Bammel Mission Work in Costa Rica: Third Quarter 2023

Greetings from Costa Rica to our beloved brothers and sisters at the Bammel Church! It is with great joy and gratitude that I share with you the latest updates from your mission work here in Costa Rica, under your watchful guidance. Your unwavering support and prayers have allowed us to witness remarkable moments of faith, growth, and providential encounters that continue to shape our mission in profound ways.

In this report, we will take you on a journey through the vibrant community of the Heredia Church of Christ, where we have seen our congregation grow and flourish. We'll also delve into an inspiring experience Roxana and I had the privilege of being a part of at the West End Church of Christ in Knoxville, Tennessee. Furthermore, we'll explore a heartwarming reunion that highlights the enduring impact of mission work carried out decades ago. Lastly, we'll share a providential encounter involving Rita and Claudia, two remarkable sisters in Christ, and their connection to the Church of Christ in Key West, Florida.

Through these stories, we hope to convey the faith, perseverance, and transformative power of the gospel message as it spreads across borders and generations. Thank you for your continued support, and may these updates encourage and inspire your faith as much as they have ours.

Updates from the Heredia Church of Christ

I am delighted to share the positive updates from our mission work in Costa Rica, specifically, the Heredia Church of Christ. Currently, we have gathered a vibrant congregation of 140 to 150 faithful believers who come together eagerly for our Sunday morning worship service. The atmosphere is filled with excitement and devotion to the Lord Jesus. Our members have taken it upon themselves to share the message of Christ, engaging in meaningful conversations with others about His teachings. Bible studies are thriving, offering seekers the opportunity to make a profound decision to be born again. What's truly noteworthy is the tangible impact of the message we're sharing. It's leading to transformed lives that, in turn, inspire and motivate individuals to pass on this life-changing message to others. This remarkable movement of faith includes individuals of all ages, from children to teenagers, young adults, and the elderly, all actively involved in inviting others to join us and explore the enriching teachings of the Lord. Additionally, we host group Bible studies and meetings throughout the week, tailored to different age groups, and joyfully offer Sunday school for all ages as part of our Sunday morning activities.

Inspiring Encounters at the West End Church of Christ

During the third quarter of this year, I had the privilege of being invited by the West End Church of Christ in Knoxville, Tennessee, to address a group of approximately 200 Spanish-speaking church leaders hailing from Tennessee and neighboring states. On a significant weekend, September 16th, I had the honor of delivering three lessons to this gathering. These lessons covered vital aspects of a united church: "The What of a United Church," "The How of a United Church," and "The What for of a United Church."

The occasion was made even more special because on September 17th, I had the opportunity to teach Sunday School and deliver a sermon during a combined Worship Service attended by around 100 people. What made this event particularly heartwarming was the fact that the organizers were brothers I had worked with nearly three decades ago when I served as a missionary in Honduras. It was incredibly encouraging to witness the enduring impact of mission work undertaken several decades ago in that Central American country.

A Journey of Faith: Past and Present Connections

Allow me to provide some context for this heartwarming reunion. Between 1988 and 1993, during my tenure as the Director of Escuela Bíblica Honduras, supported by churches in the United States, I dedicated every weekend for an entire year to train local church leaders in a village called Las Camilas. Two of these dedicated individuals, Eustacio and Juan Hernández, emerged as self-sustaining leaders of their local church. Eustacio's children and their spouses eventually relocated to the United States, becoming influential leaders within the Spanish-speaking church in Knoxville. Additionally, Hector Cortés, a Baxter graduate and a Salvadoran missionary with whom I have had a close friendship, played a vital role in this community. Hector had been a missionary in Costa Rica, where he did his missionary apprenticeship program.

However, amidst the joy of this reunion, there was a somber note as well. Eustacio, who was visiting his children, shared the heartbreaking news of the recent loss of his eldest son to cancer a month earlier. This experience served as a poignant reminder of the challenges and trials that life can bring, even as we continue our shared journey in faith.

A Providential Encounter

We recently had a truly remarkable encounter in the Heredia area, where our fellow sister in Christ, Rita, works in a household. Rita is known for her unwavering commitment to the church, never missing a service. An unexpected twist in this tale occurred when her sister, Claudia, needed to stay in Costa Rica for an additional weekend before flying to the United States. Rita kindly asked if we could provide lodging for Claudia, and we agreed, unaware of what was about to unfold.

During a memorable moment that weekend, Rita suggested that I baptize Claudia. Initially, I had reservations, pondering the need for a thorough study and proper preparation. However, upon conversing with Claudia, I discovered that she was already well-versed in the Gospel. We decided to affirm what she had already chosen, and we baptized her that Sunday. Further conversations revealed that Claudia had been actively engaged in Bible studies in Nicaragua and was a committed member of a church there, underscoring her deep faith.

Claudia departed for the United States to work in a hotel in the Florida Keys, but the story doesn't end there. It turned out that the Spanish-speaking preacher at the Church of Christ in Key West, Florida, was Brother Pedro Pablo, who had been a member of our congregation in Heredia. We were sending Claudia from our Heredia congregation to a church in Florida where the preacher had been trained by us in Heredia. To ensure Claudia's smooth transition, I wrote a heartfelt letter to Brother Pedro Pablo, asking him to motivate the church to extend a warm welcome to Claudia. This story illustrates how the Lord works mysteriously and how we reap unexpected harvests, reminding us of Jesus' words to his disciples: "Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest." This experience inspires us and strengthens our faith.