As Regional Coordinator, I think some kudos are in order for some special people in Honduras, Costa Rica and Guatemala:

1.  To Daniel and Tiffany Melton for continuing to foster a sense of self-initiative in the local community of San Luis regarding the dining hall / women’s dorm remodeling project. It was so encouraging to here how much that the local community, some church members and non-members, have donated labor and time to this project. God is pleased with this type of willing offering to Him!  Thanks to Daniel and Tiffany for the good example they set!

2.  When the tornado went through some time ago and took out a number of trees on the property, one fell on the chicken shed where the layers are housed. Before Daniel could return to see the damage, the local brethren had moved the chickens to two safe places, removed the tree, and fixed the roof.  We appreciate the initiative of the San Luis people!

3.  To Zach and Sarah Robberts for adapting well to the North Coast, visiting the churches, and pushing hard to have more Sunday School material ready for their conference starting December 6th.  This is a big project with Zack doing the artwork in a digital drawing program and Sarah writing the script.  This will give them another 3 months of material ready for the children in an excellently created format.  Thanks to Zack and Sarah for your vision for the children of the Emanuel work!

4.  To Rex and Missy McDowell who are now back in the US for the holidays and furlough after completing a difficult first term. They leave with the work more stable, Lord willing, in Barrio Mexico, and those in Paraiso determined to continue in their labors. May the Lord bless their time in the States and renew their spiritual and physical strength while away.

5.  To Maria for finishing her second full year at CEBE in the upper learning center and for completing another three weeks of language training in Antigua. Good job, Maria!

6.  To James and Rachel for helping Sis. Blanca to guide CEBE through another successful school year with 27 students completing the year. Rachel worked hard again with a new group of kindergartners and James with pastoring the little flock. They are now preparing for another year as well as heading to Honduras with the national teachers the first week of December to learn more about an excellent writing program in one of the ACE schools in Tegucigalpa. We appreciate them always looking for ways to upgrade the school!  Thanks to James, Rachel, and Maria for your very hard work and commitment to a vision of Christian Education in Guatemala and all of Central America.

7.  Last, but not least, to my faithful and diligent wife, Shari. Her heart is always open to serve others and look for ways to lift others’ loads. She gives and gives and gives again, and encourages others to give their best to the Master as well.  I am blessed with such a wonderful companion and great co-workers here in Central America.

May each and every one have a blessed Thanksgiving and God bless!

Lee Rickenbach, Regional Coordinator

Just a quick note to let our friends know what we’re doing. We’ve been keeping busy with open air services last week in Hato Viejo. Seems we’ve had something every night….forever! Dave has a huge “day-list” that we are working on as well! And it all continues through Wednesday night and then early on Thursday we fly to Florida.
I’m excited as we just learned for sure that our son and his family can come too, for Thanksgiving. Now if only Melody could make it, we could enjoy a time with the whole family, but we’re so glad two of our kids and their families will be with us…God is Good!
We will have two weeks in the USA and then arrive back in DR to a busy schedule with prayer meeting the evening we return, and many extra activities and practices during the month of December.   That is what happens no matter where you live and I’m glad we can still enjoy such.
Pray especially for our Haitian Christians. This is a hard time for them, with separation from family and concerns for how their loved ones are surviving in Haiti. Many are seeking employment or better housing. Others are trying to finish their education or study in some area that will help them in the future. They suffer alot to move to this country, needing to learn a new language and try to begin a better life. Menial jobs have been taken over by them, jobs many Dominicans no longer wish to do. Some are here illegally so can’t expect fair wages, but take what they are offered. It’s also been a concern that cholera will cross the border and attack here as well. For awhile they closed all borders but have recently opened them again as Haitians depend on sales and in buying food from here. Please keep Haiti and the Haitian brethren in your prayers.
May the Lord bless each of you and give you a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Dave & Marilyn

Costa Rica has been receiving heavy rainfall over the past several days. Thankfully the area where we are living has not been effected negatively by it, but the news is reporting that “there are 700,000 people across the country lacking potable water, 20 dead, and many homes and cars swept away by landslides from massive flooding and rainfall.” Please pray for those who are suffering today in Costa Rica.

Rex McDowell II

   Temperatures are now in the lower 50s in the evening and 10-15 mph breezes are making everyone shiver. Many people here in Guatemala ask us, “It’s worse in the States, isn’t it?” I smile and say, “Oh yes, even snow already in some places, but it’s still nicer here!”   Then they shiver even harder.

   Last night was a touching service at Central. One lady whose husband has abandoned her and has been a faithful lay worker for years testified of God’s call on her heart to help at a work up in the Northern Peten area of Guatemala where her sister and husband are district directors. Prayer also was requested for Oto Contreras and family who have accepted a call to Las Flores de Matquescuintla. Misael Galvez filled in for the pastor with a continuation from Bro. Glen Reiff’s studies on the Abomination of Sin. Three young ladies came forward after the message assisted by the deaconesses and gave their heart to the Lord. In my heart I told the Lord thank you for those being called out to labor and for those being called out of darkness into the wonderful light of Jesus Christ. This should be the continuing spiritual dynamics of all our churches.   Acts 16:5:  And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

God bless each one in your labors of love…

Lee & Shari Rickenbach

UPDATE from Lee Rickenbach in Guatemala…
Graduation week is past for Jalapa and most of Guatemala. For the Bible Institute, five finished the Bachillerato en Teologia and eight from the Diploma en Teologia with Pastoral Orientation, 13 total. Three adults came to the altar after the message to present themselves for the Lord’s work, which was an added blessing to the occasion. We thank the Lord for each one of our nationals that has felt God’s call to service in their life.
Maria is starting three weeks of language training at Antigua today and James and Rachel are enjoying the last full day of Rachel’s mom and aunt’s visit to Guatemala. We all enjoyed having them, especially Mandy!
We thank the Lord for recent news from Honduras and the Lord’s help to the Meltons in recent days, as well as answers to prayer for the McDowells in Costa Rica. We DO serve a MIGHTY GOD! God bless each one of you, and let us be found faithful in the little or the much that we may be doing for His kingdom.