First Regional Conference for Mesoamerica!

Many blessings in the Name of Jesus Christ.

On October 18 through October 23, David was in Guatemala for the first ever Regional Conference for the Mesoamerica Region.  The Mesoamerica Region was born as a result of the merger of the Caribbean Region (CAR) and the Mexico Central America Region (MAC) which took place in March of this year.  This region is made up of 30 different countries.  Over 700 people attended the conference...here is a picture at the beginning of one of the evening sessions.

It was a time of great blessing as David was able to see old friends from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama and to make new friends that are from the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Barbados Islands, Jamaica and many other countries from the Caribbean.  

The first evening we had music specials from different countries.  We began with a mariachi band from Guatemala.  One of the highlights was a musical special from our brothers and sisters from Haiti.  Though not many in attendance spoke Creole (outside of the Haitians that is), all were very touched by the music.  The Church of the Nazarene is alive and well in Haiti as we have over 600 churches there.  

The services were great and on one of the nights, representatives from most of the countries represented entered in their traditional clothing.  Here are some of the folks we know from Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.

Our region has the special blessing of having four different languages (Spanish, English, French and Dutch) plus several indigenous languages.  Because of this, David had the blessing of translating for two of the workshops that were given.  One was with the coordinator of literature for the region, Brother Edwin Martinez and the other was for the coordinator of education for the region, Dr. Rubén Fernandez.  Here is a picture of this workshop.

The last evening was a special thank you and farewell service for Dr. Louie Bustle as he will be retiring in February 2012.  Dr. Bustle received many thanks and it was great to hear the personal testimonies of his ministry in many parts of our region.  This is a picture of Dr. Bustle with Rev. Alphonso Porter who is the field strategy coordinator for the English field in our region.   

There was great preaching from Global Mission Director Dr. Louie Bustle, General Superintendent Dr Jess Middendorg, and Regional Director Dr. Carlos Saenz.  All was a blessing but the great fellowship and the challenges for future growth for the mission stand out most of all.  God moved in a mighty way in the conference including in times of renewed commitment and prayer. While we are so thankful for all that God has done, we know that the best lies ahead.

As always, please pray for the growth of the church in Costa Rica and Panama.  David and District Superintendent Johnny Calvo of the Costa Rica North district were especially challenged at the closing service about the need for churches in every community in our world.  They are leaving tomorrow for a two day vision trip to know better the communities where we do not have churches.  They are praying that God will allow them to make contacts and to see where God is leading to plant new churches here in Costa Rica.  We know that God does not want anyone to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9)

Please also pray for the missional zone planters in Costa Rica and Panama.  These folks are supervising the planting of new cell groups and David is working with them to develop discipleship and leadership in these new works.  We praise God as we have seen over 65 new works started over the last 19-20 months through 6 of these missional zone planters with a total attendance of over 1,000 people.  We know that this is just the beginning and God has many, many more great things in store. We praise God for His faithfulness and His presence here.