Hello from Panama! Here’s a picture recap of our first month of ministry thus far
We’ve been blessed with Heather and Danny as our first contacts. A little over a year ago, they were led to move to Panama from the United States. Danny is originally from Panama. Their passion for Christ completely overflows through them. They are working to share and spread the gospel with a specific passion for the deaf. Pictured below is just one of the families we have been able to serve so far. The shirtless boy, Moises, is deaf. In this culture, physical ailments are seen as curses. Though he is deaf, he is not hindered. He constantly smiles, plays, blows kisses, and just brings joy with his presence. Heather has classes with him and his family to educate on sign language and deafness a couple times a week. She is working to bring awareness and understanding as well as developing and preparing the next generation for the deaf.
As we’re in rainy season, it rains every afternoon around 3. Talk about a blessing. The rain cools down everything and is much needed after manual labor. However, their house has been flooding due to the rain. We have spent the past few days digging and moving a lot of dirt and clay to not only fix the flooding issue, but also give them more living space.
And of course, we had the first annual empanada eating contest! We ordered 300 empanadas, had 9 contestants, and 30 minutes to eat as many as you could! I was able to eat 12.5, but that was no comparison to the champion, Danny who ate 23!
Huge thank you to everyone who has been praying for my team and squad! We are truly being blessed so far and its only been 10 days onto the field. We have been growing closer to each other and God daily. I ask that you pray for Heather and Danny to continue to be able to bless so many people here in Panama, and to continue to reach the deaf not only in Panama, but to use us to reach them all over the world. I also ask for prayers of continued unity and growth within our teams.
I thank you all for your donations! I am now nearly 70% funded! My next deadline is December 1, 2014, and I am about $300 away! I’m continued to be blown away by your generosity, support, and encouragement.
It’s going to be a great year…
