LATEST UPDATE
May 28, 2025
From Pastor Juan-Daniel:
Health and Well-being
I'm stable and managing my health with a dedicated medical team. All recent lab work shows positive results ("everything in green"). My daily diet includes a nutrient-rich juice and a high-calorie protein shake. While I've noticed some weakness in my right arm and foot, a weak lower lip, and significantly distorted speech, I continue to walk, exercise, drive, and handle household tasks slowly.
Family Update
Letty is doing great, working as a substitute teacher, playing basketball, and active around the house. Our children are also thriving, focused on their studies and work.
Recent Endeavors
- March: I drove to Mexico City and Oaxaca, where I preached and led two conferences using my cloned voice.
- Letty and I then visited a friend in Stony Point to relax. I also had the opportunity to present the gospel to children and teens at an orphanage, incorporating magic tricks.
- I attended the COMIBAM conference in Panama, focusing on comprehensive care for the over 30,000 Latino missionaries worldwide. I was also invited to preach at a local church during my visit.
- My book, "BRIDGES WITHOUT BORDERS, a Trans Border Ecclesiology," is now available for purchase on Amazon.com in both English and Spanish.
Upcoming Schedule (June)
- Sunday, June 1: I'll be preaching at a local church in Tijuana.
- June 13-15: I'll be in Colonet BCN with Ellie Gokaishian and Rev. Enrique Lugo. My ministry will include three conferences: one for approximately 100 men in rehabilitation, another for abused women, and a third for about 60 local pastors focusing on leadership and exegesis. I'll also speak twice at the church on Sunday, utilizing my cloned voice.
- Following Colonet, I'll travel to La Paz and San José del Cabo to preach and lead conferences at two churches before returning home.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers, love, and support. Our God is powerfully at work across the globe. Please don't hesitate to reach out if I can be of service: juanchorriatas@gmail.com or text 760-277-0588.
Respectfully,
JD
Please see information below on how you can support Juan-Daniel and his family. He has been blessed to have a small team of experts who are providing pastoral, medical, financial, emotional, spiritual, and ministry support.
There are currently a few significant ways our congregation can show our support:
- Write a note of encouragement, a prayer, or a blessing (see below).
- Make a direct financial donation via GoFundMe.
- Learn more about ALS.
UPDATES
As we have updates to Juan-Daniel's plans and his ongoing medical journey and possible needs, we will update this page with the most current information.
December 20, 2024
From Pastor Juan-Daniel:
Dear, Solana Beach Family Presbyterian Church,
Hello and Christmas greetings to you all! I just wanted to greet you, thank you and give you an update on my situation.
During the last three months there have been some interesting events. I am stable and taking my medications as well as doing exercises, driving etc.
- In November right after my birthday, I drove myself to a conference in Texas on the mental health of missionaries, which, for years, has been a big personal concern and has moved me to provide online psychotherapy to missionaries. Currently, I am helping seven people in different countries online. Please pray for them; some of the situations they are wrestling with are very difficult and chronic.
- I participate online in the planning of the Latin American Association COMIBAM that concentrates in providing these services specifically to the close to 30,000 Latino missionaries serving in more than 180 countries right now.
- Letty and I were helped by Attorney Mark Anderson to put together all legal papers, and medical insurance for Letty, thanks to the connection with Steve Carter.
- December was initiated by great news, that finally, my voice had been cloned and was ready to be used! I have started to learn how to do it. But it is amazing! I just need to write or copy what I want in the app and then it is spoken in my voice!
- Our 3 children will be with us during the Christmas week. They are doing well, but always exploring options in jobs and studies. We are very grateful to our Lord for the lives of each of them.
- God willing, on December 29, I will be preaching for the last time, in Spanish at the Hispanic Fellowship, using my new cloned voice.
- In January, I am planning to spend twelve days in México City and surrounding areas, with friends and family members, as well as exploring some alternative health options. Then, on Saturday the 25th. Letty and I will participate in Jessica and Mike’s wedding.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH to each one for your love, support and encouragement for Letty, me and my family.
