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 The Mission Society recently conducted a Regional Gathering for all of the Latin American and U.S. missionaries in San Jose, Costa Rica. Read the report below from Jim Ramsay, senior director of field ministry, to learn what exciting things took place during the Gathering.

"We have completed three days of our four-day U.S./Latin America Regional Gathering, held at a retreat center in San Jose, Costa Rica. There are over 80 participants – most of whom are missionaries and missionary kids. God has answered prayers to direct our sessions and even our free time with His Holy Spirit. Frank Decker has been teaching from the Bible in the mornings from Colossians, challenging us from God’s Word. Darrell Whiteman led four hours of teaching on the issue of unhealthy dependency that often has arisen in national church plants. Several of the missionaries expressed how helpful these discussions have been and all of us renewed our commitment to helping our partner churches move out of a dependency system and to do all we can not to add to the problems. We have had wonderful times of ministry – praying for all the nations represented the first evening, having a time of sharing in Word and prayer as a large group the second evening, and a rich time of personal sharing and praying for one another in small groups of 10-12 people on the third evening.

One young couple told me today that they feel so much more connected to The Mission Society after the experience they had. We are all learning from one another – as much helpful learning and interaction is occurring free times as well as in the sessions.

This year we are piloting an idea by inviting a church to come and assist us. Four people from a church in Texas volunteered to come at their own expense and have assisted us in our child care, children’s program, and youth program. I cannot overstate the difference it has made to parents to know their children are well cared for and are also being taught. The 19 missionary kids here are having a wonderful experience together. The blessing of having Vicki Decker on staff to work with the women from this church has resulted in us providing such an experience for them.

On our final day we discussed the outcomes of the Horizon Meetings held last October in Prague, focusing in on the results from a field perspective. The gathering closed with a communion service.

Overall, this event appears to have achieved the goals we set – retreat, renewal, professional development, continuing education, and reconnecting. All participants are being asked to turn in evaluations which will help us continue to develop the regional meeting concept so it can provide the impact we desire."