“GOD IS ABLE” This is how the morning began on Friday when Rev. Darin Pound, district superintendent in Belize, preached during the morning devotional, affirming that God is more than able to provide for His peoples’ needs.  While this was a RETREAT – we are not to go back but to go forward – not in our own strength but in the strength of God!

The district superintendents and their spouses from the CA4 field led the group in a song of praise in Spanish and a smaller group that spoke Kekchi sang a special.  What an awesome way to begin the day together!

Dr. Miguel and Irene Garita, Family Care Ministry Coordinators for the Mesoamerica Region shared how important it is to take care of our marriages, especially in the ministry when so many demands are placed on the family. Dr. Garita also spoke about anger, sadness and resentment and how to handle these strong and potentially destructive emotions with the help of our All-Powerful God. Forgiveness is essential in the life of a Christian.

One of the purposes of this Retreat is to receive training and information. So after a delicious (and abundant) coffee break, Dr. David Wilson, the General Secretary of the Church of the Nazarene, shared with the group details concerning the purpose, procedures and delegates involved in the General Assembly.

As the group left for lunch they sang the Doxology in their native languages giving praise to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The afternoon started out with the district superintendents in one room to discuss the importance of finances with Dr. Moody Gunter and the spouses (mainly ladies) meeting in another room with Rosa de Saenz leading them.  Dr. Gunter spoke about the fact that funds are actually “raised” long before any offering plate is actually passed around. He emphasized the importance of attitude and full surrender to God, about integrity in leadership and stewardship, the difference between a maintenance and a missional attitude, and the need to be joyful, grateful and prayerful in our giving.  Giving needs to be part of our worship. He closed by listing four ways to restore the joy of giving according to 2 Corinthians chapter 8. First, give yourself in full surrender; Second, give by the will of God; Third, give sacrificially; and Fourth, give lovingly.

Then, after a brief coffee break, Ana Zoila Diaz, the Mesoamerica Regional liaison with the General Secretary’s Office, provided packets to each of the district superintendents with information, instructions and forms concerning assemblies and statistics.

While the spouses were in a separate meeting room, Rosa de Saenz encouraged them with words of hope. It was a great time of fellowship while each woman shared their testimony.

The entire group was then able to relax in the afternoon and enjoy the beautiful and restful surroundings provided by the hotel. It was a lovely afternoon. Many had come dressed for a formal photo session, and photos of each couple were taken by the interior waterfall in the lobby of the Gamboa Rainforest Resort.

One interesting observation was made during the dinner hour. On the first day, people tended to sit at dinner with people they knew or with people from their own countries and who spoke their own language. By Friday afternoon at dinner time, it was observed that many were seated with new friends and there was a lot of laughter as people were attempting to communicate in languages they did not speak! While the words were not clear, the genuine desire to communicate and the warmth and caring in the attempts were easily observed!

As the evening service began, the large group of district superintendents from Haiti, and their spouses, filled the front of the ballroom and led the entire group in familiar hymns. While they sang in Creole, everyone recognized the music and sang along in their own languages. It was a beautiful confusion of voices lifted to heaven in praise and worship.

Dr. Gustavo Crocker, the General Superintendent in jurisdiction for the Mesoamerica Region preached in the service Friday night. The message was from the life of Moses described in Numbers chapter 12. Dr. Crocker told everyone that there were three certainties in the life of a leader: 1) there will be murmurings; 2) there will be criticism; and 3) there will be comparisons.  The choice of the leader is to either respond by defending yourself, respond by dividing your people into two groups (those for you and those against you), or you could respond like Moses – allowing God to defend him.  Moses left it in the hands of God, and God interceded on his behalf. Dr. Crocker admonished everyone to be the type of leader that seeks the heart of God in the way of Moses by being: 1) truly humble; 2) faithful in all areas of his life; and 3) filled by the Spirit of God. He then invited anyone who wanted to come to the front and pray. The service closed with this wonderful time of prayer and worship music led by Hiram Galvez.

That evening, everyone left to go to their rooms, or to fellowship with one another, having been greatly encouraged by the events of the day.

Information provided by: Rhonda Slingerland, Missionary for the Church of the Nazarene