Remembering Chuck – A Testimony From Vico and Sandra

God gave us the privilege of knowing a unique and marvelous servant, known by many as ‘Don Carlitos’ or simply Mr. Charles – who definitively marked our lives through his example in many ways. Spending time with him was like seeing the light of the Lord reflected in his life, his actions, his words, and his total dedication toward others. You only had to say one word and he would end up talking with you about the Lord. 

Lighting the way for others isn’t an easy task. How beautiful it would be if we lit the way for others as Chuck did, without determining whether we need it or not! If we all were to be that light, the entire world would be illuminated and would shine every day with a brighter intensity as he did. Thanks to God, we were able to share many great experiences that remain in our memory and are engraved on our hearts for eternity. We learned great lessons on life that today help us to overcome the obstacles or difficulties we face. We learned also to give without expecting anything in return. Most importantly we learned to love, no matter what.

Our Lord gave us one of the best and most important gifts of our life through ‘Don Carlitos’. We miss him, but we remember him each day for all that he taught us, which were great things that marked our lives. We know that he is in the place where he wanted to be, and we can imagine what it is like for Chuck to be in His presence. His smile must be much greater, and he can sing to the Lord all the songs he wrong for Him.

There is something that Chuck did in every instant of his life that wasn’t easy – he loved the Lord with all his heart and soul and with all his strength. 

Thank you, Chuck. We will love you and remember you always.

Vico and Sandra

Go Therefore and Make Disciples of All the Nations...

Blessings! Please allow us to introduce ourselves. Lynnette and I (John) are lifelong residents of Ohio. We have been married for over 30 years and have been blessed with two grown married daughters, both of whom are serving the Lord.

One day my life was drastically changed, which totally redirected my walk with the Lord. While being employed as a Deputy Sheriff, I was injured during an altercation with a suicidal subject, who was high on heroin and cocaine. During the altercation, my right knee was badly damaged. After two surgeries and much therapy, it was determined I would no longer be able to continue my career. To many, this would be a devastating blow, but my wife and I have used this opportunity to follow the Great Commission, which is not a choice for us to consider, but a command for us to obey…. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

Since that injury four years ago, the Lord has been preparing, training, and equipping us to follow His command. We have become heavily involved with “short term” missions, including helping those in “immediate” need after natural disasters. We have served those in need after tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and fires in the United States. We have made three trips to Haiti to build an orphanage after the earthquake, traveled to Nigeria to work on a desperately needed hospital compound, and ventured to Bolivia to improve a youth camp. We have made three trips to the remote Eskimo villages of Alaska to build churches and had the honor to help build the camp in Port Alsworth, Alaska that participates in “Operation Heal Our Patriots”. We then participated in serving our wounded veterans and their spouses. Locally, we helped develop “Our Daily Bread”, a feeding program in our home town. Both of us serve in a prison ministry called “KAIROS”, and we are both riding members of “Bikers for Christ” motorcycle ministry. We are compelled to love others and long for others to come to the saving knowledge of Christ, and the hope that comes only through Him.   

Therefore, after much prayer and consideration we feel that it is time “to get out of the boat and walk upon the waters wherever God calls”; we believe that the place for us right now is in Bolivia working with LATCOM, which is where I was blessed to be part of a project rewiring many of the buildings at Monte Blanco Christian Camp & Conference Center from February-March 2013. During this time, I was introduced to the many different projects that LATCOM leads as part of its ministry efforts, and the sharing of the hope and love that comes only through Jesus Christ. My wife and I are taking this step of faith into “long term” missions, knowing that there is no greater joy than the joy that comes from helping others and to see them come to accept Jesus as their own Savior!

This step of faith will require both of us to leave our family, friends, church, and jobs. We trust that the Lord will take care of us… through others. We do not enter into this lightly, but with great trust – the trust that comes without borders or limitations to be able to see the mighty hand of God! Will you embark on this call….will you help your brothers and sisters of other nations? Prayerfully consider helping us financially to reach Gods desire. Thank you.

Ordinary people who serve an Extraordinary God,

John & Lynnette Garrison

If you have questions or would like to support John and Lynette, you can contact LATCOM at (724) 924-9070 or email jrgboat@gmail.com.

REDES Project Updates

Our national missionaries and REDES Project leaders continue to work hard serving the people of the Lomerío. Below are two updates from the Fall of 2013:

2013 Women’s Congress  

The Women’s Congress took place in October in the community of Surusubí. It was organized by the Women’s Committee of the Lomerío and the “God is Love” Church, located in Surusubí. The main theme for 2013 was “Women Who Leave Footprints.” Women from different communities attended the congress and participated in different activities, including a talent show called the ‘Night of Shoe Prints’. The instructors for the conference came from the Riberalta Bible Institute in Riberalta, Bolivia. At the end of the congress, the attendees decided that next year’s event will take place in the “Christ is Coming” Church in the community of Monterito in the Lomerío.