I am currently packing and taking my stuff out of my office, planning to give the keys back at the end of the year. I have a big peaceful sense of God’s guidance to each of the leaders at SBPC. God has been extremely good and I consider it a big privilege to have spent these 18 years, serving together with you.
If you want to write me an email, message or give me a call, I will be delighted to answer.
Respectfully in HIM, JD
June 9, 2024
Pastor Mike and Juan-Daniel sent a letter regarding JD's medical condition and plans for retirement. Read the letter.
September 6, 2024
From Pastor Juan-Daniel:
Dear SBPC members and friends,
My wife, I and our children are extremely grateful for the many different ways in which we have been comforted, encouraged and loved by you all, THANK YOU. As it relates to my health, I continue to be active but my biggest struggle remains in my speech, many times getting more difficult, nevertheless I have continued teaching and preaching with Letty helping me. Last month Letty and I were able to drive all the way to Mexico City and several parts nearby. We visited many friends and family members. We enjoy it a lot, especially the incredible Waterfalls in "La Huasteca" in the San Luis Potosi State. Currently we are getting ready for a two week trip to Barcelona, Spain, where Letty and I will attend a gathering of former staff, people with whom I lived and ministered more than 40 years ago on Board the Operation Mobilization ship DOULOS. Then we will spend a few more days in the nearby areas of Cataluna. My heart is full of gratitude above all, in spite of my constant frustration, related to my speech. Thank you to Mike, all of our pastors, deacons, leaders and each of the small team members who have been so helpful and to the whole SBPC family.
Respectfully in HIM, JD
October 6, 2024
From Pastor Juan-Daniel:
Dear members of our SBPC family:
It is with a deep sense of thankfulness that I am writing this letter to each of you, whether you speak English, Spanish, or any other language. My time here at SBPC was marked from the beginning, by a strong sense of God’s guidance and presence among us. SBPC has been a tremendously blessed faith community, shining bright in our community, locally, regionally and globally. The vision, strategic wisdom, leadership, faith, service spirit and commitment of its members are its greatest assets and wealth. Thank you very much for what each of you have done, please keep on shining for HIM.
Lately, Letty and I were able to go driving to Mexico City and several nearby areas. Then for the last two weeks of September, we had the privilege of going to Barcelona Spain. Currently, I am taking three medications, and pursuing my health, the best I can. So, for us and my own perspective, we have been learning some basic lessons we want to share with you.
- TESTING is human, normal and constant. God is constantly allowing several things in our lives as a test. Including living, job, housing, health, or financial difficulties.
- TESTING reveals our true self and transforms our lives forever. We choose what to do or how to respond to testing but ideally we will grow as a result of it.
- Living with PERPLEXITY is human, common, and not wrong. I am talking about perplexity, nor despair or severe anxiety. Perplexity simply reveals our limits as humans.
- God’s ULTIMATE GOAL is to produce the most beautiful possible children, and the only beauty he really appreciates is holiness, humility and obedience, like Jesus.
- Our WISEST response to any and all tests, has to be trust, faith, joy and deep gratitude. This is accomplished by looking into our current situation in the light of eternity.
I feel extremely grateful to God for the incredible time and experiences he has allowed me to participate in and serve HIM for the last 52 years. I am extremely grateful to each one of you, as members of the body of Christ as well as many more around the world. I am extremely grateful to our local leadership, for their guidance, honest friendship and support. I am extremely grateful to Leticia, Astrid-Citlalli, Cemelli-Yatzil and Daniel-Kinam for their patience, love, accomplishments and support. What a privilege to be part of your family. I am extremely grateful to my parents, Victoria Mariscal and Silviano Espitia and many other brothers and sisters around the world who have been examples, and channels of God in our common service to their communities.
THANK YOU, Respectfully in HIM, JD
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS
If you have any further questions, comments, concerns or perhaps other ways you can offer help, please send an email to info@solanapres.org.
