Despite the Challenges COVID-19 Added to the Ministry this Year, YKPM Served God in Mexico and Central America, Yet from a Distance
This year has presented some unexpected challenges to Your Kingdom Purpose Ministries.
The worldwide pandemic has brought its share of sickness and even death to some of our ministry partners in Central America.
A number of pastors with whom we have worked and supported in some way have had COVID-19 claim them or the lives of their loved ones.
It has also prevented Pastor Douglas, our friend and mainstay—as well as our "hands and feet" in Costa Rica—from carrying on his usual travel to mentor pastors and churches. It has also hampered his ability to lead YKPM's efforts investing in those churches and projects.
Finally, this year's challenges have precluded us from making any trips ourselves there to look in on things.
In Jesus’ own words, quoted in John 10:10, "The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy…” We know that thief is Satan, and he has certainly done his fair share of that this year.
Jesus went on to say, however, that “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
Despite our many challenges, we are grateful God has still used YKPM to further His Kingdom these following ways:
1. The El Chorrillo Neighborhood Playground Project Begins in Panama City, Panama
Midway through the summer months, which is Panama's rainy season, and with work on the playground already in progress, Pastor Abdel Salomon Hay Rios (pictured above on the right) was taken away by COVID-19. However, Pastor Ismael Diaz (left) continues the work, which should be finished in late November. Read more about this project here.
2. Unplanned Project Becomes an Immediate Priority in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua
Pastor Juan Lopez Opinton in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, is another minister that our partner Douglas has been mentoring for some time.
We found out this year that, in April, his home was destroyed by fire. His home served as the meeting place where his small congregation gathers. YKPM was directed by the Lord to help Pastor Juan and his family to not only provide them immediate shelter and food, but to also assist them financially in rebuilding their home.
Pastor Juan and his wife Rosibel experienced yet another tragedy in early September, when they also lost their three-year-old son, Gael, to COVID-19.
In this loss, however, there was evidence of God working through Juan to grow the Kingdom.
Since the death of their son, the size of the congregation has tripled, in which we praise the Lord!
That growth has necessitated the need to provide his church with a large meeting tent (39’x16’), much like what YKPM has done in Costa Rica and Panama for other churches. A congregation member there stepped up and agreed to pour a concrete foundation on which to erect the tent.
3. Wheelchair Ministry Adds a Christmas Gift Drive for Orphaned Children in Zihuantanejo, Mexico
In the summer of 2020, YKPM spent several months collecting 11 wheelchairs and several walkers to support a nursing home ministry their friend, Pastor John Sullivan, carries on in his mission work in Zihuantanejo, Mexico.
They decided to take on the effort again this year and ended up collecting 27 wheelchairs, 24 walkers plus other medical supplies. In addition, they added a Christmas gift drive for surrounding orphanages they work with. Read more about this project here.
You are invited to join our efforts!
God has proven to be the great provider in the nearly five years our ministry has raised funds to help spread the Gospel in Central America and Mexico. We are hoping that you share our vision and might support us with your prayers and, if possible, financial backing.
Jon & Melva Rand
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