A Christmas Letter From The Reyes Family

Feliz Navidad desde Costa Rica!

We are a third of the way through our Spanish language program here in San José as we prepare to serve with the Alliance in Paraguay (beginning in August 2025). It will continue to be balmy here throughout December, so we hope you will enjoy cooler temps and maybe even snow on our behalf.

We are grateful for this time dedicated to developing the language skills we will need for life and ministry, and for this year to transition into life in Latin America. San José is a large enough city that we can still buy some imported products that help it feel like the holidays – canned pumpkin took us a while to track down, but we found it! At home in Kentucky, looking at Christmas lights downtown was always one of our favorite holiday outings. We were grateful to see that Costa Rica goes all out for Christmas also; Christmas lights started going up here in early November, and we’ve had friends recommend the best neighborhoods for viewing lights around the city. We’re thankful for familiar traditions here, especially during our first Christmas abroad.

As a language learning exercise, I (Lauren) have been translating 1 John from Spanish to English. John repeatedly references the Incarnation, such as in 1 John 4:9: “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” This recurring theme is a timely reminder: we are preparing for work in missions because Jesus came in the flesh and we get to “testify to it” (1 John 1:2). We testify to what he has done for us and wants to do in the lives of his people in Paraguay as well. We pray that in this season, you remember the reality of Jesus’ presence in your life and testify to what he has done for you.

Un abrazo,

Mark, Lauren, Evie, & Eslie


Our theme this year for Advent is A Christmas Letter From… Not only are we featuring this through our sermons and Advent candle readings on Sunday, but also through emailed letters from our church family and cross-cultural partners that you are receiving each day until Christmas!

But we want you to help us take it a step further! Tomorrow, Sunday morning, December 8, we have an activity for you if you would like to participate. In the Atrium back alcove by the elevator, we have a Christmas tree, mailbox, and table with some postcards. Posted there is a list of some members of our FAC family who are unable to come to church with us on Sundays right now for a variety of reasons. Some are in nursing facilities, some are battling illness, some are simply homebound. We want them to know they are not forgotten by us!

Would you take a few minutes to pick a name from the posted list and write a postcard of encouragement to them? We will add the address and stamp. You simply write the note!

We hope this helps them feel loved and seen at this time of year to get A Christmas Letter From You.