September 2024 Prayer Letter
Dear Beloved Brethren and Co-Laborers,
Have a cordial greetings 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.
To begin, we have some bad news and better news in regards to the properties for the church. The bad news is, the previous property in Piedades has been sold and not only that the zoning was not approved for a church and school. The good news is that the Lord opened the doors for a property in Santa Ana closer to the center of town ( 4 minutes driving time) and closer to our home ( 3 minutes driving time). We have seen that property before but we never pursued it, but thanks to Mr. Leiton with his experience with Real Estate, he has been helping us. Apparently it has not been sold yet; it is even bigger square meters wise (6,400 m2/ 68,889 SF) comparing to the one in Piedades (4,456 m2/ 47,964 SF). Not only that, it is also more economical at ($768,000.00 dollars which is about $120.00 per m2/ $11.15 per SF) compared to the one in Piedades ($874,000.00 dollars which was about $175.00 per m2/ $ 18.22 per SF). We are going to try to negotiate to see if we can bring it down to $700,000.00.
Apparently the Lord is sending us back to that property. The property is zoned at the moment for Agricultural but it will be changed to mix use in the near future.
Now, comparing the price of this property with others around it, the prices are much higher (e.g. there is one about 150m north, same street, not a corner lot, about 4000m2 and it cost $1,175,000.00 dollars). That being said, the property in mind, which is also a corner lot, is a much more affordable price ($768,000.00 dollars). Another important thing to consider is, the property in mind looking south is open land and looking west is the Franzt Liszt Schule of Musik, a very prestigious school.
PLEASE, CONTINUE PRAYING ABOUT THIS PROPERTY AND WHAT THE LORD WOULD HAVE YOU DO AND PUT IN YOUR HEARTS. WE ARE READY FOR THE NEXT STEP BUT WE CANNOT DO IT ALONE. PLEASE, ALL FUNDS TO BE REMITTED TO MWBM UNDER SUB-ACCOUNT 05. ENCLOSED, BELOW, YOU WILL FIND TWO VIDEOS OF THE PROPERTY AND AN AERIAL SATELITE VIEW OF THE SURROUNDINGS AND ALSO AN ENLARGED SATTELITE VIEW OF THE PROPERTY.
PRAYERS
- Continue praying in regards to the English service. A couple with their daughter and granddaughter are interested in learning English.
- Continue praying for the growth of the church.
- Continue praying in regards to the Corporation of the church, we need 10 members to form it, so far we have 5. We cannot do anything without it being incorporated.
- Pray about our permanent residency, we have to apply for it three months before January 10 of 2025.
- Pray about my driver’s license renewal, it is due by December 21, 2024.
- Pray about the followers on Face Book regarding the stream line of the services, we need to have 100 followers, as of now we have 88. Thanks to all at Tabernacle Baptist Church who are helping us to reach that goal during our trip. To all our churches, help us reach that goal so we can continue stream lining. The name of the church on Face Book is Iglesia Bautista Alcanzando Para Jesucristo.
- Pray about the Lord to send us a missionary family (Spanish and English speaking) from the states with singing capabilities to direct the music/ assistant pastor.
- Pray about our financial situation, such as: my wife and I reading glasses ($ 818.00 dollars for exams and glasses) which we have been postponing for about two years now because we have no vision insurance and some unforeseen expenses and repairs to our car due to an accident ($1,000.00 dollars). Sincerely and honestly, our monthly income does not allow us to do anything after we pay our personal bills and all the bills for church, especially the rent.
Support Level
We are sustaining an 89% support, by the grace of God; thanks also 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.
Safety with Travels
Safety as we traveled in Costa Rica.
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
- Praise the Lord for His continued protection and provision as we serve Him
- Praise the Lord for the faithfulness of some members.
- Praise the Lord for the faithfulness of a new visitor, Oscar, he also wants to be a member of the church.
My Beloved Brethren, we are truly and extremely excited to see what God is going to do with us, 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!
In Christ.
Brother Jean-Claude & Sister Matilde Guilbaud
Reach the World, Reach for Christ; Under His Wings Reaching the World for His Glory!
