men in the group work. He has a steady stream of clients looking to have the interiors of their vehicles redone. One of the women in the group works at an ice cream shop in downtown Turrúcares, and another drives for Uber, making ends meet with her small sedan. These are hard-working people, but in their eyes, there’s a hunger for something deeper—a desire for purpose, for belonging, and for knowing Christ.
Among the group, there’s a woman named Nelcy, a fiery and faithful Christian from Colombia who had joined the church in Heredia about two years ago. She was the first in the group to hear the gospel, and she became an unwavering supporter of Christ's work in her family and her community. Nelcy had often told me stories about her family in Turrúcares, promising that one day Roxana and I would come visit and help establish a new congregation. That promise came true on January 16, 2025, when Roxana and I made our first formal visit and set a regular schedule for our meetings—every Thursday at 5:00 pm.
I told the group from the outset that I wasn’t coming in the name of any denomination or established church. I was simply a worker of Christ, sent to share His Word and show them the transformative power of the gospel. I explained that our purpose was not to establish a traditional Sunday worship service, but to invite them to experience the Kingdom of God, to see the reign of Christ in their lives. I emphasized that our goal was to help them grow and mature in their faith so they could eventually form their own local congregation, not one dependent on Roxana and me.
On January 30, 2025, we arrived for our third meeting, eager to continue our work but also uncertain of what the evening might hold. As we walked toward the house, we were immediately drawn into a situation that would shift the course of the evening. Jaime and Johana, two members of the group, were there with their young son, Juan Esteban. The little boy, barely 18 months old, had been playing with other children when he suddenly fell backwards, hitting the back of his head hard on the pavement. He was in pain, groggy, and crying. As I approached them, Juan Esteban, still in his mother’s arms, locked eyes with me. Without hesitation, he reached out his little arms, asking to be held. And so, I did.
For a few moments, he rested his head on my shoulder, quieting a bit, as if seeking comfort. I asked him gently if he would like me to pray for him, but he shook his head. I understood in that moment that what he needed wasn’t a prayer, but the comfort of someone there for him. I returned him to his mother, and we learned that the ambulance was on its way.
But the ambulance was taking longer than expected, and I couldn’t stand by without offering help. I turned to Jaime, offering to drive Juan Esteban to a local doctor for an immediate check-up, reassuring him not to worry about the cost. However, as we spoke, the ambulance finally arrived. While the paramedics prepared to take the child to the hospital in Alajuela, Roxana had already gathered the other children, engaging them in conversation while the adults anxiously waited for the outcome.
At this point, I knew our usual meeting could not go on as planned. The focus had to be on the emergency at hand. As the paramedics took Juan Esteban and his mother away, I invited the remaining adults to gather in a circle on the very spot where the boy had fallen. They brought out chairs, and we gathered, not for a formal meeting, but to pray for the child and trust that God would be with the doctors as they cared for him. As I prayed, I acknowledged the Lord’s presence, recognizing that we could come to Him because of the reconciliation we now have through Jesus Christ. I asked God to guide the doctors at the hospital and to bring healing to Juan Esteban.
When the prayer ended, the group asked me to share a Bible lesson, as we had done in previous meetings. I felt a deep sense of gratitude that they were eager to hear God’s Word, and I knew that the Lord had been preparing their hearts for this moment. I didn’t need to read from Scripture; I simply began to talk about "The Parable of the Sower." Only Nelcy and a few others had a sense of what the parable taught, but they all quickly grasped the message. We discussed the obstacles in the parable that prevent people from bearing fruit: the hardened heart, the shallow heart, and the divided heart. I explained that the good soil represents a pure heart that accepts the Word of God and allows it to transform their lives.
As I spoke, I realized that the hearts of the people before me were already fertile ground. They were ready to hear the truth and open their lives to the transformative power of the gospel. And I could see that, in that moment, the Kingdom of God was already beginning to take root in Turrúcares.
Soon, we received word that Juan Esteban was being cared for at the hospital in Alajuela. I said goodbye to the group, and Jaime, especially grateful, expressed his heartfelt thanks. Nelcy, a bit disappointed that her husband Felipe couldn’t join us, shared how touched she was by the group’s growing sense of faith.
The next afternoon, we learned that Juan Esteban had been kept overnight for observation, and by the morning of January 31, he was released, doing much better.
As the evening ended, Nelcy asked me for advice on how to create a flyer to invite neighbors to future meetings. I saw in her eyes the spark of a new church, one that could grow into something self-sustaining, self-governing, and self-propagating. This church wasn’t born out of tradition but out of a genuine desire to follow Christ and live in His Kingdom.
Please continue to pray for this group in Turrúcares. We are excited to see how God is moving in their lives, and we are grateful for your ongoing support.