March for Jesus

On September 29, 2013, the United Evangelical Churches of Concepción held a March for Jesus. Their goal was to show the town of Concepcion their united faith in Jesus Christ. The many believers carrying banners with Bible verses set out from the North end of the town, and ended their march at the main plaza with a combined worship service filled with praise music and the teaching of the Word of God. The number of participants served to show us all that the work of God is growing in Concepción.

You can these and much more by checking out the most recent REDES bulletin.

My Faith Journey - From Jamie Anderson

Written by Jamie Anderson, a LATCOM mission participant who feels called to return to Bolivia as a missionary with our organization

I grew up in a Christian home, the middle of three children. My parents not only spoke the word of God, but they lived it out in front of us. They sought opportunities to help us learn about Christ and His love.

One of the things they saw could be a great benefit to teaching us was church camp. They signed my siblings and me up each summer for our respective weeks. Although my first two summers were difficult, eventually I grew to love it. The summer between my 7th and 8th grade year, I committed my life to Christ at camp and was baptized. Camp also served as a vessel that opened my eyes to something else that has been a great passion of mine for years – team-building activities – which even influenced my choice to major in outdoor recreation.

After becoming a Christian, God continued building my friendships with other Christians at my public high school. During my sophomore year of high school, a small group of us took over leadership of our school Bible club. Through this I learned to write and teach Bible lessons, grew deeper and stronger in my faith, and began to understand the importance of Christian community. 

God led me from my home in Indiana to college in New York State. At Houghton College, my love for God, horses, and the outdoors were combined and enhanced through my classes on campus. I also spent time off-campus in special focus programs. Beginning with the first student I met at college, God started drawing me closer to missions. 

I had no intention of being a missionary (even though I have an aunt and uncle who minister in Japan). I always thought that would be for other people, not an introvert like me. This thought even continued after I spent a semester overseas in a program that qualified me for a minor in missions. I went on the program for the spiritual growth and adventure components, accepting the missions and culture classes as a bonus. I left the program thinking, “God will never call me to do missions. He just hasn’t made me to do that, and I’m ok with that.” 

About a year and a half later, I was a month away from graduating and still had no idea where I would be working. Then one day, one of my professors called to say there were some visiting missionaries (Tim and Ceci Ramsey) and I should meet with them to hear about a camp (Monte Blanco) they had started in Bolivia. I decided it wouldn’t hurt to listen to what they had to say. 

I met with them that afternoon. I thought it sounded like a wonderful ministry, but again, I thought I had figured out that God had not intended me to be a missionary in a foreign country. I did agree to pray about it and let them know an answer within a couple weeks. As I prayed and talked with others about the opportunity (to which most responded, “That sounds like just the thing for you!”), it became apparent that God did intend for me to spend six months at Monte Blanco helping with programming for the camp’s horseback riding and environmental education programs. 

Once I decided to go, I only had a month to raise the $3,000 I would need for the six months. I was nervous about having so little time, but believed whole-heartedly that God had called me. God confirmed this by raising up the needed support (and many prayer warriors) within two weeks! I was overwhelmed by His provision. 

The months I spent in Bolivia at Monte Blanco changed my mind and heart in a way that made me see I was wrong. God had made me to be an overseas missionary; I just hadn’t found the place He was calling me to until I reached Bolivia. Through the struggles and victories of those months, God inspired me to grow and allowed me to touch a few lives through Him. Most of all, He planted a seed of love and vision of glory for Bolivians.

Since that time, I have known that I am to return to Bolivia to help the ministry at Monte Blanco grow. The road back has taken many unexpected twists and turns. At times, it has even felt like I hit a dead end, but upon praying for God to confirm or reject me returning, He has always confirmed it through things like people unexpectedly asking when I was going back or one time giving me an ornament that had the word “Hope” on it the day after I had told God that I had no hope left of returning. As I look back, I can only see how He has been using each job, each relationship, and each experience to train me and mold me into the person He needs me to be when I return for full-time ministry.

The time for me to return is now! My desire to be in Bolivia, working along my brothers and sisters in Christ, is stronger than ever. I miss Bolivia and the people there as if it were where I had grown up.   Would you please help me return by offering up prayers as I enter a new spiritual battlefield and by considering financial support? God provided $3000 in two weeks before, and I know He can do it again, if He chooses and if those He has appointed to be my support team will step up to His calling.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my faith journey and why LATCOM’s ministry efforts have become such an integral part of my life. I wish all of you God’s blessings in 2014.

If you have any questions or would like to support Jamie, you can contact LATCOM at (724) 924-9070 or email her at jmeanderson@gmail.com.