Panama Bound

Hi everyone,

David just returned from a trip to Panama this past Monday. It was a great trip as he visited both of the districts there. He first crossed the border on the frontier closest to Changuinola where we have four churches. Changuinola is filled with banana plantations. Most of these bananas are sold and shipped by Chiquita. There is constant work as bananas are produced every 13 weeks.

Part of the banana plantations close to Changuinola

Although there is much growth here, there is still great financial need. Two new cell groups were planted last September through Maxima Mission projects. One new cell group was formed the same week that a team led by Pastor Javier built 3 bus stops to provide shade and protection from rain. This cell group now has 40 to 45 people in weekly attendance. Another cell group was planted by Brother Justo. When they planted this cell group, they coordinated this with the construction of 13 latrines in the community. Here is a picture of Brother Justo with one of the new latrines they built.

Brother Justo is currently having 15-18 people in weekly meetings. There are about 450 people that live in this community of great need as this community does not even have electricity. However, people have responded to the love of Christ these local leaders and their churches have shown.

Where there is a will, there is a way. In order to build up funds for compassionate ministries in their district, the district has begun to sell chickens. Here is the special housing they recently built for the chickens here.

David then drove to the community of El Flor by the city of David (what a great name for a city!) which is a beautiful drive through mountains on the west side of Panama. He spent two days with the district superintendent Ulises Espinosa and his wife Itzel. He was very appreciative of the great hospitality and great food.

Ulises is now making plans for his church to plant two new churches this year. We visited two different sites. One site is called Santa Rosa and his goal is to plant a church among the indigenous families there.

Ulises and Itzel with members of a family in Santa Rosa

David then spent the following two days in the other district which has four churches in the province of Chiriquí. Over fifty people from the area of Panama City took a six hour trip by bus to participate and spend a special day of compassion in one of the churches there. It was a day filled with much joy for the children as they participated in Bible schools, songs and all kinds of fun. The church then distributed Operation Christmas Child presents to all the children.

Christmas in March!

The churches from Panama City also brought donated clothes for the community and offered lunch and supper. The evening culminated with a great message on John 3:16 by the district superintendent Felipe Flores. Praise the Lord as 8 people came forward to receive Christ.

Pastora Candelaria sometimes is a real clown!

The donated clothing drew a lot of interest

After attending church Sunday in Barrio San Jose in David, David then visited a future Maxima Mission site in the community of Garibaldi where the district and Pastor Eduardo hope to plant a new mission this year.

Pastor Eduardo in front of a home in Garibaldi

Praise the Lord, David’s trip home went well Monday March 3 so he could celebrate his birthday with the family. We thank the Lord for all he is allowing us to do and the health He is giving us. Please pray for our Panamanian leaders and the US team from Sutter Creek, CA that David will accompany to Panama in 2 weeks. Pray for the community of La Chorrera where they will be planting a new church.

We continue to ask for prayers for our leaders who so long “to go and to make disciples.” In addition to Ulises and Felipe, also pray for our leaders in the Nicaragua Central district as they are seeking to plant 24 new churches in the next six weeks. We are so thankful and humbled for the chance to work with the great leaders here. Praise God, the kingdom is growing!

God bless you,
David, Shelley, Josh and Kayley