Thirty five members accepted the invitation to meet in person for the first time in the last six months in a rented facility while the rest of the members participated online of the same service, providing us with a sign of the continued vitality of the church in Heredia.
First, the invitation to meet in person had been extended to the whole membership of 135 adults, because we knew that not all of them would feel comfortable attending services. Well, there were 35 of us who decided to give it a try after the authorities finally gave permission for churches to celebrate meetings again. It was great to see one another again after six months of not being able to do so. The love and the excitement were very evident as we gathered to have fellowship, sing praises, take the Lord’s Supper, and hear the Word. Also, it was great to have two more members being added to the body in this city, as Carlos and Alberto Echaverri, Nicaraguan brothers, placed membership with us. The fact that the rest of the membership participated online of the same service was also very encouraging.
Second, the meeting was held in a rented facility, for which we paid only $85. It was a comfortable auditorium in excellent conditions, in much better shape than our own facilities near the hospital. The location is great, closer to downtown Heredia, and it seems that we may continue to meet there. The reason for meeting there is due to the fact that our own building, as some of you know, is not in decent shape. Besides, remodeling is not possible as city officials do not authorize the original design which was proposed last year. In fact, a decision to sell was made since then, and it is still in place. The fact that we met in a rented facility, in much better condition is a good step towards the vision of not being tied up to ownership of a building with all the other responsibilities which this entails.
Third, we interpret these developments as a sign of the continued vitality of the church in Heredia, in spite of the pandemic, and look forward to see more results that the Lord may bless us with, especially because we really want to be His vessels of service to reach out to a community that needs Him badly. This congregation has been blessed with an effective group of leaders that get things done in a very organized way, freeing us, the teachers, of administrative duties, so that we can devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.
In conclusion, we are ready to continue to meet in person as more people will probably decide to join us face-to-face, as transmissions over digital platforms will continue to attract others who may be slow in making such a decision, contributing to renewed commitment to further service for the Lord’s cause.
