EL JUNCO, VENEZUELA—On December 19-25, 2017, the brethren in Venezuela gathered for a spiritual conference that attracted members from across the country. The conference was organized by the Venezuelan Union and was held in Campamento Monte de Sion (Camp Mt. Zion), a church property located in El Junco, Yaracuy, Venezuela. The guest speaker for the event was Brother Daniel Guzmán Hurtado (the GC Regional Secretary for Central America). The general theme of the meetings was "Onward and No Excuses". The theme was focused on the social problems that young people are currently facing and included the history of Minneapolis in 1888 to show the past history and the dangers of the church today. All the brethren were encouraged by the exposed topics.
Our brethren in Venezuela—in spite of the terrible economic crisis (there is no food, there is no medicine, no money circulating, among other calamities)—are very cheerful and strong in the faith. About 400 brethren from around the country attended the conferences. The event was free, nobody paid a penny. The organizers went out to the fields to collect food, and God worked a great miracle because they collected much food to the point that there was plenty of food and much joy among the people of God. It was a unique experience to see the goodness of God manifested towards His children in a country terribly engulfed in appalling misery.
Brother Daniel Guzmán Hurtado writes: "I felt very moved to the point of tears to see the situation in which Venezuela is living. The current salary is calculated to be USD$5.00, which is not enough to sustain a small family's basic needs for a week. People are looking for food in the garbage."
A note from the editor:
A few weeks ago, the GC Welfare Department sent out a prayer request for our brethren in Venezuela. As the country faces worsening crises, our people also face increasing difficulties. Those who are able to help financially may do so via our Donations page here (simply specify "Venezuela" at the time of donation). We are all asked to keep our brethren in Venezuela in our prayers. God bless.
