Monday, October 20, 2008
More Pews
When is a problem actually a tremendous blessing? When church attendance has grown to the point that you have to start considering the need to build/buy more pews! What a blessings!!!!!
Monday, October 13, 2008
October Newsletter
Nolasco Newsletter
Apdo. 129-2350
San Jose, Costa Rica, Central America
http://ministeringincr.blogspot.com
nolascoincostarica@hotmail.com
Oct. 13, 2008
Dear Friends in Christ,
Greetings in the name of our wonderful Lord and King. We trust that this finds each of you well and enjoying God’s richest blessings.
God has certainly been blessing our labors since the last newsletter in July. The church in Ochomogo is doing well. We are seeing new faces every week in the services. We have seen five souls saved to the glory of God and three others who were seeking a church home have come forward for membership. There are also seven people awaiting baptism which is scheduled for the second Sunday in December. In Pitahaya, where the congregation has remained small, the church has been working on a building project for many months now. Quite some time ago we asked for funds so that the interior walls could be completed and one of our supporting churches generously sent funds. In order to make those funds be as useful as possible, they were spent only on the materials. The labor has been an act of love over these many months, but is now nearly complete. We hope to have photos of the finished project up on our blog soon. http://ministeringincr.blogspot.com.
The romaria (pilgrimage) in August drew over one million pilgrims who made the journey to Cartago to pay homage to a small black statue they call La Negrita. During that time we handed out over 4000 gospel tracts and gave away 52 Bibles to those in the crowds. As commanded, we have sown Precious Seed and know the labor will not be in vain.
During the month of September we celebrated the International Day of the Child. We had a special service on a Saturday for children in the church and community of Ochomogo. We fed some 60 children a nice lunch and presented an animated film about Daniel in the Lion’s Den. The following day, Sunday, a group of teens presented a drama about not laying up treasures in this life during the morning church service.
Christmas is rapidly approaching. This year we hope to be able to provide gifts for some 30 children whom we know personally and know the situations in which they are living. Within the next few days we will be posting photos of the children on our blog, http://ministeringincr.blogspot.com We are praying that we will be able to raise $20 per child. Gifts will consist of clothing, school supplies, and personal items such as shampoo, toothbrushes, etc. If you feel lead to sponsor one (or more) of these children it would be a great blessing in their lives. If you wish to help in this please contact us at our email address nolascoincostarica@hotmail.com for information, or you can send designated funds to our home church. (Maranatha Baptist Church; 1111 Outer West Broadway; Madisonville, KY 42431).
God has been gracious in providing for my medical procedures. To date I have received $15,600, and am so grateful to each and everyone of you that have help meet this need. However, I still need $8690 to complete paying for the procedures. The procedures have been completed and must be paid off in November. I humbly ask that you would continue to pray for this need and help as you feel lead to do so.
A brief update on our scattered family: Yeni continues to study and work in San Diego. Eden, husband Steve and daughter Lyvi are presently stationed at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, TX. In December they will head to Fort Gordon in Georgia. Lydia and husband Eric remain in Tampa where Eric is stationed at MacDill AFB. He may go on deployment next year. Becca is in San Diego where on September 6th she gave birth to our grandson, Kaiden Allen Osborne (8lbs.3 oz.;21 ½ in. long). She had to have a C-section, but is doing well. Her husband Mike (abroad the USS Peleliu) will be returning from deployment on November 4th. Eli is also in San Diego where he is studying Web Design and Computer Graphics as well as seeking a part time job. As always, we greatly appreciate your prayers for us and for our family.
I would like to close this newsletter with two special requests. The first is that you would pray about our upcoming furlough in 2009. We hope to come to the USA in late February. That, however, is depended on the Lord blessing us with someone to rent our house while we are gone. The second request concerns our ministry site on the internet. Please visit at http://ministeringincr.blogspot.com where you can see photos and more about the ministry here in Costa Rica.
Looking forward to seeing you in 2009.
In Christ,
Samuel Nolasco
Apdo. 129-2350
San Jose, Costa Rica, Central America
http://ministeringincr.blogspot.com
nolascoincostarica@hotmail.com
Oct. 13, 2008
Dear Friends in Christ,
Greetings in the name of our wonderful Lord and King. We trust that this finds each of you well and enjoying God’s richest blessings.
