Fourht Quarter 2023

Focus on Cuba...

I've been conducting online Bible classes for 50 individuals across seven different churches in Cuba, thanks to the collaborative efforts of EBI Online (Estudios Bíblicos Internacionales Online). Working closely with the program's director, Rocky Castleberry, we guide students through a comprehensive course covering 15 fundamental Bible-related subjects. My responsibilities include designing the course structure and facilitating the asynchronous sessions. The impact of these classes has been tremendous, leading to numerous baptisms and the establishment of a new church in Cuba, as highlighted in Rocky's reports. Our partnership has not only been professionally successful but has also cultivated a wonderful personal friendship. Rocky, who is overseen by a church in Lampasas, Texas, resides in Costa Rica with his wife Alicia, actively participating in a church in San José, the capital.

I've been closely connected with the Dos Palmas church in the Santiago province, Cuba. A special bond has formed with the preacher, Rafael Cedeño, through our conversations on WhatsApp calls. These interactions have sparked a dream of Roxana and me visiting Santiago, particularly the church where Rafael ministers to 50 devoted brothers and sisters. While Rafael receives support from the local church, it's noteworthy that he sustains himself by selling the fish he catches from ponds around the area. The prospect of experiencing the vibrant community in Santiago firsthand is truly inspiring.

Connecting with students in Cuba has posed a unique challenge due to the ban on Zoom in the country. Approximately half of the students have overcome this obstacle by installing the application using VPNs and 4G smartphones. However, for those with 2G smartphones, the options are more limited. They content themselves by watching recorded teaching sessions, half of which I produce in my office. To ensure inclusivity, we've implemented alternative measures, including audioconference calls on the WhatsApp platform, utilizing various devices on our end to connect with those facing technological constraints.

Another member I have developed a special friendship with is Yamirelis Copello, a Spanish and Literacy teacher in Santiago. Yamirelis is single, has no children, and was converted 27 years ago. She makes a living being a special teacher of the program "Educa a Tu Hijo." This is like a homeschooling government program. She explains to me that what she does is visit parents whose children cannot make it to elementary school. She uses her contacts with parents all over Santiago to contact the parents for evangelism. Yamirelis is also a church teacher of children and young girls, and she also keeps records for us at EBI.

Meanwhile in Heredia...

We witnessed the baptisms of two individuals, Samuel and Dina. Rodrigo Ulate, my brother, played a significant role in inviting Samuel to church and guiding him through Bible study. Similarly, Jorge Cambronero, one of our esteemed leaders, extended the invitation to Dina and led her in her studies. My part was solely in administering the baptism.

Samuel's journey is a testament to the transformative power of faith. Despite a challenging past that led to incarceration due to past decisions, he has emerged as a redeemed and renewed individual. On the other hand, Dina, the mother to a special child named Estela, relocated from Nicaragua a few years ago. Having previously worked in a bar, she made the courageous decision to leave her job due to the challenging environments she encountered nightly. Currently, she is actively seeking alternative employment.

These baptismal stories reflect the ongoing positive impact of our church members, demonstrating the redemptive and transformative nature of our community.

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.

Dominic asked to be baptized

Bible Study with Luis and Yeila

Sunday School class in Heredia

Sunday School class in Heredia

Sunday School class in Heredia

Meeting Eustacio and Rosa thirty years later in Knoxville, Tennesee

Presenting to Spanish ministers in Knoxville, Tennessee

Lunch breaCk at Spanish Ministers activity

Combined Worship Service, Knoxville, Tennessee

Eustacio, children, their spouses, his grandchildren

Claudia being baptized in Heredia, Costa Rica

Claudia meeting with the church in Key West, Florida

Second Quarter 2023

Sister Nelcy's Journey of Perseverance and Faith

Overcoming Economic Hardship, Battling Oppression, and Finding Refuge in Costa Rica

I am thrilled to share the remarkable story of sister Nelcy, a resilient Colombian woman whose unwavering faith and courage led her family on a journey of survival and hope. From enduring economic turmoil in Venezuela to escaping the clutches of violence and oppression in Colombia, Nelcy's unwavering spirit serves as an inspiration to all.

After years of struggling amidst Venezuela's economic decline under President Maduro's regime, Nelcy made the difficult decision to return to her native Colombia with her Venezuelan husband and grandchildren. The hope was to establish a new life in rural Colombia, where they faced the grueling challenge of making ends meet. However, their circumstances took a devastating turn when Nelcy's sisters, along with their children born in Venezuela, joined them, exhibiting symptoms of malnutrition due to the dire conditions they faced.

