This will be the last time I write from the U.S. We are in the process of packing and moving out of the mission house we have called home for the last 6 months. What a blessing it has been to stay in the Oasis House of Eagles' Landing First Baptist Church. We feel refreshed and ready to start the new ministry that God has ahead for us in Bogotá, Colombia. We will be flying out of Atlanta early Monday morning. We have a short layover in Miami and will arrive in Bogotá around 4:30 Monday afternoon.
We don't know how God will work in this new phase of ministry, but are trusting Him to guide us and show us how he wants to use us in this mega-city. He is already connecting us with Colombians both here and in Bogotá that want to be a part of our work.
Please keep us in your prayers. Pray that we will be bold in witnessing and sharing the good news of Jesus! Pray also for the adjustments we will be making such as finding an apartment, making it feel like home, making friends with new people, the kids adjusting to (yet another) new school, leaving John Robert here in college.... and things we haven't even thought of. Most of all, pray that we will be faithful in following the Lord's guidance each day to do and be what He wants.
As we return to the field, I will be more diligent in writing weekly to let everyone know how to pray and also to share how we see God working.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Changes Ahead
It's hard to believe that Christmas is less than a week away, the end of the year is only 11 days away and our stateside time will be ending in just over a month. We are getting everything in place to move to Bogotá, Colombia around January 26th. More changes, more goodbyes, more hellos on the other end, more getting used to a new culture, more settling into a new home..... and more getting to do the work that God has called us to do! Oh, the life of a missionary family!
This time we will be leaving John Robert behind in college. This will be very hard, but we are trusting God in this. We are believing that we have equipped John Robert to live on his own with God guiding him each day. Please keep us all in your prayers as we make these changes.
In Bogotá, Cavin will be the MegaCity Strategist for this city of 10 million people. It is much larger than the "small town" of Panama City, Panama which "only" has about 1.2 million. In the beginning, we will be prayer walking, making contacts with pastors, visiting the Baptist churches there, and meeting other people that God puts in our path. We are excited to see what God will do in this next step in our ministry.
We are also grateful for the time that we have had in the States to reunite with family, friends and churches, to share what God did in Panama and what He is continuing to do in our lives, to disciple people that God has put in our lives here in the U.S., to help John Robert adjust to college life while we were only a short drive away, to allow our kids to experience school in the U.S., and to eat at Chick-Fil-A anytime we wanted! The past few months have also given us a time to step back from our work in Panama, renew ourselves in the Lord, and gain an excitement about our next step in this journey - our work in Bogotá.
This will be our first Christmas in the U.S. since 2008. We are excited to spend it with family, but most of all we are thankful for Jesus coming as a baby, living a perfect life and dying for our sins on the cross. Let's keep that foremost in our thoughts as we celebrate Jesus this Christmas!
This time we will be leaving John Robert behind in college. This will be very hard, but we are trusting God in this. We are believing that we have equipped John Robert to live on his own with God guiding him each day. Please keep us all in your prayers as we make these changes.
In Bogotá, Cavin will be the MegaCity Strategist for this city of 10 million people. It is much larger than the "small town" of Panama City, Panama which "only" has about 1.2 million. In the beginning, we will be prayer walking, making contacts with pastors, visiting the Baptist churches there, and meeting other people that God puts in our path. We are excited to see what God will do in this next step in our ministry.
We are also grateful for the time that we have had in the States to reunite with family, friends and churches, to share what God did in Panama and what He is continuing to do in our lives, to disciple people that God has put in our lives here in the U.S., to help John Robert adjust to college life while we were only a short drive away, to allow our kids to experience school in the U.S., and to eat at Chick-Fil-A anytime we wanted! The past few months have also given us a time to step back from our work in Panama, renew ourselves in the Lord, and gain an excitement about our next step in this journey - our work in Bogotá.
This will be our first Christmas in the U.S. since 2008. We are excited to spend it with family, but most of all we are thankful for Jesus coming as a baby, living a perfect life and dying for our sins on the cross. Let's keep that foremost in our thoughts as we celebrate Jesus this Christmas!
