This Week's Reflections

Well, another week is coming to an end.  Preston's birthday was yesterday.  We had a good time celebrating as a family,  but the real celebration is today as he is having a party with the boys in his class.  We will pick them up after school and bring them home with us for the party.  He has been looking forward to this for several weeks, and woke up earlier than usual to get ready for school!  It's hard to believe that the baby of the family is 10 years old!

The years truly do go by so fast.  I was reflecting on our life over the last 10 years.  A lot has changed.  Who would have thought 10 years ago, we would be living in Panama City, Panama.  God has guided us and directed our path through everything we have encountered.  He has been faithful, and I know He will continue to be faithful - no matter what comes our way or where He leads us.  Life as a Christian is certainly not a boring existence.  If you allow Him to lead you, you will be amazed what He will do and the adventure you can have with Him!  I challenge you to live each day for Him!  You may not wind up in Panama or another country, but He will give you fulfilling experiences as you share with those around you the gospel message.  You will be amazed at the people He brings into your life and He will fulfill you in ways you never imagined!  Jesus said in John 10:10 says,  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

19 Graduate from the Church Planting Institute of Panama

Last night, we had a special service to recognize the students who have completed the coursework for the 6 month Church Planting Class.  It was a special time to charge the students to put in practice what they have learned.  Quite a few are already doing exactly that.  Small groups and churches are being started all over the City.  We heard a testimony from one young man who has gone into a dangerous area of Panama and is training others in church planting using the Kuna language.  Through his work, lives are being changed.  He reported that there are 13 who have accepted Christ and are ready to be baptized!  Praise the Lord!

Please go to our UP Team blog to see more of what's going on with our team  http://urbanpanamateam.blogspot.com/

On this site, you can also see a map which shows all the places that churches have been started through our team.  You can also read about some of the specific areas where we or our church planters are working.

Thanks for keeping up with our blog, and most of all thanks for praying!  We could not be here without prayer!

Happy 80th Birthday, Daddy!!!

Today is my (Charlotte's) dad's 80th birthday!  Tomorrow he will be celebrating with a party with family and friends.  This will be one of the days that when you go on the mission field you know will come, but it's still sad when you can't be there on those special occasions.  Thanks to modern technology, I will be able to Skype with him during the party, and maybe chat with some of the people who are there, but it's still not quite the same as being there.  All in all, though, I'm happy that he is getting to celebrate this happy day!  80!!!!!  I'm so happy to still have him here to call and talk to, share what's going on in our lives here in Panama, and know that he's thrilled that we are here sharing the gospel with the people in Panama!

Selah

"Selah" is the name our Monday night small group has given itself.  This word is from Psalms and we chose it because this group is focused on praise.  Several of the members of this group are professional singers here in Panama.  The group is made up of young Panamanian professionals who want to see the worship culture changed here in Panama.  The group is growing.  It is currently meeting in the home of one of the couples on the UP Team (Tim and Tina Louderback) but we are praying for a bigger place to meet soon because we are close to outgrowing their house!  Please pray for this group to continue to grow and reach the young, urban professionals of Panama for Christ!