Guabal Bible Institute Update - Sept 5-8

Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim 2:1

To our Lord be the glory for the 34 participants who attended the Bible Institute in Guabal. We also acknowledge the dedication of those who couldn’t attend for personal reasons. Mateo and the team will ensure they are updated with the class.

On this occasion, the class was called “Bible Study Methods,” divided into two parts: the first deals with Observation, and the second with Interpretation.

Observation sees everything in a passage, from words to grammar, tenses, and intonation. Our mountain brothers and sisters are brilliant because they must cross language barriers. Even though they speak Spanish, it does not mean they understand every word they read; besides that, they have to deal with grammar, and considering that their education level is limited, they do their very best to comprehend what is being taught to them. This group surprised us by being able to do some of the exercises found at the end. Still, at the same time, it was a challenge to the teachers, for they had to make adjustments by changing the order and content of some of the teachings, so at the end, they served what the group needed to know.

Finally, we were satisfied with the results. Assignments were given for the next class, but it also gave all of us things to think about simplifying the teaching (content and delivery of it) so this people group can grasp what they need to be better handlers of God’s Word.

The next class is programmed for March 2025. Until then, Mateo will follow up with his group and P. Norberto with his.

Also, our Lord granted us good weather, allowing the kitchen to function without any inconvenience, and I think we produced the best fried chicken in the area. It was good, very good.

Praise the Lord for the partnership with IBAC. God uses them to equip Pastors, leaders, and the church so they can handle God’s Word with boldness and knowledge.

Video here: https://youtu.be/HzI2IP_9Cbk

Trip to Hacha Report - August, 2024

REPORT:

Will the hike be easy? How long will it take? Will it rain? Will the river be high? These questions may have crossed the team's mind, but they did not waver in their commitment to the mission. Their dedication was unwavering, and they continued on, undeterred.  

The hike was challenging because it was raining, and the creek level started to rise, making the current strong and the crossing to the other side more difficult. The team had to use the stronger among them to help the others cross safely. This made the hiking time longer, but they arrived at Hacha safely. After getting together to plan the next day's work, they set camp and prepared for dinner and a good night's rest.

Besides evangelism and discipleship, one of the projects was to build a small book box (tiny library), with the hope and the help of the school teachers, to develop a reading habit in the students. The team contributed 40 booklets (in Spanish, of course, hehe), stories, and other variety.  

The team was able to visit homes; one was the home of a sister who cooked for teams that came in other years and always asked prayers so her husband (Bernaldo, who was a MamaTata) would come to Jesus.  When the head of a family accepts Christ, the whole family comes to the Lord; the head of the family is so crucial, even in this group.  Bernaldo received the Lord for His glory after David and team members sat with him and dialogued about Jesus.  He said, "Now I am ready," and the family of 7 came to the Lord after him.  In total, five homes were visited, where 21 heard a clear presentation of the Gospel, and from these, 12 said “yes” to our Lord, including Bernaldo’s family

All this is about Him; the Holy Spirit speaks to the heart and prepares the soil through the many visits made in love.  It is Him, for Him, and through Him, that missions can function. Is He that longs to use His children to carry on the message entrusted on that day of Pentecost, enabling His body to speak and act in that love that made Him go to the cross.  All glory to Him.  Thank you so much for praying, reading the reports, and sharing resources for the work to continue

SCHOOL SUPPLIES: 

The school also received some supplies such as paper, whiteboard markers, a good roll of cardboard for drawing and teaching concepts, and other supplies. We are so glad to be able to supply these things, for we know the need that schools in remote areas have. 

Pictures at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gSVHvReo7kDLvE1WIhjsdfSIFYElKylp?usp=drive_link 

June / July Trip Update

Blessings, we are sharing the report from one of our outreaches alongside the Teribe River in Bocas del Toro.

May / June Update

And on that day, you will say, "Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; make them remember that His name is exalted." Praise the LORD in song, for He has done glorious things; let this be known throughout the earth. Ezra 3:11

Back to Back

In these two months (May and June), God has allowed us to have two back-to-back construction/evangelism campaigns. It brings great joy to see how God responds to the prayers of people groups deep into the jungle to have a house of prayer. This report provides two updates, one for the NgobeBugle and one for the Nasso people group.

Our hearts burst in praise, for He is good all the time.

Next week (June 25-Jul 1), a team from Madison will arrive to serve on evangelism, VBS, and teaching.

All components (VBS, construction, medical, Bible Institute, etc.) are used by our Lord to plant His Church in this broken world and bring transformation.

Venado Creek

Venado (Deer Creek) is a two-hour hike for my mom, but she made it there. The purpose of the trip was to start a house of prayer and share God’s love in the area, which Mama Tata believes is dominant.

While the construction was underway, the evangelism team was also working. Rotation was implemented so each team member could experience sharing God’s message.

The team visited 24 homes, presented the Gospel to 155, and shared with +111 kids.

The house of prayer had to be built on a slope, and big rocks had to be dug out. Even though the work was unfinished, our Ngobe brothers continued after the team departed.

Moral Principles

School supplies were handed to the headteacher; they were very happy with the materials.

As you visit the school, you will be welcomed by a display of the morals taught there. School buildings.

Back in 2017 a team came, and the village remembers them with love. Guillermina is one of them. Her kids are men and helped in the building. Loving children today guarantees men and women of God for tomorrow. The church grows.

More pictures here https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1H3zgCm589K-EDZp-4DH4r3Npx3rovGgo?usp=sharing

Video at https://youtu.be/z_Q6iYL8z7c

Rancho Quemado 

Rancho Quemado is a small village consisting of a cluster of families with one root family, whom we met about 20 years ago when coming to the Nasso reservation was only possible by boat or hiking. We did both, but I do not recall that this village existed back then. Anyway, it was so pleasant and, at the same time, overwhelming to meet brothers who used to come to the VBS in a nearby village called Bonyick. Today, they have families and make memories of when they were kids. They used to hike for two to three hours to attend the VBS or the movie during the night services. As they grew, they settled in Rancho Quemado (burnt hut). The name? I have no idea, for I asked, and they just moved their shoulders as if saying, “We do not know.”

During our stay, one of these brothers graciously hosted us in his home. As I held his little girl, Sherlene, who was just 1 year old, I couldn't help but feel a deep connection. His wife, Migdalia, was overjoyed to have us as guests. Magaly and Dixia, two other family members, cared for us in the kitchen, making us feel like part of their family.

The community of Rancho Quemado has been fervently praying for a church building for the past couple of years. We are grateful to Jesus, who has uniquely answered their prayers. He inspired a church in Arkansas, USA, that partners with the ministry to feel a calling from our Lord to come and serve in helping to build it.

The intense heat, humidity, and sun of the area left their mark on each of us, and by the end of the day, we were all ready to relax, cool down, and enjoy a good clean-up time, of course, accompanied by a meal.

Today, one day before our departure, a dear missionary with whom we used to venture by boat up the Teribe River came to meet us. Her daughter Samaria and husband Daniel are the pastors of this small but open-hearted church.

The church building turned out to be at the same place where the Bonyick dam generators were; upon removing them from the place, a cement floor was left behind, but with bumps that needed to be removed. David managed to rent a big hammer jack, and God already had a person who worked teaching students in the US how to use it, taking over this work. God was orchestrating things.

At the end of the week, we were all tired but extremely joyful for the work done.

Thanks so much for praying and for your patience on this update. In Him and until He comes back again,

David, Cinthia, & MGP team.

More Pictures here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iQikejif5wlyvAJ01bYLNHFJ1H_s88LH?usp=sharing

Bible Institue & Construction Updates