November 18, 2018 Update
O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. Ps 98:1
We are very thankful for the way the Lord has helped us in so many ways. A year ago, having our own school looked like an almost impossible task, but we thank God for giving us a good first year. Recently we took a year-end field trip to a zoo, and then about 2 weeks later we finished the school year with a picnic. The parents took charge of the games & the teachers did the cooking.
This morning we were also reminded of the marvelous ways in which God works as we listened to close to an hour of testimonies at the close of the service. Brother Elvin gave his testimony of how he had many different women during the time he worked with the National Police, and has many children by these women. He asked his newlywed wife, Amarilis’ forgiveness in public and also gave testimony of what God is doing in his life. Elvin’s 20-year-old sister Roxana, had been a Christian in another church and then fell into fornication, living with a young man for close to a year. She is now living with her brother and family, and this morning she gave her testimony of how repentive she is for what she did and said she wants to live for God again.
Brother Miguel & Rina’s 12-year-old daughter Luz also gave testimony of what God has done for her, and that she wants to live for Him. 
This past week she had committed her life to God. Our 15-year-old Tomás also gave testimony of the commitment he had made about 2 weeks ago. It is hard to convey in words the blessing we experienced hearing these testimonies this morning. Pray for these babes in Christ, that they might be true to the end. Recently we finish d our school visits for this year, by visiting the last 3 schools with the “Torch of Truth” booklets. This year we visited 7 more schools for the first time, bringing the total to 20 schools. Even the teachers in these new schools were very grateful for our visits & booklets. Our little Ester went with us on this last visit & enjoyed helping.
Even though we have seen the hand of God at work in changing lives, we have also been reminded of how Satan, as a roaring lion is seeking those he can devour. Tuesday our son Enrique told us that he is leaving to live with his mother and help her. We told him that it is good to want to help his mother, but that this is not a good time to be leaving. He had his mind made up, and nothing we said could change it. He said he still wants to continue to come to church and also to visit us. When he left, he went out to Villa Alicia where some of the other brethren live, to talk to them before leaving. At this point he has still not gone to see his mother, but is living with Oscar a young man who grew up in the Pilgrim orphanage. Pray for him that he would repent of his rebellion and seek God with all his heart, and also pray for us as we relate to him. Enrique & Oscar were both in church this morning and then at our place for lunch. This afternoon we went to have a service at Tomás’ great-uncle Claudio, who lives about 1 1/2 hour from here. They used to live on our farm and work for us here.
Friday I took a group of 12 men from Matazano and San Jose de Pane to visit a diversified farm in La Esperanza. The purpose of the visit was to help them see what they could be doing in their village as well, because of having the same altitude (5500 + ft.) and similar soil types. The farm we visited raises apples, peaches, nectarines, plums, avocados, blackberries, & strawberry guava. He also raises seed potatoes in screen houses, plus has a large nursery. The owner is an agriculture engineer who spent about 2 hours with our group explaining the different aspects of raising these crops. After leaving the farm we stopped at a restaurant for lunch and while waiting for our plates, I had about 30 minutes to talk to them about the importance of having God’s blessings on our lives and labors. In the afternoon we visited the Ebersole’s coffee processing facility. Timothy showed us around and explained the process of getting the coffee ready for export. They also talked to him about the possibility of selling of their coffee to the Ebersoles, to be able to get a better price for their High-Altitude coffee.
We would appreciate your continued prayers for our health. Sarah found out that she has been having silent strokes (without symptoms) and that the same condition may also be causing her dizzy spells. She has been feeling better since she started on meds, but still has days that she doesn’t feel too good. I have been feeling a lot better, but still feel as if I need a chiropractor for my neck.
We are still in need of an upper-grade teacher for next year, starting in February. We would appreciate your prayers in this, and also would be glad for any volunteers or suggestions to fill this position.
Thanks for all your prayers and support,
David Yoder
