Manuel Alejandro Ruiz Perrello - Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Did you know Christopher Columbus had a little brother? We really don’t know a whole lot about him, but what we do know is that he was also an explorer and founded Santo Domingo in 1496. It is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas and boasts of being one of Latin America’s most economically developed cities.

Chances are good there is another name of whom you are unfamiliar. His name is Manuel Alejandro Ruiz Perrello and he lives in Santo Domingo with a metropolitan population of some 3.6 million. We are very pleased to introduce you to Manuel, our LOGOI National Missionary of the Month.

“I am a big fan of LOGOI,” Manuel begins, “your Bible courses are espectacular (spectacular) and they have been of tremendous blessing in my life.” We like it very much when someone gives us this kind compliment, so we let him continue. “I studied ‘Enseñando la Biblia Creativamente’ (Teaching the Bible Creatively) for almost a year in in my church. That was 10 years ago and I still remember the impact it made on my life.”

Manuel told us how, after he graduated from high school, God opened doors for him to travel to the United States to be a theology student at a Bible Institute in Michigan. We were thrilled to hear this next part, “After I finished my studies, I returned to my country to continue serving the Lord.”

He and his lovely wife, Natali, serve at their church, Iglesia Bautista Cristiana. Manuel is a deacon and men’s Bible teacher, and his wife serves as a women’s Bible teacher and works in their Christian Baptist School. He mentioned that because of infertility issues, “God has not given us children, but we are confident that He knows what is best.”

“For years we have been running a Bible club where about 50 to 60 children attend,” he excitedly reports. “It is a great joy to teach God’s Word to these children. We also offer a literacy club where we are helping about 30 children strengthen their reading.” Manuel adds, “I’m very pleased to say many other parents are showing interest in our Bible and reading club and want to send their children to us. In fact, there is such interest, we are asking the Lord if we should begin to plant a church in this (Manganagua) area.”

What a privilege we have to be a part in Manuel’s life and ministry. Would you take a moment right now and pray for him? In particular, he asks us to join him in prayer as he and his wife seek the Lord’s guidance about dedicating their lives to full-time missionary work of planting a church. He also asks for prayer that he and Natali will be faithful witnesses of the Gospel to their neighbors and friends at work. We add prayers that God will raise up many, many more servants like Manuel and Natali.

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