November 2009

I. Assembly Measures



A new record of total attendance was reached on November 8. The unusual number of 37 visitors includes two families from other congregations that have placed membership with us. Other visitors are members from other congregations who wanted to worship with us on that day.

The attendance on Sunday evening continues to be significant. The lowest number was 15 members on November 29. These were members who did not attend in the morning. If they had done so, it would have been very difficult to handle such a crowd. So the decision of having two services continues to be a good idea.

The low number on November 22 is unusual. I don’t have an explanation. It happens now and then.

Total contribution: $2017,58. Total expenses: $1862,98.

II. Study Measures

November 2009
Cell Group Members Visitors
Northeast 20 3
Northwest 12 2
Heredia Church of Christ 15 2

The downtown group didn’t meet during this month. Some of the participants had problems with immigration, and moved to another location. Their attendance to church has suffered too. One of the ladies separated from her unbelieving husband. They have two children and it hurts to see them hurting.

The Northwest group has met for a year and a half already. Some family members continue to need more Bible study to be able to make a decision. Two men who are friends of Roberto Ulate continue to participate with interest. One of my neighbors is becoming regular in the attendance to this Bible Study.


III. Miscellaneous Narrative

There was one baptism on November 15. A young Nicaraguan immigrant was in a bus on his way to Costa Rica. Next to him sat Hamlet, a brother from a church in Managua, who was coming to attend the 25th Iberian American Lectures (see next paragraph). This brother preached the gospel to the young immigrant, who happened to be a resident in Heredia. So, when the lectures were over, this brother came to worship with us, and we let him baptize the immigrant. The Youth Group has reached out to the young convert. The brother from Nicaragua has called us to make sure we are taking care of him.

I was invited to speak at the Iberian American Lectures. The church in Sabanilla hosted them. More than 100 brethren from different parts of the Spanish-speaking world attended. They were here for one week. I was able to fellowship with Carlos Ingles, Bammel missionary in Colombia, who was here for the Lectures. It was a great opportunity to reflect on the work we are involved in.

Bruno Valle, preacher in Managua, Nicaragua, a close friend of mine, was in Heredia for three days. He preached for us on November 15th. Bruno is a great speaker and lecturer. His presentations both at the Iberian American Lectures and at the church in Heredia were outstanding. He really knows how to present lessons about the love and the power of God. We spent lots of time together, and were able to influence one another in the Lord. He really challenged me to pray more and have more faith in the power of God. Bruno and I are close friends because back in the 90’s he and I were self-supported preachers at the Hatillo congregation for about 4 years.

Walter Jones was diagnosed with leukemia on November 1st. Walter just turned 84 this year. The doctor saw the blood tests and said that due to his age, he only had three months to live, if no treatment was given. The following day he had to be given a transfusion because his hemoglobin count was too low. Other numbers were too high. So, the doctor prescribed a moderate dose of chemo pills. He was due for new tests two weeks later, and the numbers turned out more favorable. We are really excited about Walter, and about the way he feels. He is improving little by little. This recovery has really impacted the church, and we are all excited because the Lord has been listening to our prayers.