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.

Noe, Nidia y Silvino

So, we haven't posted in awhile. Sorry about that. Good intention is always there but as we all know, life gets in the way. It is definitely time for an update. It has been just over a month since we opened the church doors and we can honestly say that we have counted it all joy. That very first Sunday we had no visitors. Our daughter, Sarah, was in Costa Rica visiting family so there we were: Dustin, Rachelle and Meg having church. Dustin will tell you that there were an additional three--the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost and I will say a definite "amen" to that! We were so happy to be in our own building and to actually be doing what we came here to do; it didn't matter that there were no visitors. Don't get me wrong, of course we would have rather seen people but on that day our overall sentiment was joy. And then, we were off and running.

We haven't quite reached 1,000 members yet but people are coming in. (Yes, I am smiling !!!) As we drove home after this past Sunday evening's service my thoughts turned to an older gentleman that has been coming. His name is Noe and he has been with us when there have been many and again when not so many. I was tickled wondering what he thinks about the gringo pastor, his family and this church Centro Cristiano Victoria. I don't know this man, really, but already he is precious to me. Why? Because he comes to this church that is barely in its beginning stages. I feel like giving him a big hug every time I see him and telling him thank you but that would be totally inappropriate and probably send him running. We don't want that; We like Noe.

Thinking about Noe led me to think about some of the others that have become familiar over the past weeks. I thought of Rafa. He is a man that has forsaken an immoral lifestyle and has surrendered to Jesus. Rafa is very sick but is believing for a miracle healing and we are believing with him. I thought of Nidia. She is a woman that is very quiet and has a true lady like presence. I think she is beautiful and I like to hear her laugh. Thinking of Nidia makes me think of Silvino. He is Nidia's husband and what a character is he. How do I explain Silvino? Silvino is larger than life. We actually met him at our home; he fumigates it once a month. One afternoon that he was working at our house, Dustin invited him to take a break for some lunch. Dustin gave him corn dogs and how happy it made Silvino. Corn dogs changed his life! Silvino was so pleased with the corn dogs that we sent him home with what remained in our freezer. Anyhow, Dustin took that opportunity to share Jesus with Silvino. He told Dustin that he was a Christian but as the conversation continued the Holy Spirit must have convicted because he then opened his heart and told Dustin that he was a backslider and wanted to rededicate his life. See!!! We do our part and God does do the rest. Dustin invited him to church and Senor Silvino came and has been coming since.

These are people that will always be a part of this work's story because they were at the start. That makes them special. And to think, this is just the start. We've only just begun. We are encouraged and cannot wait to meet all of the others that have yet to come through the church doors. God will build His church; He will. It is a privilege to serve here and once again, thank you for allowing us to do so. With your love, support and prayers the kingdom of hell will not prevail.

Here are some pictures of the work. The couple you see is Silvino and Nidia with their grandson, Alexander.

There Were People!!!

Okay, so we just got home from our first Wednesday night service...and we were pleasantly surprised with people. God is good. I must put a disclaimer here before you view the clip. Sorry for the voice leading worship. Enjoy...

Pioneer

pi·o·neer (p-nîr) n. 1. One who ventures into unknown or unclaimed territory to settle. 2. One who opens up new areas of thought, research, or development: a pioneer in aviation. 3. A soldier who performs construction and demolition work in the field to facilitate troop movements. 4. Ecology An animal or plant species that establishes itself in a previously barren environment. adj. 1. Of, relating to, or characteristic of early settlers: the pioneer spirit. 2. Leading the way; trailblazing: a pioneer treatment for cancer. v. pi·o·neered, pi·o·neer·ing, pi·o·neers v.tr. 1. a. To open up (an area) or prepare (a way): rockets that pioneered outer space. b. To settle (a region). 2. To initiate or participate in the development of: surgeons who pioneered organ transplants. v.intr. To act as a pioneer...

We get the picture, right? Tomorrow morning is our first service. Here are a few words to describe the sentiment at the moment: excited, hopeful, expectant, nervous, anxious, scared. Basically, there is a lot going on deep within. It is a privilege to pioneer for His glory.

What will happen tomorrow? We shall see. We were so encouraged today as we outreached with invitations to "la nueva iglesia." We had two specific encounters that just made our hearts leap for joy. No matter what anyone says, there are people that are hungry for God. We will be sure to keep that in mind as we take the next step tomorrow.

La Casa de Dios en Panama

To Play or Not To Play!

Is Rachelle really going to play? She isn't sure herself...she's scared!!!

We are happy to be moving forward. It is such basic playing, y'all. Don't get too excited!!!

Meg was so thrilled to help set up the chairs.

This little girl will be turn three on the day we officially open the doors to the church!

(Those were supposed to be captions for the pictures--still trying to figure this out.

One week away. It's time. I read this yesterday and thought it was so fitting for this time in our lives:

"As Charles Spurgeon said, 'We must take care that we do not neglect heavenly monitions through fear of being considered visionary; we must not be staggered even by the dread of being styled fanatical, or out of our minds. For to stifle a thought from God is no small sin.'"

This was included in a study note from Acts 26: 1-29. Read it if you will. What a powerful account of Paul's early and then post-conversion life. And what motivation for us. God can reach anyone. What will your answer be when Jesus calls? He made a specific call to us for Panama and we are doing our very best to heed it.

We made a video with some odds-and-ends clips...got brain damage trying to upload it to the blog. I think we may upload through YouTube...we'll let you know.

On The Horizon

Our grand opening is two weeks away. Is it really so? Yes, yes it is. We never imagined last January that it would be the middle of July when this announcement was made. It has been a ride, that is for sure. And yet, Isaiah 55:8 comes to mind: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways...." That verse ends with "declares the Lord." Let us never forget that He is Lord. We have surrendered our lives completely and said yes to Him.

We came to Panama with great vision and lots and lots of plans! We landed and were ready to take this city by storm. Ah, what a romanticized vision it was. But, isn't that how it goes when we make big plans? We are so certain of how everything is going to happen; if things don't go according to plan, no worries--there is a Plan B. Back in January we were sure that this work would be going by the month of April! Well, let's just say that by April we didn't know up from down and were laughing at any kind of plan. These past six months have treated us to a variety of obstacles that made us declare the cliche: What doesn't kill us will make us stronger. And if we are completely honest, we weren't always declaring it. Often it was an unsure whisper.

So, what are you going to do when life isn't working out as you want it to? We all find ourselves in this position day-after-day. Hey, what about the mind battles when you know you are a child of God that is sincerely doing His will and life still isn't working out? These are the moments when we must remember that He is Lord and He has a plan; it is a perfect plan that far outdoes our own and it will not fail us. Thank God for this.

Unexpectedly we found our locale. God opened the door, we began to see action and Centro Cristiano Victoria will have its first service on 25 July at 10:00 am. We are going to leave our expectations at the door and simply expect God.

It is a busy time right now. We are getting things ready. Here are a few pictures of us painting the walls of the church. That is now complete and this next week will give a thorough cleaning and set up the sanctuary. It is so close now.

KEEP ON PRAYING! That is the force that is going to make this work go. We cannot say thank you enough for those prayers. We will do our very best to keep this blog current. We love you.