Our flight was on time (if a bit turbulent), we sailed through customs and all of our luggage arrived with us. We are grateful to home safe from our week of living on mission in Panama!
Hope you will join us today as we share with our Kingsway family all that God did in us and through us during this amazing experience. THANKS so much for praying and for supporting us!
Love & blessings,
Pastor Arlena
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Prayer Focus - Saturday, October 15, 2011
Focus Topic: Protection
Focus Scripture: Psalm 91
Focus Team Member: Hector Rivera
God is such an effective Protector. His arms stretch far and wide to shelter us under His wings. His promises are sure and true. In Him, we don’t have to be afraid of any terror, darkness, evil or disease. God is our Refuge. This psalm promises that He will order His angels to protect us, wherever we go, and that He will answer all who call on His Name. What an amazing truth to cling too as our team travels home today!
Lord, watch over, guard, protect and keep safe our loved ones as they come home to us! We are so thrilled that they had this opportunity to be used by You to reach others with the Gospel. Give them rest as they come back to the States. Extend Your traveling mercies to them. Help their flight to go smoothly and to land quickly and safely here in Philadelphia. Help Hector today. He has a busy week ahead of them. They need a supernatural recharge as they jump back into life here. We can’t wait to hear all about their trip, Lord. Be with them as they plan Sunday’s service and may what You have done in their hearts spill over into ours. Give us an even greater burden for the lost of our community! We love You, Lord! Amen!
Focus Scripture: Psalm 91
Focus Team Member: Hector Rivera
God is such an effective Protector. His arms stretch far and wide to shelter us under His wings. His promises are sure and true. In Him, we don’t have to be afraid of any terror, darkness, evil or disease. God is our Refuge. This psalm promises that He will order His angels to protect us, wherever we go, and that He will answer all who call on His Name. What an amazing truth to cling too as our team travels home today!
Lord, watch over, guard, protect and keep safe our loved ones as they come home to us! We are so thrilled that they had this opportunity to be used by You to reach others with the Gospel. Give them rest as they come back to the States. Extend Your traveling mercies to them. Help their flight to go smoothly and to land quickly and safely here in Philadelphia. Help Hector today. He has a busy week ahead of them. They need a supernatural recharge as they jump back into life here. We can’t wait to hear all about their trip, Lord. Be with them as they plan Sunday’s service and may what You have done in their hearts spill over into ours. Give us an even greater burden for the lost of our community! We love You, Lord! Amen!
Friday, October 14, 2011
Prayer Focus - Friday, October 14, 2011
Focus Topic: Refreshing
Focus Scripture: Proverbs 11:25 / Philemon 1:7
Focus Team Member: Jesse Mauer
Today, the team will travel around Panama City. As their day off after a week of intense ministry, this will be their time to relax, sight see, shop, and see the infamous Panama Canal. We serve a God who understands the value of rest and replenishment. Genesis 1 tells us that He rested after He created the world. Our team has worked hard this week. Long days physically and spiritually draining times of ministry have left them needing to enjoy some fun! They have refreshed others; now, it’s their turn to be refreshed.
Jesus, we can only praise and worship You for what You have accomplished through this team over the last few days! The souls saved and hearts touched are because of Your Holy Spirit working in people’s lives. All 10 members of our team have labored, painted, done skits, spoke, prayed, loved, visited and anything else that was asked of them - just so others could be refreshed with the good news of the Gospel. So, renew their strength today. Let them enjoy everything this day holds. And, in the midst of it all, stir their hearts to a renewed wonder and awe for the great God they serve. Be with Jesse today. Touch his physical bodies; strengthen him in You. We trust You, Lord! In Your Name we pray, Amen!
Focus Scripture: Proverbs 11:25 / Philemon 1:7
Focus Team Member: Jesse Mauer
Today, the team will travel around Panama City. As their day off after a week of intense ministry, this will be their time to relax, sight see, shop, and see the infamous Panama Canal. We serve a God who understands the value of rest and replenishment. Genesis 1 tells us that He rested after He created the world. Our team has worked hard this week. Long days physically and spiritually draining times of ministry have left them needing to enjoy some fun! They have refreshed others; now, it’s their turn to be refreshed.
