CT News & Pics December 2024
December 2024
Dear praying family!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Here is the link to view our prayer needs and learn more about our family activities and ministry developments in December!
We start with news that’s in everyone’s mind—what happened with the municipality and their decision to freeze the orphanage account because of land taxes? As news traveled that we should appeal to our non-profit status and that our workers were not getting paid, some quipped: it’s Christmas time … people will let some sort of light peek into their cold hearts and reverse their decision—after all it is Christmas time. This sounded very reasonable, yes, the light of Christmas came to shine— the true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world .... But we also remembered: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. As such, we also remembered the adage: No good deed goes unpunished. Yet as a board, we remained hopeful and managed after long and tedious hours to broker a seemingly strong front that sought to integrate the will and the power to deliver a positive outcome. We heard from the political branch as far high as the governor of the state, from the desk of the local ombudsman, from the city court judge, and from the Ministry of women and people in vulnerable states—a federal branch directly overseeing kids at risk. They all sent out a letter demanding we be heard. At first, the municipality felt the pressure and agreed to our request and immediately promised to give us a resolution. Part of me did not want to celebrate, but we did! As we waited after a long weekend, they went back on their promise and demanded we pay a percentage of the taxes. We had no choice but to comply so as to alleviate our pressing needs with daily operation responsibilities. We have two months to resolve their observation with the wording in our constitution as they demand before they come after us again.
Dear saints, thank you for praying! We aim to be of constant testimony of Jesus amid it all! We have much more to share but will refer you to see our pictures and learn about our happy family reunion with our daughter Abi for Christmas, our time teaching/preaching in Chiclayo, the exciting opportunity to partner with believers in Callanayacu in the jungle, the sending off of 21 graduates from the Elliot Christian School and much more. Please see them all here!
Coming up
December 31, our daughter Abi flies back to school. We pray for better development this time. On the way here she spent over 50 hours without sleep, preparing for the trip and traveling.
January-various dates: Arrival of special teaching guests: Steve Twinem & fam (Canada), Cristian Ramirez (Colombia), Jim Flemming (IA), and from Texas: Charlie Bing, Juan Sanchez, & Mark Haywood. All these dear saints will be packed in our home 😊. We are excited to host them and look forward to learning from them!
January 6-11, 50th edition of Bible training in the region. Pablo will teach lessons on The Church.
January 9, our daughter Gabriela turns 18! Wait up … 18! No way!
January 13-18, second week of Bible training. Pablo will teach lessons on The End Times.
January 18, end of teaching with a special 50th anniversary celebration of God’s faithfulness with teachers and students.
January 19-22, Elders and Leaders Conference—Pablo will be speaking on The Believer and Government Authorities. Pray for those speaking and for the leaders from all regions to have safe trips to and from the event.
The Savior is born and lives forevermore!
Pablo & Sarah CT
