Dear Friends,
We returned to Costa Rica three weeks ago after completing a
trip to the States to take care of several important needs. What
a blessing to see how the churches continue to move forward with
the ministry of the gospel! As a result of the Sunday School
seminar (mentioned in our last letter), we have seen the
formation of a new believer's class. This has raised interest
and excitement in the lives of new believers who want to be
grounded in the Word of God and live a life of faith and
commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Recently we participated in a pastors' conference and received
encouragement and teaching from the Word through the messages of
several invited pastors. It was a great blessing to see many
national pastors with whom we have partnered in the ministry. We
are now seeing "spiritual grandchildren" in their
ministries---those who have answered the call of God through the
preaching of men that we have helped to train. This confirms
that never-ending cycle which Paul mentions in II Timothy 2:2 -
"And the things that thou hast heard of me among many
witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be
able to teach others also."
As I look over our financial statement at the end of the month
and see your name listed and the mission support that you send,
I pray for you and God's blessing upon your life. It also
reminds me of pleasant times that we have spent together in
fellowship at some point in the past thirty-two years of mission
service. Thank you for being an important part of the gospel
outreach in Costa Rica and other countries where we have an
influence.
The devil doesn't give up easily as we snatch souls from his
grasp through the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. Carlos, a
17 year-old boy, recently received Christ and wanted to be
baptized. As he mounted the bus to come to church, his religious
mother ran out to the bus screaming at him not to "convert to
another religion." Needless to say this created an embarrassing
scene for the young man and we had to give some needed counsel
about how to respect our parents and at the same time follow
God's commands. There are no easy answers to many of life's
problems, but God's grace is sufficient and His power is
exceedingly abundant to help us in a time of need.
May God bless you as we near the year's end of 2009!
Working together for Christ,
Russ and Lynn Turner