God has certainly been blessing our labors since the last newsletter in July. The church in Ochomogo is doing well. We are seeing new faces every week in the services. We have seen five souls saved to the glory of God and three others who were seeking a church home have come forward for membership. There are also seven people awaiting baptism which is scheduled for the second Sunday in December. In Pitahaya, where the congregation has remained small, the church has been working on a building project for many months now. Quite some time ago we asked for funds so that the interior walls could be completed and one of our supporting churches generously sent funds. In order to make those funds be as useful as possible, they were spent only on the materials. The labor has been an act of love over these many months, but is now nearly complete. We hope to have photos of the finished project up on our blog soon. http://ministeringincr.blogspot.com.
The romaria (pilgrimage) in August drew over one million pilgrims who made the journey to Cartago to pay homage to a small black statue they call La Negrita. During that time we handed out over 4000 gospel tracts and gave away 52 Bibles to those in the crowds. As commanded, we have sown Precious Seed and know the labor will not be in vain.
During the month of September we celebrated the International Day of the Child. We had a special service on a Saturday for children in the church and community of Ochomogo. We fed some 60 children a nice lunch and presented an animated film about Daniel in the Lion’s Den. The following day, Sunday, a group of teens presented a drama about not laying up treasures in this life during the morning church service.
Christmas is rapidly approaching. This year we hope to be able to provide gifts for some 30 children whom we know personally and know the situations in which they are living. Within the next few days we will be posting photos of the children on our blog, http://ministeringincr.blogspot.com We are praying that we will be able to raise $20 per child. Gifts will consist of clothing, school supplies, and personal items such as shampoo, toothbrushes, etc. If you feel lead to sponsor one (or more) of these children it would be a great blessing in their lives. If you wish to help in this please contact us at our email address nolascoincostarica@hotmail.com for information, or you can send designated funds to our home church. (Maranatha Baptist Church; 1111 Outer West Broadway; Madisonville, KY 42431).
God has been gracious in providing for my medical procedures. To date I have received $15,600, and am so grateful to each and everyone of you that have help meet this need. However, I still need $8690 to complete paying for the procedures. The procedures have been completed and must be paid off in November. I humbly ask that you would continue to pray for this need and help as you feel lead to do so.
A brief update on our scattered family: Yeni continues to study and work in San Diego. Eden, husband Steve and daughter Lyvi are presently stationed at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, TX. In December they will head to Fort Gordon in Georgia. Lydia and husband Eric remain in Tampa where Eric is stationed at MacDill AFB. He may go on deployment next year. Becca is in San Diego where on September 6th she gave birth to our grandson, Kaiden Allen Osborne (8lbs.3 oz.;21 ½ in. long). She had to have a C-section, but is doing well. Her husband Mike (abroad the USS Peleliu) will be returning from deployment on November 4th. Eli is also in San Diego where he is studying Web Design and Computer Graphics as well as seeking a part time job. As always, we greatly appreciate your prayers for us and for our family.
I would like to close this newsletter with two special requests. The first is that you would pray about our upcoming furlough in 2009. We hope to come to the USA in late February. That, however, is depended on the Lord blessing us with someone to rent our house while we are gone. The second request concerns our ministry site on the internet. Please visit at http://ministeringincr.blogspot.com where you can see photos and more about the ministry here in Costa Rica.
Looking forward to seeing you in 2009.
In Christ,
Samuel Nolasco
Thursday, July 10, 2008
July 2008 Newsletter
NOLASCO NEWS
APDO. 129-2350
San Jose, Costa Rica, Central America
nolascoincostarica@hotmail.com
July 7, 2008
Dear Friends in Christ,
How wonderful is our God and His loving kindness is never ending! Greetings to each of you in His precious Name. Here in Costa Rica our days are full and blessed. In a recent letter updating you about my surgeries I shared the need of Bibles and gospel tracts with you, and God, through His precious people has already provided the Bibles, and the tracts will be along shortly. While picking up the three boxes of Bibles at the local post office, several of the postal workers expressed a desire for a Bible. I gave out 12 Bibles before getting out of the building. Praise the Lord! How wonderful to find people who have a hunger to know more about God and His Word.
