Day 3

Today was a victory for our team and for Jesus. Although we did not fully know how we were to deliver our messages – to the children at two different elementary schools and to women at a conference in a Catholic Church – God provided! Our messages were clear and received gladly according to reports we later heard. God provided the equipment and props we needed and guided us through our first presentations for “Zaccheus the Tax Collector” and “The Good Samaritan.” The children loved it and also loved the stickers and us taking photos on our digital cameras - especially when they could see their picture in the viewer afterward! After the skits, Pastor Picota’s wife prayed with the whole assembly and led them in the sinner’s prayer. Many, many heads were bowed and hands raised. Our confidence was much higher for our second presentations at the next school and we were able to improvise with the props we were provided at that location as well and delivered a comprehensive program.

We were all blessed by the hugs we received by the sweet faces of the children.


Our third stop of the day at the woman’s conference delivered just as many blessings. Pastor Betsy delivered a beautiful message about the treasure (the true treasure of a relationship with Jesus) we need to fill our treasure chests instead of the ones we typically seek. Some of the team members gave their testimonies to emphasis what it really means to Know Jesus – not just attend church. This was truly a miracle to be able to deliver a message like this at a Catholic Church in Panama. The Catholic Church views the local Evangelicals as some what of a threat. We had a beautiful time of prayer with many of the women. Even the hostesses we moved by the message.

After some down time (translation – naps!) we headed off to visit two small groups that meet on Monday nights. We were fed a "light” meal: Chicken, clams, rice, plantains and arroz y leche (rice pudding) for dessert.

We sang, prayed and heard a word from the Word from Pastor Betsy. A young man attending the group, Renaldo, gave his life to Jesus. We were all blessed by the way our Panamanian friends worship the Lord candidly and uninhibited.

We visited a second cell group where we celebrated 3 young men who recently gave their lives to the Lord and prayed for the host family whose son was hospitalized in serious condition with eight gunshot wounds. We saw the mother later in the week and found out that he had his third operation on Friday and was expected to return home Sunday. Gloria a Dios!