The Grego Gazette

Christmas, 2023

This has definitely been a year with many blessings and challenges! We are thankful to God for His strength and guidance through it all.

Robert has been working pretty well seven days a week for the last several months as he seeks to put food on the table and pay the bills. Since Roxanne finished her time as a teacher at Sojourn Christian Academy in June, we have not had the benefit of her steady income. God provided a full schedule of English students for Robert and occasional translations that have helped us through this half of the year. He continues to coordinate the interpreters’ team at Union Church, where everything is bilingual. He also continues to study Hebrew and he taught one online Eschatology course this year.

Roxanne will begin working at KTS in mid-January, teaching English and Science to fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. She is really excited about joining the KTS team but knows that it will be yet another big learning curve for her. Please pray for her as she adjusts to her new school and group of students. Thankfully, the school is only five blocks from where we live, so she can walk there!

Having a long break to rest and recover from her exhaustion, Roxanne has been diligent in writing (her fifth book in the Zemblanity Murder Mystery series will be published sometime at the beginning of next year!) as well as starting a regular author newsletter for her subscribers. If you are interested in getting on her author newsletter list, please let us know!

Robert has been training to run sprints in the national competitions for several months now, but only a couple of weeks before the competitions he unfortunately hurt his knee (an old injury from high school!) Hopefully, he will be able to compete in the Masters division in 2024.

To boost his performance, he started taking a new supplement called Activ Greens. Not only did it do wonders for him, but Roxanne started drinking it as well, and within a couple of weeks had eliminated her plantar fasciitis! If you are interested in finding out more, we will gladly send you information.

Roxanne became aware of her diminishing hearing about fifteen years ago when we lived in Honduras. No one told us that hearing aids would detain the deterioration of her hearing, nor were we told that hearing loss affects memory! We did nothing about it. When she recently went to get tested again, we discovered she has only 60-65% of her hearing. Unable to pay for the better hearing aids, we opted to go into debt to buy the kind that hook over her ears. She struggles with them, however, as they constantly fall off and often hurt her ears. Pray that she will adjust to them. She will need to get different glasses that would make their use easier.

It has been wonderful having Julianna living with us here in Costa Rica. She works from home as a travel agent four days a week and commutes to work across town once a week. This year, she began a relationship with Daniel, who has become like a member of the family. We play table games and spend time together every weekend. After an accident, which left Danny with a head injury, he was grateful for our prayers and support, as well as those from people at church. He prayed to receive Christ as his Lord and Saviour, and we have been sharing gospel truths with him whenever he comes to visit. For his birthday, we gifted him a beautiful study Bible. Please pray for his continued healing from his head injury and growth in his spiritual walk.

Our son, David, continues to struggle with chronic depression. It has been a very difficult year for him. Please lift him before the throne of grace for healing, restoration, and provision.

We look forward to 2024 with great anticipation for what God will do in and through us. May He fill your home with His love, peace, and light this Christmas and New Year!

Grateful for His goodness and mercy,

Robert & Roxanne

May-June, 2023

We have kept busy as the halfway mark of 2023 approaches. Robert’s English students have increased simply by word of mouth. Just this past month he has taken on three more young professionals. He is up to nine weekly, private ESL classes! He has been translating a book by Pastor Gale Kragt, from Michigan, called God Moments. There are a couple more books, by different authors, waiting in line to be translated. He has also been teaching an online course on Eschatology on Wednesday nights. And he is part of the weekly interpreting team at the bilingual church where we attend.

Roxanne gave notice at her school that she will not continue next year, as she has been very tired. Taking melatonin at night has helped her to sleep, thank God. She will probably do more tutoring and teaching online English so that she can also have time to do ministry and write. Despite her exhaustion and extra work, she has managed to finish her book called Seeds of Blessing. It is now available on Amazon (link below)! Be sure to get your copy, as it will encourage you to be a channel of blessing to many others around you! One great way to multiply people who bless others is by sending this book as a gift to friends and coworkers.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C526FCTC/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1684105452&sr=8-1

Please continue to pray for our children to be drawn closer to Jesus.

