Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6
Dear Brothers and Friends in Christ,
We greet you most cordially in the glorious name of our Lord Jesus Christ and are trusting that you are in good health and enjoying God’s presence daily. Knowing, that in spite of how difficult this time of pandemic may be, we can have peace and even joy because God is acting according to His good purposes and sovereignty. So, we are always grateful for your valuable prayers and your financial help in our missionary and pastoral work in Arica, Chile. May God bless you all.
Our Jara family, along with the church is doing well, by the grace and mercy of God. Some of the brethren who were infected with Covid-19 have already recovered, with others still recovering. Thank you for your prayers on their behalf. Our praise is to our God because, in spite of this pandemic, most all of our meetings have been taking place online, and although it is not the same, it is the only means we have to continue with part of our ministry for the Lord.
Ministry in Iquique: The El Sembrador Church
On Saturday, September 5, the annual congregational meeting was held. It was a successful meeting with all the department heads bringing their reports and ideas to accomplish the work in the Lord.
They are a very well-organized church, with brothers Felipe Matamala and Sebastian Orchard weekly preparing a video with evangelistic material, and uploading it to YouTube, in order to reach the lost with the Gospel of Christ. On every third Sunday of every month, Jonathan has the privilege of helping them by preaching the Word of God. Then, starting with the month of September, on the last Sunday of each month, our two churches will have a joint online service, praising the Lord together.
Northern Zone Bible School
Another matter of praise is that our online school has been in operation for two years, and we can see in some students, the desire to become leaders or even pastors in the church. Most of the students are members of the El Sembrador Church in Iquique. Four of them (Brothers Felipe Matamala, Sebastian Orchard, Carlos Silva and Richard Alcayaga) are very well prepared in the secular studies and manifest the desire to prepare themselves for the ministry.
On Sunday, September 6, Jonathan had the beautiful opportunity to be with the brothers of the Presbyterian Fundamentalist Church of Monteaguila, a church in the southern part of Chile. He was invited to speak to the couples. Jonathan was pastor of this church in the beginning of his ministry.
Ministry in Arica: The Berea Church
First, thanks must be given to God for His provision, both for our family and for the Lord’s church. God has been very gracious in using the brethren in the US as they, out of love, have contributed in a special way.
We have been able to buy a large amount of non-perishable food, especially jars of milk, to go to the aid of the brethren and the neediest children of our church. We have also been able to give them some envelopes with money to help with other needs.
In addition, we have purchased Bibles and other books for new believers with these funds. Finally, we purchased materials for the children to work at home, along with a small book of Bible stories. Thank you! We can only say Jehovah Jireh, as we enjoy the provision of the Lord.
Women’s Society of the Berea Church
Praise God for the Women’s Society, which began this year’s meetings by studying the Names of God in Hebrew; it was a great blessing. Now the sisters are studying the women of the Bible. New ladies have joined who are not yet saved; they are friends of Sister Roxana Pozo, and others are ladies who were far from the way of the Lord. On September 16, their meeting even had some visitors from Colombia, U.S.A, and from the south of Chile.
Brother Gonzalo Pantoja
It gives us great joy to tell you about our brother Gonzalo Pantoja, a special young man who, at 19 years old, helps once a month in the preaching. He is pictured here with a blue tie. What makes him even more special is that despite the struggles he has at home (his father is not a Christian) he is never discouraged and is always willing to help in the Lord’s work in the best way possible. We ask that you pray for him to be strengthened in the Lord and to remain faithful to Him. Also, pray that the Lord will change the heart of his father, Juan Carlos Pantoja.
July 29 Youth Camp
We also want to thank the Lord for the online camp on July 29, in which three of the young people from our church participated: Brothers Gonzalo and Francisco Pantoja and Sister Melissa Jara. It was a camp of great blessing for each one of them.
Prayer Requests
- Pray for our family: Ruth Meylí and Jonathan Edward studying in the USA, that they will be safe, and be guided in their studies and spiritual life. Also continue to pray for the health of Janeth.
- Pray for the salvation and recovery from Covid-19 for Arturo Páez and Dr. Mario Maza.
- Pray for Don Eduardo Medel’s salvation and a kidney problem.
- Pray for Fabian Montecinos’s salvation and treatment of leukemia.
May the Lord give us His strength and peace in these difficult days. Psalm 13:5
Your Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Rev. Jonathan, Janeth, Ruth Meylí, Jonathan Edward, and Melissa Jara