The rainy season is well underway and it has caused church attendance to be slightly lower. However, the faithful remain faithful. Within the Ochomogo church the youth class is the fastest growing group, not only in numbers but in their interest in knowing more about God. We have six saved and baptized young people who are memorizing large portions of Scripture. They just completed a course of Bible study entitled “The Life of Christ”, and are beginning another study entitled “A New Life in Christ”. On July 12th, I will be taking six of the youth on an excursion to Poás Volcano as a reward for learning the Scriptures and completing the course of study. These six are becoming a great help to the church. They are acting as ushers, collecting the offering, bringing the Scripture reading during services, and participating in the choir. It is a blessing to see them growing in the Lord and wanting to know more of His Word. These young people will be the future leaders of the church.
The Romaria (pilgrimage) to “honor” the Negrita will be coming up on August 2nd. This is a national holiday of worship for a tiny (3 centimeters tall) statue of black stone called the Negrita. It is housed in a shrine in the Basilica (The Virgin of the Angels) in the city of Cartago. Between one to two million Costa Ricans will make the pilgrimage (of foot) to worship this idol. Many will walk the last several hundred feet on their knees as an act of penitence in hopes of receiving healing and special blessings from the Negrita. We will be handing out gospel tracts during the “celebration” as a means of sharing the Truth with as many as possible. We ask that you would pray for the people here, many of whom are lost in spiritual darkness.
Recently with the help of one of the Ochomogo church members, Gerardo, I was able to replace some of the metal sheets on the church roof which has been leaking badly since the rainy season started. We were able to purchase 13 metal sheets with donations we had received from some of our supporters quite some time back. We were saving it until a need arose. One entire side of the church needs to be re-roofed and the portion we were able to repair is a good start. If you would like to see some photos of the roofing you can visit our ministry blog: http://www.ministeringincr.blogspot.com.
The economy here is not good. Everything is rapidly increasing in price. Many things, including food, have nearly doubled since the first of the year. The U.S. dollar fell tremendously and overnight earlier this year. It has come back up in value and has stabilized for now. Presently the price of fuel is hurting everyone. Our vehicle, a van, uses diesel and we are presently paying $4.51 a gallon. If a new bill is passed in the next week or so, diesel will increase to $5.11 a gallon at the dollar’s present rate of exchange. Gasoline prices are even higher than diesel.
In the way of family news…..Eden’s husband, Steve, will be finishing up his training in California within the next few weeks. Afterwards he will be heading for Goodfellow AFB for additional training before going on to their permanent duty station. Eden and the baby are in need of a place to stay in the San Angelo area for three months. If anyone has contacts there or has suggestions on how to meet this need, please email us at nolascoincostarica@hotmail.com. Becca’s baby is due on September 5th, and her husband, Mike, has completed half of his deployment and will be home in November. The rest of the family are doing well. Eli still has not been able to find a job and we would appreciate your prayers for him and for all our children.
Briefly, as a update on my surgeries and needed funds… To date I have received $14,465 of funds for the procedures. The original amount of $20,400. increased due to the added expense of a bone graft to rebuild part of my upper jaw. My total expenses will be $24,290. I am still in need of $9,825. to complete all the procedures. I cannot even begin to tell you how blessed I am by those of you who have sacrificed to help me meet these expenses. I praise God for your love and willingness, and ask that you would continue to pray that I will have the funds necessary to complete the procedures.
As mentioned in an earlier newsletter, we plan to head to the U.S. for furlough in late February 2009. Later this year I will be in touch with you about visiting with you and giving a report of what God has been doing through us here in Costa Rica.
Blessing to each of you.