Roxanne will be going up to Canada to visit David and the granddaughters once school is finished in mid-June. Please pray for traveling mercies and for her to be an encouragement to David, who has been very depressed. Because all of his ID had been stolen, he hasn’t been able to get a job nor access his money from his bank account. It has been another difficult year for him.

We hope that 2023 has been going well for you thus far! May the Lord continue to bless you all as you trust in Him.

In Christ's brotherly love,

Robert and Roxanne

The Grego Gazette - Christmas, 2023

Time flies when you are keeping busy! Already it is the end of 2022! Our desire is that God would be glorified in our lives and yours in the upcoming year of 2023.

Robert finished teaching an online course on Eschatology, with 35 students from 3 countries and will start up one or two more Bible classes in January, one of which might be in person. He also teaches a few one-on-one, advanced English classes online, as well as translating documents and books. And he is one of the regular interpreters for the Sunday services at our bilingual church.

Roxanne just finished another semester teaching first and second-graders English, Science, and History at Sojourn Academy. She loves teaching and discipling the kids in her classes, but it has been exhausting for her. She constantly works extra unpaid hours and also does tutoring. But, despite that, she still managed to publish her fourth book in the Zemblanity Murder Mystery series! Her books are available on Amazon. The final book in the series should come out in 2023 and another stand-alone book as well, which she has almost finished writing.

David had another scare recently when a knee injury almost caused him to lose his leg! He spent a week in the hospital on heavy IV doses of antibiotics and painkillers. Thankfully, he is recovering well. He seems to be pulling out of his depression and taking action to get his daughters back. 

Julianna works five days a week as an online travel agent here in Costa Rica. They are happy with her work and recently moved her up to deal with more demanding, high-profile clients.

We have served the Lord in several countries over the years and, more often than not, we don’t get feedback regarding the impact our ministry has had on people. This year, however, we had the blessing of hearing from some people who have used our training well or been touched by the Gospel. Here are just a few examples:

*Jorge approached me (Roxanne) at church a few weeks back to tell me that Robert and I catapulted him into ministry many years ago when we invited him to take one of our children’s ministry training courses. He informed me that he has been in full-time ministry ever since, reaching out to needy children and their families and preaching the Word. He thanked us for being used by God to impact his life because it has multiplied the impact on many people in Costa Rica and beyond. He recently traveled to El Salvador and Nicaragua to evangelize and train church leaders there.

*Carlos is a well-known Christian leader in Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico, where I (Roxanne) worked for several years as a single missionary. He is the director of a mission that sends Mexicans all over the world as missionaries. Recently, my friend, Tracey, (who still serves the Lord in Mexico) ran into him. He told of how he came to know Jesus through one of the evangelistic campaigns that we did back in our first summer in Mexico as Spearheaders!

*When serving in Brazil, Robert and I took Joceane, a mother of three, under our wings as our helper in children's ministry. She quickly learned the principles and techniques and enjoyed it so much that she enrolled in the university to become a teacher. She wrote to us recently with great excitement to let us know she was asked to be in charge of the children’s ministry at the church.

Roxanne with Jorge outside our church

Galatians 6:9 - Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Family prayer requests:

- For increased enrollment in Robert’s courses and the extra income we need for him to continue in this teaching ministry.

- For continued strength, wisdom, and energy for Roxanne in her job and her writing.

- For David to find a good job and gain custody of his daughters. They are currently living with relatives, rather than with either of their parents.

- For Julianna to be drawn back to the Lord.

Thank you for your prayers for our family. How grateful we are for the opportunities the Lord gives us to continue reaching out to disciple, train or share the Gospel with others. May He continue to open doors for ministry for us in 2023. We are thankful to the Lord for each one of you and pray His love, peace, joy, wisdom, and strength will inundate your homes this Christmas season and in the New Year of 2023.

Robert & Roxanne

The Grego Gazette, July 2022

We have been in our new rental home for six months now and finally were able to buy a couch last month. We look forward to having visitors and leading Bible studies now that people have someplace to sit!

