“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Col 3:17
Arriving at the end of 2023, this report needs to start with a big! Aleluya! to the one who deserves our praises and worship. Our Lord continues to bless the work down here, and as we close this year, we wanted to share some results.
We pray that your Christmas, different for many, was good in the company of your loved ones, with a grateful heart because it is only in Jesus, the reason for the season, that we can be called His children. His Children are called to make a difference so His name can be lifted high, and many may be drawn to Him.
This journey should always be done with others. The body needs every part to function correctly; therefore, we are grateful for those our Lord has brought to our sides and together carry the Gospel to near and remote areas. The results shared are the effort of a team that prays for each other and is connected to the One who is the captain of this.
Families such as Mateo Morales & wife Julia with their kids, one already in high school in another village, that during the years have developed a team of disciples/leaders and together supervise the work in 4 remote villages and have started three more this year.
What to say about P. Enrique in the Pacific side, who, with a team of 3 leaders in different villages, supervised (together they serve) 15 home churches, trained leaders, and baptized new converts. Just this past October, 8 of his leaders finished the Bible Institute, which took place at his church for about six years (it took longer due to COVID). One of the mountain's needs is the kids; therefore, together with supporters, four children comedors are under his leadership.
With Pastor Heitor in the Central Provinces and using the NPL program to train churches on starting new places, we have seen leaders and churches start 25 home churches, and three churches started. One of the hardest things to do is to serve pastors; still, by God’s grace, we could visit 16 pastors to support and encourage them. They have made us participants in the baptisms that have taken place due to the work done with them.
Pastor Simon and Bernabe serve in remote areas in the Ngobe reservation; it takes them 3-6 hours of hiking to reach various villages. Pastor Simon's reaching the new generation through a special children program is influencing their lives and planting good seeds in their hearts, trusting that the seed will bear fruit at its time. He held a big training event where the ministry that trained him came, trained leaders from 8 countries, and equipped six churches for five days. Conversely, Bernabe is harvesting new leaders and souls from visiting Manchuila and two new villages (Cremated and Rio Balsa).
All of these servants, as they march, are developing new leaders by teaching and taking them along with them to the various working areas.
Installing the last 20 water filters in the village of Manchuria has been a joy. We are waiting for more filters, for they have proven to be a great gate opener for sharing the Gospel with the different villagers.
Teamwork Results:
There is still a lot to do, and many places to visit that need the Gospel. We are grateful for walking alongside us in 2023 by visiting, encouraging through e-mails, and sharing your resources.
This coming 2024, we envision new projects; one of them is going further into the mountains and adventuring into the sea to reach new villages on the Atlantic side. Besides that, new leaders will be able to receive Theological equipment through the three Bible Institutes that are to start in January for the next seven years. We are expectant of what our Father has in store. He is allowing us to see multiplication.
Prayer Requests (in general for the 7 Team members):
Our families (health, work, spiritual life, wisdom, support, and unity.)
New workers for the new areas that are opened. The families of the 63 home churches (protection, provision, and perseverance).
David visits the leaders in their working area and works the schedule for future work.
Wisdom in decision and discernment on God’s timing.
Resources to carry out the work.
We thank the Lord for you and pray that in 2024, He will fulfill His plans in and through you, surprising us. For more, visit:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/127mdPMpScCy4pCfUOzixp33zcReGGUV8/view?usp=sharing
Blessings, and keep up the good work,
David, Talsy, Cinthia, and the MGPanama team.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Have a blessed 2024!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!