El Salvador

The really good news is that there were 11 baptisms in Costa Rica, all of young people between 15 and 25 (see under Ecclesial News for Santa Barbara, Costa Rica). They have been coming out to things for years but no one would take the step of baptism. Sis. Ana Leonor Ramirez was for many years the only baptized young person in the meeting. There were five brethren in the group baptized. Since they had few brethren in the Costa Rican meeting, this will be a big boost to them.

Bro. Francisco Ramirez said that when our young people went down from San Salvador at Christmas time, it got them all thinking more seriously. In January, they started baptismal classes all together. A couple of those who began studying in January were not ready just yet and now have been joined by another five students. God willing, all seven should be ready by early next year.

Asa result of the contacts between El Salvador and Costa Rica, a number of romances may be budding. We’ll have to see how they develop but it does help relieve the sense of isolation felt by the unmarried brethren and sisters.

Sonsonate

God willing, this afternoon we will be baptizing Carlos Rodriguez. He is 74 and has been coming faithfully to everything for the last two years. He was hoping to wait for Kevin to get back (Bro. Kevin Hunter who returned to El Salvador August 30 with his bride, Sis. Rebekah Abel Hunter). But Carlos has just had two serious strokes and is now paralyzed down one side of his body. He is so bad that the hospitals won’t even keep him anymore. He’ s just been trying to stay alive until his baptism so we plan to baptize him this P.M. He is extremely crippled with arthritis — which is the lesser of his problems now — but he would always be at the hotel early for the lecture, laboriously climbing the three flights of stairs. He told me that finding the Truth was the only thing that made his life worth living.

Rene is doing very well in Sonsonante and his development has been great to see. He virtually never misses a breaking of bread here in San Salvador (a 2-hour trip) then returns for the lecture there. He gives two Bible classes during the week, takes care of the hall, keeps track of the best contacts like they are his personal people, visits the sick, etc. Kevin left him in charge and he’s being very responsible. A fine young brother; a good leader of our young people, too. They all work together well. He’s only been baptized for a year.

San Salvador

Talking about fine young brethren, another good one coming along is Bro. Douglas Vane gas. He gave his first exhortation two weeks ago — an exceptional talk on being 100% dedicated to the work of the Truth, time, energy, heart, money, ambition. The thing that made it so good was that he is a living example of what he was saying. The whole Vanegas family is. They are forever buying things for the hall or doing things like cleaning or repairing things. They have a tiny little apartment, but it is always wall-to-wall CYC on the weekends when the kids come from Sonsonate or just the kids from here all go and spend the night at their house.

Bro. Oscar, another brother brought to the Truth by them, was talking yesterday to Jimmy (Bro .Jim Hunter) and said the young people are arranging to make once-a-month visits to San Miguel and Ahuachapan on their own. He was asking for some advice about how they can arrange their weekends. They are all trying to work at mostly their own expense as well, something we are trying to promote so the ecclesia can become more self-sufficient.

Our lecture series (14 lectures on Israel) continues to draw an average of 20 visitors. Mostly they are repeats, which is good. There are three or four friends who are coming along well right now — the Portillos, a couple from Soyapango in their mid-thirties who have three lovely children. They are studying with Tomas (Bro. Tomas Fernandez). I have classes with two young girls. And I guess! told you that Roxana Figueroa was baptized about three weeks ago. She is 24, a lovely girl who was a school friend of Gina Lily Vane gas. So things are going quite well in San Salvador.

Much love, God bless you all,
Jim and Jean