Rex and Missy McDowell, along with their two boys, and Hispanic Ministries Director Marc Sankey have returned safely from their trip to Costa Rica. Thank you for praying for them!

Rex and Marc in Costa Rica

        When people think of February, they often think of love because of Valentine’s Day. During this month may God increase our love for Him, our love for the lost, and our love for other Christians. The New Testament proof of being a disciple of Christ was love for other believers (John 13:35).

Bolivia
Praise:
– The Elmer Sánchez family is thanking God for His continued protection as they labor for Him.

Prayer:
– Elmer Sánchez will have a heavy load of Bible institute classes and church responsibilities.
– Pray for someone to replace the Sánchez family who will be leaving Bolivia permanently in October.

Costa Rica
Praise:
– A core of believers is being established in the Barrio México congregation.

Prayer:
– Pastor Carmona works many hours and needs physical strength to minister faithfully to his congregation.
– A family in the Paraíso congregation shows leadership potential but needs help in some areas of their lives.

Dominican Republic
Praise:
– God blessed the New Year’s Eve service at K-32 as the group prayed for help during this year.
– Ramón, who was saved recently after many years as a backslider, is remaining steadfast in his experience.

Prayer:
– Divine help is needed urgently regarding the land problem at K-32. Someone is building on our property.
– Oscar, Pastor Junaita’s son, has physical problems, but is attending services. Pray for his salvation.
– Several ladies with unsaved husbands want to legalize their marriages, but the process is not easy.

Egypt
Praise:
– Many people were saved during the end-of-the-year revivals held in our churches.

Prayer:
– Church building projects need to be completed before the new parliament issues new laws.
– Divine help is imperative as the believers try to establish new churches in a hostile environment.

Eritrea/Sudan
Praise:
– The church in Juba in southern Sudan is seeing numerical growth.

Prayer:
– Pray that the Holy Spirit will deal with believers in Sudan until they earnestly seek heart holiness.

Guatemala
Praise:
– God has granted a special answer to prayer regarding the future of the Bible institute in Jalapa.
– Maria Hunsaker and Lee and Sharen Rickenebach enjoyed traveling mercies over the Christmas season.

Prayer:
– Sarah Roache from GBS is helping in the bilingual academy through mid-April.
– Pray for the new president of Guatemala and the future of this country. May God give revival.

Honduras
Praise:
– A well-qualified medical team is preparing to go to Honduras the last full week of February.
– The churches in the Santa Barbara area are enjoying God’s special help to them.

Prayer:
– Zack and Sarah Robberts need special physical help from God because of their many responsibilities.
– The staff for the Bible institute is asking God to give them more students.

USA Hispanic Ministries
Praise:
– Pastor David Lopez and his wife at Hyde Park, MA, are rejoicing in God’s help to them.
– The Hyde Park, MA, congregation celebrated their first anniversary on January 14.

Prayer:
– Oscar Percolla, pastor at Stamford, CT, resigned on December 31. This congregation needs a shepherd.

Homeland
Praise:
– Thank God for his help to Marc Sankey as he begins his responsibilities for Evangelistic Faith Missions.

Prayer:
– Pray for those who will be traveling for the work of EFM during this month.
– Missionaries are needed for the EFM fields in Bolivia, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic.

Trusting God for answered prayers,

Ronald E. Smith,  Prayer Letter Editor

Happy New Year to all!

Thank the Lord for time in the United States during December to visit several of our children as well as having them and their families converge on our home in Bedford to celebrate Christmas together for the first time in many years. It was a joyous time Friday and Christmas Eve with a houseful of eleven – especially enjoyed the grandchildren.

Shari and I arrived safely here in Guatemala on Thursday evening. Maria Hunsaker and Sarah Roach arrived Saturday evening but with two suitcases missing. We had to return to the airport twice yesterday but only one of the two missing pieces of luggage has arrived. Houston fog has caused delays for many here as well.

Bible Institute and Academy start in two weeks. Pray for us all as we face a very busy year, but one full of great promises and great grace. God bless you all in your ministries.

Lee & Shari Rickenbach