Robert finished translating a Christian book called The Drama of Discipleship and hopes to begin translating another one soon. He finished teaching his online course on Genesis and began another one on Eschatology with over thirty students. Our plan is for him have two or three classes going throughout the week. The students find out about his courses by word of mouth. He hopes to offer his courses in both English and Portuguese as well. Though he offers these courses free of charge, some grateful students are willing to support him, so he can devote himself full time to the ministry.

Roxanne had a challenging but blessed semester teaching first and second grade English, Bible, and Science. The school year culminated with her witnessing the graduation of the kindergarteners who will become her students in September and of the sixth graders who were her first-grade students five years ago! She is happy now to be at Spearhead 50^th anniversary celebrations in Mexico City, and will take advantage of her visit there to see friends and give a training seminar. Do keep her in your prayers for safe travels and for wisdom as she teaches on Saturday, July 16.

David continues to struggle with overcoming the depression caused by his separation from his wife and children. Please keep him in your prayers, that he will come out victorious and stronger in the Lord than ever before. Pray for his daughters during this transition time. Though he has a job, he has had a hard time finding a place to live, spending all his earnings and much of ours living in a hotel. Pray he finds a place soon and that people will come alongside him to encourage him. He longs for a suitable place where he can have his girls come to live with him.

Julianna put up with being yelled at constantly at her call centre job for four months, and she finally quit when God opened the door for a job at a travel agency. She is so happy at her new job, which has a much better working environment. Continue to pray that she will be drawn to the Lord and become the woman of God she is meant to be.

Thank you for your prayers for our family. Please let us know how we can pray for you! May the Lord bless you all!

In His service,

Robert and Roxanne

December, 2021

  September and October passed by like a blur. We spent those months in the vacant apartment of a friend, free of charge, enjoying the pool, and the safe surroundings. It was a huge blessing. We had the joy of the visits of Robert’s sister, Fiorella, and brother, Tony, and even took a trip out to the beach. Other than that, our time was spent seeking the Lord for guidance and making contacts. November found us in another temporary apartment, searching for something more permanent, which we finally found in December.

  Robert continues to teach his Friday night on-line course on Genesis. We’ve been visiting students from this class in their homes to get to know them, minister to them, and answer their questions. It’s been a wonderful blessing. Robert has also been helping with translating at our bilingual church, Union Church. In order to bring some income into the house, he has taken on the challenge of selling household cleaning products, besides teaching an online English class and doing some translating of documents and a Christian book.

  Roxanne has been asked to join the teaching staff at Sojourn Academy as the first and second grade English and Bible teacher in January. Until that time, she is keeping busy with organizing the house, helping to sell cleaning products at fairs for entrepreneurs, and writing the fourth book in her murder mystery series. Book three is being edited and should be out by the beginning of next year at the latest.

  Julianna struggles daily with being here in Costa Rica. Her destination was Brazil and this was just a stepping stone to get her necessary documents. She will be starting to work at a call center in January after her training this month. Please pray that she will make new friends and can find enjoyment in her job.

  We are so grateful that David is doing very well health-wise, spiritually, and at his construction job. Thank you for your prayers for him.

  Just before Christmas, we finally settled into our new rental home, and were able to decorate a bit for the holidays. Last year, the three of us were lonely and had no Christmas day celebration. No special food, no family gathering, no gifts, no decorations. Nothing. Juli was alone in her apartment in Canada and the two of us in our room in Brazil. We are grateful that it was better this year, being together with our daughter and spending a bit of time with cousins and friends here.

  We trust that you enjoyed your Christmas and New Year’s with friends and family, rejoicing in the first coming of our Lord Jesus. Gifts are nice. Special treats on the table are always good! But our focus is the One who is the cause of our celebration, our Saviour, who brought joy and peace that first Christmas over 2000 years ago in Bethlehem, and continues to shine His light and love into our hearts. He is the reason for the season. May He wrap His arms of love around you and yours as you celebrate His gifts of forgiveness, peace, joy, and eternal life. God bless you all!