Sunday, November 25, 2012
November Update
Novemeber has been a good month. The kids are enjoying school. Christian has been involved in drama this year and has really enjoyed it. Preston has loved being able to ride his bike and play outside - which he was unable to do when we lived in Panama. John Robert seems to be settling into college life. He gets along well with his roommates and has found a church he is really enjoying.
All 3 of the kids had the whole week off for Thanksgiving. This was our first Thanksgiving in the States since 2008. We all loaded up and traveled to White House, TN to visit with Cavin's parents and then on to Brewton, AL to visit Charlotte's parents. In the time we were gone, we packed a lot in. Charlotte led a women's conference, Cavin preached, visited a fellow missionary from Panama who is on Stateside in Nashville, visited a childhood friend of Charlotte's in Birmingham in route from Tennessee to Alabama, and visited missionary friends in Pensacola, FL. It has been great to re-connect with friends and family. Because of our crazy lifestyle, God has blessed us with friends all over the world, and sometimes our paths cross in various places of the world.
We returned on Friday and had a day of resting at home yesterday. It was nice to be at home together as a family. We were sad to see John Robert leave today to return to school, but are glad that he will be back soon for a month during Christmas.
Today we worshipped in the morning at Eagle's Landing First Baptist. It's always good to be there and share with this wonderful group of believers. Tonight, Cavin preached at Piney Grove Baptist Church in Acworth, GA. Their pastor Scotty Davis is a good friend of ours and truly has a heart for missions and ministry. Cavin and Scotty went on a mission trip several years ago to Lesotho, Africa; and Scotty went to Panama two times while we were there. It was great to share in this church. At the end of the service the members of the church came around us and prayed over us. They also made a commitment to continue to pray for us in our ministry. This really means so much to us to know that people are praying for us. Prayer is powerful, and we never want to take that for granted.
All 3 of the kids had the whole week off for Thanksgiving. This was our first Thanksgiving in the States since 2008. We all loaded up and traveled to White House, TN to visit with Cavin's parents and then on to Brewton, AL to visit Charlotte's parents. In the time we were gone, we packed a lot in. Charlotte led a women's conference, Cavin preached, visited a fellow missionary from Panama who is on Stateside in Nashville, visited a childhood friend of Charlotte's in Birmingham in route from Tennessee to Alabama, and visited missionary friends in Pensacola, FL. It has been great to re-connect with friends and family. Because of our crazy lifestyle, God has blessed us with friends all over the world, and sometimes our paths cross in various places of the world.
We returned on Friday and had a day of resting at home yesterday. It was nice to be at home together as a family. We were sad to see John Robert leave today to return to school, but are glad that he will be back soon for a month during Christmas.
Today we worshipped in the morning at Eagle's Landing First Baptist. It's always good to be there and share with this wonderful group of believers. Tonight, Cavin preached at Piney Grove Baptist Church in Acworth, GA. Their pastor Scotty Davis is a good friend of ours and truly has a heart for missions and ministry. Cavin and Scotty went on a mission trip several years ago to Lesotho, Africa; and Scotty went to Panama two times while we were there. It was great to share in this church. At the end of the service the members of the church came around us and prayed over us. They also made a commitment to continue to pray for us in our ministry. This really means so much to us to know that people are praying for us. Prayer is powerful, and we never want to take that for granted.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Cawthon Update
The last month has been very busy. We went to Richmond, VA for 10 days and both Cavin and Charlotte were able to share. Charlotte spoke at a women's conference and Cavin preached the following day at Anchor Baptist Church in Mechanicsville, VA. We also went to our Stateside Conference just outside of Richmond during the first week of October. This was a great time of praising and worshipping God and focusing on what God has ahead for us. The kids also had a great time connecting with other TCK's (third culture kids). A highlight for Christian was going to Williamsburg one day, while Preston's favorite part was going to a State Fair.
We continue to have visitors from Panama spending time with us. It's been fun introducing them to the U.S. culture, and particularly the culture of the South. They have tried boiled peanuts and cheese grits, they've learned why we like Chick-Fil-A so much, we've taken them to Walmart, and they have worshipped with us in English.
