Jumping Into our new Life and Ministry

Hi everyone,

It's been a few months since our move to Santa Rosa and our last post, and we are so excited to share everything that God has been doing in our lives and ministry!

We have been adjusting well into this new environment, and are thankful for the amazing body of Christ we have around us to support and encourage us daily. It has been awesome getting to know Esteban and Hannah better and learn alongside them as we join in their service. This month we officially became members of the Church "Semillas de Vida" (Seeds of Life) and have jumped into full time ministry. Brandon has been able to help out with a few Sunday morning sermons, and has now taken the position of teaching a 30 minute Sunday School lesson before each service. He has been focusing on discipleship - what it is and how to implement it in our everyday lives. At this point Sunday School is still in the main room with everyone, but as the church grows and the building expands, we plan to have multiple classes available for members of the church to attend. Please be praying for the church as we figure out what the membership process is meant to look like, and that we would be able to carry it out well. Also pray for the expansion of the church building (this takes a lot of time and money) so that we can better teach and have more small groups. Samantha has gotten involved with the children's Sunday School teaching, and is planning on helping out with worship in the months to come! Home visits have also become something that we have really enjoyed.

Brandon sharing a study in La Aldea. 

Another thing we mentioned in our last post is starting to work with the community of La Aldea. We have been going every other week to meet with the people there and have a small Bible study. We have been blown away by the amount of people who have started to come and show a true interest in what the Gospel is! There are about twenty people (including children) for each study, and they are showing signs of great interest as they soak in the lessons and ask questions afterwards. Our goal is to start out with Bible stories that really present the Gospel well, and explain them on the most basic level. Many of them have not heard the truth of Jesus, but only have heard Catholic teachings. One man last week explained how shocked and relieved he was to hear and understand that salvation does not come through works! We are making small strides with this community and are excited to see what God has in store for the town and everyone in it.

Weekends include lots of time with the kids and youth of the church. We love having the GAP students come and help with the activities as they practice their Spanish and learn how ministry works here.

LeAnn teaching the kids a new game for kids club

We are looking forward to heading back to the States for the month of December! It has been almost an entire year since we have been back, so we are looking forward to an extended time to visit people and share all that has been going on in person. We will be holding a luncheon at Keystone church in Lancaster on December 1 to give an update in a large group setting and share a Costa Rican meal. All are invited to come hang out with us, please register HERE so we know to plan for you! As always, we will be busy in our month home, but are so excited to spend time with people who love and support us. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have!

Thank you to everyone who has supported us so well through this season of change and who consistently pray for us.

Beautiful view of the Arenal volcano at sunset

Giving opportunities:

• There are many plans in the works for the expansion of our church building. We are able to continue as the funds come in! If you would like to learn more, or give specifically towards this goal, please contact us at bhoover18@gmail.com
• A faithful attendee of our church just found out that she has cancer. She has already fought this battle twice before, and now it is back again. There is a treatment she can receive in San Jose, but at this point cannot afford it. This includes 12 weeks of treatment, at $110 per treatment. If you would like to learn more about this situation and/or give towards her cause, please contact us at bhoover18@gmail.com.
• If you would like to support us Hoovers in our ministry, you can find more information HERE.

Prayer and Praise

• Praise God for the work He is doing in La Aldea, please continue to pray for the people to have willing hearts to receive His Word and work in their lives.
• Pray for the members and regular attenders of the church to stay committed and faithful to the ministry and to Christ.
• Praise God that we have been adjusting well to the climate and lifestyle change in our move! 
• Pray for our travels coming up this month, and for a fruitful time back in the States.

  

  Brandon has gotten involved in a weekly Volleyball activity with one of our neighbors!

  
  

  

  One of the youth being baptized

  
  
  

  

  Kids club lesson time