Getting settled!

This week we have been getting settled in our new apartment, getting used to our new surroundings, and meeting new people.  We have found a new place for most of our things, but still have a few more things to unpack.  Continue to pray that God will use us here in San Francisco - in the heart of Panama City.

The second 6 month course of the Church Planting Institute ended last night, and a new one will be started in another area of the city the first week of October.  The 3 week intensive course continues to be taught each Sunday with this week being the last week of intensive training, but we will continue to meet once a month to continue the training.  In total, there are 42 students in some phase of the training, whether they are doing the coursework or being coached in church planting. The coaching lasts for one year after the coursework is completed.  The students are coached once a month by one of the couples on the UP Team.   Pray that the whole city will be impacted by these church planters who are eager to see God work in miraculous ways.

It's Friday!

This has been a busy - but good - week!  We are in the process of moving into the city.  We currently live on the edge of the city, but have been praying since our arrival in Panama about the area of the city called  San Francisco.  This week the contract was signed for us us to move into a high rise apartment building.  We will be living on the 22nd floor overlooking San Francisco and Panama City.  We are excited to be in the heart of this area that has very little evangelistic presence.  Pray that God will use us to impact lives for Him!  Pray that we will meet people with whom we can share the good news of Jesus!  Pray also for innovative ways in which we can witness and build relationships.  This is an area of the city where many people have financial means, but they don't have Jesus - so in essence, they have nothing.

Monday is MOVING DAY.  Pray that all will go well as we get settled in our new home.

Prayer Request

Please be in prayer for Josiah Dover.  He is 7 years old and has just been diagnosed with Leukemia.  His parents are friends of ours (Charlie and Jennifer Dover) and were serving in Macedonia.  They returned to the States just over a week ago because of concerns about Josiah.  He was diagnosed last Friday.  They are now in Memphis, TN at St. Jude's Hospital.  A Facebook page has been established entitled "Pray for Josiah".  Please join in praying for healing for Josiah, strength during this journey both physically and in their faith, and that they could be a witness to others who see their faith during this difficult time.  They also have two younger boys.  Thank you for praying for this sweet family.

Greetings from Panama!

It's Friday, but that doesn't mean rest this weekend.  We are gearing up for a busy weekend of ministry for the UP Team.  Cavin will be leading a Pastor's Conference all day Saturday focused on expository preaching.   Pray for him as he finished his preparation and then as he teaches.  Sunday,  a new Church Planting training will begin.  The UP Team will be teaching a 3 week intensive course which will be 3 Sundays for 5 hours each day.  It is exciting to see a new group of eager students ready to learn and start churches!

The kids are winding up the first full week of school, and I guarded say, "so far, so good!"  Christian has been enjoying being back with her group of friends - and oh, of course she is excited about the learning aspect, as well!  Preston would prefer not having to wake up so early and he doesn't like having to write all of his assignments in cursive this year, but he's excited that he will have an opportunity to be involved in track and field for the next few weeks.  He practices today for the first time and has a meet on August 27th.

John Robert is back in the routine of working with UP Team.  He has had time to do this since he still has a few weeks until his classes start back.

Weekly Update

We are striving to do better on updating our blog.  The goal is to update it every Friday.  This has been a good week.  The kids (Christian and Preston) started back to school yesterday.  What a quick summer!  We are praying for a good year this year and it seems to be off to a good start.  Christian is in the 8th grade and Preston is in the 4th grade.

John Robert will be starting his second year of college at Florida State Panama.  He registered for classes this week, but will not begin classes until Aug. 29.

Cavin is in the States right now.  He is working on building a partnership with First Baptist Eagles' Landing in McDonough, GA.  We are excited about what God will do through this partnership.  Cavin will return to Panama on Monday.