Busy Times, Good Times…

It has been over a month since our last post.  Between having very poor internet, Christmas, birthdays, the wonderful Thompson family arriving, a fun-loving 16-member team from Belize arriving, construction and farming of the new property and remote island living – we have been swamped.  God is so good and He is at work, in our lives, our community and in the islands.  We see the seeds being planted and pray that God waters those seeds.

Now begins a huge number of photos taken from multiple cameras (hence the random order) recapping our time here:

There were many things not captured in these photos of course.  Things that require prayer.

We prayed over a Christmas paralyzed man named Francisco Marchado, encouragement, healing and love.  Please continue to pray for this man, our hope is complete healing over his body which has been paralyzed for over 15 years now.

Be in prayer for Santiago’s village, that they would soften their hearts and turn to Christ, we believe that Susanna, his wife potentially be the one God uses to make this happen.  Santiago is blind, we build a latrine in his village because he was having so much difficulty getting to the mangrove to go potty.  There are many that God wants to have a relationship with but some specific ones we have become more connected with are Porfilio, Luis, Deliah, Feliziano and of course Santiago and his wife Susanna.

In the villages near our new property there is much hardness of heart towards God, just talking about the Bible will cause some of them to just leave.  But God has laid a few on our hearts, Orlando, a strong man in his 20s, has a woman and two children.  He is quiet, strong and well respected as far as I can tell.  I feel that God is going to use him greatly, please pray for him, Orlando.  Others are Rodolfo and Jose who have a softness of heart.  The hard ones are Ernesto, his brother and much of their families.  Lots of drunkenness, abuse in all forms and major dishonesty.  But what are we to expect without Christ?  Of course human nature gravitates towards things that are not of God.  But in Christ there is hope, there is peace, there is mercy, grace and forgiveness.

We have a wonderful couple joining us in a week or so, Chris and Ashley Bolt – be in prayer for their transition here.

We will also be hosting a team of 11 Ngobe for 1-2 months, partnering with them to reach the local villages.

Please be in prayer for two more families that may be joining us soon.  Pray for that we, and they, only hear God’s voice as the one who orders our footsteps.

Please be in prayer for our solar equipment coming from the US on an empty banana container towards the end of the month, protection and that there are no problems with the equipment.

Please continue to be in prayer for our new property, the construction, the bureaucracy, the planting, and the hearts nearby – we are super excited.

Do you see a theme?  Pray, pray, pray!  We REALLY appreciate your prayers!  God answers prayers!  God speaks!  We love to hear what God is saying to each of you so please share.

Praise You God for the work you are doing!  And thank all of you for your prayers, they are invaluable.

 

8 Comments

  1. Aidy
    Jan 5, 2013

    Yay for the update! So want to come 😉 Praying for you. (small side note: the diff photo layout you have used here makes its a bit harder to view the photos. I guessing your working with lower res/size due to connection speed etc, but thought I would just mention it). Miss you guys. xx

  2. Paul
    Jan 5, 2013

    Happy to see you and family are doing great. God is doing miraculous works through you guys and your many talents. For your love for God and the people I see many blessings to come. You guys are in my prayers.
    Paul

  3. Liz Bolt
    Jan 5, 2013

    Great work! Hugs and kisses all around. Miss you all!!! Sending help soon. 🙂

  4. Merri Trifiro
    Jan 5, 2013

    It was great to read all the things God is doing amongst you all! Keeping you all in daily prayer…Grace, favor with all, and supernatural provision for divine health and prosperity of body, mind, soul and spirit, be made manifest in each and all!
    Every blessing in abundance!

    Merri T (Church of LIFE, Orlando FL)

  5. Selim
    Jan 11, 2013

    The pictures were sooooo good! I can’t believe how long Bella’s hair is now. Good job with the “Welcome Cake” Shirly. Happy belated birthday Bobby. Indeed you are a blessed man. Ellie, keep swimming everyday so you can be an olympian. You’ll be on the Panamanian team. 🙂

  6. Bonnie
    Jan 11, 2013

    Thank you so much for the picture story of all you’ve been sharing together. Your pictures give life to the prayers of all who were among you the past couple weeks and what the Lord was doing in their hearts and those dear people receiving. Sas your labor of love in the kitchen continues to be a calling and obvious gift! You know how to make the simplest foods MOST tasty and gourmet! Oh, how I love the pics, tears freely stream down my face as I sit at the office in brief glimpse at you in your Panamanian world. Warms my heart to see Ellie & Bella in your living out the Christmas Story tradition, Panamanian tropical style! 🙂 Ethan’s going to take off in a boat on his own one of these days, just like Camille did on the tractor when she learned to start the engine! 🙂 Praying with you for clear voice, direction, details and protection in all the irons in the fire! Love you guys … Abrazos y besitos! 🙂
    Jess says Hi and she misses you!

  7. Alice Mathis
    Jan 27, 2013

    Thanks for all the pictures and updates. I ‘am praying.

  8. Katie
    Mar 15, 2013

    Well, so sorry I’m just now seeing this. The pictures are wonderful. The ones of the bat are quite frightening. You guys are very brave! I love the one of Ethan and the cheese…too funny! It looks like a constant party there, even though I’m sure it’s not, but it’s nice to see that you guys get to have a lot of fun with great people. Shirlene, you make beautiful desserts and it looks like you bless many people with your gift. Bobby, you look like you’re getting younger! You guys have your work cut out for you there, but I know God is using you in mighty ways and he will continue to lead you and guide you. Many prayers sent your way! Hugs~

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