Unfortunately, even in her own country, Nelcy and her relatives encountered hurdles when seeking medical attention. The Colombian medical system turned them away, citing missing documents as a reason for denial. Undeterred, Nelcy took a bold stand, gathering eighteen family members and staging a protest in front of a public hospital, demanding the healthcare they rightfully deserved as Colombian citizens. Moved by her bravery, the medical authorities relented, providing the necessary care for Nelcy and her family.

While one might hope this marked the end of their tribulations, a new chapter of hardship awaited Nelcy. The region in Colombia where they sought refuge once again fell under the influence of former guerrilla lords, emboldened by the socialist regime led by President Petro. These violent groups, motivated by monetary gain from drug lords rather than political ideologies, targeted children aged twelve and older for recruitment.

Nelcy makes it to her adult son in Costa Rica

Faced with the grim prospect of her loved ones falling victim to the guerrilla lords, Nelcy made the painful decision to leave Colombia. Guided by the preacher in her rural Colombian town, she felt called to relocate near the Heredia Church of Christ in Costa Rica. Compelled further by the fact that one of her adult children had already established himself as a taxi driver in Costa Rica, Nelcy embarked on a solo journey as a refugee, flying to Panama before entering Costa Rican territory.

Nelcy initially resided with her son in the town of Turrúcares, situated in the Central Valley, a three-hour bus ride from the Heredia Church of Christ. Despite the physical distance, she remained steadfast in her faith, never missing a Sunday service. While Nelcy awaited her family's arrival, her husband Felipe, eldest son Will, and five grandchildren embarked on a perilous journey on foot through the impenetrable Darién jungle, separating Colombia from Panama.

Nelcy's son Will going through the Darien jungle

Their path through the treacherous terrain was fraught with danger, as they witnessed the tragic loss of lives and encountered the remains of those who had succumbed to the harsh conditions. Braving the perilous mountains, rivers, and untamed wilderness, they persevered and eventually reached Panama. From there, they boarded a bus bound for Costa Rica, finally reuniting with Nelcy.

Nelcy emerged as the unwavering leader of her family, securing a rental house in Heredia and leading them to attend services at the Heredia Church of Christ. Their presence has been an immense blessing to the church, serving as a shining example of courage, resilience, and unwavering faithfulness to the Lord.

The Heredia Church of Christ stands in awe of Sister Nelcy and her family, embracing them wholeheartedly and celebrating their incredible journey of survival and hope. Their story serves as a powerful testament to the strength that arises from unwavering faith and the transformative power of God's guidance, inspiring all who hear it to face their own challenges with unwavering trust in the Lord.

Primer Trimestre 2023

New Growth and Blessings: Celebrating the Lord's Work in Heredia!

It is with great joy that I share an update on the Lord's work in Heredia, which has been thriving with new growth and blessings every day. Our congregation now consists of 130 faithful souls gathering every Sunday to worship the Lord. We are thrilled to report that this growth is the result of four new baptisms and at least five members from other congregations who have joined us.

The four new members who have been baptized - Wendy, Gabriel, Melissa, and Karla - each have their unique stories of how they came to know the Lord. Wendy, a single mother and successful manicurist, was taught the Gospel by Jorge and Eugenia Cambronero, our dedicated students at Estudios Bíblicos Internacionales. Her 14-year-old son, José, was baptized at the end of last year, and it brings us great joy to see both mother and son persevering in the Lord's paths.

Gabriel and Melissa, customer representatives for US firms in Costa Rica, have also put on Christ in baptism. They received Bible study from Didier and Ericka Chaves, who happen to be leaders with great influence within the Lord´s body in Heredia. Gabriel and Melissa continue to receive Bible study to ground them in the faith, and their new-found joy in the Lord is motivating them to reach out to their parents, who are also worshipping with us.

Karla, who has been hurting because of her separation from her husband and two teenage children, was baptized recently after several Bible studies and counseling sessions with our local leaders, Carlos and Mery Brenes. We pray that her circumstances will be repaired so that she can be reunited with her family, if that is God's will.

Francisco is an elderly gentleman who was baptized by Church of Christ pioneers in Costa Rica in the 1970s. For many years, he did not know that there was a church of the Lord in his own town of Heredia. He was thrilled to find us when he saw our church sign and has been easily welcomed as a member.

