Panama - CTC Investigatory Trip

Marta Mora is a Costa Rican missionary to Panama, I've written about her in many of my previous newsletters.  She came to Nicaragua and attended the General Disc I class that Rev C and I taught in January.  The three of us discussed an investigatory trip to Panama this year.  As I was putting together the dates and details, I invited the pastor of the church I'm currently attending, New Covenant Church, to go with me.  One of my main focuses is to continue to encourage others to be involved in foreign missions.  Pastor Mason Door took his first missions trip to Panama, and we spend three weeks with Marta, living the adventure that is her missionary life.  

Panama City

We met with Pastor Saul in a very difficult part of the capital city.  He's starting a new church in a needy part of town.  He's purchasing food for a feeding center several times a week, fixing up the building, and broadcasting his sermons over the internet.  He was extremely excited about the CTC program, and has called Marta several times to find out when we can start teaching.  Praise God!

David, Panama

We stayed with Pastor Domingo and attended his new church in David, a 10 hour bus ride from the capital.  He also has plans to train pastors and missionaries and is excited about starting a training center.  He suggested we start in January to teach the first class and get things going.  

We visited other pastors, and traveled to places like Gamboa, Colon, Boquete and Las Lajas.  Marta doesn't have a car, so we were on public buses the whole time.  We went to two different tribal groups.  We visited two YWAM bases.  We spoke, preached, and prayed for people.  All along the way I was handing out brochures for the Christian Training Centers.  Not everyone was receptive, but Pastor Saul and Pastor Domingo were the two pastors that we spoke with that seemed to be capable of handling the responsibility and both already had the vision to start pastoral training before we got there.  We turned out to be their answer to prayer (or is it that they were my answer to prayer?)  Either way, in both cases, the manner in which we ended up at their churches was miraculous, because neither one of them were on our schedule.  

I am talking with Rev C about plans to return to Panama in January.  Please keep us, including the two pastors, in your prayers as we move forward.  There's always a spiritual battle when something as amazing as training pastors and missionaries is in the works.  

Pastor Mason Door was a changed man when he spoke at New Covenant Church this last Sunday.  He survived three weeks of Panama, public transportation, difficult living arrangements, and constantly being with Marta and myself.  The Lord used him to pray, preach, and paint in Panama.  I think watching the commitment of the Panamanian pastors and the conditions they work in touched Pastor Mason's heart.   He's already made a commitment to help Marta on a monthly basis.  Hallelujah!

Family

Thank you so much for praying for us.  I will be attending a family reunion in July.  I am adding a few days to see my sister in the travel plans.  Please keep praying for Wendy, Paul and Ryder.

Thank you so much for your support.  I can see God’s hand as doors open on each trip I take.  God is faithful!  Thank you for helping to provide the funds needed to make these trips and continue with the ministry.

Many blessings to you and yours!      Sondra