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It’s Thanksgiving week, a time when we count our blessings. It
doesn’t look like we’re going to be enjoying a traditional
Thanksgiving meal this year. Sometimes as missionaries we don’t
always have that option. But we still get to count our blessings!
There is nothing more important than knowing Christ. He has
blessed us in so many ways. We enjoy good health that allows us to
fulfill a busy ministry schedule. We live under God’s faithful
provision and we don't take this for granted. Our kids love and serve
God and have given us three beautiful grandchildren. We just
received word that our youngest daughter Jennifer and her husband
Geoff will be giving us a fourth!
After knowing Christ, there is no greater privilege than making
Him known! We see the 16 years of pastoral ministry and now 20 years
of missionary service as both an incredible journey and an amazing
adventure! What some may consider a sacrifice, we see as an honor.
God has given us the dream job of raising up Christian leaders in
Panama and throughout Spanish-speaking Latin America.
Ministerial Training. We conducted another PROCEPA teacher
training seminar in Managua, Nicaragua a couple of weeks ago. The
PROCEPA program offers practical workshops for the 5,000 professors
teaching in 1,000 Bibles schools and training centers throughout
Latin America. To date we have 2,400 teachers enrolled in the
training program. Of the 118 that attended the seminar in Managua,
21 completed their basic level certification that consists of taking
10 two-hour workshops. We now have nearly 200 that have completed
the basic level and will continue on in the 2013-2014 update cycle,
required to maintain their certification.
PROCEPA training is given at national seminars and at the
International Educators Summits. Attendance at the 2012 Summits –
Costa Rica in April and Peru in September – increased from 633 in
2010 to 909 this year. By request of the national church in Mexico,
we’ve added a third International Educators Summit, scheduled for
Aug. 26-29, 2013 in Mexico. We are expecting 400 to attend. Planning
is underway for this Summit and the two 2014 Summits that are
scheduled for El Salvador in March and Uruguay in September.
Latin America ChildCare and schools. We spoke with a pastor
last week about his desire to open a school in the town of
Pacora, located about 20 miles outside of Panama City. The school
needs just a little help to get started. We’re so happy that Latin
America ChildCare can help with sponsorships! And that’s where so
many of you come into the picture. You have faithfully sponsored
these kids, giving so many a chance for a bright future that they
may not have had otherwise. Thank you!
There are two or three other schools that will be opening their
doors in 2013. When we arrived to Panama there were six schools with
about 1,250 students attending. With the new schools opening next
year, there will be close to 40 Good Shepherd Schools in Panama with
well over 8,000 children and youth attending!
A couple of days ago we had a Christmas party for the sponsored
kids at the Las Mananitas Good Shepherd School. We’ll share a
separate story about how special and meaningful these Christmas
celebrations are for the kids. I was impressed once again by the
quality of education that is offered at our schools. We always ask
the 12th grade graduates what their plans are for the next year.
Every single one of these students will be going on to university
studies. You are making a difference! We heard the other day that
one of our high school graduates had recently earned first place
graduating from the School of Medicine at the University of Panama.
Steve and Marcy Hong (Sherry’s sister and husband) visited us
here in Panama about three weeks ago. They sponsor several children
and provide special help for the Duima and Soloy schools located in
the Guaymi Indian region in northwest Panama. They brought gifts for
the graduates they sponsor and for all of the children at the Duima
and Soloy schools. Even the Panamanians consider these two remote
schools as missionary projects! It's not easy getting to them. We
had to walk a bit to get to the Duima school... and forgot the
umbrellas in the car!
We so admire the work of Walkiria who directs the Soloy school
and oversees the director of the Duima school. The vast majority of
the children come from families in extreme poverty. The breakfast
and lunch that the kids receive at the schools may be the only meals
they have. These kids receive the gospel and a quality Christian
education. Please join us in praying for a special need at the
Soloy. The school needs to purchase a piece of property adjacent to
the school to continue classroom construction.
The Tennessee Pathfinders have almost single-handedly built the
school. They have also raised funds for the purchase of property
that is owned by an organization. Most of the board is willing to
sell but it needs to be unanimous. Please pray that God will speak
to each member of that board so that the purchase can be finalized.
The Pathfinders are scheduled to return in January to build another
classroom on the new property!
Thank you! Dozens of churches and families have blessed us with
faithful prayer and financial support. You are helping us live our
dream. We pray God’s blessings for you! We hope you’ll join us count
our blessings!
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