In May and June we will have the honor to witness the ordination services of two of our women pastors.

Ruth Vindas, pastor of the Cinco Esquinas Church and Ivette Corea, pastor of the Santo Tomas Church will be joined by friends, family and church members as they recieve prayers and blessings for their pastoral ministry. It will be a joy to stand alongside of them as they are confirmed and affirmed in their calling to serve God's people here in Costa Rica. Early in March of this year, Ruth and I were able to stand alongside of our Chilean sister in ministry, Margarita Campos, as she was confirmed as the first ordained Baptist woman in Chile. We experienced many firsts while there. Ruth's first time in a boat, my first time to drink mate, Margarita's first time to be welcomed officially into the all-male circle of Chilean ordained ministry.

The women in ministry in Chile have suffered under a strong gender preference in pastoral ministry, but are now seeing a new day and freedom to live out their callings, because of this one woman's patient perseverance to hold onto to God's truth and purpose for her life. Having not experienced such strong resistance in following our own callings, Ruth and I were surprised by how precious and significant the ability to speak God's Word and be heard was for our sisters in ministry who have had to struggle against structures and prejudices that want to silence instead of celebrate them. To see the joy expressed, the humbleness honored, and the truth told was a gift to each of us present. Not only were we privileged to be a part of a historical event, we were blessed to see God at work, breaking down barriers and building up the whole Body of Christ which is neither male nor female, but one in Christ.

An added surprise to end of the evening was the news that Margarita received a gift that would allow her to be present in May to stand alongside of her sister in ministry, Ruth, on her ordination day. Glory be to God who makes all things possible and then some.

Blessings,

Mylinda

PS. As an update we just found out recently that the pastor featured in our journal, Margarita Campos, is in ICU at a hospital in Chile suffering from viral meningitis. Needless to say, she won't be attending Ruth's ordination service, but is in need of global prayers for her recovery. Last we heard was that she is talking and on a tenuous and slow road to recovery. Please pray for God's healing power and comforting spirit for her as she returns to full strength.