Holidays 2010

A few random snapshots of what the holidays have been here in Panama City, Panama. And, NO, that is not our house...just wanted to show how Christmas is done down here in the tropics!

¡Feliz Navidad y Año Nuevo!

The morning news is telling you to collect rain water to aid in using the toilet because the water is out. They also give the warning: "NO SE CONSUMAN ANIMALES AHOGADOS." Translation? "Do not consume drowned animals." Okay, I'd say that we are in for a ride now. I mean, we have seen warnings posted around the city that read: "Se prohibe orinarse aqui." That means: "It is prohibited to urinate here." That one makes a bit more sense because, well...people do that here in Panama City. People being of the male sex, and of all ages, and wherever they feel like! But, do people eat drowned animals? We haven't seen that as of yet and now I am alarmed. What is going on? I continue to watch the broadcast a few minutes longer but finally decide to turn it off because it is making me feel anxious.

This is an account of one of my mornings last week. Panama has been hit hard by hard and continuous rains. It should be the very end of rainy season but the rains are lingering longer than expected and seem to be throwing major fits. We have talked to many Panamanians and they are baffled by mother nature. This weather is way out of the ordinary and has caused major problems for their country.

Panama is a very small country, way at the very last of Central America, so I suppose that we wouldn't make international news. But, may I report that the rains have caused widespread flooding and damage? The Panama Canal was even closed for a time because of extensive flooding; that really caused alarm. You only close the canal for extreme reason and it had only happened once before in the past century; that was when America invaded Panama to capture Noriega. There have been a few days of chaos and now there is a definite humanitarian need. By God's grace, Panama City didn't see immense flooding and for that I am grateful. But in other areas of the country, people have lost everything and are still waiting for the waters to recede. There is a big mess to be cleaned but thus far, I am impressed that Panama is taking care of its own.

You may ask how we were personally affected. Well, Sarah had a "Rain Day" school cancellation; that tickled us because us Coloradans are only familiar with a "Snow Day." Snow or rain, Sarah celebrates any reason to miss school.☺ Our water and power have been going out intermittently. We'll see the glass half full and be glad that the outages don't happen simultaneously. Now, our commute to-and-fro have become a bit more hectic and we didn't think that was possible. Traffic in Panama City is not fun, not fun at all!!! You have to see it to believe it. Hey, we lived in San Jose, Costa Rica for four years and it could get hairy at times but for some reason it just made sense. Here, traffic is unpredictable which means stressful which means not fun...just like I said before. The problem, now, is one of the main bridges, El Puente Centenario, leading in-and-out of the city lost a huge chunk of highway in a landslide. It is a major ordeal. I could get into the details but it is a headache and who needs one of those? Just imagine the implications on traffic when thousands of people travel in-and-out of the city for work. Get the picture? And Dustin just read in the news that they estimate six months to fix the bridge. YAY!!! Insert sarcasm....

They are fun times these days. But, I promise you that in spite of everything, we are doing our best to remain positive. We are still human so there are moments but we try to remember that things could be far worse. We are safe; our roof is in tact; we have food to eat; we are healthy; we haven't lost anything...well...maybe a little of our sanity...but, we are okay and we will continue to be okay because God has us in the palm of His hand. And, we know we have an amazing fellowship that stands behind us in prayer.

Did someone say that Christmas is in six days?! Could it be? It doesn't seem like it. Let us be real about that. We are so far from home, away from family and friends, in a different culture and tropical climate; it's not Christmas as we know it to be. And yet, we know that the true reason for the season remains the same, no matter where one might be. Praise God. My heart sings!!! The one and only Savior was born and with His birth came hope and salvation.

It is a little too easy to get down with all that is going on around us at the moment, but that is when we look "inward." When we choose to see beyond ourselves, the picture changes. The Lord is faithful to make us look "outward."

The work here goes forward. Our two most faithful members are now gone. Mrs. Shamara Rose returned to Colorado to be with her family; we are happy for her. Mr. Noé returned to El Salvador for immigration and work reasons. We miss them both already. It will be interesting to see what happens now. The new year is around the corner and we believe for great, new testimonies from Panama- all for God's glory.

