Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Message from Mike
Mike #1
Amazing Grace; Lost and Found!
What an amazing God we serve! God has already begun to weave His amazing story in this trip. We were originally scheduled to fly from San Francisco to New York, to Panama City. We were supposed to leave at 10pm last Friday night and arrive Saturday afternoon. We purchased these tickets because this was such a great schedule! But God… We got to the airport to find a 3 plus hour delay, our connecting flight was impossible, so we got rescheduled to leave San Francisco at midnight, fly to Houston, Texas lounge around the airport for 9 hours, then arrive in Panama late Saturday night. We were excited for all five of us to make it out of Houston on a standby flight arriving in Panama at our original time!
We were rejoicing in our good fortune until we discovered upon reaching Panama that none of our bags made the flight with us! I was struggling to remember that Paul and Silas were praising God from a prison cell after an unjust beating… after all, it’s just delayed baggage, right? The airline told us there would be no problem, our luggage would simply be delayed, it would arrive on the evening flight. We got our rental vehicle and headed for our sister Delores Leonard’s home in Brisas de Golf. After a warm greeting with Delores, Veronica realized that she couldn’t find her carry-on bag! We searched the car, Delores’ house, nothing! We bravely launched back into the incredible Panamanian traffic, rushed back to the airport to meet the evening flight and try to recover our baggage. We hurried to the car rental counter and told them of Veronica’s carry-on bag. What a blessing to be told that security had her bag safe and sound! Our spirits were high as we found the security office, and there was Veronica’s bag with everything still in it! In fact, the head of airport security asked Veronica if she was a Christian. Veronica said that she was and why are you asking, the manager, Zoriada, said, “I looked in your bag and saw your Bible and study materials.” Veronica and Zoriada hugged, we thanked her for keeping Veronica’s bag and we set off to retrieve our poor delayed baggage.
We were stunned to discover that our bags had not arrived! After several frustrating moments talking broken Spanish/English through an intercom, we were told that our bags were missing, that they could not be found in their system, that we could come back tomorrow and try again! Now I’m trying to whistle a strained praise hymn through clenched teeth. So… we went to the store, bought toothbrushes and toothpaste and extra extra strong deodorant. Sunday we all got up, Jack and I showered and then put our clothes back on that we had been wearing since the previous Friday morning! I’ve got to tell you, you could tell that we had been in the tropics for a while. We discovered a whole new “layer” to the whole fellowship thing. We meet the Richardson’s in worship and upon hearing about our predicament, Jim literally offered the shirt off of his back, or at least those in his closet! I could’ve had a whole new style… After lunch we got into our car only to find out that our rental car had a dead battery. It’s a Toyota… what can I say!
What was that praise song?? Actually, everything turned out fine. After Delores’ neighbor gave us a jump start, we returned to the airport Sunday afternoon to find all of our baggage safe and sound, it had simply traveled to Panama via New York without us! We exchanged our rental car for another Toyota and headed straight to our homes for another shower ;-)
Did I tell you the best part? What a frustrating, disastrous trip right? Wrong! God is doing what He does best, He is weaving our lives together to create the greatest story of all time. While we were trying to find our luggage at the airport Saturday night, we decided to ask Veronica’s new friend for help, Zoriada the security manager. We were able to explain our problems as her English skills were very fluent. As she was taking us to various places in the airport to check on our baggage, we were explaining to her why we were in Panama, that we were helping people practice their English using the Bible. We invited her to join our classes and she signed up! As I write this update, Veronica is reading the Bible and talking about spiritual truths with Zoriada right now! What if God delayed our baggage just so we could meet Zoriada so Veronica could share the Bible with her? Zoriada is the first female to be the head of airport security in Panama. We are learning why it is important to relax and trust in God while unforeseen circumstances are swirling around us. Would we have missed a divine appointment if we had been negative, harsh, and griping with anyone who would listen? Please Lord, help us to be more humble that You may be glorified in us…
News From the Panamaniacs. Andrea Crowley
Panamanians! J 2010
Well the adventure has truly begun! Not quite the same as the Olympics perhaps, but for me, just as exciting!
Our trip began Friday night waiting in the San Francisco Airport for our flight that will come at 12:20 pm. Our flight had been delayed so we waited for a few hours.
Then our connecting flight in Houston, Texas was also a waiting trip until 9:30 am. Then we were going to Panama!
We arrived in Panama City, at 2:00 their time; however, our luggage did not! But we clung to the hope that they would arrive at 8:00 that evening. We hopped in our rental car and drove off! Arriving at Delores’ house, we then met with Edwin. (He’s the guy who is letting us use his school to do our classes.) We got our tour of the school. (It’s a great building!) I was then invited that evening to join Edwin and his family to go to a small roller coaster park! It was fun, though I must say there are several safety regulations that the U.S. would have a fit over!
