Even as COVID cases begin to taper off and more of the country is vaccinated, the challenges caused by the pandemic and the government’s response to it make ministry very different and difficult.
During the month of June, Costa Rica has a form of lockdown in which driving is limited based on one’s license plate. This week, for example, we cannot drive on Thursday or Saturday. Then next week we cannot drive Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or Sunday. There are exceptions, of course, but you can imagine the frustration.
But these things are nothing compared with the devastating impact on people. A pastor friend who lives in a nearby town told me last week that three pastors in his town had died from COVID this year. And a recent report puts the unemployment rate at 17.5% (which does not include the illegal Nicaraguan residents who are not counted in official statistics). So the real unemployment number is much higher, and the underemployment rate is staggering.
As a response, The Brook Ministries continues to focus on providing financial and food assistance through local churches. In the last seven weeks, because of your generosity, we have distributed over $8,400 through seven churches or ministries. The needs included food, money for church bills, pastoral salaries, construction, and education scholarships.
My teaching and preaching calendar remains very active. In addition to our weekly Wednesday night Bible study, I speak two or three weekends a month at churches throughout Costa Rica. I never accept an honorarium, but encourage the pastor to redirect it towards the church’s greatest needs.
All of this is possible because of you.
Angela and I are continually humbled by your support. With every donation that is made online, I receive an email. And every time it puts a lump in my throat. Some of you have been giving since the beginning, almost 13 years ago! And when a new donor comes along it feels like a word from the Lord telling me to stay put and keep working. And when I get an email from our Treasurer in Frisco about new checks that have arrived I cannot describe my gratitude. I left Frisco 11 years ago to live here full time. But still, I think of everyone there as family.
Please continue to pray for Costa Rica and for the Lucas family. Since ministry has been so different, we are exploring new opportunities when we are stuck at home, including writing and making The Brook Training Center a more inviting place for future teams.