Robert & Roxanne

Agosto - Septiembre, 2021

¡El mes de agosto halló a Roxana sumergida en libros en la biblioteca pública de Vera Cruz! Ella le dio a Fátima, la bibliotecaria voluntaria, un curso intensivo en organización de bibliotecas, usando el sistema Decimal Dewey. Varias mañanas por semana ella fue a la biblioteca para ayudarle a Fátima a reorganizar y catalogar todos los libros. Es una tarea enorme, incluso para una biblioteca pequeña, pero fue muy alentador haber podido hacer esta contribución para el pueblo de Vera Cruz.

Nuestro mes estuvo lleno de reuniones semanales dirigiendo alabanza, estudios bíblicos, programas de ballet para niñas, otro programa evangelístico donde más madres de ballet aceptaron a Cristo, un programa del Día del Padre y una predicación de Roberto un domingo en la iglesia de Vera Cruz.

Al llegar nuestro mes completo de ministerio a su fin, lo mismo ocurrió con nuestro tiempo en Vera Cruz. La iglesia, los grupos de estudio bíblico, los vecinos y las niñas del ballet, todos tuvieron reuniones de despedida para nosotros, llenas de abrazos y lágrimas. Desafortunadamente, las cosas no resultaron según lo esperado con nuestra organización patrocinadora. Además, nuestro proceso de residencia fracasó y, debido a la incompetencia de cierta abogada local, ¡el Depto. de Migración de Brasil nos cobraría un total de US$4.000 en multas al regresar a Brazil! Estamos de vuelta en Costa Rica nuestro regreso a Brasil está por definirse. De regresar, sería bajo otra organización. Hemos recibido una invitación a pastorear una pequeña congregación en las afueras de la ciudad de Caruaru, además de capacitar líderes para alcanzar su comunidad para Cristo. Si el Señor abriera esa puerta, necesitaríamos recaudar apoyo económico mensual, donaciones únicas para nuestro traslado y un vehículo, además del pago de las multas de migración, sin mencionar el reinicio del costoso proceso de residencia nuevamente.

Estamos muy agradecidos por el tiempo que pasamos en Brasil. Nos encantó estar en el pueblito Vera Cruz y vamos a extrañar mucho a su gente. Ya de regreso en Costa Rica, estamos pidiendo a nuestro Señor sabiduría para el próximo paso. Pero Dios proveyó nuestras necesidades de forma inesperada durante este tiempo de cierres masivos por la pandemia, nos bendijo mucho y nos permitió ser de bendición. Hemos ganado nuevos amigos, convertidos, experiencias, idioma y un amor por este bello país, además de la cirugía de hernia lumbar de Roxana (¡que cuesta cinco veces más en Costa Rica!). ¡Roxana también logró publicar su segundo libro durante el cierre! Ahora esperamos la dirección de Dios con gratitud en nuestros corazones. Oren junto con nosotros durante este tiempo de transición.

¡También agradecemos a Dios que no pudimos vender todos nuestros muebles antes de salir! ¡Ahora entendemos por qué! Al regresar a Costa Rica, teníamos guardado casi todo lo que requeríamos para equipar una vivienda. ¡Y nuestra familia y varios amigos nos han apoyado y animado, ayudándonos a suplir lo que nos estaba faltando! ¡Hasta el viejo carro de Roberto, que unos primos nos estaban guardando, todavía funciona! ¡Dios es bueno!

Nuestra hija, Julianna, se nos unió en Costa Rica el día después de nuestra llegada, habiendo viajado desde Canadá. La idea era que ella nos acompañaría a Brasil. Por favor oren por la transición de ella, ya que sus planes también se han visto afectados por este cambio repentino de circunstancias. Que nuestro Señor le abra nuevas puertas, conforme a su plan perfecto para ella.