I got back with the unfortunate news that they did not have our luggage! So we had to make do and go to church without clean clothes. (In hot, humid weather, might I add.)
After a good church service we had Subway, making yet, another connection with the manager of that Subway. She was excited to come to the English classes. After eating we went to the airport for yet, another try at the luggage. They had it!!! They had our luggage! I never realized how great a big black bag looked as I saw it coming down the walkway! But God works in mysterious ways, yes we lost our luggage, but we made connections with one of the security ladies and invited her to the English classes! And we invited a man to the classes because he helped us with our battery in the car.
Last night, we met with our future students! I am teaching a Basic class which is for those who know zero English. As well as the regular classes, so a full two weeks for me as well as a lot of us! I have thirty-seven students for basic and five students for the regular classes! I am sooo excited!!! Today is the first day! Please pray for me and the rest of us that we let God guide us one Panamanian step at a time!
Love you all!
God Bless! <3
~ Andrea Crowley
Friday, February 12, 2010
Looking in the Rear view mirror . . . .
Check the movie out at TOSAVEALIFEMOVIE.COM
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Thankful . . .
In many ways we have much to be thankful for. Spend time over the next few days reflecting and thanking God for all that he has given you,
Friday, October 02, 2009
Family Promise day 5 -- 10-1- 2009
Spaghetti was great last night. I am always amazed at the volume of spaghetti that can be consumed. We made an eighteen quart roaster full and most of it was consumed by our guests and our hosts for the evening and our overnight hosts. The families are a pleasure to work with and it is our prayer that they will focus on their tasks at hand to have success in this program. We had a bible study with one of guests last night and hope that the study will bear fruit for the kingdom of God. Afterall thats why we do these programs to help people find Jesus and make Him the Lord of their lives. Pray for our guests as they struggle with the elements of life that are hindering them at the moment.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Family Pramise Day 4 -- (9-30-09)
We had another great day with the families in the program last night. Some came to bible classes, while others took a walk around the park. One of the ladies in the program has been overwhelmed by the kindness she has been shown. We have followed the model of Jesus, by sheltering, feeding and clothing people in need. These three families have been beaten down by the world and for a week we try to show them there is a different way to live.
Sue Huff was our overnight host last night, despite her many health problems, she insisted on sleeping here last night. She brought Josh along, one of the many foster kids she has helped raise over the years. God is gracious and good.
The week is half over,I may have a bible study with one of the guests tonight, pray for God's word to open up her heart.
Spaghetti dinner tonight.
Sue Huff was our overnight host last night, despite her many health problems, she insisted on sleeping here last night. She brought Josh along, one of the many foster kids she has helped raise over the years. God is gracious and good.
The week is half over,I may have a bible study with one of the guests tonight, pray for God's word to open up her heart.
Spaghetti dinner tonight.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Family Promise day 4 - 9-30-09
Still moving forward. Sara and Aaron stayed the might last night and all went well. Tonight at supper Sheila is fixing a roast with potatoes and carrots. It is staring to smell very good. We have a first time sleeper, Sue Huff is staying here tonight. Despite all of her recent medical issues and loss of her sister she is still excited about serving God. She is sleeping for Christ's sake tonite. I am excited to see her joining those of us who also sleep in church.
Last night a group from Merced visited with us, they are considering starting a FP group in Merced. May God bless them as they start this venture.
Last night a group from Merced visited with us, they are considering starting a FP group in Merced. May God bless them as they start this venture.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Family Pramise Day 3 -- (9-29-09)
Two nights in a row on an air mattress in the church building. I am sleepy today and worn out. The Kelley's small group did a great job with food last night. Everyone ate well. Our new family has three little boys with loads and loads of energy. The dad looks worn out. He is wishing he had their energy. Its a 3 on 1 attack for him. Grateful for all our families who are volunteering this week. Thanks
Monday, September 28, 2009
Family Promise day 2 -- 9-28-09
Another family is headed our way. We will be housing 3 families for a total of 8. One family needed clothes, so we sent Sheila with to buy some for them. Last night was Taco Night. Tonight for food we move to Italy. Those great Italians, Stouffers will provide some great Lasagna for us. They will supply it as long as we will buy it. I will bunk here for another night, it should be an interesting evening.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Family Promise day 1 9-27-09
Just two families in the program at this time, expecting a full house here by Wed. Helping people through this program is a great way to let people see Jesus. The Newmans group did a great job of feeding us tonite. I had one of the best Taco Salads I have ever had. Thanks to all who will be volunteering this week watch as we update each night for more information.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Many Faces of Panama
The Many Faces of Panama . . .
