Roofing the Church

Recently, Samuel and one of the men from the church, Bro. Gerardo, did some repairs to the roof of the church. With donations received quite some time ago, we were able to purchase 13 sheets of metal roofing.

The mission van loaded with the metal roofing.

Samuel and Bro. Gerardo unloading the roofing.

Samuel getting the ladder set up.

Samuel and Bro. Gerardo working on the roof.

The old roofing is nearly rusted away.

Samuel inspecting the work done and counting how many more sheets are needed.

As you can see, there are still alot of roofing (rusted through) that needs replacing, but we are off to a good start. We still need some 75 sheets of roofing to complete the job. The sheets are approximately $20 each at the present rate of exchange. If anyone would like to donate a sheet of roofing just let us know at this email address: nolascoincostarica@hotmail.com

Blessings to you all.

Ministry and Medical Needs Update

From the desk of
Samuel Nolasco
APDO 129-2350
San Jose, Costa Rica, Central America
nolascoincostarica@hotmail.com
June 2, 2008
Dear Friends in Christ,
Greetings from Costa Rica in the name of our wonderful Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I want to take this opportunity to give you an update on the ministry here as well as on my surgeries and on the funds needed to complete the procedures.
Each year on August the 2nd , Costa Rican Catholics (over 90% of the population) pay homage to a 3 centimeter tall, black stone idol which they call the Mother of the Angels or the Negrita. People journey from all over Costa Rica, doing the last fourteen or so miles on foot. The “devout” actually walk on their knees for the last 500 feet in worship of their idol which is housed in the Basilica in Cartago. They come to pray to the Negrita, bringing gifts of gold and silver, and even food. In this country of over four million, half of the population will make the journey to worship this idol, believing she will bless them for the next year. Each year we hand out gospel tracts to those in the crowds who will accept them. We want to thank those of you who have provided us with gospel tracts and Bibles in the past, and share our need for more of both as we prepare for August 2nd and the multitudes of the lost. Pray with us that their eyes will be opened to the Truth.
As of today, I have received $7,082. toward the initial needed amount of $20,400 for my surgeries. Early last week, it was determined that I would need a bone graft on the left side of my upper jaw. This would be an additional $3,200. Since future procedures could not be done until the bone graft was completed and healed, I prayerfully made the decision to go forward with the graft. It was done on Thursday, May 29th. It will take at least a couple of weeks to heal before another procedure can be done. I am very thankful that God allowed me to find a dental surgeon who was willing to work with me as funds come available, and although I am still far from having the amount needed to complete the work, I am trusting that God through His people will provide what is needed.
I ask that you would continue to pray concerning my need and the procedures; that all would go well, that I would heal quickly, and that I will be able to manage the pain. Pray also that hearts will be touched to help with the funds needed to complete all the procedures. I am most grateful to those of you who have already helped with funding, and humbly pray that if it be God´s will others would also be willing to help me in this time of need.
May God´s richest blessings be yours.


In Christ,

Samuel Nolasco

May 2008 Mission Newsletter

Nolasco News
APDO 129-2350
San Jose, Costa Rica, Central America
nolascoincostarica@hotmail.com

May 5, 2008

Greetings to all from Costa Rica,

*As always it is a joy to write to you, sharing news about the ministry and the family. We remember you in our prayers and daily ask God to bless you in all that you do for Him. As some of you know, I am in serious need of extensive oral surgery which will cost $20,400. In a recent letter I shared this great need and asked for help as we have no health insurance or savings (retirement). To date we have received $2892.00 and are grateful. The first of several surgical procedures has been done, and I am having to work with the surgeon on a pay-as-you-go agreement. In other words, without the needed funds, no more procedures can be done. We have served on the mission field for over 22 years and God has never failed to provide. This is the first time we have ever asked for a personal need and are trusting that God will provide through His people as He always has in the past. We ask that you would be much in prayer concerning this need and whether or not God would have you help us. Funds should be sent to our home church and designated for my surgery. That address is: Maranatha Baptist Church; 1111 Outer West Broadway; Madisonville, KY 42431.

*The work here is going wonderfully. After what has seemed a long dry spell, God is certainly touching hearts. The church at Ochomogo is averaging 50 on Sunday mornings. God has greatly blessed in the last two months and we have seen nine come forward for salvation. Ten have come forward asking for baptism and three for church membership. We are planning to have a baptism service the second Sunday in July. One of the members has opened her home to her neighbors on Tuesday evenings for a Bible Study group, and a second group may be started in the coming months. The ladies ministry is doing well, and Kathie will soon be sending out a letter about it. We invite you to visit our blog at www.ministeringincr.blogspot.com. There you will find photos of the ministry and of Costa Rica as well as posts about ministry and family. We are presently praying about our upcoming furlough which will likely begin in late February of next year. Later this year we will be in touch about visiting you to give an update on the ministry.