David pasó una semana en el hospital, recibiendo antibióticos por vía intravenosa, mientras luchaba por vencer una severa infección de garganta. El Señor nos envió unos “ángeles”, en forma de un matrimonio de la iglesia a la que asistíamos en St. Thomas, quienes recibieron a nuestro hijo en su hogar hasta restaurar su salud por completo. Él había perdido más de 25 kg por no lograr mantener la comida ingerida en su estómago. Finalmente, luego de varias semanas, él ha recuperado su apetito y su energía y hasta consiguió un nuevo empleo como soldador. También se ha acercado al Señor como resultado de la experiencia. Así que, por difícil que fuera, ¡estamos rebosantes de gratitud! Por favor oren por su total recuperación y por su crecimiento espiritual.

Estamos muy agradecidos por todos ustedes, por su amistad y sus oraciones. ¡Que el Señor los continúe bendiciendo y haga resplandecer su rostro sobre ustedes!

Roberto y Roxana

August - September, 2021

The month of August found Roxanne buried in books at the Vera Cruz library! She gave Fatima, the volunteer librarian, a crash course in library organization using the Dewey Decimal System. Several mornings a week she went there to help Fatima reorganize all the books. It’s a huge job, even for a small library, but it was very rewarding to contribute to the town in this way.

Our month was filled with weekly worship leading, Bible studies, ballet girls’ programs, another evangelistic program with more ballet mothers accepting Christ, a Father’s Day program, as well as Robert preaching one Sunday at the church in Vera Cruz.

As this full month of ministry came to an end, so did our time in Vera Cruz. The church, Bible study groups, neighbours, and the ballet girls had tearful farewell gatherings for us. Unfortunately, things did not work out as expected with our sponsor organization. Also, our residency fell through and, because of the incompetence of the lawyer, the Brazilian immigration will charge us $4,000 in fines upon our return to Brazil! We arrived in Costa Rica on Sept. 3rd, and our return date to Brazil is unknown. If and when we go back to Brazil, it would be under another organization. We have received an invitation to shepherd a small congregation in the outskirts of the city of Caruaru, as well as training leaders to reach their community for Christ. Should the Lord open that door, we would need to raise monthly support, one-time gifts for the move, house furniture, and a car, as well paying the hefty immigration fine, not to mention beginning the expensive residency process all over again.

We are very thankful for the time we had in Brazil. We absolutely loved being in Vera Cruz and will really miss the town and its people. Now that we are back in Costa Rica, we are seeking His face for wisdom for the next step. But God provided our needs in an unexpected manner during this time of massive shutdowns due to the pandemic, to be very blessed and to be a blessing. We have gained new friends, converts, experiences, language, and a love for this beautiful country, as well as Roxanne’s lumbar hernia surgery (which costs five times as much in Costa Rica!). Roxanne also published her second book during the lockdown! Now we await God’s guidance with gratitude in our hearts. Please join us in prayer during this time of transition.

 

We are also grateful that we were unable to sell all our appliances and furniture! Now we know why! Upon our return to Costa Rica, we had almost everything we needed to set up house. And family and friends have stepped up to encourage us and help provide what we were lacking! Even Robert’s very old car, which a cousin had stored for us, is still running! God is good!

Our daughter Julianna joined us here in Costa Rica the day after our arrival, moving from Canada. The idea was for her to continue on with us to Brazil. Please pray for her transition as well, considering that her plans have also been affected by this turn of events. May the Lord open new doors for her, according to His perfect plan.

David spent a week in the hospital attached to an IV with antibiotics, as he struggled to survive a severe “strep throat” infection. The Lord provided some “angels” in the form of a couple from the church we had attended in St. Thomas, to take David into their home and nurse him back to health. He had lost 57 pounds due to his inability to keep food down. Finally, after several weeks, he has regained his appetite and his energy and even got a new job this week as a welder. He has drawn closer to God as a result of this experience. So, as difficult as it was, we are thankful! Please pray for his complete recovery and for his spiritual growth.

We are grateful for you all, for your friendship and prayers. May the Lord continue to bless you and shine His face upon you!

Robert & Roxanne