Wenatchee MAPS Team Build at Las Mananitas
By Rod and Sherry Boyd

Once again God came through! Thank you Pastor Jerry Beebe from First Assembly of God in Wenatchee, WA for sending a team to meet a critical need at Las Mananitas. Six men, lead by Mike Erho, spent a hard week laying foundation and block walls. Even the Panamanians called the hot, humid weather "brutal." Due to problems with the architect, the project was behind when the group arrived. This didn’t phase this hard working group. With picks and shovels in hand, in one day they prepared the foundation for the concrete pad and the blocking began the following day.

The team had a real surprise when they arrived at the airport. Steve and Amy Shoop had traveled to Panama the day before to surprise the group. Steve and Amy are new missionaries to Panama who are currently studying Spanish in Costa Rica. Steve was youth pastor at Wenatchee First for several years. Amy is from the church. Steve and Amy left the following day excited about the work that awaits them in Panama.

In addition to the Panama Canal and other tourist sites, the team was also able to see and experience Panamanian worship in four different churches. The concluding Friday night service at Las Mananitas was very special as several team members shared about their experience. Bob Adams preached a wonderful message on the love of God from Ephesians chapter 3. One of the most touching moments was Friday afternoon. Each of the men gave away their tools, shoes and jeans. The humble workers were touched by the generosity of the group.

Thanks Mike, Bob, Terry, Renn, Jay and David. We very much enjoyed your time here and getting to know you. We have some wonderful memories… David dancing, waiting for Renn, the "Bravehearts," good steak, "don’t go there," and the Washington apple signs. Bless you guys!

Work continues on the project. Classes begin March 9th at Las Mananitas. Thanks to the contribution of this team and the team from Alabama, we’re now able to add the 10th grade and a second 7th grade class. More than building classrooms, building people is the most important thing! Please pray that all work will be finished on time. Pray that the $5,000 that we lack to complete the project will come in by the end of March. If you'd like to help, you can send your offering to:

Division of Foreign Missions
Project 7794: Las Mananitas High School
1445 Boonville Ave.
Springfield, MO 65802

Also, please pray with us that additional MAPS groups will respond to our plea for this project. We will need to build an additional three classrooms before March 1999.