And, so, I bring this blog to an end by saying, "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!" January 5th will mark one year since we set out on this mission. Now, that's amazing. What a year it has been. You are probably saying the very same thing for your own reasons. We pray that all of you are joyful during these holidays. We miss everyone so dearly. We want to give a big thank you for all the greeting cards we have received throughout the year, and especially the ones we have received at this time of year. So many words and scriptures have been on time. (By the way- a personal message in a card means that much more. Just saying!!!) We love you.

Pastor Dustin, Rachelle, Sarah and Meg

All My Praise

We are exhorted to praise our wonderful Savior in Psalm 150. Here in Panama, we have breath so we WILL praise the Lord! Thank You, Jesus, for all You have done, for all You are doing and for what You are going to do. Our lives are surrendered to You.

ALL MY PRAISE

HIDING PLACE- SELAH

I will follow You through green pastures

And sing hallelujah to Your name

I will follow You through dark disaster

And sing hallelujah through the pain

Even in the shadow of death I will praise You

And even in the valley I will say

Holy, my God, You are worthy of all my praise

Holy, my God, You are worthy of all my praise

You are seated on Your throne in heaven

And You see all of us down here

You have promised You will not abandon

So, I shall not fear

Even in the shadow of death I will praise You

Even in the valleys I will say

Holy, my God, You are worthy of all my praise

Holy, my God, You are worthy of all my praise

You made every star

And You taught it how to shine

You knew my name

Before there was time

All this is just part of

Your glorious design

Hallelujah, hallelujah

Holy, my God, You are worthy of all my praise

Holy, my God, You are worthy of all my praise

Thanksgiving in Panama

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

What to do on thanksgiving in a foreign country? We could spend $27.00 per person for a meal at the Sheraton. Nah! Too much dinero. Or, by a turkey and cook it in a propane oven for 4 to 6 hours. No, we hate the smell and really don't have a clue to proper heat and time. And it's a lot of work for just the 4 of us. Besides, Thanksgiving is more about being with friends and family, all of which are back home in Springs.

So, the ol' gobbly gobbly got lucky this year. Maybe we'll have Iguana:) Actually we decided to go American and eat out at T.G.I. Fridays. A good old fashion bacon cheeseburger will just have to do.

We did buy a christmas tree today, so the girls are thrilled about putting on the lights and the decorations tonight and then we'll kick back and watch "The Search For Santa Paws!"

We are very grateful and thankful for all God has done for us and is doing! Happy Thanksgiving!

9,900 fliers to go!

Today we went on outreach and went door to door passing out fliers and tracts and preaching Jesus! Rachelle went with Shamara Rose and little Meg. And I went with Noe and Sarah.

It was a holy ghost time!!! We spoke to many that were open to the gospel. I prayed with one man right in the middle of the street and he thanked me afterwards. I passed one house and I saw several muslims inside. Long beards and the clothing and the caps. Holy ghost power came over me and I walked right inside with no hesitation and began to share the gospel. I asked the oldest man in there if he had any sickness and he said yes, diabetes. I asked if I could pray for him and he responded yes, please. So, I laid hands on him, and in the name of JESUS I rebuked sickness and prayed in a loud voice, "Jesus, you died on the cross for our sins, and the bible says by your stripes we are healed, heal this man now!!" When I was done you could hear a pin drop. The man thanked me. And I thank God for the boldness.

So, praise God we passed out about 100 fliers and we pray for fruit. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few

Evangelize!!!!

Services have been great. We have seen visitors come in and stick. And God is building his church! Hallelujah!

We just received 10,000 flyers, thanks to VWO Colorado Springs, and we are so excited to be able to invite people with such an eye-popping flyer. It also gives an open door to share the gospel.

We were in a chinese restaurant chowing down on chow mein, (by the way, when was the last time you seen a chinese speaking spanish?) and had just received the flyers so I invited out this chinese lady. She said, "Tienes culto en chino?" ("Do you have chinese service?")lol. No, sorry just spanish. But her spanish was much better than mine.

Again pray for us as we evangelize this city for Jesus!!

La Promesa Y La Sorpresa

The girls both had birthdays this summer, or winter if you are in Panama. Sarah is now ten and Meg is three. Wish we could stop time.