Jesus, we can only praise and worship You for what You have accomplished through this team over the last few days! The souls saved and hearts touched are because of Your Holy Spirit working in people’s lives. All 10 members of our team have labored, painted, done skits, spoke, prayed, loved, visited and anything else that was asked of them - just so others could be refreshed with the good news of the Gospel. So, renew their strength today. Let them enjoy everything this day holds. And, in the midst of it all, stir their hearts to a renewed wonder and awe for the great God they serve. Be with Jesse today. Touch his physical bodies; strengthen him in You. We trust You, Lord! In Your Name we pray, Amen!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Between Jesus & Uncle Bill
As you can probably tell, this team LOVES to laugh. So, tonight's blog title (which doesn't really have anything to do with our ministry today) has to do with little Malachi Kenyon. He is the 3 1/2 year old son of our host missionaries and we've adopted him as an official member of our team. He has found some special friends in Uncle Bill (Bill Lang) and Hector (who plays Jesus in our "Eternal Life" drama). So, tonight at the start of our team devotions, Malachi decides he wants to sit between Jesus and Uncle Bill. We all laughed hard and said, "That's the blog title for tonight!"
Today was our final day of ministry here in Panama and it was both diverse and amazing. We were up early in order to be at the school for a program at 7am. I posted pictures that Randy took during this program. We were able to do lots of fun things with the kids but after the "Eternal Life" skit (notice Larry playing the angel), Brian Josue led the ministry time and the Lord began to move among these children. Several began to weep and cry out. We walked among the aisles, praying over as many kids as we could. For several minutes, we moved from child to child but they continued to pray and cry. Gerritt invited those kids that wanted more of God to come to the front to be prayed for and to seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit. It felt like hundreds of them came forward and swarmed us. They clung to us, seeking hugs and words of comfort. We did our best to minister to them, despite the language barrier. Although we prayed for several minutes, we felt that we could have prayed for an hour more and still not "prayed through" with all of them. Yet, God met them in such a real way. We were humbled and grateful to be used of the Lord in the lives of these kids.
Then, our team split in two: (5) of us stayed behind at the school to finish up the painting projects that we had started earlier in the week. (5) of us had the privilege of going to a Men's Prison. For those who painted, we were honored to complete something that we started and that we know (because people told us again and again) meant so much to the pastors, the school staff and the community. We truly believe that God will use what we did - is using what we did - to draw people to Him. For those who went into the prison, the opportunity to testify to about 75 men (plus, corrections officers; plus, CSI trainees) was both humbling and thrilling. This was a first for some of the members of the team but they jumped in like champions and poured into those men with everything that they had.
In the afternoon, the team had originally planned to distribute flyers promoting an upcoming outreach of the Panama International Church (they are doing a Trunk or Treat, just like Kingsway). Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate; so, instead, the team trekked to the park and prayed under the pavilion there. They prayed for 300 people from the community to come; for many to be reached with the love of Jesus. Prayer continued under the pavilion for Gerritt & Tara and their ministry to reach youth here in Panama. The team is hoping that tomorrow we will be able to distribute the flyers that we weren't able to give out today!
We can hardly believe that tomorrow in our last day in country. We are doing some sight-seeing tomorrow. But, even tonight during team devotions, people prayed for opportunities to share with whomever we meet tomorrow. Will you join us in praying for that?
Thanks for faithfully reading, praying and commenting! We are so grateful and blessed for this opportunity to serve.
See you soon!
Love,
Pastor Arlena
Today was our final day of ministry here in Panama and it was both diverse and amazing. We were up early in order to be at the school for a program at 7am. I posted pictures that Randy took during this program. We were able to do lots of fun things with the kids but after the "Eternal Life" skit (notice Larry playing the angel), Brian Josue led the ministry time and the Lord began to move among these children. Several began to weep and cry out. We walked among the aisles, praying over as many kids as we could. For several minutes, we moved from child to child but they continued to pray and cry. Gerritt invited those kids that wanted more of God to come to the front to be prayed for and to seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit. It felt like hundreds of them came forward and swarmed us. They clung to us, seeking hugs and words of comfort. We did our best to minister to them, despite the language barrier. Although we prayed for several minutes, we felt that we could have prayed for an hour more and still not "prayed through" with all of them. Yet, God met them in such a real way. We were humbled and grateful to be used of the Lord in the lives of these kids.
Then, our team split in two: (5) of us stayed behind at the school to finish up the painting projects that we had started earlier in the week. (5) of us had the privilege of going to a Men's Prison. For those who painted, we were honored to complete something that we started and that we know (because people told us again and again) meant so much to the pastors, the school staff and the community. We truly believe that God will use what we did - is using what we did - to draw people to Him. For those who went into the prison, the opportunity to testify to about 75 men (plus, corrections officers; plus, CSI trainees) was both humbling and thrilling. This was a first for some of the members of the team but they jumped in like champions and poured into those men with everything that they had.