Javier and Oldimar are two other faithful members who have joined us from other congregations in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. They have both found a home with us and are actively involved in our church community.

We could share many more stories of how the Lord is working in Heredia, and we are grateful for your faithful support of Roxana and me as we continue to serve Him in Costa Rica. May the Lord continue to bless your sponsorship and all that you do for His Kingdom.

Didier baptizing Melissa and Gabriel

A Church Outing

 

First Quarter 2023

New Growth and Blessings: Celebrating the Lord's Work in Heredia!

It is with great joy that I share an update on the Lord's work in Heredia, which has been thriving with new growth and blessings every day. Our congregation now consists of 130 faithful souls gathering every Sunday to worship the Lord. We are thrilled to report that this growth is the result of four new baptisms and at least five members from other congregations who have joined us.

The four new members who have been baptized - Wendy, Gabriel, Melissa, and Karla - each have their unique stories of how they came to know the Lord. Wendy, a single mother and successful manicurist, was taught the Gospel by Jorge and Eugenia Cambronero, our dedicated students at Estudios Bíblicos Internacionales. Her 14-year-old son, José, was baptized at the end of last year, and it brings us great joy to see both mother and son persevering in the Lord's paths.

Gabriel and Melissa, customer representatives for US firms in Costa Rica, have also put on Christ in baptism. They received Bible study from Didier and Ericka Chaves, who happen to be leaders with great influence within the Lord´s body in Heredia. Gabriel and Melissa continue to receive Bible study to ground them in the faith, and their new-found joy in the Lord is motivating them to reach out to their parents, who are also worshipping with us.

Karla, who has been hurting because of her separation from her husband and two teenage children, was baptized recently after several Bible studies and counseling sessions with our local leaders, Carlos and Mery Brenes. We pray that her circumstances will be repaired so that she can be reunited with her family, if that is God's will.

Francisco is an elderly gentleman who was baptized by Church of Christ pioneers in Costa Rica in the 1970s. For many years, he did not know that there was a church of the Lord in his own town of Heredia. He was thrilled to see our church sign and has been easily welcomed as a member.

Javier and Oldimar are two other faithful members who have joined us from other congregations in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. They have both found a home with us and are actively involved in our church community.

We could share many more stories of how the Lord is working in Heredia, and we are grateful for your faithful support of Roxana and me as we continue to serve Him in Costa Rica. May the Lord continue to bless your sponsorship and all that you do for His Kingdom.

Didier baptizing Melissa and Gabriel

A Church Outing

Fourth Quarter 2022

Ladies Saved

Several ladies that Roxana ministers to, keep meeting with her for sewing and knitting, and in such meetings they have shared about how much they have been blessed because of finding meaning in the Lord Jesus. A common story of their past is about life with an abusive husband, who got them pregnant more times than they could bear. One of them had up to ten children, during a period of less than twelve years. They lived their married lives in times of ignorance and poverty. They were eventually abandoned by their husbands, but, paradoxically, their children ended up saving them from loneliness and poverty. The Lord has saved them in the sense that they live free of resentment, and they enjoy fellowship with one another, thanks to the ministry that Roxana serves them with.

Baptism

God has been wonderful giving us many people to share the good news with. José Delgado, a remarkable young man was baptized, and has become very active with the youth group. New members have been added by way of placing membership with us. We regret that others, of course, have had to move out of town, and now worship at other churches in the country.

José Salgado

Church Attendance

The church in Heredia has been blessed with great attendance to all services. There are now more than one hundred people attending every Sunday morning. Another meeting that enjoys high numbers include the Monday night "tertulias," where members get to share about their lives in the Lord. The men and the women have monthly meetings where they teach each other according to their specific needs.

Third Quarter 2022

Attendance

May the Lord be praised for the way He has blessed the work that you and the Saint Mary's County Church help support in Heredia, Costa Rica. Attendance to Sunday morning services is beginning to hit the 100 record. There were 104 souls attending on August 21, 2022. I continue to keep a low profile leadership, as the local leaders conduct business in a responsible way.

Baptisms

There were two baptims during this quarter. Marvelis, a single mother and entrepreneur, and Élder Vílchez, a tradesman, decided to be baptized recently. The Lord used Roxana an I to study God´s Word with Marvelis. In the case of Élder, it was Jorge Cambronero, one of our leaders, who led him to the Lord.

