March 2025
Dear Friend, Redeemed Saint, and Child of the King,
“Bless the LORD, o my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases . . .” Psalm 103:2-3
Have you counted all His benefits? How many sins has He forgiven you? We read “all”! Has He forgiven you all your iniquities? He hasn’t poured out His judgment . . . “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities” (v. 10). What are our iniquities? They are the corruptions of our nature, our contrariety towards our Creator, the LORD; our lack of righteousness and all the sins that proceed from this.
The LORD is able to pardon all by His grace, according to His perfect will, should He be so inclined. He can erase and cleanse all your iniquity! If He would but look upon you through Christ, His beloved Son; if He has created you anew in Christ Jesus and made you to turn to Himself through the Cross of Calvary, He has pardoned you by reason of the precious blood of His Son. Forget not this supreme benefit! The redemption of your soul is part and parcel of your pardon, the change which Christ effects in you by His Holy Spirit when He gives you faith in the Gospel of Christ and repentance towards God. From the wonderful birth of the Holy Spirit flow faith and repentance from sin. The LORD renews you—sanctifies you—that you may love and honor Him. Forget none of His benefits! For you owe Him all; you owe Him all your life. It is your responsibility to live in gratitude to your Lord for your breath, your food and all the blessings with which He daily loads you. Is He not your Protector, your Comforter, and your Strength?—He that gives the strength to do all that you do?
Is not Christ the reason you are reconciled with God, Who gave Himself to die in order to remove your guilt and sin and take away all your pains and infirmities, to renew you as He does the eagle? If you are healthy, it is for the grace of God in Christ. Forget not how many times you have been hurting, and how He has shown you His mercy every time, providing what has served or helped you. If you are ill today, look to Christ and ask the Father to rescue you, to deliver you.
He it is “who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (vv. 4-5). So He does for all His children. He redeems us from sin and destruction that He may grant us true life by and in Christ, sanctifying us to walk with Him, even Himself, in the light (see also 1 John 1:6-7). Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Draw near to God, the fountain of every blessing, and He will draw near to thee! (Acts 16:31; James 4:8).
BIRTHS, BAPTISMS & ADOPTIONS
Praise the Lord for the birth and baptism of Abigail Santander in December, the baptisms of Joaquín Gómez and Susana Miranda in January, John-Baptiste’s public profession of faith, and the Medina’s adoption of their new son, Moses (Moisés). (Joaquín and John-Baptiste were also received as new communicant members.) We were also blessed with a visit from brother Bert Behlow from Greenville, SC, for late December and early January. We were also very thankful that he was able to fix several problems with each of our sinks and help with several other various projects.
In January, Julio began studying with Geneva Reformed Seminary and he has now completed his first trimester and is beginning the second. Elías, who attends our services also, has been engaging in some formal theological study as well; and brother Juan is interested in being discipled in that direction.
Our son Josiah is preparing for a year of study and practical experience on the mission field in Kenya, beginning in May, Lord-willing. If you would like to help with missionary support for him, donations may be sent to the IBPFM in Josiah’s name.
Please pray for all of these students; and for grace, patience, perseverance, unity, and God’s will for each of our church families. Paul has also been teaching a class on Biblical Interpretation in the evening on the Lord’s days.
RECENT TRIPS
As summer was nearing, while our daughter Geneva was in Missouri with her grandfather, Isaiah, Josiah, Anna & Sarah visited our missionary, Pastor Hal Ricker, and helped the Ricker family put on two Vacation Bible Schools in Guatemala. Everything seemed to go very well.
Geneva returned and Anna left for Missouri at the end of January to accompany Grandpa Marv for six months. We appreciate your prayers for our Saviour’s saving grace for him. Little Sara Emily is missing her piano teacher.
In early February, the Latin-American Alliance of Christian Churches (ALADIC) met in Cali, Colombia, and Paul delivered a message in Spanish entitled, “Be Vigilant and Affirm Your Christian Identity” based upon Rev. 3:2-3.