Please pray for Panama. This week has been a difficult time there with a lot of protesting and discord in the country. Several people have been killed in the city of Colon. Schools have had to cancel classes; roads have been closed; stores have been looted; and there is a general feeling of unrest that some say they have not felt since the U.S. invasion when Noriega was overthrown. Our friends are sad to hear of these things taking place in their country and to know what their friends and family are experiencing during these days. And we are sad because of the people we know and love in Panama.
God is providing many opportunities to serve him. Cavin is preaching almost every week, and Charlotte has several other upcoming times to speak for women's groups. Cavin is also leading a men's group weekly on Thursday nights. Last weekend he led a Church Planting Conference in Spanish. We are thankful for many ways to serve the Lord while here in the States.
We continue to have visitors from Panama spending time with us. It's been fun introducing them to the U.S. culture, and particularly the culture of the South. They have tried boiled peanuts and cheese grits, they've learned why we like Chick-Fil-A so much, we've taken them to Walmart, and they have worshipped with us in English.
Please pray for Panama. This week has been a difficult time there with a lot of protesting and discord in the country. Several people have been killed in the city of Colon. Schools have had to cancel classes; roads have been closed; stores have been looted; and there is a general feeling of unrest that some say they have not felt since the U.S. invasion when Noriega was overthrown. Our friends are sad to hear of these things taking place in their country and to know what their friends and family are experiencing during these days. And we are sad because of the people we know and love in Panama.
God is providing many opportunities to serve him. Cavin is preaching almost every week, and Charlotte has several other upcoming times to speak for women's groups. Cavin is also leading a men's group weekly on Thursday nights. Last weekend he led a Church Planting Conference in Spanish. We are thankful for many ways to serve the Lord while here in the States.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
On the Go!
Sorry that it's been so long since we last posted. Things are going well for us and we are enjoying being on Stateside. God is giving us opportunities to serve Him, and it's been really exciting. Cavin has shared in churches in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. He is also mentoring a man one on one and has started a men's Bible study group, also. In October, he will be leading a Church Planting Conference for Latinos. Charlotte is having opportunities to speak and share also. She will be leading several women's events over the next few weeks. It's been great just allowing God to show us how and where He wants us to serve Him. This weekend we will be traveling to Richmond, Virginia. Charlotte will be leading a women's conference on Saturday and Cavin will be preaching on Sunday at Anchor Baptist Church in Mechanicsville, VA. Next week, we will be going through our Stateside Conference with other missionaries who are on Stateside Assignment. It will be great to see old friends and make new ones. Christian and Preston will be with us and they are looking forward to the children's activities that are planned and just hanging out with other missionary kids who understand them and their crazy life!
We have had a friend here from Panama for the past week and a half. It's been fun introducing him to U.S. culture. We will also have two more Panamanian friends visiting us the second half of October. It's been great having Panama come to us!
Life is good! We are truly experiencing abundant, joyful life in Christ - and pray that He is being glorified in our lives.
We have had a friend here from Panama for the past week and a half. It's been fun introducing him to U.S. culture. We will also have two more Panamanian friends visiting us the second half of October. It's been great having Panama come to us!
Life is good! We are truly experiencing abundant, joyful life in Christ - and pray that He is being glorified in our lives.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
A New Normal
Since last writing, we have become somewhat more settled. Christian and Preston are going to school everyday and John Robert has now started classes at Auburn University. We are all finding our "new normal" here in the States. We've experienced joys here, but also "reverse culture shock" at times. For me, I have had sticker shock at how expensive everything is here. While living in Panama, I had convinced myself that groceries and other things were much cheaper here. But, I either had a terrible memory at how much everything costs here, or the prices have jumped up a lot in 3 and a half years. I suspect it's a little of both.
Also, all three of the kids are having to make new friends and find their place here. It's definitely not a fun thing being the "new kid" but with a lot of prayers, God is helping all of us through this process.
John Robert is going through many new changes as he is now living "on his own." He's finding out what it's like to be responsible for washing his clothes, cooking his meals, or eating out on a budget, getting himself up every morning.... the list goes on and on. And we're finding that we miss him a lot. But we are confident that God has led him to this place in his life, and are praying that all that we've taught him for the past 18 years is being put into practice.
