January, 2022
“…and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:23
Dear brethren and friends in Christ, fraternal greetings to each one. As we write following this beautiful Christmas time, remembering once again the birth of our beloved Saviour Jesus, the source of redemption for all mankind. Thanks be to God for His infinite mercy and abundant grace to us, His creatures, in giving us salvation through His Son.
We are very thankful to the Lord for keeping our family well in this time of pandemic. We are also thankful for good grades at the end of this school term for Ruth and Jonathan (in the USA), and for our youngest daughter, Melissa. We are enjoying the last few days with Melissa as she will be traveling to the USA in early January to study English in Houston. We are very grateful to God for her life and for the time with us as she has been a great help in the service of the Lord, especially with technology and in ministering to the children of the church (seen at left). We will miss her terribly, but we are aware that our good Father in heaven is guiding her in all her steps.
The year 2021 was very complex due to the pandemic. But the work of the Lord did not stop, it advanced just the same. In the beginning we did all the services by Zoom. The children’s Sunday School worried us most of all. Since our ministry is greater with the children, we needed to pray fervently for them, visit them often, taking them Bible lessons to work on at home as well as food for the most needy.
Thank God that the Chilean Ministry of Health (MINSAL) has an excellent vaccination plan, with vaccinations and the booster dose to the population, and a vaccination plan for children three-years-old and up, which since November has allowed us to meet with the children on Saturdays. We were happy that the children came with their parents. Before the pandemic we picked them up by car, but due to the current situation it was no longer possible to do so. We ended our special meetings on Saturday afternoon, December 18, with a special Christmas program. Janeth was in charge, with the Sunday School teachers helping. They had a devotional and games along with gifts and ice cream for everyone. It was a beautiful afternoon and very blessed by the Lord. We love these little ones so much and it is beautiful to see how God has kept a seed of faith in them, knowing that the work done in these children has never been in vain, as the seed of His Word was planted in their hearts.
Also to report, we rejoice that back in the month of November we restarted the Sunday in-person worship services at the church, with all the protocols that are required at this time. On Sunday, December 19, we celebrated Christmas with a delicious chocolate and Easter bread.
God is also to be praised for the beautiful work of the ladies of our Women’s Society as they faithfully held Zoom meetings every Wednesday in 2021. Under the leadership of Roxana Pozo and Janeth Jara, they studied God’s Word and held times of prayer. They finished their activities for the year on December 8, with a Christmas meal held at the church. During 2021they memorized 28 Bible verses with sister Karen Bravo memorizing the most; she was congratulated and received an award. Also Mrs. Mairim Sanchez, who is a friend of sister Karen Bravo, accepted Jesus as her only and sufficient Savior. They ended the year with great joy in their hearts for that beautiful news. In March 2022 they will restart their meetings, meetings that are a great blessing for each one of them.
Please prayer with us for:
1) The North Seminary classes.
2) The Church of the Sower in Iquique, especially during the construction of their building.
3) The children of the sector and the young people we have seen grow, so that in the year 2022 we will be able to continue working with them on Saturdays.
4) Chile and its political situation, since the future president belongs to the leftist party, and is supported by the communist party.
Brethren, with much appreciation the Jara family, a mission of the Independent Board, wish each of our brothers and sisters in Christ a blessed and prosperous New Year. We thank you for your supporting prayers and kind financial support. May you and your loved ones be sustained by His grace every day.
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” II Peter 3: 18
Your Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Rev. Jonathan, Janeth, Ruth Meylí, Jonathan Edward and Melissa Jara