Raul Alvarado says that Panama is often described as a country with many faces. We have certainly been experiencing that blessing. We continue to be amazed by the differences that we experience every day. An earlier post on the blog included some pictures from an interior province called Darien. Raul and I drove about three hours east last Thursday to join our fellow Christians in an evangelistic campaign among the Kuna Indians. This indigenous tribe is known for their very small stature and brightly colored clothes. You can see from the pics that they leave in grass thatched huts with bare dirt floors and simple board siding if they have walls at all. You can also see a pic of a baby sleeping in a hammock, this is the common bed, chair, and resting place for the Kuna. The Kuna’s do not name their girls with an official name until they are twelve years old, then they receive their adult name, marking their availability for marriage. Most Kuna girls are married by the age of fourteen. We assembled in a small block building with a stand off metal roof to sing praises to God and hear His word is both Spanish and Kuni. Next time Raul said he wants me to preach in English, he’ll translate into Spanish, and the Kuna preacher will translate into Kuni. Can you imagine?! What an Acts 2 experience that would be! As we gathered there were about 15 North Americans, about 25 Spanish speaking Panamanians, and about 30 Kuna Indians. It was amazing to leave the modern city of Panama and drive into the rainforest jungle in only about three hours.
In the same kind of way, every day we drive into the central part of Panama city and walk into one of the most modern buildings I have ever been in. Men and women bustle by in their business suits, stopping at the café for a cup of latte or perhaps a mocha. After our morning sessions, we travel across the city to the suburbs where we meet with our readers from a middle class area. Each part of Panama has its own unique face. The one thing we continue to find from place to place is an openness and friendliness toward us. We haven’t witnessed any hostility or disdain from any Panamanians, only gentle curiosity.
We have been blessed with beautiful weather. The mornings generally start with a clear sky. As the day wears on toward the early afternoon, the heat begins to build. Just about the time it is getting uncomfortable, a massive thunderstorm forms, darkening the sky, bringing a driving downpour and cooling off the air. The rest of the day remains mild as a gentle breeze keeps the air cool and fresh. Most nights lightening flickers across the sky, muted thunder rolls across the city and the breeze allows us to rest comfortably.
Last week we were meeting with our readers when the mosquito truck drove by, filling the school and our lungs with an especially potent bug spray. We shouldn’t have any mosquitoes in our lungs now! As I am sipping on my sixth cup of coffee for the day, with four more one hour reading slots to go, I am reflecting on our Friday night classes last week. We had just gotten into our sessions when suddenly the power in the entire neighborhood went completely out. My reader, Maritza, and I had just began to talk about baptism! As the deep tropical darkness settled over us, she began to express her fear of the dark! I pulled out my cell phone and we continued the lesson by the light of our cell phones. I checked down the hall and the entire team was doing the exact same thing! God’s Word cannot be stopped! Edwin arrived after about thirty minutes and brought candles, allowing us to have our last two sessions by candlelight. As Edwin placed a candle on our table, Maritza exclaimed, “We are people of the light!”
I am making seriously progress in becoming bilingual! With our daily commute into the bowels of downtown, I am becoming fluent in “hornspeak.” The most critical piece of equipment in your vehicle is the horn. In fact, this communication device is so important that Walter’s van has had an auxiliary horn installed to replace the original that has apparently quit working due to overuse. His van is American made after all! Let me show you some of my phrase book notes… Suppose you want to say “hello.” Easy, you just give a little “beep-beep”. How do you say, “looking good babe?” No problem, just tap a little “bee-de-bee-beep.” How about the urgent, “Get out of the way you big, sad waste of space!” That’s more the international “HHHOOOOOOOOONNNK!” Then there’s the obligatory “I’m here, don’t run over me” with a simple “honk.” Do you want to pick up a friend from their house without getting out of the car? Just a “Honkity-honk.” If this sounds complicated, don’t sweat it, Jim picked it up on his first try. He drove over to pick me up and laid on the horn, causing everyone to run outside in the neighborhood and look anxiously into the sky, perhaps a bit “Gabriel-ish” but effective nonetheless. Finally there is the general “I’m frustrated and just want to vent my impatience from about thirty cars back” with a “honk-bee-hooooonk.”
As I close out this update, let me just say that Libby has been a real trooper. Today she selflessly took a couple of my readers to allow me to rest, what an awesome servant! May God be praised for this next generation that loves the Lord!
