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.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
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!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
We have arrived in the U.S.A.
July has been an awesome month. We hosted another great group from Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church. They continued the work in the area of the city called El Cangrego through prayer walking, mapping and making contacts in the park. They also led music at La Comunidad Bible Church and did a workshop on music/worship in a Kuna village outside of the city. During the time they were in Panama, they also hosted a farewell party for us to show appreciation to all of our friends and the people we had worked with during our two years in Panama.
Just two days after the team left, we also left Panama. What a day of mixed emotions. We left a place that we love with so many friends and memories to go to another place we love with so many friends, family members and memories. We flew to Nashville because John Robert was there. It was great to see him after more than two months apart. We spent two days there with Cavin's family and then drove to McDonough, Georgia south of Atlanta where we will be spending six months in a mission home of Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church. We were greeted with open arms and it has already been such a blessing to stay in their Oasis House - as they have appropriately named this beautiful home!
Upon arriving in the States, we received sad news that Charlotte's uncle had passed away. We were sad, yet thankful that we were back in the States and could be together with family during this time. On Friday, we drove to Brewton, Alabama and spent time with Charlotte's parents and were there to attend the funeral on Saturday.
We arrived back in McDonough last night so that Cavin could preach today in the three services at Eagle's Landing. What a joy to be with them in worship this morning! Singing praises to our Lord in English brought tears to our eyes. It is so evident that this church is on fire for the Lord and truly dedicated to serving Him. We are truly blessed to be here.
Over the next couple of months we will be very busy with Cavin speaking in many different churches. Some weekends we will have to travel, but there are some in the Atlanta area so that we can just drive there on Sunday morning. It is wonderful to share of our work in Panama and how God worked! I truly believe He will continue to do amazing things there!
Just two days after the team left, we also left Panama. What a day of mixed emotions. We left a place that we love with so many friends and memories to go to another place we love with so many friends, family members and memories. We flew to Nashville because John Robert was there. It was great to see him after more than two months apart. We spent two days there with Cavin's family and then drove to McDonough, Georgia south of Atlanta where we will be spending six months in a mission home of Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church. We were greeted with open arms and it has already been such a blessing to stay in their Oasis House - as they have appropriately named this beautiful home!
Upon arriving in the States, we received sad news that Charlotte's uncle had passed away. We were sad, yet thankful that we were back in the States and could be together with family during this time. On Friday, we drove to Brewton, Alabama and spent time with Charlotte's parents and were there to attend the funeral on Saturday.
We arrived back in McDonough last night so that Cavin could preach today in the three services at Eagle's Landing. What a joy to be with them in worship this morning! Singing praises to our Lord in English brought tears to our eyes. It is so evident that this church is on fire for the Lord and truly dedicated to serving Him. We are truly blessed to be here.
Over the next couple of months we will be very busy with Cavin speaking in many different churches. Some weekends we will have to travel, but there are some in the Atlanta area so that we can just drive there on Sunday morning. It is wonderful to share of our work in Panama and how God worked! I truly believe He will continue to do amazing things there!
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Happy 4th of July from Panama
Hello.... and Happy 4th of July. It's just another day for the people here, but we will try to make it special for the kids as we celebrate this special day for our country. Have fun cooking out, going to the beach, watching fireworks or whatever you may be doing and remember to thank God for the freedoms we have as Americans.
We are still in Panama for 12 more days. The time is quickly coming to a close. We have sold all of our furniture and most of our household goods. The apartment is getting very bare as we approach the time to leave.
Last week we had a special commissioning service for the church planters that we have trained and worked with during the past two years. It was a time of worship and sharing testimonies of what God has done, is doing, and is going to do here in this country. We are excited because these people are equipped and ready to serve God. We know He will do great things through them!
On Saturday we have another team arriving from Eagle's Landing FBC. We are excited about this group coming to Panama, and pray that God will use them in a great way.
I'm going to leave you today with a view of a Panama sunset. I took it from the window of our apartment! I hope you enjoy it!
We are still in Panama for 12 more days. The time is quickly coming to a close. We have sold all of our furniture and most of our household goods. The apartment is getting very bare as we approach the time to leave.
Last week we had a special commissioning service for the church planters that we have trained and worked with during the past two years. It was a time of worship and sharing testimonies of what God has done, is doing, and is going to do here in this country. We are excited because these people are equipped and ready to serve God. We know He will do great things through them!
On Saturday we have another team arriving from Eagle's Landing FBC. We are excited about this group coming to Panama, and pray that God will use them in a great way.
I'm going to leave you today with a view of a Panama sunset. I took it from the window of our apartment! I hope you enjoy it!
Monday, June 25, 2012
Stateside is Coming in 21 days
Three weeks from today we will be traveling back to the States for Stateside. We have been busy selling our personal belongings, saying goodbyes, and continuing with ministry. This week we have a special service planned for all of the church planters we have trained here in Panama. We have been able to rent out a theatre at one of the malls here - which just happens to be the biggest mall in Central America. This will be a special time of sending these former students out to continue putting into practice what they have learned. We also have another team coming from Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, GA. They will arrive on July 7 and will be here until the 14, leaving just two days before we depart. We have a full week planned for them and are excited about what God will do through this group!
As you might imagine, we have many emotions. We are sad to leave Panama after pouring ourselves into the ministry God had for us here for the past two years. We are praying that God will continue His work through those who have been trained. On the other hand, we are excited to see family and friends who we haven't seen in a while. Most importantly, we are ready to see our son John Robert who left for the States on May 2nd. He has been staying with grandparents during this time, but it just doesn't feel right to have him missing from our family.
Please keep us in your prayers that we finish well here in Panama, and also that we will have a refreshing time on Stateside. By the way, we are available to speak in churches during this time to share what God has been doing during our time in Panama. Just give us a call, comment on here, send us an email or FB message. We're not too hard to find! We would love to share with many of you during the next six months.
See you soon!
As you might imagine, we have many emotions. We are sad to leave Panama after pouring ourselves into the ministry God had for us here for the past two years. We are praying that God will continue His work through those who have been trained. On the other hand, we are excited to see family and friends who we haven't seen in a while. Most importantly, we are ready to see our son John Robert who left for the States on May 2nd. He has been staying with grandparents during this time, but it just doesn't feel right to have him missing from our family.
Please keep us in your prayers that we finish well here in Panama, and also that we will have a refreshing time on Stateside. By the way, we are available to speak in churches during this time to share what God has been doing during our time in Panama. Just give us a call, comment on here, send us an email or FB message. We're not too hard to find! We would love to share with many of you during the next six months.
See you soon!
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