Marvelis

Elder Vílchez

Training Others

I continue to partner with Rocky Castleberry, as he and I continue to direct the EBI Online program. We are teaching online Bible courses to 25 Cuban church members, and 25 people from other Spanish speaking countries in the area. We have already taught seven courses in the last eighteen months. During the last three months I have been teaching the course "How We Got the Bible" to a group of 18 Cuban church members. The Cuban brothers and sisters have been very fruiful as they keep active teaching others too. Yamirelis Copello and Niurka Beltrán stand out as leaders who go out to teach others and they report having baptized three people in the last thirty days. These two ladies are members of the church in the city of Dos Palmas, province of Santiago, South of Cuba.

Yamirelis and Niurka with ladies they converted

Trainees Niurka, left, and Yamirelis, right,
with Yurizender, baptized September 26.

Fourth Quarter 2021

Damaris and Sharon are baptized...

Baptisms of Damaris and Sharon

The Lord knows how to bless those who labour hard in His harvest field and one way He does this is by giving them receptive souls to share the gospel with. This quarter the Lord gave us the conversions of Damaris and Sharon to feel great about. Rejoyce with us as we celebrate the baptism of these two ladies, who are now members of the body of Christ in Heredia. The feeling in their lives is even greater because the presence of God in their lives has made a significant difference, because they now have direction and purpose.

Sharon marries Carlos...

Roxana and I had the opportunity to sit with Sharon and were very sad to hear about how badly she had been hurt in her past as a child. Satan's work has been undone now that she knows the Lord. Isn't that a great reason to rejoyce about! However, her story continues in a wedding ceremony, as she gets married to Carlos Zúñiga, and starts a new life under the care of this brother who solemnly vowed to take care of her as Jesus takes care of the church.

Carlos enjoys fellowship with other Christian men...

Heredia Church men enjoying fellowship in Jesus

Another way the Lord blesses us with his abundant blessings is through the way of fellowship with one another. Christian men in Heredia know this very well, and it is evident through their frequent gathering around a table with food that themselves have prepared. There are no words to describe the impact that the Lord is making on the lives of divorcees like Roberto, Tony, and Juan Carlos (left picture above) who are successfully recovering from failed relationships in the past, and are now experiencing fulfillment in Jesus.

Great News from Costa Rica

The Ladies Doubled their Previous Record!

The ladies continued to hold their monthly meeting and the result is shown on the picture above. Their October meeting had close to 100 ladies attending. Some of them bring their friends who end up attending Sunday morning services and then accepting personal Bible study. The joy and the excitment they experience in the Lord is made evident in their meetings as they share God's Word with one another, and pray for one another. Their example has inspired the men to do the same. Therefore, we the men will start having our own monthly meetings, beginning on the second Saturday of December.

Jorge, God's Worker in Colombia

Jorge, a Lord's worker in Colombia

This is Jorge, a convert Norberto Ross discovered in a town near Medellín, Colombia. After a video-conference meeting that Norberto set up for me to meet him, we understood his plight as a believer.  His plight is related to the fact that he has not found a church where his views on soul-saving could be taken in consideration. As I listened to him, I discovered that he had taught himself the gospel, was baptized in an evangelical church, but then that church became too preocupied with issues other than the gospel. After listening to him praying, quoting Scripture, and expressing his concern for lost souls, I understood that all he needed was encouragement to start Bible studies with others, and do this on his own, without depending on an established church. So, we virtually "appointed" him an evangelist in his town, known as Bello, North of Medellín, by helping him understand that he did not have to get permission from any established church. It was very exciting to discover how the Lord has done His work without us being in the middle. At the end of the conversation we encouraged him to continue to receive training through the online program that Rocky Castleberry started in January this year.

Migrated from the States to become a Christian in Costa Rica!

One day, about three months ago, Karolina Guerrero, one of our members in Heredia asked me to have Bible studies with an American man she had met, and didn't speak Spanish. It was Tony an Italian-American, born and raised in Connecticut, who had been living in Costa Rica during the last eight years. So, we had the Bible studies, and after five sessions he was asking what he should do "to be born again." So, we went on with more Bible studies to help him understand what repentance was and the need for it. He was very honest about the things he needed to leave behind. He realized that he had to cut ties with certain guys he was working for. He made the changes, risked being left with less income, was baptized, and he is now a joyful man in Christ. Today, Tony is faithfully attending services. When I get to preach, I make sure I Google translate my sermon to give him a hard copy in English. I have kept studying God's Word with him, and making sure that the develops ties with the English speaking men at Heredia. Everything looks great so far! Tony loves God's Word. He didn't know it at all. It has been a great joy to continue to develop this friendship with him.

