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September 2000
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We send you our greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus, to whom
we lift our prayers to ask for God’s grace to continue to
be with you wherever you are. This time we would like to share
the experience we had with the last group that came to Costa Rica
for a mission trip.
It was a group of 19 boys and girls from University Presbyterian
Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Gloria met them at the airport
so they could head off to Upala immediately. It was a long trip.
You could see in the faces of each one of the boys and girls the
anxiety and expectation regarding the area in which they were
going to be working for the coming days. When they arrived in
Upala they saw how humble and simple the place and the people
were. Nevertheless, they did not express any signs of regret or
discomfort and did not complain at any time.
As the days of work approached, the group saw that the task they
were assigned to do was going to demand a great deal of hard work,
energy, physical discipline, and a capacity to assimilate a different
culture. For me, it was extraordinary that they could see so clearly
the challenges that they face. This would determine the success
or failure of the job.
We had six days of intensive labor, where the children (1) prepared
the mixture of the cement for construction (2) did carpentry (3)
did electrical installations (4) painted walls and (5) shared
with and related to the local people in order to learn from them
about the different culture. All of this was done under very hot
and humid conditions.
I must share with you, brothers and sisters, the beautiful spiritual
experience the group and the community had during the ceremony
of the inauguration of the classroom that they built.
This happened on a Sunday morning. The principal of the school
and the leaders of the village organized a worship service to
celebrate the completion of the classroom. A Catholic priest from
the region participated. The part that made a huge impact in me
was when three youths from Baton Rouge stood up and gave their
testimonies about the experiences they had had during those days.
As they talked, tears came out of their eyes and from the people
who were present. I saw the priest react with admiration before
the testimonies the youth made. I have no doubt that those young
people carried the message of the love of Jesus Christ.
Family news and work
During the last couple of months the Lord has blessed our family
with the temporary reunion of our children at home. We have had
moments of great joy in our family, with our children close to
us once again. A few days ago, our son Ofir left for the United
States, where he will start his graduate studies in astrophysics
at the University of Virginia. Varinia has been studying hard
for her final exams to complete her international baccalaureate.
She will graduate in November and plans to go to college to major
in biology or animal science.
Another important achievement in the family is Gloria’s
obtaining her master’s degree in Latin American studies.
The graduation ceremony was this past August 26. Our gratitude
towards God is so overwhelming that we cannot express with words
and at the same time feel in our hearts the gratefulness God has
given us towards you, brothers and sisters.
We are now finishing a series of five seminars on Christian education
for 25 Sunday-school teachers of the Moravian Church. In October,
we will finish these activities and elaborate a curriculum for
the Moravian Church of Costa Rica. Andrés is also teaching
two courses in a master’s degree program with an emphasis
in missiology. Preparing for these classes requires a lot of dedication
and time. In pastoral work, we are preparing the congregation
to take over the pastoral responsibilities once we leave the congregation.
At this moment Andrés’ preaching and teaching is meant
to encourage the membership to assume a commitment for the progress
of the local church.
Please join us in prayer
- To thank and praise God for the amazing recovery of brother
Eric. The prayers in faith of God’s people have made it
possible for another miracle. Eric continues his therapy at
the hospital and we hope that he will return home, soon.
- For the future of our ministry. Starting in March 2001 we
will be in the United States on interpretation assignment. We
would be very happy to share our experience as participants
in God’s mission with churches and presbyteries. Pray so
that God will prepare our journey and our hearts in order to
witness the love of Jesus Christ amongst our brothers and sisters
there.
- For our daughter Varinia. May the Lord guide her in her quest
in finding the right university.
We close this letter by giving our most profound expression of
love and fellowship with all of you.
Your servants in Christ,
Andres and Gloria Garcia
The 2000 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 231
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