I’ll confess the last few months have been challenging. Illness, obstacles and opposition were our constant companions for just about everything we tried in ministry. But thank the Lord, we not only survived but made advances for the Kingdom in this time.

Our trip to the U.S. with a team of three Costa Rican men was a great success, even though one of our companions was denied a visa, and another was stopped for an immigration interview at the airport. A nervous moment, for sure. After we arrived, we partnered with Fences for Orphans on a fence build that raised money for projects in Costa Rica. And when Pastor Oscar spoke at Willow Creek Fellowship in East Plano, eight people crossed the line of faith and gave their lives to Jesus Christ. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Our Nicaragua Pastor Training Conference almost didn’t happen due to lack of funding. But at the 11th hour, a generous donor stepped up to underwrite the entire thing. Our group experienced a frustrating border crossing getting into Nicaragua, but once there things smoothed out…mostly. Despite challenges with our hotel, the time of training and refreshment for the pastoral couples went very well. It was a definite victory for our ministry in our neighbor to the north.

It’s hard to describe the economic stresses these pastoral families are under. Behind their smiles and their tireless efforts to reach people for Jesus and build up their churches, many go home to dirt floors, second jobs and as many dreams for their children as we have. I can’t thank you enough for helping us invest in them with professional training and a few days in a hotel they could never afford on their own. The encouragement to them is profound.