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The Ngobe Family Conference retreat came back strong this year. We estimate 3000 in total attendance, including 400+ children, 1400+ families receiving a large sack filled with the Convoy of  Hope donation. The week concluded with 60+ baptisms.

Thanks to Pastor Roy Rhodes who returned for his 24th year along with many of the team from Abundant Life Church, Alton IL, who always provide the bulk of the container of donated food stuffs. In addition, several Illinois pastors came for the first time and ministered in the devotions and inspirational services. Yvonne and I also joined Paint Church Missions team leading some of the classes for the 400+ children.

Pictured with us is Edith Andrade and her mother, right after they gave Yvonne this beautiful pink chákara, traditional hand-woven bag. The Andrade family are faithful members of the Ngobe community of believers. Her Uncle Manuel Andrade is the Assemblies of God supervisor (like a presbyter) for all the Ngobe churches in Panamá.

Edith is mom to Marlon (6 or 7 year-old boy), for whom they requested we pray for his legs. One was shorter than the other, so he had a hard time walking, running and trying to play with other children. So I asked Jasen Petersen, one of the credentialed ministers on the team, to join us in prayer for him. After a sincere and frankly very calm prayer for God to heal him, I then asked Marlon how he felt. He didn’t really answer, just looked back at me with a blank expression. So I asked him if he would like to try run over to a nearby tree. He did. And fast! As he turned to come back I saw a huge smile spread across his face. “No pain?” I asked. This time he smiled broadly and nodded enthusiastically. Praise God He still heals!

Yvonne’s nephew Isaac Sheets, film-maker, joined us for the retreat. After seeing the joy on Marlon’s face, I told Isaac I wish we would have gotten that on tape. He responded  wisely: “some things are just for our eyes.”

Catedral de Vida (Cathedral of Life) Church is the first Assembly of God church established in Panamá. Our connection with them goes way back and includes: our baby Celina’s dedication; establishing a children’s church, ministering with their kids ministry for summer retreat. This past weekend we shared with the 30+ married couples at their family retreat themed “We Are One.”

It was fun for us to brush the dust off our 36 year old Marriage Encounter notebook to lead them in the relationship-enhancing practice of doing dialogue together, connecting at a deeper level by honestly sharing our feelings. And, yes, that notebook passed through a fire of our household goods in storage several years ago while we were itinerating. An appropriate visual aid for an enduring marriage, don’t you think?

The Palau Festival is coming to Panamá the first weekend of March, led by Andrés, son of the beloved, departed evangelist Luis Palau. It will take place at the waterfront park of Cinta Costera where thousands of people pass through each weekend. In addition to a live stage show and gospel presentation, Panamá’s AD Kids National team will man the booths for the expected 1000+ boys and girls with whom we will share the Good News using the five colors of the salvation message. Think “wordless book” evangelism tool.

So we are tasked with coordinating the logistics of set up, getting color-coded treats to hand out, the detailed decorations (as you can see, we already started crafting them), and providing personnel to share the gospel during the kids’ portion of the festival Saturday afternoon. We ask you to pray along with us, and the hundreds of volunteers from many different denominations, all of whom are working together to see many people come to faith in Jesus, and then to be discipled by a local church.

Remembering the Ngobe retreat and baptizing new believers in the river (plus bathing there at night with the flying bats…), and thinking about passing through fiery trials in life and marriage, this verse came to mind:

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)

Thank God He is always with us! Blessings!