McClain Family Blog

Below you'll find the most recent email update from our family sent out by email. thank you for continuing to pray for our family.


Greetings to all! We pray that the Spirit of the Lord has been with you all during these days of celebration surrounding His birth. We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas day at home, skyp-ing family, and then headed out to the beach for the afternoon to eat supper at sunset.

We continue to marvel at God's creation and one thing is sure- those that have never heard the gospel or have never read the Word of God- they still live in a world full of evidence that He exists. I find it impossible to believe that we still deny the Living God although we see evidence of Him all around us- in the flowers and crops of the fields; in the moon, the sun, the stars and the clouds in the sky; the amazing insects, birds, animals and creatures of the sea; the unique differences in men and women, cultures and countries; the heat of one country and the cold of another.

And the Word of god says,

"By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear." Isaiah 45:23

Our prayer requests this week focus on seeing this scripture come alive here in Villareal, Costa Rica. We are becoming more and more aware of the spiritual depravity that exists in the people here. We've had several opportunities to learn more and more about our neighbors and their beliefs recently.

We also have begun to learn more and more about the widespread legends and traditions that have been passed along for generations. The people here, including those who profess their faith in Jesus Christ, also live with fears based on generations of legends and folklore. Faith in different virgens and saints, prayers or actions offered in hope of receiving something in return. Despite claiming to know Jesus as their Savior, many live without security of their salvation. We find evidence of the Christian faith mixed with bits and pieces of Catholocism.

Would you please join us in praying for the people of VillaReal. Please pray with us as we enter the new year and with that comes many parties and festivities. Please pray that God's Holy Word continues to be proclaimed in this area. Please pray with us that our family, along with Pastor Nelson and Pastor Phil and their families, continue to be lights in this dark place. Please pray that we would all continue to made more and more like Christ each day. Please pray that through the preaching of God's Word and through discipling His children, the many years of living in fear and burdened by legends and folklore would be broken through. Pray that God's Word, which is alive and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, will penetrate through the lies and mixed bits and pieces of faith. Pray that the Light of Christ will penetrate the darkness.

Please pray specifically for our neighbors- Ronny and Dinora. Ronny is an alcoholic. Ronny and Dinora have been together for 12 years, have two children, but have never been married. Dinora wishes to get married in the Catholic church, not legally by a lawyer, only in the Catholic church, as an offering to a specific virgen of the Catholic faith in trade that the virgen would take away Ronny's desire to drink. Dinora has begun coming to church with us, Praise God! Her mother-in-law and sister-in-law as well have also come and expressed - Praise God! We believe, in faith, that God will break through the darkness that exists in this family. We believe we will see members of this family come to know Jesus as their personal Savior. We also believe in the power of your prayers offered to God, the Father Almighty.

Thank you for joining with us on this journey. We feel your prayers!

Love,
Matt, Brooke, Ethan, Isabelle and Audrey :)