June, 2025
“Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.” Psalm 106:1
Dear friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, we greet you with the love of our beloved Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and pray that this letter finds you well and enjoying the abundant blessings of our good and faithful Heavenly Father. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for all the support you provide. Your prayers, encouragement, and financial help mean more to us than we can say. We appreciate each one of you deeply and pray that God will richly reward you for your generosity and love.
Vacation Bible School
The Lord is to be praised as He gave us, once again, an opportunity to serve Him through this year’s Vacation Bible School, which was held February 11-16. To reach more children and share the Gospel, we organized an evangelistic outreach campaign in the days leading up to the program. We handed out Gospel tracts and flyers and held small open-air evangelistic services on the streets.
This time, we were blessed to have the support of the Matamala Monjes family, who traveled from the El Sembrador Church in Iquique, Chile. We were also joined by several young members of our own Iglesia Manantial congregation.
Yet, despite all these efforts, we did not achieve the numbers we had hoped for. Evangelizing children has become increasingly difficult. Even though we conducted various outreach activities and visited families specifically to reach the children, attendance was lower than expected. With that said, we humbly ask for your continued prayers for these young ones. Please intercede for each child we reached, that the seed of the Gospel planted in their hearts will one day grow into a living faith and relationship with Christ.
Even though the children’s attendance was not what we anticipated, God opened a new door for us. For the first time during VBS, we offered a Bible class for adults. Some of the parents who brought their children stayed and listened, showing a genuine interest in the Word. This was a great encouragement to us and reminded us, once again, that when one door closes, God faithfully opens another.
Praise to God is also to be given for the fellowship we enjoyed with our fellow believers from El Sembrador and Iglesia Manantial. Spending time in prayer, worship, and shared meals with them was uplifting and reminded us of the beauty of unity we have in Christ.
Although this year’s VBS did not unfold the way we expected, we trust in God, who is always in control. We know that any labor done for His glory is never in vain. We are especially thankful for each new child who came and for those already attending our church who participated once again. They were nourished with the Word of God, and we believe the seeds planted will bear fruit in due time.
Trip to Southern Chile
We were overjoyed to share some wonderful news that our son, Jonathan Edward, was able to visit us here in Chile! He currently lives in Pensacola, Florida, and by God’s grace, had the opportunity to return to Chile after six long years. It was a true blessing to be reunited and enjoy some much-needed time together as a family.
Because Jonathan grew up in the Berea Church, the congregation holds him in great affection. On April 10, we held a special welcoming service. During the service, he shared a heartfelt testimony about God’s protection over him in his work as a police officer in the USA. He spoke about the many challenges he faced and how, through every situation, the Lord has been his guide and strength. He also spoke about how his encounters with people going through very difficult situations have provided unique opportunities to share the Gospel – especially with those who feel lost, hopeless, or burdened by life’s circumstances. It was a powerful reminder of how God can use any profession, including one as demanding as law enforcement, for His purposes and glory.
After spending time in Arica, Jonathan invited us to travel with him to several cities in southern Chile. We had the joy of visiting Puerto Montt, Ancud, Frutillar, and Puerto Varas. It was a beautiful and unforgettable experience. One of the highlights of the trip was visiting the majestic Osorno Volcano. Standing before such a stunning display of creation reminded us of God’s awesome power in creation.
In addition to our travels together, Jonathan was also able to visit his grandmothers and other relatives who live in Chillán and Coihueco. These reunions were especially meaningful for our family. We thank the Lord for the precious time we had with him and the opportunity to reconnect with extended family members. As parents, it filled our hearts with joy to see how our son has matured—not just in his professional life, but even more so in his walk with God.
Berea Church
While we were away, the Lord raised up faithful men to continue the work of ministry at our Berea Church. Brothers Gonzalo Pantoja, Francisco Pantoja, and Nicolás Iturriata stepped in to preach and shepherd the congregation during our absence. Their willingness to serve is a testimony to how God equips His people for His work. These brethren have not only supported the ministry during our time away, but they also continue to serve faithfully whenever Jonathan travels to Iquique to assist the El Sembrador church. We ask for your prayers for each of these men—that they may continue to grow spiritually and be strengthened in their calling to serve the Lord.
Our Daughters
We are also very grateful to God for the progress and dedication of our daughters, Ruth and Melissa, in their studies. Ruth has successfully completed her first year in her master’s program in nursing, and Melissa has just finished her third year of pre-physical therapy. Both have done very well in their academic programs, and we give all the glory to God. We know that it is only through His help and provision that they can continue advancing and succeeding in their studies. Please continue to pray for them, that they remain faithful to the Lord and walk in His wisdom.
Prayer Requests
- Please pray for two young people, Carolina and Erick Gonzales, who have recently started attending our church. Pray especially that their hearts will be open to the message of salvation and that they will come to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.
- Pray for Mrs. Clara Araya and her grandson, Daniel Ortiz, who have also recently begun attending. We ask that the Holy Spirit work in their lives and help them to understand and receive the Gospel.
- Pray for Jonathan’s upcoming trip to Iquique, scheduled for June 24–25. He will be assisting the El Sembrador church in conducting the Lord’s Supper and welcoming new members to the congregation.
- Pray for the women’s ministry at the Berea church. Continue to pray for increased attendance, spiritual growth in each woman’s relationship with Christ and for the ministry to flourish through all the activities planned for the remainder of the year.
In Christ,
Rev. Jonathan, Janeth, Ruth Meylí, and Melissa Jara
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.” Psalm 31:24