Our daughter Sarah Grace accompanied Paul to Colombia for the conference and they also visited with several of Paul’s cousins. Please pray especially for Carlos, Jimmy & Mónica and their family; who accompanied them to worship services on the Lord’s days, that they will continue attending upon the Lord’s worship and hearing His Word; for Cristina and Lucia.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION, TEACHING, GRADUATION & VISITS
Please pray for our daily students, Emilio, Sara (his sister), Isaac, Katie, Faith & John-Baptiste. Pray that Emilio and Sara’s parents will decide to attend worship regularly. Sarah Grace has also added two new English students to her full schedule: Mauricio and Nico. We also hosted a graduation ceremony and party for Joaquín in early March.
Pray for the Lord’s grace to work in two unbelieving young people who recently visited one of our worship services for the first time on March 16th: Dilan from Bulnes and Marcelo, a friend from Concepción.
NEW ACQUAINTANCES
During the summer we have been getting to know three Taekwondo families better. One settled in Chile from New Zealand about two years ago after Nadia (who is Chilean) married Darren while living in New Zealand. She thought she would never return to Chile; they have two young daughters.
We have come to know a fourth family through Rubén, when we needed to transport the pews which were donated to us. Cesar provided the trucks to help us; his son started receiving English tutoring from Sarah and they came for a visit on a Saturday a couple of weeks ago.
Pablo’s wife Gabby came with Nico to a recent Friday evening Bible study in 1 John 1. They live nearby, Gabriela was raised with some evangelical influence and has a lot of family around, though they know little of the Scriptures, and Nico, who is about 18, does not profess to be a Christian. Please pray for these families (Darren, Pablo, Víctor, Cesar and their families).
FAMILY
Geneva returned to Chile in mid-January in time to practice and test for her black belt in Taekwondo. Cheryl, Geneva, Isaiah, Josiah, Anna, and Sarah all received their black belts in Taekwondo; Katie, Faith, and John-Baptiste also advanced, each receiving their new belts, along with Julianna, David, and Pablo Medina from our church. Isaiah has also become the local instructor for the TKD clubin Santa Clara, leading the younger and older students’ training each week.
Please pray for Geneva, Sarah & Katie as they hope to fly to the U.S. at the end of May; and for Isaiah and Joaquín, who are planning a trip which would begin in June, during which Joaquín would probably spend some time with Stephen Zimmerman on his own before being joined by Isaiah in Pennsylvania, before heading further Northeast!
Isaiah’s dried fruit and granola enterprise has been going well, with sales rising. He has given several of Josiah’s friends some work, along with Katie and Faith. Josiah has also led his friends in daily Bible studies when they have come to work. Please pray for Alejandro and Abraham’s salvation.
A SEPARATE PLACE TO MEET NEEDED!
Please pray for the Lord’s guidance and provisions for the purchase of a church property and a dedicated place where our church would be able to meet for worship and classes. In January, we transported twenty lengthy pews which were donated to us and we also need a place to put these. A couple of these pews are currently exposed to the autumn weather here. When I (Paul) first saw the truck I said, this is not going to work! I was right . . . but the truck owner had a second truck available, same size.
So ten pews were loaded on each truck and made the trip.
On Wed. Feb. 26th the Lagos, Medina & Durand families and our friend Pablo Vejar were blessed with a pleasant day together at a nearby campground and celebrated Jessica’s birthday, for a semi-church outing. We met for prayer meeting there and enjoyed a blessed fellowship time outdoors.
PLEASE ALSO PRAY FOR:
Alfredo, Rosita’s son, as he undergoes a complicated treatment for his legs, and his wife, Kathy; for Rosita & her husband Alonso and their extended family; for Rubén & Jenny; Daniel & Karen (have had several Bible studies with them recently); for Paul’s cousins and extended family in Colombia & the U.S.; mostly, a real saving work for all of these—as well as others mentioned above; and that those who are not would begin to attend upon true worship and the faithful preaching of God’s Word! Thank you!
Joyfully Serving Christ by His Grace,
Paul & Cheryl Durand & Family