Ivan Tassara Preaching In Catalino's Home

Finally, after 8 months, we were able to begin meeting again as a church. These past two weeks have been a time of great joy for the congregation. We are thankful to be able to be with one another again in the building the Lord has provided for us.

Catalino and Margarita, a couple in our church, were particularly excited. They are the oldest couple in our church and also the ones that have been attending the longest, from the time the church was started. They are very poor economically, so our church has provided them with certain provisions throughout the pandemic. 

My wife and I went to visit them a couple of weeks ago to inform them that the government has given the “OK” for certain gatherings, including church services. This was a moment of tremendous joy for Catalino and his wife. With tears in his eyes, he raised his hands and began to give thanks to the Lord. He expressed thanks to God that His Word will now be preached again in churches each week. 

Ivan And Catalino

Though Catalino does not have an education and does not know how to read, he loves the Word of God. He knows the Word very well and has memorized many passages. He also loves the work of the Lord. In fact, during the pandemic, though they are very poor, he and Margarita set aside their offering each month until the church could meet again. This was very impactful to me and encouraging to the church. They are both an example to all of us.

They also asked me to come to their house to preach the gospel, and when I arrived, six of their children were there, along with eighteen grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren. I preached to them from 1 Corinthians 1-2 on the wisdom of God in the gospel. They received the message and we are now trusting that God is at work in each of them.