Two weeks ago Cavin preached (all in Spanish) at Olive Springs Hispanic Church in Marietta, Georgia. This past week we worshipped at Paper Mill Road Baptist Church in Marietta where Cavin preached; and this week we will be at Olive Springs Baptist Church in Marietta. It's been great sharing with these congregations about our work in Panama and how God blessed, and how He is continuing to do great things there.
Also, all three of the kids are having to make new friends and find their place here. It's definitely not a fun thing being the "new kid" but with a lot of prayers, God is helping all of us through this process.
John Robert is going through many new changes as he is now living "on his own." He's finding out what it's like to be responsible for washing his clothes, cooking his meals, or eating out on a budget, getting himself up every morning.... the list goes on and on. And we're finding that we miss him a lot. But we are confident that God has led him to this place in his life, and are praying that all that we've taught him for the past 18 years is being put into practice.
Two weeks ago Cavin preached (all in Spanish) at Olive Springs Hispanic Church in Marietta, Georgia. This past week we worshipped at Paper Mill Road Baptist Church in Marietta where Cavin preached; and this week we will be at Olive Springs Baptist Church in Marietta. It's been great sharing with these congregations about our work in Panama and how God blessed, and how He is continuing to do great things there.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Trusting God Day by Day
Since arriving in the States less than a month ago, our lives have been crazy busy. We have been traveling and visiting family during this time. A highlight was that we got to throw a 50th Anniversary Party for my parents which was a lot of fun. Cavin has preached at Catawba Springs Baptist Church in Brewton, Alabama and at Temple Baptist Church in White House, Tennessee. These are our parents' churches and both of these churches have been so supportive of us during the past three and a half years. It was such a joy to worship with these churches and see so many familiar faces!
Now we are back in McDonough, GA. The kids started school this week. Christian started high school (9th grade) and Preston is in 5th grade. They are attending Eagle's Landing Christian Academy. Please pray for them as they adjust to a new school, new friends, new teachers. Pray that things will fall in place for them as they get used to a new normal in their lives.
This coming Sunday, we will have the privilege of sharing at Olive Springs Hispanic Church in Marietta, GA. This is the Spanish congregation that is part of Olive Springs Baptist Church where Cavin served as pastor for 5 years. It will be great to be with them and worship in Spanish. It's so great to be able to worship God now in two languages.
God is amazing and is continually reminding me to trust Him.
3 verses He has given me this week are as follows:
Matthew 6:8 "...your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." This verse I read on a friend's FB status and just minutes later opened my devotional book to read the exact same verse. Okay... yes, He got my attention!
2 Cor. 4:16-18 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
We discussed this verse in my Bible study group last night... I came home and a friend from Panama had sent me a message with this verse and the next one below (1 Cor. 15:58)
1 Cor. 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
My friend from Panama sent me this verse last night, and this morning I see this verse laminated next to my computer.... It was the men's memory verse from last night!
3 times this week! Yes, Lord.... I'm listening.... and learning to trust you day by day!
Now we are back in McDonough, GA. The kids started school this week. Christian started high school (9th grade) and Preston is in 5th grade. They are attending Eagle's Landing Christian Academy. Please pray for them as they adjust to a new school, new friends, new teachers. Pray that things will fall in place for them as they get used to a new normal in their lives.
This coming Sunday, we will have the privilege of sharing at Olive Springs Hispanic Church in Marietta, GA. This is the Spanish congregation that is part of Olive Springs Baptist Church where Cavin served as pastor for 5 years. It will be great to be with them and worship in Spanish. It's so great to be able to worship God now in two languages.
God is amazing and is continually reminding me to trust Him.
3 verses He has given me this week are as follows:
Matthew 6:8 "...your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." This verse I read on a friend's FB status and just minutes later opened my devotional book to read the exact same verse. Okay... yes, He got my attention!
2 Cor. 4:16-18 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
We discussed this verse in my Bible study group last night... I came home and a friend from Panama had sent me a message with this verse and the next one below (1 Cor. 15:58)
1 Cor. 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
My friend from Panama sent me this verse last night, and this morning I see this verse laminated next to my computer.... It was the men's memory verse from last night!
3 times this week! Yes, Lord.... I'm listening.... and learning to trust you day by day!
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