July 2025 Prayer Letter
Dear Beloved Brethren and Co – Laborers,
Have a cordial greeting from your laborers in Costa Rica.
As always, we cannot over state this, we thank and we will keep on thanking our Eternal God, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for sending us on this glorious mission. It is truly a joy as we do His will even in difficult times. We pray that His Holy Spirit will keep on guiding us in the right path of righteousness, to be obedient and faithful until the end, no matter what. We understand that we are living in difficult times and we do immensely thank you for your support, prayers and we praise the Lord for your faithfulness.
PRAYERS
Special prayer for my wife, even though all prayers are precious in the sight of God when we elevate them with a humble and contrite heart. Lately my wife, Matilde, has been losing a lot of weight; I was very concerned so was she, of course. She had seen the City’s doctor about a month ago, the doctor told her to eat at least three times a day plus snacks; but apparently there has not been any progress. So I decided to take her to a private doctor this past Thursday, the 24th of July.
After consulting with the doctor, he made some tests, and then a few hours later he gave us a diagnosis. To say the least, that consultation, including all the tests, was not cheap, we had to pay CRC 159,247. 36 Colones which is about $318.49 Dollars. The diagnosis was condition called “Sarcopenia”. We have never heard of this condition before. He explained in depth of what it was. Well, “Sarcopenia” is a condition characterized by the loss of muscle mass, strength, and function, primarily affecting older adults. It is a progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle and is often associated with aging. Sarcopenia can significantly impact daily life, leading to Reduced Mobility, Functional Impairment, Increased Risk of Falls, and a Decline in Overall Quality of Life. So with that in mind, the doctor immediately started treatment that same day; the treatment will take about six months to nine months; perhaps more it depends on her progress. Each monthly treatment will cost about CRC 94,599.36 Colones which is about $189.20 Dollars each month.
With the diagnosis of her condition, I could see the preoccupation on my wife’s face, but deep inside, I felt the same. We are trusting in the Lord for His protection and provision (Physical, emotional, Financial, Spiritual).
Continue praying for the growth of the church and protection. We are experiencing some spiritual battle and adversity. There is one thing that we have noticed when some people come to the services, after a few times, they get on the defensive when we try to exhort them.
Continue praying in regards to the Corporation of the church. It is not easy to find people with integrity that we can trust and depend on. We are trusting in the Lord, if that is His will, and He knows whom He is going to send
Permanent Residency – Even though I had 90 days to get it, but I could not afford the risk driving without being legal, people are not honest here in Costa Rica, especially with foreigners. With that said, I had to make some sacrifice by not paying some bills of which I am behind now (e.g. insurance for the car, for the next six months which is CRC 215,118 Colones which equals to $430.24).
We have reached 102 followers on the church Face Book page. Now, we can go back to the church page so we can live stream the services.
Continue praying about the Lord to send us a missionary family (Spanish and English speaking) from the states with singing capabilities to direct the music/ assistant pastor.
Pray about out support level, the percentage that we have at the moment is really putting a big strain on us financially. Everything has gone up, if not to say doubled since we have been here in Costa Rica.
Continue praying for Carlos and Nydia Figueroa and the family, Mrs. Alejandra, Gretel and her son Jantzen, Brother Oscar.
Pray for the whole area of Santa Ana, people need to hear the TRUE GOSPEL; Satan has them blinded but they continue in their erroneous ways.
Pray about another location to start the church in Turrialba, San Jose, if that is the Lord’s will, which is about three hours away from where we are.
Pray for a young man named David Gonzalez, he is from Nicaragua; he has come once to the service. I have been speaking to him for a while. He is having a lot of personal problems. He asked me: “If the Lord can restore his marriage”, and I told him, yes. He has two kids, a 17 year old boy and a 10 year girl.
Pray for me as I will be preaching at the first Baptist Church of Liberia in Guanacaste for their 41st Mission Conference on the 9th and 10th of August, 2025. That is the church of the Pastor that invited me to Costa Rica. For him, it was possible to obtain the residence.
Support Level
We are sustaining an 87% support, by the grace of God; thanks to some churches that have increased our support. By faith we have started this journey, by faith we are trusting in Him for His provision and by faith we will keep on serving Him as we do His work, according to His will. We were at 84% when we moved to Costa Rica on January 2020; it was during COVID-19. Due to COVID-19, many churches couldn’t no longer support us, but praise God for some other churches that started supporting us.
Safety with Travels
Safety as always as we traveled in Costa Rica because it can be complicated and dangerous at times. Costa Rica has changed quite a bit, has become very unsafe during these past three years, especially for foreigners, by being robbed, deceived and taking advantage of.
Schedule of Meetings
Schedule of Meetings We have no schedules meetings. We do not know when we will get back to the states, only the Lord knows. We need to focus on the church here in Costa Rica. We have a lot to do.
Softness of Attitude
To stay close to God and focus on Him and the mission that is set before us, not on our circumstances because it very easy to get discourage at times and Satan, as always, wants to put his nose in God’s business. We press toward the mark, the vision that God put in our hearts according to His perfect will.
PRAISES
1. Praise the Lord for His continued protection and provision as we serve Him
2. Praise the Lord for the continued faithfulness of some members.
3. Praise the Lord for the continuing support and faithfulness of all the churches. We could not do it without you.
My Beloved Brethren, we are truly and extremely excited to see what God is going to do with us, we are trusting in Him and we are under His wings and His will.
Beloved Brethren, may the Love of the Almighty God, the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you All. Amen!
Brother Jean-Claude & Sister Matilde Guilbaud
Reach the World, Reach for Christ; Under His Wings Reaching the World for His Glory!