Phone Number Correction
Sis. Connie Bonvecchio’s phone number was incorrect in last month’s article regarding the library display she has designed. The correct number is (407)624-1659. Our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Costa Rica
A new ecclesia has been established on the coast of Costa Rica at Costa de Pajaros. One baptism has already occurred and several other people are studying for immersion. Bro. Michael Connors, of Orange County, CA, has been assisting the local brethren in establishing this ecclesia.
(Also see under “News and Notices.”)
Puerto Rico
Dear Bro. Don,
We are pleased to report that in May we were again able to visit our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico. During each of five days we were able to spend time together around God’s word and in profitable conversation. Both of the local Christadelphian couples opened their homes to us in a very hospitable manner and we grew closer to Bro. Miguel & Sis. Aida’s two sons, Miguel, Jr. and Manuel.
Obviously, with so few Christadelphians on the island of Puerto Rico, there is need for resident missionaries to work with the brethren and to follow up continuing postal contacts. Over the years, we have accumulated about 1,000 names of possibly interested friends in Puerto Rico. Almost a year ago, we sent these names to El Salvador, as Sis. Jean Hunter had offered to try to rekindle interest from a Central American country rather than having mailings sent out from Canada.
Sis. Sara Boulstridge of the UK, who has lived in El Salvador for nearly a year, has undertaken the task and is presently corresponding with about 45 people who have shown renewed interest.
Would anyone planning to vacation in Puerto Rico please remember that Bro. Luis Fernandez speaks fluent English and his wife, Sis. Petra, can also communicate in English.
For further information, contact Bro. Don Luff, 11 Vera Court, Brantford, ONT, N3R 3B5 Canada (519)756-2682.
Don Luff, CBMA
Eastern regional committee
Guatemala
The following is paraphrased from the “Guatemala Newsletter” produced by “Hermano Paco.”
After the setback of losing Bro. Paul & Sis. Sian Green, who returned home to New Zealand for health reasons, Bro. Ross & Sis. Wendy MeIles are making progress toward establishing an ecclesia in Guatemala. Following a series of lectures in the Hotel Centro, in the center of Guatemala City, a nucleus of serious students has developed.
A Christadelphian meeting room was opened in July where meetings are held on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Meeting times have been adjusted to accommodate the working hours of our friends.
Three people are being instructed in preparation for baptism and we are hopeful that the first Guatemala baptism will take place shortly.
San Salvador brothers and sisters have been visiting and their help and enthusiasm is of great value. In addition, a recent visit from Bro. & Sis. Robert Alderson and Bro. & Sis. Maurie Beale of New Zealand has provided encouragement.
An interesting description was contained in the newsletter about a wedding ceremony legalizing the marriage of a very interested contact. He has been an active student with the “Mision Biblica Cristadelfiana” for close to seven years and has an excellent knowledge of the Bible. As his interest has grown, so has his realization of his position before God, for his goal is to be baptized. While living together for over 11 years, Juan and Maria have never legalized their relationship. This was done at a ceremony attended by family and neighbors and which included a short talk by Bro. Ross and an impromptu 10-minute address by Juan.
It was “a joyful day, and we look forward to one yet more joyous when Juan is baptized, and Maria, too, we pray, and yet beyond to a wedding feast that the Heavenly Father will give, which we all hope to attend, by his grace.”
Panama
Help is needed for both the ecclesia in Colon and that in Panama City. (See under “News and Notices” for more information.)
Burma
An interesting note was recently received from Bro. Alan Eyre regarding developments in this country.
“Discussions are currently taking place between ‘The Biblical Church of Christ’ in Myanmar (formerly Burma) and the Christadelphians of Sydney, Australia with a view to mutual recognition and association in the One Body. This Burmese church has long been ostracized for its loyalty to the major doctrines of the truth, including the nature of Christ and the soul and especially their rejection of the modem charismatic claims to the Holy Spirit such as ‘tongues.’ Agreement has already been reached on almost all essential doctrines. I believe the only difficulty remaining is the identity of Satan.”
For further information contact Bro. B. Philp, 110 National Ave., Loftus, NSW 2232 AUST of the CBM-Australasia.
Oklahoma City
All of America and much of the world knows Oklahoma City as the place of the tragic terrorist bombing that took 162 lives in a moment of time. Those of us in the Truth, however, can now rejoice in the fact that, by the preaching of the gospel, seven lives have been spared the condemnation of sin and death that rests upon all the children of disobedience.
The following story is a brief report of how the newly-formed Oklahoma City Ecclesia began. As they are all new converts from the world with presently no experienced brethren living closer than two hours away, they are considered to be associate members of the Wichita Falls, TX Ecclesia.
Any brothers and sisters planning to be in the area and interested in visiting those in Oklahoma City, please contact Bro. Leroy Sykora (405)848-0201 or Bro. John Clubb (817)592-2230 Recording Brother at Wichita Falls for further information.
A seven-branch lampstand develops
On Saturday, July 22, 1995, seven of the race of Adam put on the saving name of Jesus Christ under a blazing Texas sun. The wonderful event was hosted by the Wichita Falls Ecclesia and held at the home of Sis. Jeannette Davis.
The seven who were baptized all live in Oklahoma City, OK and came from among those attending a weekly Bible study that had been going for years before the first Christadelphian showed up in July, 1992. At that time, about 15 students made up the class, with others joining as studies progressed. Most were led astray, however, by false teachers or their own lack of desire for the things of the Truth. Those who remained faithful in their search and were finally baptized are: Bro. Leland & Sis. Kathy Tate of Jones, OK; Bro. Wayne & Sis. Shannon Smith, Bro. Leroy & Sis. Sherry Sykora and Sis. Krista Baxter, all of Oklahoma City.
Bre. John Clubb and Larry Beutel of Wichita Falls and Bro. Stan Isbell of North Houston travelled to Oklahoma City every three to four weeks to conduct weekend studies. The remarkable thing about the seven who continued to study was their voracious appetite for the word of God. It was not unusual to have a 3 to 4 hour class on Friday evening starting at 9 p.m. with studies taken up again at noon Saturday and continuing for 10-12 hours, interspersed with light-hearted refreshment breaks. Sundays would continue with further questions and answers until the visiting brother had to return home. He went home uplifted by the experience of having such wonderful examples of students of the word with whom to share the glorious gospel of the kingdom.
All seven of our new brothers and sisters gave their examinations to the brothers in Wichita Falls during June and July. On that memorable Saturday afternoon, their baptisms were witnessed by the Wichita Falls Ecclesia, as well as visiting brothers and sisters: Bro. Chuck Colby and his son from Tulsa, OK; Bro. Lance & Sis. Patty Wolfe from Abilene, TX; Bro. Fred & Sis. Laura Bearden and family from Austin (Leander), TX; Bro. Aron & Sis. Darlynn Cherry, Bro. Stan & Sis. Windy Isbell, Sis. Rachel Isbell, Bro. Shannon & Sis. Jeanne Strickland and Bro. Randy & Sis. Mary Kay Vaughn from North Houston, TX and Sis. Julie Nagle from San Diego, CA.
Bro. John Clubb gave the baptismal address while Bro. Larry Beutel presided. Bro. Stan served as the immersing brother and the event was followed by a picnic and fellowship at a local park.
The right hand of fellowship was extended to each after the word of exhortation on Sunday morning, which was given by Bro. Aron Cherry.
Let us keep all of our new brothers and sisters in our prayers as they begin their new lives in service to our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One