Ever in Christ,
Samuel Nolasco
APDO. 129-2350
San Jose, Costa Rica, Central America
nolascoincostarica@hotmail.com
July 7, 2008
Dear Friends in Christ,
How wonderful is our God and His loving kindness is never ending! Greetings to each of you in His precious Name. Here in Costa Rica our days are full and blessed. In a recent letter updating you about my surgeries I shared the need of Bibles and gospel tracts with you, and God, through His precious people has already provided the Bibles, and the tracts will be along shortly. While picking up the three boxes of Bibles at the local post office, several of the postal workers expressed a desire for a Bible. I gave out 12 Bibles before getting out of the building. Praise the Lord! How wonderful to find people who have a hunger to know more about God and His Word.
The rainy season is well underway and it has caused church attendance to be slightly lower. However, the faithful remain faithful. Within the Ochomogo church the youth class is the fastest growing group, not only in numbers but in their interest in knowing more about God. We have six saved and baptized young people who are memorizing large portions of Scripture. They just completed a course of Bible study entitled “The Life of Christ”, and are beginning another study entitled “A New Life in Christ”. On July 12th, I will be taking six of the youth on an excursion to Poás Volcano as a reward for learning the Scriptures and completing the course of study. These six are becoming a great help to the church. They are acting as ushers, collecting the offering, bringing the Scripture reading during services, and participating in the choir. It is a blessing to see them growing in the Lord and wanting to know more of His Word. These young people will be the future leaders of the church.
The Romaria (pilgrimage) to “honor” the Negrita will be coming up on August 2nd. This is a national holiday of worship for a tiny (3 centimeters tall) statue of black stone called the Negrita. It is housed in a shrine in the Basilica (The Virgin of the Angels) in the city of Cartago. Between one to two million Costa Ricans will make the pilgrimage (of foot) to worship this idol. Many will walk the last several hundred feet on their knees as an act of penitence in hopes of receiving healing and special blessings from the Negrita. We will be handing out gospel tracts during the “celebration” as a means of sharing the Truth with as many as possible. We ask that you would pray for the people here, many of whom are lost in spiritual darkness.
Recently with the help of one of the Ochomogo church members, Gerardo, I was able to replace some of the metal sheets on the church roof which has been leaking badly since the rainy season started. We were able to purchase 13 metal sheets with donations we had received from some of our supporters quite some time back. We were saving it until a need arose. One entire side of the church needs to be re-roofed and the portion we were able to repair is a good start. If you would like to see some photos of the roofing you can visit our ministry blog: http://www.ministeringincr.blogspot.com.
The economy here is not good. Everything is rapidly increasing in price. Many things, including food, have nearly doubled since the first of the year. The U.S. dollar fell tremendously and overnight earlier this year. It has come back up in value and has stabilized for now. Presently the price of fuel is hurting everyone. Our vehicle, a van, uses diesel and we are presently paying $4.51 a gallon. If a new bill is passed in the next week or so, diesel will increase to $5.11 a gallon at the dollar’s present rate of exchange. Gasoline prices are even higher than diesel.
In the way of family news…..Eden’s husband, Steve, will be finishing up his training in California within the next few weeks. Afterwards he will be heading for Goodfellow AFB for additional training before going on to their permanent duty station. Eden and the baby are in need of a place to stay in the San Angelo area for three months. If anyone has contacts there or has suggestions on how to meet this need, please email us at nolascoincostarica@hotmail.com. Becca’s baby is due on September 5th, and her husband, Mike, has completed half of his deployment and will be home in November. The rest of the family are doing well. Eli still has not been able to find a job and we would appreciate your prayers for him and for all our children.
Briefly, as a update on my surgeries and needed funds… To date I have received $14,465 of funds for the procedures. The original amount of $20,400. increased due to the added expense of a bone graft to rebuild part of my upper jaw. My total expenses will be $24,290. I am still in need of $9,825. to complete all the procedures. I cannot even begin to tell you how blessed I am by those of you who have sacrificed to help me meet these expenses. I praise God for your love and willingness, and ask that you would continue to pray that I will have the funds necessary to complete the procedures.
As mentioned in an earlier newsletter, we plan to head to the U.S. for furlough in late February 2009. Later this year I will be in touch with you about visiting with you and giving a report of what God has been doing through us here in Costa Rica.
Blessing to each of you.
Ever in Christ,
Samuel Nolasco
Monday, July 7, 2008
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.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
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
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
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