In the afternoon, the team had originally planned to distribute flyers promoting an upcoming outreach of the Panama International Church (they are doing a Trunk or Treat, just like Kingsway). Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate; so, instead, the team trekked to the park and prayed under the pavilion there. They prayed for 300 people from the community to come; for many to be reached with the love of Jesus. Prayer continued under the pavilion for Gerritt & Tara and their ministry to reach youth here in Panama. The team is hoping that tomorrow we will be able to distribute the flyers that we weren't able to give out today!
We can hardly believe that tomorrow in our last day in country. We are doing some sight-seeing tomorrow. But, even tonight during team devotions, people prayed for opportunities to share with whomever we meet tomorrow. Will you join us in praying for that?
Thanks for faithfully reading, praying and commenting! We are so grateful and blessed for this opportunity to serve.
See you soon!
Love,
Pastor Arlena
Prayer Focus - Thursday, October 13, 2011
Focus Topic: The Joy of Serving
Focus Scripture: 1 Chronicles 29:9 / Psalm 40:8
Focus Team Member: Diana Franks
David so wanted to build a temple for the Lord. Yet, his son, Solomon is the one who accomplished that feat. But, not without the help of the people. 1 Chronicles 29 tells the story of how the nation of Israel gave and gave and gave towards the cost of the temple. Offerings of gold, coins, silver, bronze and much more were given. Then, in verse 9, we read that the people rejoiced because they could give - freely and wholeheartedly. That’s what we want our team to feel today. The true joy and freedom of giving, wholeheartedly. As they minister the programs that they’ve already been doing this week, we want the sweet joy of Jesus to fill them.
Father, fill our team with the joy of serving! Let them know, in their heart of hearts, that they simply can’t “out-give” You. As they pour out themselves into others, You fill them with more of Your presence. Foster in our team camaraderie, laughter, and joy as they travel from place to place sharing the Gospel. Give them extra strength as this is their last full day of ministry. Lord, be with Diana today. As she serves You, give her such a sense of peace, contentment, trust, and joy. We commit our team and this day to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
Focus Scripture: 1 Chronicles 29:9 / Psalm 40:8
Focus Team Member: Diana Franks
David so wanted to build a temple for the Lord. Yet, his son, Solomon is the one who accomplished that feat. But, not without the help of the people. 1 Chronicles 29 tells the story of how the nation of Israel gave and gave and gave towards the cost of the temple. Offerings of gold, coins, silver, bronze and much more were given. Then, in verse 9, we read that the people rejoiced because they could give - freely and wholeheartedly. That’s what we want our team to feel today. The true joy and freedom of giving, wholeheartedly. As they minister the programs that they’ve already been doing this week, we want the sweet joy of Jesus to fill them.
Father, fill our team with the joy of serving! Let them know, in their heart of hearts, that they simply can’t “out-give” You. As they pour out themselves into others, You fill them with more of Your presence. Foster in our team camaraderie, laughter, and joy as they travel from place to place sharing the Gospel. Give them extra strength as this is their last full day of ministry. Lord, be with Diana today. As she serves You, give her such a sense of peace, contentment, trust, and joy. We commit our team and this day to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Power and Love
Today we experienced a rainy day and therefore a FLEXIBLE team day in Panama. Due to the rain we could not complete the painting project at Templo La Felicidad. But we had the awesome opportunity to minister at two schools. In the morning we went to an elementary school and had a program including skits and drama. Kely, Jesse and Ivette did a fantastic job with an "icebreaker" skit and then Pastor Arlena, Bill, Ivette, Jesse, Kely, Diana and Hector performed a drama titled "Vida Eterna" (Eternal Life). After the drama, Tara gave her testimony and then offered an opportunity for the students to come forward for prayer. Gerritt had told the team to choose one student during the program and intercede for that student, asking the Lord to stir their heart. Well, the kids almost ran to the front when Tara asked if any wanted prayer. There were students who raised their hands when asked if they experienced problems in the home. It was a great opportunity to serve by demonstrating God's love through prayer for these kids....and by every team member being willing to be stretched.
Between the school programs we did a "Prayer Drive" through Panama City, specifically driving past large public high schools where Gerritt and Tara have been praying for open doors. Pastor Arlena prayed that just one student would have the boldness to step forward and take a stand for Christ in each school. While we were interceding in prayer we also drove through areas that were the epitome of contrasts. We drove through a "community" that was obviously desperate in almost every imaginable way.....and it was literally two blocks from very high end stores like Cartier.
