Survey Trip and Ordination

*To read our full report on the Guatemala & Costa Rica trip with more pictures and a travelogue click here. Read our administrator's report here.

Jump to: Trip Report, Ordination Invitation

Dear Praying Family,

Pieces of a Puzzle

The pieces are coming together. God has provided 70% of our monthly support! We are so grateful to the friends, family, and churches who have given and prayed for us these last two years. We now have 16 churches and 12 individuals supporting us financially. We lack only a few missing pieces to complete the puzzle. Would you or your church consider helping us make our goal of 85% by November 10? Our mission has a field preparation seminar twice a year in November and April. We lack $609 in monthly support to reach 85%. If we make it to the November seminar we could plan to leave for language school in January.

Here’s one way we might complete the puzzle by November:

Total = $610

Please pray with us that God will provide in His perfect time. If you would like to support us financially, please send us an email or click here.

Guatemala & Costa Rica Trip Report

Thank you to all who prayed for us during our trip to Guatemala and Costa Rica last month. We had an enjoyable and profitable trip! We joined our mission’s administrator for South America, Bob Trout, in order to evaluate the options for language study in these two countries.

I grew up in Peru and speak Spanish fluently. However, Angela will need to study Spanish in an intensive, immersive setting before we can step into ministry together when we arrive in Peru. I also need to improve my Spanish since all of my education has been in English. We are considering Guatemala as an option for language study because I would be able to take classes in Spanish at a seminary and develop the vocabulary and language skills for preaching and teaching.

Our trip lasted from August 27 to September 3. Angela and I spent Friday through Monday in Guatemala City at the Central American Theological Seminary (Seminario Teológico Centroamericano - SETECA). This is one of the most well developed schools in Latin America. The library has over 20,000 books. Students from all over the Spanish speaking world study at the seminary. They have about 1,300 students enrolled in all the different programs they offer. I would be able to study in their Master of Theology program. Most of the professors are native Spanish speakers.

*Click on any image to view a larger version in a new window. Use your browser's back button to return here.

On Monday we met our administrator for South America, Bob Trout, and traveled 45 minutes to the small colonial town of Antigua. There are many language schools in this beautiful little town. We spent some time at the Christian Spanish Academy (CSA), where Angela would study. CSA uses tutors who would work with Angela one-on-one. They offer specialized programs for missionaries and medical personnel.

On Wednesday we traveled to San Jose, Costa Rica. There we visited the language school where all ABWE missionaries currently learn Spanish. The arrangement in Costa Rica would offer an easier and more comfortable transition. They even have a Sam’s Club in San Jose!

In the end we returned from our Central America jaunt with a better understanding of the options. Our administrator approved the Guatemala school for us. All things considered we believe Guatemala will be the best choice. We believe that option will best prepare us for future ministry in Peru. Please pray with us as we near the time when we will have to make that decision.

In Him,
Jonathan and Angela Stone

Ordination Invitation (a note from our pastor)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On August 18, 2004, our church voted to call an ordination council to examine Mr. Jonathan Stone’s call to the Gospel ministry. Jonathan is a member of our church and he and his wife, Angela, have served here faithfully for years. Jonathan has been a member of our church since childhood, his parents being David and Evelyn Stone, ABWE missionaries in Peru. Jonathan and Angela were appointed with ABWE in 2002 and they believe that the Lord is calling them back to Peru for missionary service.

If the council decides favorably, Jonathan’s ordination service will be held at 2:30 P.M. on Sunday, October 24th at the Osterhout Bible Church, SR 92 South, Tunkhannock, PA. We would like to extend an open invitation to all who are interested in attending.

Yours in His Service,

Pastor R. Brian Williams
Phone: (570) 965-2151
E-Mail: bkwill@mymail.emcyber.com