Quebrada Amarilla, Costa Rica
- Johnny & Mabel Marin
- Apr 6, 2023
- 3 min read
Johnny and Mabel Marin
We started the new year as we often do in El Salvador. As usual, our trip to El Salvador consists of visiting multiple assemblies and attending and serving in numerous meetings and outreaches. To start the year, we also had the privilege to support Mabel's mom, Etelinda, who often works alongside sister Hazel Brownlie in creative ways to serve and share the gospel with their communities. This year Hazel provided the resources to put together many care packages to distribute to needy families in the town of Los Jiotes, where Mabel grew up. We were able to help Etelinda with the purchasing, putting together, and distribution of the packages.
Baby Marin (Jeremiah Tyler) born March 27, 2023
We returned to Costa Rica around mid-January to start back up with the work in Quebrada Amarilla. The beginning of the year started with many challenges: from health issues such as flu, severe digestive issues, and food poisoning, along with other problems like plumbing and electrical issues, refrigerator breakdowns, and seemingly constant car troubles. But thankfully, through it, the Lord has proven faithful, even in the little things.
As usual, it was a bit of a slow start as many kids and families travel during the holidays, and many don't return until school starts. But as time passed, our group started taking shape, and attendance numbers started returning to normal as many came out to hear the gospel. Sunday nights, we continued with our study of the Local Church. This has created a higher sense of responsibility and understanding concerning their testimony and service to the Lord.
We also started a men's meeting on Tuesday nights. Though we have only gathered twice when writing this update, we have already seen a significant improvement in the men's motivation to grow in their relationship with the Lord and the knowledge of His word. It has also given us a great sense of companionship among the men present as we study what God desires of his men and how we can better fulfill our role as men in our homes, church, work, and communities, according to His Word. This environment also allows us to push each other harder and encourage each other to show up and prepare throughout the week. Two new young guys from Nicaragua, Misael, and Jonny, have joined us in the many weekly meetings. They are both saved and baptized and eager to be involved and active wherever possible. We believe they will significantly help the work and motivate the other men to become more involved.
On Tuesday, March 14th, the house Jonny (from Nicaragua) was living in and his neighbors burned down. Thankfully no one was injured, but they all lost everything they had. We were able to help with food, beds, and clothing; many from the community also came together to help them with anything they could. As far as anyone knows, the fire was caused by a short-circuiting issue, which is no surprise, since our entire neighborhood has a terrible electrical network. The day before this fire, we were visiting a cousin of mine that had lost everything to a house fire the Friday before the incident in the city. Thankfully no one in that fire was injured either. Some ending notes and points for prayer: most permits for building a hall have come through quickly. We are just waiting on the permits for water and plumbing, we were told these would take a month, and it has been almost three.
We trust it will work out in the Lord's timing. One of the things that we have started praying about is a form of transportation for the work. We currently have a car that seats six passengers when there is no car seat, but sometimes our kid's classes require us to transport up to thirty or more kids, plus some adults, and this would probably be a lot easier done with a bigger vehicle such as a van of sorts. We appreciate your prayer regarding this matter.
Mabel's mom has come to stay with us for about a month and a half to help us out with the arrival of the baby and the first month of adjusting to the change. We are very excited about his arrival.
That is all we have to share for now. We truly appreciate all who support and pray for us and the work of the Lord here in Costa Rica. Please continue to pray for the souls that still need saving and for the growth and discipleship of those who have professed faith in Christ.
Spring 2023
Written by Johnny and Mabel Marin - Costa Rica