*As always we want to share family news with you. We are blessed in knowing that you care about our children and pray for them regularly. YENI is in Santee, CA, where she is working and going to college since leaving the military. She is active in her church´s ministries to the military in the area. EDEN, Steve, and Olyvia are in Monterey, CA. Olyvia just turned two (yes, time does fly). Steve, who is in the Air Force, just returned from Egypt and we praise God for keeping him safe. Eden is very active with a large group of Christian women there at Fort Ord. LYDIA and Eric, at MacDill AFB in Tampa, FL, are well. Eric just returned from Afghanistan and we also praise God for his safe return. Lydia hopes to return to school in the fall. BECCA and Mike are stationed in San Diego and have a tremendous need of your prayers. Becca is five months pregnant. Her due date is in September and will be having a boy. She and Mike are very excited. Mike, however, is being deployed on May 4th to the Persian Gulf. He will not return until near the end of the year, missing the baby´s birth. Please pray for Becca, Mike and the baby during this separation. ELI has returned to the States and is in San Diego with Becca. He felt he needed to be there with her during Mike´s deployment. Eli has plans to work and go to school while there. Pray that God will open the door to a job for him. KATHIE just returned from a two-week trip to the States. She flew up to San Diego with Eli and visited with Becca and Mike before going on the Monterey to visit with Eden and family. Afterwards, she flew to Kentucky to visit with her mother. She enjoyed her visits but is glad to be home so she can rest. Eight flights in 14 days is a bit much.

*As always, we praise God for each and everyone of you and for the love you have shown us through the years. We love to hear from you. May God shower you with blessings.

In Christ,

Samuel Nolasco

A Request For Help

This past December saw the completion of our 22nd year on the mission field. We praise God for His provision through His people during those years and look forward to many more years in His service. In all those years we raised 5 healthy children on the field and every need of family and ministry was met. God has been so good to us. And in all those years we have never asked for personal help, but feel we must do so now.

We have lived by faith on the mission field throughout our years of ministry without any form of health insurance or retirement, and until the present have never had a situation that made the lack of these a problem. Now, however, we must ask God’s people for help.

For many months now Samuel (my husband) has been having some health problems caused by his teeth. He began having ulcers inside his mouth which are caused by an allergic reaction to the type of metal on his partial dentures. Also he has structural damage to his jaw and damage to the hinge joints of his lower jaw bone on both sides of his face. Eating has become somewhat difficult and he has developed a constant, loud ringing in his ears which is very likely caused by the damage in the hinge joints. His speech is becoming slightly slurred as well, and his lymph nodes are swollen and tender to touch due to the low grade infections caused by this same dental problem. He has over the past few months consulted with two oral specialists, and both agree that repairs should be done as soon as possible before the damage becomes irreversible as he has already lost some bone mass in his jaw. The reparation surgery which would involve some dental implants as well as jaw reconstruction will cost $20,400. Without insurance or savings, this is an impossible amount for us alone, but nothing is impossible for God. I ask that you would pray about this urgent need and if it be God’s will that you would help us. If you have any comments or questions, or if you feel lead to help meet this need, please feel free to contact us here at this blog or at valledelcid2@gmail.com.

Thank you for your love and prayers and support through the months and years, and thank you for allowing God to bless us through you. May God greatly bless you and yours.
Ever in His care,
Kathie

A Day of Life-changing Decisions

February 10th was a very special day in our ministry here in Costa Rica. On that day we had the honor of baptizing 6 young people. The congregation traveled by bus to a small river near the town of Cachi where Sunday morning service was held followed by the baptism. Those baptized were Ricardo (14), Rodrigo (13), Isaac (13), Marcos (13), Arturo (11), and Mirca (8).




Sunday morning service.





Samuel preaching before the baptism.




The six young people that were baptized.



Samuel baptizing Mirca (age 8).





Baptizing Ricardo (age 14).




Baptizing Isaac (age 13).





Baptizing Rodrigo (age 13)




Baptizing Marcos (age 13).




Baptizing Arturo (age 11).


We hope that you will rejoice with us in the decision of these 6 to serve God in their church and in their community. We also hope that you will pray for them, that God will strengthen them as they take a stand for Christ. These 6 precious young people have begun a new life, trusting Christ as they strive to live for Him from day to day.


May God greatly bless you.

Recipes from Around the World #3

It seems I am stuck in the British Isles. Of course, I love recipes from there. Especially from Scotland and Ireland. Here is a great on for you. It takes alittle extra time and planning ahead, but believe me, it is worth it. These are great right out of the oven or even the next day. They freeze well for later use also.

IRISH OATMEAL MUFFINS

These are best if you allow the oats to soak in the buttermilk overnight.

2 c. Buttermilk
1 c. Oats (NOT the quick cook ones)
2 eggs
3/4 c. dark brown sugar
1 2/3 all-purpose flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
2 T. vegetable oil
cinnamon (optional)

Combine the buttermilk and oats, stir well, cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease muffin tin. Put eggs in a bowl and beat until just blended. Add sugar and beat until smooth. Stir in buttermilk/oat mixture. Add flour, soda, salt, cinnamon, and oil. Beat well. Fill muffin tin about 3/4 full and bake for approxiamately 20 minutes. Start testing for doneness after 15 minutes. Makes 24 muffins.

A Christmas of Blessings

The Christmas celebrations are drawing to an end here in Costa Rica as the people look forward to a new year. The sounds of fireworks fill the air from dark until well after midnight every night. Sadly, many have no interest in the true reason for remembering and celebrating. This is why it is so important to reach the children now with the truth.
Our celebrations with the children and the church were hectic, but wonderfully blessed. With help from old friends and new friends we were privileged to make this Christmas a special time for 77 children. Saying thank you to all those who made this possible seems inadequate to express the gratitude and appreciation we feel! Making these young ones feel special and loved was possible because of all of you who cared and prayed and gave. Bless you!!!! Because not all 77 children are in the same location, we actually had 3 different parties. Thanks to you we were able to provide the children not only with a toy, but with some much needed clothing, shoes, and other personal items. We want to share a few photos with you of some happy, smiling faces as well as some shots of the gifts and food and the Christmas drama. Thank you so much for making this possible. We pray that God will greatly bless you in this coming year.