News from Columbia

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Friends and Supporters:

We understand that we have been silent these days, but in our minds, hearts and daily prayers, we have been present with you.

The situation with health gets stirred up by surprise; all of a sudden, Leonel’s blood pressure escalated out of control. There was no reasonable explanation for this, which forced him to seek emergency medical care. We had never experienced this particular situation before, and it showed us how very fragile the human being can be.

Once his blood pressure was under control with the prescribed medication CABERGOLINA, without being advised to do so by the doctor and due to the high cost it involved, Leonel discontinued taking it for over 4 months. The doctor had not advised him that he was to take this medication on a permanent basis.

During the emergency and because the blood pressure was so out of control, Leonel was sent to an ENDOCRINOLOGIST who ordered a particular CAT Scan. They were not able to do it because of his inability to breathe easily while laying on his back. This difficulty manifested itself after the last surgery of the larynx. The doctor then decided to order another, shorter test. According to the Endocrinologist, Leonel’s condition had worsened due to discontinuing the treatment, causing a critical risk for his life and health. He was ordered to resume the treatment immediately which is CABERGOLINA (PROLASTAT 0.5. MLG.), three times per week.

The Macroadenoma, producer of prolactin, had elevated the levels of said hormone in his organism which was causing dangerously high blood pressure. It was also producing head aches, nausea and imbalance among other things. We praise God that the levels of Prolactin in the blood returned to normal as soon as he reinitiated the medical treatment. Symptoms disappeared completely. GOD’S MERCY AND GOODNESS WAS WITH US ONCE AGAIN. At this point, the Prolactin levels are just about normal.

The ENDOCRINOLOGIST is against surgery of the hipofisis because he understands it would be a high risk surgery which would have side effects and could potentially worsen his quality of life in the future. He says he’ll have to take the medicine for the rest of his life. We praise God that now the government began to pay for this medication through the mandatory health plan. GOD’S MERCY AND PROVISON HAS BEEN MADE A REALITY.

On the other hand, after the second surgery of the larynx, besides having lost the sense of smell and ending up with some respiratory problems, a polyp has surfaced again on the left vocal chord. The specialist believes Leonel should be submitted to surgery again, which he says will not be traumatic. At the moment I receive the news about my third surgery of the larynx, will be on May 4 at noon. 12:00.

Next Thursday, March 24th, Bélgica and Leonel will go to Mitú (Vaupés) with another couple who are church leaders. They will return on Tuesday the 29th. This mission trip is with the goal of giving pastoral care to our beloved son in the faith, FABIO CANO. A theological formation course will be conducted for the leaders and future pastors in the villages of Tierra Grata, Tapurucuara and Puerto Lleras (Quererari river) in the jungles of the Vaupes. They will also conduct the marriage ceremony of 3 couples who are potential leaders in Mitu.

Upon their return, they will receive in our church an itinerant preacher during the first 3 days of April, after which Leonel will go to Bogota for his third surgery of the larynx. One month later he will undergo a variatric surgery (gastric band) due to being overweight. This will happen in May after having returned from the Missions Conference at the Spanish River Church in Florida.
We trust God that after these surgeries Leonel’s health will improve notoriously and his quality of life will be much better. GOD IS GOOD AND FULL OF MERCY AND GRACE. It is our desire to continue working for the Lord as long as we remain on the earth.

We thank God for what he is doing in our lives and the work in Colombia. Our churches are REFORMED, which made it absolutely necessary to distinguish ourselves from the extremes of the powerful charismatic movement, preachers of a false gospel of prosperity, as well as from the proliferate sects in Colombia which under the appearance of Christians, negate Christ as Savior. The number of churches now preaching zealously the undiluted GOSPEL OF CHRIST, is growing all over the country, and God has given us the privilege of participating in this process. PRAISE BE TO GOD FOR THIS.

We have 7 planted, fully functioning churches, 5 in the process of being planted, which gives us 12 places to preach the WORD OF GOD. At this point we are also focused on the Republic of PANAMA, for the formation and development of leaders. God has blessed this effort greatly under the leadership of our missionary pastors: Luis Javier Gil and Fabio Guillermo Cano, who were trained in our Villavicencio church. Thank you for praying for us and for your financial support. All of you have been instruments used by God to plant and see fruit. May the Lord repay you abundantly for your faithful support.

Prayer requests:

1. Theological and pastoral formation in Mitu (Vaupés), March 24-29, 2011.
2. Conferences in Panama from March 18-23. Pray for Pastor Javier Gil and Pastor David Green who are conducting these conferences.
3. Meeting with the Reformed Bethany Presbyter from July 28-31, 2011. Bruce McDowell and Mateo Dubocq as speakers.
4. Second national convention for the pastors of the Reformation in Villavicencio from Jan. 31-Feb. 3, 2012.
5. That God may totally heal Leonel’s larynx. That the surgeries be blessed by the Lord and turn out well. That Leonel may continue to preach and help plant more biblical churches in Colombia where God opens doors.
6. For the construction of the church building for the Reformed Betania Church “God’s Vineyard” in Villavicencio.
7. For the visit of a team from the Heritage Church to our church in Villavicencio during early this year.
8. For plans for a visit from the Maranatha Church, a work in Villavicencio.
9. For the conference for Church Planters in Boca Ratón (Florida), April 30- May 3, 2011.
10. That God may provide a good computer for Leonel. It is a vital tool for him and the one he had is totally out of commission.
11. For resources to build an adequate recording studio for the radio programming which is a mighty tool in the city of Villavicencio and surrounding cities where it is heard.

May the Lord continue to bless you richly. We pray for you daily, full of gratitude and love.