“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” (Proverbs 29:18) I pray that when you receive this letter, you are doing well, along with your family and loved ones. My family and I are doing well, and we praise the Lord for the opportunity to serve Him here in Puerto Rico.
Our theme for this year is “Vision 2020.” I’ve challenged our church to have a greater vision for the work of the Lord—a vision to reach more families; a vision to see more people saved, baptized, and discipled; and a vision to do more for world evangelism.
When I first arrived in Puerto Rico twenty-one years ago, I knocked on a door and invited a family to church. The mother and son had already been saved and baptized when they used to attend my home church, the First Baptist Church in Hammond, Indiana. The father, whose name is Ruben, was not saved, neither would he allow me to witness to him. Recently, Ruben was hospitalized with lung cancer. Twenty-one years later after completing surgery, he was sent home, and his wife Carmen asked me to come by their home and witness to him, which I did. Ruben had been a Catholic all of his life, but this time he allowed me to witness to him and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with him. After speaking to Ruben for about twenty minutes, Ruben squeezed my hand, prayed the sinner’s prayer, and was born again.
During the entire month of January, Puerto Rico has been hit by hundreds of earthquakes that have damaged many properties and our infrastructure. Buildings, homes, and bridges have been severely damaged, especially on the south side of Puerto Rico. During this time, people have been frightened and scared and asking a lot of questions. Because of this, we have been able to witness more freely, and many have been saved.
PRAYER REQUESTS
• Please pray for souls to be saved, baptized, added to the church, and discipled.
• Please pray for our church growth and its ministries.
• Please pray for the reconstruction of our Fellowship Hall.
May God continue to bless you as you serve Him faithfully. Thank you very much for your love, prayers, and faithful support. It is a high honor to represent you in Puerto Rico. God bless you.
In Christ,
Luis M. Martinez