Tierra Oscura

Tierra Oscura

When we started this blog, one thing we wanted to make sure we do is be authentic and transparent.  This blog entry is just that, raw transparency. We re-packed our bags for our trip from Panama City to Bocas, loaded them into a truck and suburban at 7:20am and headed off to the airport.  Our flight didn’t leave until 12:50pm but in order for our numerous bags to make it, we had to get them in line early since we were shipping them cargo, which is half the price of normal.  Alejandro, who works in cargo explained that all of our bags needed to be unlocked, opened, inspected, tie-wrapped, taped and labeled and would probably not make it to Bocas for a few days or a week.  After talking with Alejandro and getting to know him, suddenly those...

First Impressions

First Impressions

Our first impressions actually started on the plane from Miami to Panama City.  We went from efficiency driven to relationship driven.  The flight attendants were much more concerned with getting to know people than serving them, which is why, when the plane landed most passengers still had their garbage from the one time only drink service of the flight.  In fact, when passengers came back to ask flight attendants for more to drink, they were directed to the galley and told they could help themselves – I love it.  At one point during the flight I got up to change Ethan, I didn’t notice the long line of people waiting for the lavatories in the galley, as I went back with Ethan in hand they all graciously motioned for me to go ahead of them –...

One Word: Panama!

One Word: Panama!

Two words: we’re here.  😉 Well everyone, we made it.  We are currently in Panama City, Panama staying with friends on the YWAM Chilibre base.  We are safe and sound and feel very blessed in our travels today.  At 4:20am we arose with our sleepy children packed in Janelle and Seth’s van with a crazy amount of luggage, which was handled great and nothing was broken (that we know of), the kids did great, the planes were on-time, TSA was pleasant, the plane even had a changing table!  A great, yet tiring day of travel – Praise You Lord! Thank you sooooo much for your prayers, this trip was flooded in prayer and we felt it. We will be making our final leg of the trip to Bocas del Toro in two to three days – we’ll keep you...

CHE

CHE

This week I attended a full week of CHE training.  No, this is not a guerrilla warfare training school led by the former rebel leader Che.  CHE (Community Health Evangelism) is a plan for individual and community development through physical and spiritual teaching.  CHE reaches people holistically: spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically – just as Jesus did.  Teaching how to help people, not hurt them. As always, after a full week of training in any area I feel as though I’ve reached a point of information saturation and hope that I absorbed what I learned.  CHE principles are both very simple and yet completely profound in this day and age of missions and humanitarian movements.  I would highly recommend it for anyone who wants to...

EE-TAOW!

EE-TAOW!

Incredible story of a missionary family who shared the Gospel with the Mouk People of Papua New Guinea. I love the celebration of the people after receiving Jesus – awesome! In this next video the same missionary family teaches the new believers how to share the Gospel with other villages. Multiplying, just as Jesus...

Wild Bill Cortez

Wild Bill Cortez

The American William Dathan Holbert, a.k.a. “Wild Bill” along with his partner Laura Michelle Reese, will face trial on 7, 21 and 29 May before the Superior Tribunal in Chiriqui, for the alleged commission of the crime of homicide to the detriment of five people. The hearing on 7 May 2012 will be for the murders of Michael Watson Brown (real name Michael Francis Salem), his wife Manchittha Nankratoke “Nan” Brown, and their teenage son Watson Brown. The next hearing, on 21 May 2012, is for the murder of Cheryl Lynn Hughes. The last hearing, on 29 May 2012, is for the murder of Bo Icelar. All of the murders took place in Bocas del Toro, Panama. http://www.panama-guide.com/article.php/20120306173805733 These murders happened in the area we...

Pride Goes Before… A Fall

Pride Goes Before… A Fall

Proverbs 16:18 – Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. I have been reflecting heavily on this verse.  Last week, I sold a dozer to a gentleman who came a few days later with a professional equipment transporter.  As the professional arrived, he parked, tilted his trailer and proceeded to hop up into the driver’s seat of the dozer.  I stood up on the track and asked him if he wanted me to load the cat onto the trailer.  He replied with, “I got this, I’ve driven hundreds of different kinds of equipment.”  I stepped back and told him if he needed anything to let me know.  I watched as he fumbled with the controls trying to figure out what lever does what.  I walked over to show him the lever he was...

In Newport News, Virgina!

In Newport News, Virgina!

Well, we made it!  We’re here at our second home with our good friends in Newport News, Virginia.  Thank you so much Seth & Janelle for hosting us again! I will say, travel with children in one word, brutal.  Shirlene and I were commenting on how easy travel is when you are single or as a couple, its a breeze, almost a joy.  And don’t get me wrong, we LOVE our kiddos, it is just exhausting traveling with children (those of you with kiddos know exactly what I’m talking about). Our trip was fairly eventful, in summation, on the plane from Portland to DC, which is about 5 hours, Ethan slept about 20 minutes, pretty much as we landed, he leaked through his diaper on the plane onto me and when I went to change him I found the plane had no...

Sharing @ Cherry Grove Friends Church

Sharing @ Cherry Grove Friends Church

We were blessed to share with our brothers and sisters in Christ at Cherry Grove Friends Church yesterday. Here’s the recording: http://cherrygrovefriends.org/sermons/?sermon_id=111