In the afternoon we ministered at a secondary school to a group of approximately 100 seventh grade students. Every team member sensed the spiritual heaviness of these students as they filed into the room. Again the team did a skit and drama (with Randy added to the drama team) and Brian Josue spoke to the students and the room was silent with every student's head bowed. We went throughout the room praying and laying hands on every student. Bill had a word from the Lord for one young man. With the help of an interpreter, the young man revealed that it was the second time he had been told that God had big plans for his life. Our Panamanian interpreter, Kieko, told the young man that God loved him so much that he sent a missionary from the United States to speak to him. It was an awesome day demonstrating the power and the love of God at work in us and through us.
Thanks for praying for us. We have one more day of ministry here; we want to spend every ounce of our energy pouring out His power and love into everyone we meet.
Until tomorrow,
Elaine
P.S. Sorry I didn't have a chance to post more pictures. Will do so tomorrow! - Pastor Arlena
Between the school programs we did a "Prayer Drive" through Panama City, specifically driving past large public high schools where Gerritt and Tara have been praying for open doors. Pastor Arlena prayed that just one student would have the boldness to step forward and take a stand for Christ in each school. While we were interceding in prayer we also drove through areas that were the epitome of contrasts. We drove through a "community" that was obviously desperate in almost every imaginable way.....and it was literally two blocks from very high end stores like Cartier.
In the afternoon we ministered at a secondary school to a group of approximately 100 seventh grade students. Every team member sensed the spiritual heaviness of these students as they filed into the room. Again the team did a skit and drama (with Randy added to the drama team) and Brian Josue spoke to the students and the room was silent with every student's head bowed. We went throughout the room praying and laying hands on every student. Bill had a word from the Lord for one young man. With the help of an interpreter, the young man revealed that it was the second time he had been told that God had big plans for his life. Our Panamanian interpreter, Kieko, told the young man that God loved him so much that he sent a missionary from the United States to speak to him. It was an awesome day demonstrating the power and the love of God at work in us and through us.
Thanks for praying for us. We have one more day of ministry here; we want to spend every ounce of our energy pouring out His power and love into everyone we meet.
Until tomorrow,
Elaine
P.S. Sorry I didn't have a chance to post more pictures. Will do so tomorrow! - Pastor Arlena
Day 4 Pictures - Part 1
I will blog more later (after our team devotions) but wanted to share with you some of our pictures from an amazing day of ministry. And, I hope to add some pictures that other team members took; hence the "Part 1" on the blog title.
Prayer Focus - Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Focus Topic: Effectiveness
Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:6-8 / Matthew 7:6-8
Focus Team Member: Pastor Arlena
We typically measure effectiveness by results - and with good reason. How many did we produce? What did we gain? Yet, in the kingdom of God, the results of sharing the Gospel aren’t always immediately apparent. We have to persevere. We have to keep at it, trusting that God is the one who makes the seed of the Gospel grow in human hearts. As our team serves today, we want them to be effective; deployed strategically and used for maximum impact. God will order their steps so they are exactly where He wants them. We can’t control the end result but we can trust that it will, in the end, glorify Jesus.
Lord, maximize our team’s effectiveness today! Let every conversation be led by Your Spirit. May every prayer prayed result in saving faith. Whatever is done today, let it be done with the love of Jesus. Put our team in the neighborhoods and schools that You desire them in. And, if they encounter roadblocks or obstacles, may they see it as part of Your plan. Be with Pastor Arlena today. I pray she will especially sense Your Holy Spirit using her to lead others into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. For Jesus’ sake, I pray. Amen.
Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:6-8 / Matthew 7:6-8
Focus Team Member: Pastor Arlena
We typically measure effectiveness by results - and with good reason. How many did we produce? What did we gain? Yet, in the kingdom of God, the results of sharing the Gospel aren’t always immediately apparent. We have to persevere. We have to keep at it, trusting that God is the one who makes the seed of the Gospel grow in human hearts. As our team serves today, we want them to be effective; deployed strategically and used for maximum impact. God will order their steps so they are exactly where He wants them. We can’t control the end result but we can trust that it will, in the end, glorify Jesus.
Lord, maximize our team’s effectiveness today! Let every conversation be led by Your Spirit. May every prayer prayed result in saving faith. Whatever is done today, let it be done with the love of Jesus. Put our team in the neighborhoods and schools that You desire them in. And, if they encounter roadblocks or obstacles, may they see it as part of Your plan. Be with Pastor Arlena today. I pray she will especially sense Your Holy Spirit using her to lead others into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. For Jesus’ sake, I pray. Amen.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
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