Update from Terry Hoffman

It has been a week since we stepped off the plane into the 90 degree weather, with 90% humidity. I haven't written because I was unsure what to write. This trip is different from the last in several ways. This is my 3rd trip this year to Panama and it feels almost like home. The weather is pretty much the same except for the torrential downpours that occur everyday. It rains more in 1 day than we get all year. Taylor & I had the wonderful opportunity to stay with the parents of one of our readers from last January. We became fast friends and spent many late nights sitting on the couch talking and enjoying our short time together. They plan to visit us in the US in February. My favorite activity is watching Jaclyn & Sarah experience the amazing work that God performs. They both connect so well with the students here. I see the joy in their faces everyday and thank God they were given this chance to make a difference in the children's lives. I pray that they will always remember their experiences and use their talents to the fullest potential. This will be a tough week for me as Taylor had to return to work. She is a wonderful wife, and a huge asset when we get into "Spanish Trouble". We look forward to returning to Panama in the near future.

Terry Hoffman

Sara's Update from 8-10-08

Today was a reassuring day. We were all feeling great about how the day went. We had many students and teachers come in to the conference room asking if we can put them on the schedule for LST. We made a lot of connections with the students we saw. Jaclyn had one challenge today teaching a beginning English learner. She used the LST beginners book that our wonderful ESL Teacher, Lynn Richardson, has put together. We have used a few of those books and it is an amazing tool that we are blessed to have. Thank you LYNN!! Terry had an opportunity to meet a new teacher at the school and hear some of what is going on her life. We had never seen her before and she had just walked in and asked if we could fit her in for only today. Terry was very blessed with that visit. I had the joy of spending time with a couple of my readers from last week. Our relationships are growing so much and we are excited to see each other more and more every time. I am going to be sad to leave my new friends. This evening, we had so much fun talking with a group of our teenage readers. They were trying to teach Jaclyn & I Spanish after their English session, but they always laughed at us when we tried to say what they were saying because they said we had an accent. It was the most funniest time of the day. We also have good news for the 2nd team that will be flying in tomorrow. Raul and family has handed out brochures around town advertising FREE LST CLASSES. The schedule is filling up very quickly and we are all getting excited! Praise GOD! Hope all is well back at home and we miss you all!!

With Christian Love,

Sarah