Greetings in Jesus from Panamá! Happy Valentine’s / Friendship Day.

It is by your prayers and faithful support that these ministry reports are possible. Thank you! May God richly bless you for it!

Our team of mentors continue to love on kids from hard places every week. At a recent Bible Club gathering several looked on while one of the talented artists in the group made good use of the art supplies he received in his Christmas gift bag.

For a prayer request, please pray for favor with government administrators to continue to grant us permission to enter the facilities without increased obstacles and limitations.

 
January is the month for the Annual Session of the Panamá Assemblies of God. This year’s theme resonates with our heart for kids ministry: “Creating Generational Spaces,” based on Psalm 78:6-7 (see below). A primary reason we gather is to hear from God and respond at the altars, as you see here. And we dedicated time in prayer for the Republic of Panamá.

The business sessions include elections for national executive positions, which the missionary body has been in charge of in past years. This year they innovated using a digital voting platform on phones and tablets. After initial hesitation from a few non-techies, it proved to be a big hit and huge time saver!

I just got back from the annual Ngobe Family conference. I am always impressed by the sincere devotion of these humble believers, many who travel many hours, as they seek the Lord at the devotional services and age-specific classes. The week ends with my favorite moment: baptism in the river. I estimate there were 80+ baptized, and several remained for hours praying in the Spirit and seeking the Lord!

The precious kids, numbering about 1200, received energetic Bible teaching and a snack of warm fortified milk, called crema. Paint Church sent a hard-working team of leaders to minister with the kids, plus to help coordinate the massive food distribution. Over 1200 families received a large sack of rice, beans, lentils, cereal, and clothes & toys.

We invite your prayers for upcoming events later this month: First is AD Kids Leaders retreat, where Yvonne and I will be sharing the devotional. Next is a kidsmin leaders training seminar for Monte de Sión church in Cerro Batea. Their leader, Nathalie, has participated in our past monthly seminars, and we at her kidsmin events, for years.

We close with the Panamá AG “Creating Generational Spaces” theme verse for the year:

So the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.

Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.

Psalm 78:6-7 (NIV)