Jumping into the work in 2026!

I finished our last report, telling you I was on my way to Easter Island and petitioned your prayers for a fruitful trip. Thank you, the trip to the island went well, and things are starting off well here in Paraguay. Below is the new welcome sign that you see as you exit the plane. It means hello or welcome in Rapa Nui.

Easter Island January 2026

It has been two years since I last traveled to the Island. It was great to see everyone, and we immediately set up times to study together. The brethren were ready to study the Bible. Every free moment we used for studying. During those times, Carolina, a young woman renting a room from Piki, overheard the studies and began to participate. After a few days, she decided to be baptized. Shortly after her baptism, she returned to her hometown just south of Santiago. I reached out to the members there to let them know and gave Carolina the church's contact info. Please pray for her growth as a child of God. (Pictured below, left to right: Carolina, Uri, Piki, Josh)

The power of the gospel wasn’t done with just one baptism. The following week Piki’s granddaughter was baptized into Christ. Her name is Nani and Cara, and I have known her since she was eleven years old. Now at twenty-one, she makes the best choice of her life. She was home on the island during her Summer break from college in Santiago. It was such a blessing to be a part of this change in her life. Please pray for her growth in Christ also.

During my time on the island, Piki was a big help in opening opportunities to teach and pray with people. We would visit the hospital because she has friends there we were able to go in and offer prayer and scripture to those who were hospitalized. We also went to the prison to visit a lady who had recently been arrested and was waiting for trial for attempted murder. I studied and prayed with her twice while on the island. I was having three to four studies a day with the church members and new contacts that they would invite to the studies. One of the things that I enjoy most is spending time with the members. In the pictures below you can see most of the Oyarce family. Since the last baptism of Nani, it now has three generations of Christians. On my way back to the U.S., I spent my twelve hour lay over with the brethren in Santiago. We are working on getting them involved in the work on the island. Please pray for more laborers and the church.

Kicking Things Off In Paraguay

After about twenty hours of travel, we arrived in Paraguay on January 20th. The first couple of days we recovered from the trip and got settled into our apartment. We are excited to be back and hit the ground running. Working with the members, we quickly put together a plan for the two months that we will be here.

On our first Sunday, I taught class, and we had a lesson for the young married couples group. Cara taught a lesson for the Ladies’ Tea. There were twenty in attendance. We were given a list of members we should visit to encourage and study with while we are here. I also set up time each week to work with Cesar, the preacher in Mariano, to help with the church plant. Please pray for this effort and the church in Paraguay.

Something Interesting

This was my trusty steed while I was on the island. For the economics, as it is cheaper to rent than a car, and I got 50 miles to the gallon on this hog. It was also kinda fun. Yes, I wore a helmet for those I can hear asking. Not for fear of the law or my life, but of what Cara would say.

Below you will see that I was in the right place at the right time to get this picture. Tourism is back in full swing on the island. They are coming by sea and by air. The island took a hard hit when it was shut down for three years during covid but now things are mostly back to the way they were.

Looking Forward

We will be here in Asuncion, Paraguay, until mid-March. We will return to Palm Beach Lakes and prepare before heading out again. Please keep us in your prayers.