Highly regarded family in Jesus Christ,

The one true God in whom we believe and follow in our daily lives, is faithful, provider, comforter and also tests that which he teaches us, with the result that we mature in His Faith.

Our journey to Florida finds us in a new county, West Palm Beach, in a city named Lake Worth, where many Latinos and Caribbean people live.  We have been living for 2 months alone in a one-room apartment which we value greatly, because we have had 12 months of living in different houses with brothers in the faith.

God has shown us his comfort and love by way of the pastors and members of the church in which we are helping.  It’s called “Nueva Pacto” (New Covenant”) It’s a Christian reformed church.  We join in the worship on Thursdays and Sundays.

God changed our rhythm of life on leading us to this city.  We don’t go to groups with Jairo every day as before, because we are quite a distance- an hour’s journey by car at 60 mph.  We have dedicated quite a lot of time to prayer, reading and studying the word and we share with the study groups in the homes God has given us.

On Mondays we have two groups between 5 and 10pm: 4 people participate in each one, the majority Colombians.  On Tuesdays we have a group with a Colombian couple.  Wednesdays, with two Colombian ladies and Fridays with three people also Colombians.

We maintain our link with the church in Colombia.  We talk once a week with the pastor, Francisco.

We have had great joy with Viva Network Colombia.  They continue towards their goals, they have not ceased to function, maturing in their new administration, completing their tasks, enlarging their projects, with a committed board of directors, and so we see that Viva Network of Colombia is in God’s heart, and not just in the heart of Carlos and Nancy.

Moments in our lives

We decided to take the plunge and believe that the God who made the heavens and the earth is able to sustain a rent of 550 USD, also the cost of the phone, the insurance on the car, the electricity and the daily maintenance of Carlos, myself and the car which we have called “el misionerito” (“The little missionary.”

 Carlos had his 55^th birthday.  It was quiet and celebrated with cannelloni, one of his favourite dishes, and with the love of some people from the groups who shared a cake.

 The government help with food, toiletries and medical services for the first 6 months for immigrants has ended already for us; we are enjoying the faithfulness of God in all sorts of ways.

 We have felt like foreigners quite a lot, sometimes had moments of loneliness from the company of brothers, but we know God is with us 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

 Carlos has been troubled by a skin allergy which has caused us anxious moments and tears because we have done everything; prayed, that which the doctor has recommended and many home remedies, but it won’t go.  We are hoping in God that he will give us freedom, because it’s been present for 4 months.

 Our families in Colombia are well, and are enjoying the mercy of God and, except for a very wet, cold winter which has (affected?) the health of our parents who are already quite advanced in years.

Join us in prayer for:

•  We will keep growing in the knowledge and revelation of God.
• We would like that more people would want to open their homes to study the word of God, but many people are not interested, and for others it’s not a priority; Sunday is enough.
• That we would pass the test of our faith and we believe to the end that  provision and health come from God and not from our own efforts.
• If it’s God’s way, a secular, part-time job for us, in order for us to have the monthly budget.
• Courage and perseverance in the study of the English language, because we see that we are not progressing much.
• For each one of the people with whom we study, that the Word of God would be established in them.

For our family in Grove

These verses give us comfort on learning that God has led members of the church (I think the Bernals are referring to Maureen here)

Isaiah 57:1-2

The righteous perish, and no-one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.

To the pastoral family, the leadership group of the church and the brothers who join in the housegroups and each one of the members of the church in Grove from the youngest in age to the most advanced, receive a hug and gratitude for being our supporters with your prayers and offerings.

Reasons to thank God; for

• revealing himself to us in his word every day
• increasing our personal times of prayer and time for the word.
• having placed us in a local church
• giving us new people to study His word with Gloria, Pedro and Claudia.
• listening to the prayers of his children lifted up on our behalf
• that he has provided for all our needs and has given us a place to live as a couple.

Their letter ends:

FAITH COMES THROUGH HEARING AND HEARING FROM THE WORD OF GOD  Romans 10:17