Third Quarter 2021

  “… train the young women…”

In the spirit of “training the younger women” (Titus 2:4), the older ladies in Heredia have procured ways to make this spiritual concern a reality. So why not use the time together to also teach them something practical? In the last encounter, after a session of cutting and stitching they got together for a Bible lesson to help them in their spiritual growth. Roxana’s love for yarns and fabrics was instrumental in making the practical part a reality.

Attendance

Total Sunday morning attendance has risen from 80 in the last quarter to 101 in the third quarter. In the picture, Roberto Ulate, my brother, is addressing the church to get them committed to bring a good amount of pantry items for members in need. Attendance to the Sunday evening is still between 10 and 15 people.

Ladies' Monthly Meetings

The ladies continue to be very active thanks to leaders like Eugenia and her daughter. Close to 40 ladies attended the last Ladies’ Monthly Meeting. They got together for teaching and much needed fellowship. Thankfully, there are leaders like Roxana, Emérita, Eugenia and Camila who stay busy contacting the ladies and making sure that they are encouraged. They are also very good in getting visitor ladies interested and, as a result of this some are attending Sunday morning services.

Up to Eighty People Meeting in Person

The church in Heredia is already attracting up to 60 attendees to Sunday morning worship and 20 more that attend Sunday evening service. ¡The work with the cell groups is picking up attendance too!

Kenneth Matarrita, a graduate from IBIT, who had been hired to work full-time for this congregation, teaches a local Bible Program with certification from IBIT. The last ones receiving certificates of completion were Carmen Gaitán, Cecilia, Magi, Mery, Jorge, and Eugenia.

Victor and Aura, next to Ronny Cerrato, Admissions Dean

Victor Araya and his wife Aura were admitted to be students at Baxter, in Honduras. They flew to Tegucigalpa, Honduras, last Sunday. The church here helped with the airline tickets and will continue to help with a small amount while they are there.

Rocky and Alicia Castleberry got us in touch with the Jamaica School of Preaching, and a Bible Studies program is on its fifth week, with a session of two hours every two weeks. Ten of the Heredia members are enrolled in this three year program!

Mery Torrentes leads online Bible study

Mery Torrentes, who has been a member for the last 20 years and an effective personal worker, is teaching an online Bible Study with an average of 10 people attending every Friday night.

Mery became a Christian in 2002, when Freddy Astorga was the minister of the Heredia congregation. Freddy began a discipling relationship with Mery and her would-be husband, Carlos Brenes, while they were still dating. Feddy would marry them later on.  I was charged with the privilege of continuing to minister to this wonderful couple after Freddy's passing in 2006. She eventually got her degree in Systems Engineering, and had two children: Isaac, who is now 14, and Abigail, who is now 11. Mery is clearly one of the firstfruits of this work at the Heredia church.

The Lord has blessed her with the gifts of leadership and charima. She has used these gifts to make progress in her professional life, and in her effectiveness as a personal worker. Her committment to the Lord's cause is evident in her testimony as a church member and the conversion of at least 6 people during the last 5 years. The Lord has also blessed her with success in her family and married life. Her husband Carlos is one of the leaders of the church, and an accomplished teacher of God's Word. Mery's walk with the Lord has truly been a source of encouragement to me and my wife.

Mery is teaching an online Bible study every Friday at 7 pm with an average attendance of 10 people. One of the participants is already connecting to Sunday morning services with the rest of the church. Mery makes contacts for Bible study easily through her business contacts and her own posts in social media as a business woman.

Mery and her husband look forward to being able to devote more time to Bible study and God's work evangelizing those outside the Kingdom and counseling couples and families in the Lord. She has demonstrated her interest in continuing to grow as God's servant through the participation in and completion of formal Bible training programs.

Mery and others after completing formal training in a Bible subject

With Milady, entertaining the ladies in a Baby Shower

With husband Carlos Brenes

Mery and Karolina, one of her converts

Mileidy, one of her converts

Church retakes in person meetings

 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.