Jones Journal e-Mailer for 2011-11

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Dear Friends,

Greetings in Jesus!

If you'd like to read past issues, see Newsletters. This monthly e-Mailer includes updates on ministry, family, praise, and prayer.

We thank God once again for your prayers and support (1 Thess. 3:9). In our last issue of the e-Mailer, we asked you to pray with us for the following requests. Here's a brief report along with our heart-felt appreciation:

* Saturday afternoon teacher training seminar: along with Carolina Canto, one of our faithful volunteer staff, we taught a group of about 20 committed leaders. They came after working their secular jobs all morning, then wading through a torrential rainstorm. They showed real appreciation and interest in strategies to reach the 4 to 14 age window in Panama.

* KidsQuest Crusade in Penonome: with our zone rep. Rigoberto Mitchell’s coordination, this month’s crusade saw dozens of children respond to the salvation invitation. You can see a short video report on our Media page.

* 4 / 14 Window leaders in Panama: Jose Santamaria is one example of a young person God is using to reach his generation. We introduced him last year when I did a seminar for his children’s church leaders. I just spoke with him and he said the kids were happy to have him back at church since he was sick last Sunday. He has also helped the past few years with the Annual Ngobe (Guaymi) Indian conference, as pictured.

* work budget has been at $0: We’re in the black this month! Thank you all and thank God, our Provider!

Additional ministry activities to report:

* KidsQuest Crusade in Bocas del Toro: One little guy brought a boatload, literally, of about 20 kids from down the coast. For some communities the Atlantic Ocean is a more convenient roadway than hiking through the jungle or waiting/paying for a bus.

Pastor Inoil Alvarado was such a gracious host, plus all his church leaders worked diligently before and during the crusade. The children’s ministries director led the salvation prayer after each crusade and the three presentations about fifty kids came forward and kneeled to pray.

* Yvonne and the orphanage ministry: After the girls were ministered to by Nick (“No arms, no legs, no limits”) Vujijic mentioned in the previous e-Mailer, Yvonne started a Bible Study for them. The group has about 25 girls, ages 14-18. They are studying Jesus’ seven miracles in the Gospel of John.

Yvonne says, “This has been a challenge, but slowly, God is breaking down the barriers and the Holy Spirit is working in the lives of these girls. These girls live there because they have been abused, abandoned or they have no family. When they turn 18, they have to leave the orphanage. My hope is that Christ will save them and get them started in a new life serving Him.” We trust you will pray with us for that to happen.

Here’s what the rest of the family is up to:

Chloe & Tony: are both keeping busy with studies at Evangel University. And keeping their grades up. Tony turned 19 in October. We sent his favorite gift: homemade monster cookies! He did his best to make them last as long as possible…which wasn’t very long! Chloe and friends decorated his room with posters, streamers, & balloons. We got to see it later via Skype! Then after a huge dinner at Lambert’s (“Home of the throwed rolls”), they got Braum’s ice cream cones, as you can see.

Celina: took the SAT test again and scored even higher than what she had hoped. Her senior year includes college fairs, getting letters from universities across the country, and filling out applications for admission and scholarships. Pray for wisdom and direction. On the “side” she is taking a heavy load with AP Calculus and Biology, Physics and a dual credit class. She also earns a little extra spending money by tutoring three times a week.

Gracie: just finished basketball season and had a lot of fun since most of her friends played also. She played on both sub-16 (like J.V. in the U.S.) and sub-18 (like Varsity), and the sub-18 team finished 3^rd place with a 4-4 record. After many “0-fer” seasons, we were all really happy.

She was the first one to respond to a fellow Crossroads Christian Academy student who spoke in chapel about the Sudan refugee relief effort by Samaritan’s Purse. She had recently received some birthday money when she turned 13 in September. Now almost all of the secondary students have participated and in less than a month, the school has raised $1074, and counting!

* Getting to know Panama a little better: We’ve not talked much about our currency, at least not recently. It’s called the “Balboa” after the Spanish explorer Vasco Nuñez de Balboa. The value always equals one U.S. dollar, as symbolized here: B/. 1.00 = $1.00 USD. For you numismatists, there is a new one Balboa coin out in circulation--silver surrounding gold. Click for a larger image.

Speaking of money, in order to help us strengthen our budget, we’ve been given permission for early itineration beginning mid June 2012. We look forward to seeing many of you again to give a report of what God has been doing here with Panama’s children and to hear about your ministry, family, and life! Feel free to contact us to plan a visit.

Last issue I presented the biblical text mentioning how living for Jesus might look like with “a child in the midst.” That has opened my eyes to how often Scripture speaks about children impacting world missions. Don’t you just love it when it seems like God is talking directly to you in the Bible? This passage did for me:

You got me when I was an unformed youth, God, and taught me everything I know.

Now I'm telling the world your wonders; I'll keep at it until I'm old and gray.

God, don't walk off and leave me until I get out the news

Of your strong right arm to this world, news of your power to the world yet to come,

(Psalm 71:17-18, The Message)

Reaching “the world yet to come” we are yours for them,

Kirk for all