The church celebrated the Feast at two places in Central America: Santa Rosa de Copçn, Honduras; and Condovac, Costa Rica. In Copçn, 98 brethren from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras met in an uplifting, loving and united atmosphere.
"It was inspiring to see our brethren so renewed in Christ, so enthusiastic about the doctrinal changes Christ has made in his church and so loyal to him, as never before," said coordinator Felipe Neri.
In Costa Rica, 116 brethren from Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama and the United States realized that human differences are not stumbling blocks for genuine fellowship once one gets involved in the culture of God, according to Jorge Suarez, a member from Costa Rica.
Mr. Neri and his wife, Paula, said this Feast was the most Christ-centered Feast they have ever had. "We thank God for helping us have this Festival focus on the plan of God: human salvation through faith in Jesus Christ," Mr. Neri said.
"In Merida, Venezuela, some who attended for the first time broke into tears at the end because they experienced a different way of life among the brethren during those days," said Salvador Barragan, Festival coordinator. "But of course they were willing to go back to their regular routines after the Feast to live in the way of our Savior."
On the first day of the Feast in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, a 7.5 earthquake shook the area. Thanks to God's protection, no members suffered harm, and facilities used by the church had only cosmetic damages, according to coordinator Jorge Diaz de Leon. A generous offering was collected for the Red Cross to help with the rescue operations.
In Veracruz, Mexico, "members felt their faith strengthened when they saw God's intervention in his protection of the Feast site from Hurricane Roxana, said coordinator Daniel Vazquez.
The most outstanding feature at the Villa Carlos Paz, Argentina, Festival site, was the happy mood and radiant smiles, said coordinator Albert Sousa. One member said about the sermon on prayer: "I am impressed by the way the church is teaching us how to pray better. It is good that we should pray together because that way the children learn about it in a much more meaningful way."
A deacon was ordained and a young man who traveled more than 2,000 miles from Patagonia was baptized.
Charles Fleming, Caribbean regional director, spoke to Feastgoers in Argentina and Uruguay.
The focus of the messages was by far the outstanding part of the Festival in Punta del Este, Uruguay. The brethren were inspired by the Spirit-led fellowship and love that prevailed throughout every service and activity.
Five sessions of Sabbath school were stimulating to the numerous children present. Small group prayer meetings were conducted in the evenings after "A Call to Prayer" was given at the second service.
Unity and harmony were the overall characteristics of a true Festival of Faith in Chile. The brethren heard Christ-centered messages that led them in the hope and calling of our faith in Christ.
Lay leaders participated in the preaching and teaching, and in several small group prayer meetings. An open house service attracted 42 friends and relatives of church members. Five new members were baptized at the Feast, and two deacons were ordained- -one for Chile and one for Bolivia.
The brethren are positive about future growth of the church in Chile.
To accommodate brethren in northern Minas Gerais state in Brazil, a mini-Feast took place in the city of Janaba. The five brethren from that city, plus children, who would have had to go to Uruguay (about 1,300 miles), met with Graham Davies, editor of the church's Portuguese publications.
Since they cannot afford to travel such distances, the church decided to have a mini-Feast for them where Portuguese Bible studies could be conducted. A few Brazilian members attended in Argentina and elsewhere.
Mr. Davies was interviewed on two radio stations. After the Feast he visited members and prospective members in northern and southern Brazil.
No Feast took place in Paraguay or Bolivia this year. Several Bolivian members transferred to Chile and Uruguay and the rest conducted services on the Holy Days only.
Rejoicing in salvation
Brethren meeting in Melgar, Colombia, rejoiced in the salvation God has granted us, according to David Mosquera, local church elder. "The ministers exhorted us to go forward with optimism, knowing that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is before us to guide us, comfort us and correct us."
The women of the church, with the funds they raised during the year, had a party for the children. They gave the gifts they had made to the children and to the women that live outside Bogota, the capital.
Five people were baptized and a deacon and a minister were ordained. "The brethren are happy because the problems related to the sad division experienced in our church were left behind," Mr. Mosquera said. "We have a renewed zeal to support the work of God."
In Talavera de la Reina, Spain, members from Spain, Portugal and other areas celebrated the salvation we have in Christ through faith. Feastgoers gave a special offering for members in Angola.
Brethren attending the Feast in Puerto Rico enjoyed hearing from a different speaker each day as seven local church elders and their wives attended the site.
For many people in Trujillo, Peru, this Feast solidified their faith in Jesus and the work of God. Whatever doubts that remained dissipated, and a new enthusiasm and a fervent desire for the church were reborn. Brethren realized the new Christian focus of the Feast is more excellent and superior to the past focus. The biblical material presented was true spiritual nourishment usable for the Christian life.
Villa Carlos Paz, Argentina --------------- 135
Parque
San Juan, Chile -------------------- 110
Melgar, Colombia
------------------------- 145
Puerto Rico ------------------------------
335
Trujillo, Peru -----------------------------
154
Santa Rosa de Copan, Honduras ----------
98
Condovac, Costa Rica -------------------
116
Janaba, Brazil ------------------------------
14
Veracruz, Mexico ------------------------- 165
Puerto Vallarta,
Mexico ------------------- 650
Rosarito, Mexico -------------------------
151
Talavera de la Reina, Spain --------------- 163
Punta
Del Este, Uruguay ------------------ 106
Merida, Venezuela
------------------------- 65
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