The following is a letter from my uncle Matt Gruber who is involved with the Palmares Vineyard:
Greetings -
I want to share a story with you on Faith. What is Faith to you? Faith is a choice by all of us – that we believe in God, our Father who unconditionally loves us abundantly……..no matter what we do! Yet in James 2:17 “….Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” For each of us, faith may look completely different on the surface, but the principle remains. The following story is one man’s walk of Faith – for his Father, for his Church, for his family, and for his community.
Elmer Rojas is a pastor for a church in Palmares, Costa Rica. This was a calling by God into his life several years ago. Elmer was a businessman for a long time, traveling Central America and North America, making good wages, living a comfortable life, and providing everything for his family. Yet, he always served the Lord for over 25 years in different ways including short and long term missions. But in 2002, a different calling came into his life along with his wife Monica. They were called to plant a church in a small town in Costa Rica, Palmares. One other church was tried unsuccessfully. Here is the dilemma: leave the comfortable life as a successful businessman, leave a guaranteed salary, company car, nice house and start a church. Is this something you would do? Even consider?
A man of faith believes in God, believes anything is possible with God when He is in the center of all! As a second effort in the town of Palmares, a church was born with only 7 people and over half of them were in his family. Elmer and Monica continued to pray, to listen and to act on the guidance of their Father and the church continues to grow. Today, over 250 adults attend the church and many more children and youth. Many needs of the community are being met through this church including counseling for addictions or marriage or other needs; Christian education for the children, youth and adults; life training for families; skill training to provide better employment and opportunities for the community; retreats for youth, men or women; and many others. All of these have only developed out of the discovered needs of the community and a true walk of Faith!
“We believe in sharing the gospel outside our walls, and more than talking about love and hope we have to be like Jesus showing love and creating hope among those that don’t have it.” Here is a church that understands and lives its vision. This church is making a difference in their community of 35,000 people. But it does not come easy…….
Just in the last few years, here are some of the obstacles they have faced:
- The current rented building has been shut down 7 times due to not meeting current codes.
- The rented facilities limit the number of participants as well as hours of operation.
- The landlord refuses to repair any problems with the buildings.
- Only 1 service is permitted per week.
- The current projects located on the premises include the machine shop, the gymnasium, the sewing shop, a playground, the church for services and youth events, children’s classrooms but all facilities are too small and are limiting the possible growth of the church as well as the means to reach people in the community.
- Parking is extremely limited on the 1/2 acre site.
- And more………
Yet even with these obstacles, the Palmares Vineyard has planted 1 church in Nicaragua, is working on 3 additional church plants in Costa Rica and Mexico, continues to educate the local people with their projects, supports Pastoral Care ministry for missionaries in Africa and beyond, helps families in need when called upon by the city government, works on other social projects to benefit the local community including park clean up, trash receptacles, and more. All of this is done in an economically depressed area of Costa Rica where the base wage is $60.00/ week. During the last 6 years God has provided on a regular basis through much prayer, hope and determination. Faith is a choice!
“The Vineyard Palmares does not give because it has, but rather has because it gives.”
Over the last couple of years due to the constraints of the rented facilities, finding suitable land for the church has been a priority. Land was finally found recently and put under contract. This land totals 15,000 meters or about 3.75 acres. This vacant land would provide the needed space to house all of the ministry needs of the church including the gymnasium, sewing shop, metal machine shop, wood furniture factory, church, offices, youth ministry, children’s classrooms, playground, soccer field and more. But it comes at a cost………$428,000.00 USD.
God promised to Elmer and Monica that they would be an active part in advancing the Kingdom of God as part of their walk in Faith. This is true in everything they have done and accomplished and that is yet to come. This land for the church and the other ministries benefiting the local community and beyond would serve as the base and foundation for the calling of this church, the pastors, and the community of faith. We can all be a part of this!!! Several thousands of dollars have been raised but many more are needed. Time is also very limited! The purchase contract for the land provided for 6 months to raise the money. Today, a little over 6 weeks are left. Elmer and Monica and the people of Palmares need 1000 people to contribute $350.00 each to reach the balance due. A loan through the local banks in Costa Rica is not possible due to the exorbitant interest rates. We can make a difference…….one person at a time! Please be a part of this Walk in Faith, believing all things are possible when God is in the center of our lives. Yes, you can be a part of this miracle!!!
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19
May God Bless you in your Walk of Faith!!!
For more information on the Vineyard Palmares and a ways to help, please visit www.icampi.org.
Matt Gruber, on behalf of Elmer & Monica Rojas
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