P U E N T E Ministries

Partners in Urban Evangelism:
Nurturing, Training, Equipping

January 26, 2010

Dear Friends,

Psalms 77:11-14 says, “
I will meditate on all Your works and consider all Your mighty deeds. Your ways O God, are holy. What God is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; You display Your power among the peoples.”

We’re sure it will come as no surprise to you that God has proven Himself a Miracle-Working, Powerful God yet again during this past year of ministry in Costa Rica! In 2009, we saw God’s kingdom advance in the hearts of those who chose to seek Him and work miracles in the lives of those who chose to see them. One of the miracles happened on July 5th, when God brought baby Sophia Constanza Guerra into the world; working a miracle of life for our co-workers, Edwin and Jesse, after 13 years of praying for a baby. Later, God wonderfully provided a new location for the church to meet. We had been looking and praying about a more central location for two years and it seemed like all our options had been exhausted. Then, one day in September, God showed us a place that had opened up in downtown Tres Rios, only a block from the major bus stops and less rent money than our other location and offices combined. “What God is so great as our God?” What a joy it is to work alongside Him!

Now, 2010 is starting and we’ve just celebrated the church’s third anniversary. As an added blessing, five of the Institute students were able to come back and participate in the festivities. Encouraged and humbled are good words to describe how we felt when we heard the stories of the way they serve. Inspired is accurate too. Delia cares for twenty girls at a children’s home. Rony teaches math and gives Bible studies for university students. Deybee and Jonathan are church planting. Eliecer is working with youth in six different congregations. Truly, God is using each of their individual lives, in tough areas of ministry, and as God uses their faithfulness “His works” and “mighty deeds” shine in El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. Please continue your prayers for the 18 Institute students as they work in difficult places. As we launch into another year with the church in Tres Rios, we want to remember that God's ways are holy and He will display His power among the peoples. Actually, that is exactly what motivates us to keep serving and proclaiming Christ! We believe that God will make Himself known as the Good News of Jesus is taught and people learn to love and obey God’s Word. Discipleship classes will begin again in February and we ask that you pray for this church of new believers to be firmly rooted in the truth of God’s power and trust that His holy ways are best for their lives.

Also this year, changes will occur as the Twitchells go on a six month furlough to the U.S. (from February through August), and Victor and Heidy Hernandez will transition out of the missionary team to focus on working with the pastors of small congregations. The Guerras and Kings will strengthen the foundations of the church plant and begin forming an exit strategy for our team.

Please pray that our four families will have God’s wisdom and vision for the future. It is always such a pleasure to partner with you in work that is eternal! Please remember us, and your Costa Rican brothers and sisters in Christ, and pray we’ll be faithful in the “fields ripe for harvest"

Correspondence: Darrin & Chrissy King, APDO 402-2350, San José, Costa Rica 011 (506) 2281-2956 darrin@puenteministries.org USA PO Box 212, Oronogo, MO 64855 VOIP (620) 514-0135

Correspondence: Roger & Elaine Twitchell, APDO 402-2350, San José, Costa Rica 011 (506) 2250-5514 retwitch@yahoo.com 

Points for Prayer: We’re grateful for the group from Tyro CC! Give thanks for the birth of Sophie Guerra, born on July 5th! Congratulations Edwin & Jessenia! Pray for the believers in Honduras as the political situation gets straightened out. Pray for our stamina in this summer group and camp season!

Interns & Church Plant - Edwin & Jessenia are the proud parents of Sophia Constanza! She was born on July 5th in the afternoon, just shy of being a Yankee Doodle Dandy! They are still in the hospital at this writing, as she came by C-section. But all appears well, and they hope to be home in a few days. For those of you on Facebook, you might see some pix on Jesse’s page before too long! I had mentioned our residency process, and I want to let you know that one of our interns, Edward, has also received his residency status! That’s a great benefit, not just in terms of being in Costa Rica legally, but also in terms of freedom to travel and to get health care through the system here. Edward is grateful for your prayers as well as the contributions to the ministry that cover the extra expense of that process, as are we all. We do ask you to pray for the Churches in Honduras. The news you see on cable or satellite isn’t always the truest reflection of the realities on the ground. Most of the news from our contacts with loved ones there isn’t as sensational or desperate as reported. But please pray for the leaders there. Thanks!

Sí en Cristo,

Roger & Elaine Twitchell

Darrin & Chrissy King