Mike
Raul Alvarado says that Panama is often described as a country with many faces. We have certainly been experiencing that blessing. We continue to be amazed by the differences that we experience every day. An earlier post on the blog included some pictures from an interior province called Darien. Raul and I drove about three hours east last Thursday to join our fellow Christians in an evangelistic campaign among the Kuna Indians. This indigenous tribe is known for their very small stature and brightly colored clothes. You can see from the pics that they leave in grass thatched huts with bare dirt floors and simple board siding if they have walls at all. You can also see a pic of a baby sleeping in a hammock, this is the common bed, chair, and resting place for the Kuna. The Kuna’s do not name their girls with an official name until they are twelve years old, then they receive their adult name, marking their availability for marriage. Most Kuna girls are married by the age of fourteen. We assembled in a small block building with a stand off metal roof to sing praises to God and hear His word is both Spanish and Kuni. Next time Raul said he wants me to preach in English, he’ll translate into Spanish, and the Kuna preacher will translate into Kuni. Can you imagine?! What an Acts 2 experience that would be! As we gathered there were about 15 North Americans, about 25 Spanish speaking Panamanians, and about 30 Kuna Indians. It was amazing to leave the modern city of Panama and drive into the rainforest jungle in only about three hours.
In the same kind of way, every day we drive into the central part of Panama city and walk into one of the most modern buildings I have ever been in. Men and women bustle by in their business suits, stopping at the café for a cup of latte or perhaps a mocha. After our morning sessions, we travel across the city to the suburbs where we meet with our readers from a middle class area. Each part of Panama has its own unique face. The one thing we continue to find from place to place is an openness and friendliness toward us. We haven’t witnessed any hostility or disdain from any Panamanians, only gentle curiosity.
We have been blessed with beautiful weather. The mornings generally start with a clear sky. As the day wears on toward the early afternoon, the heat begins to build. Just about the time it is getting uncomfortable, a massive thunderstorm forms, darkening the sky, bringing a driving downpour and cooling off the air. The rest of the day remains mild as a gentle breeze keeps the air cool and fresh. Most nights lightening flickers across the sky, muted thunder rolls across the city and the breeze allows us to rest comfortably.
Last week we were meeting with our readers when the mosquito truck drove by, filling the school and our lungs with an especially potent bug spray. We shouldn’t have any mosquitoes in our lungs now! As I am sipping on my sixth cup of coffee for the day, with four more one hour reading slots to go, I am reflecting on our Friday night classes last week. We had just gotten into our sessions when suddenly the power in the entire neighborhood went completely out. My reader, Maritza, and I had just began to talk about baptism! As the deep tropical darkness settled over us, she began to express her fear of the dark! I pulled out my cell phone and we continued the lesson by the light of our cell phones. I checked down the hall and the entire team was doing the exact same thing! God’s Word cannot be stopped! Edwin arrived after about thirty minutes and brought candles, allowing us to have our last two sessions by candlelight. As Edwin placed a candle on our table, Maritza exclaimed, “We are people of the light!”
I am making seriously progress in becoming bilingual! With our daily commute into the bowels of downtown, I am becoming fluent in “hornspeak.” The most critical piece of equipment in your vehicle is the horn. In fact, this communication device is so important that Walter’s van has had an auxiliary horn installed to replace the original that has apparently quit working due to overuse. His van is American made after all! Let me show you some of my phrase book notes… Suppose you want to say “hello.” Easy, you just give a little “beep-beep”. How do you say, “looking good babe?” No problem, just tap a little “bee-de-bee-beep.” How about the urgent, “Get out of the way you big, sad waste of space!” That’s more the international “HHHOOOOOOOOONNNK!” Then there’s the obligatory “I’m here, don’t run over me” with a simple “honk.” Do you want to pick up a friend from their house without getting out of the car? Just a “Honkity-honk.” If this sounds complicated, don’t sweat it, Jim picked it up on his first try. He drove over to pick me up and laid on the horn, causing everyone to run outside in the neighborhood and look anxiously into the sky, perhaps a bit “Gabriel-ish” but effective nonetheless. Finally there is the general “I’m frustrated and just want to vent my impatience from about thirty cars back” with a “honk-bee-hooooonk.”
As I close out this update, let me just say that Libby has been a real trooper. Today she selflessly took a couple of my readers to allow me to rest, what an awesome servant! May God be praised for this next generation that loves the Lord!
Mike
News From Terry Hoffman
Sunday August 16th
I am writing this on a blank page in the back of my bible, on the plane from Panama City to Miami. It is 6:00 PM Panama time. We were supposed to be almost to San Francisco by this time. Jaclyn and I will have to spend the night either in the Miami airport or a hotel as all flights to the west have long since departed. We left on time this morning only to have the plane return to Panama due to the smell of smoke in the rear of the cabin. It took 9 hours to determine what happened, fix it reload us and our baggage and get us on our way again. It amazes us to see how a mission trip can make a day as stressful as this one, an almost fun experience. We talked to people and laughed, we marveled at the patience of three year old children stuck 10 hours with only crayons. One girl about 10 passed the time by reading a “Lets Start Talking” workbook we gave her while standing in line. Her father could not believe we would teach English for free, using our own time and money to get here. He took my number because an associate of his needs English teachers to train the staff of the Panama canal expansion. I pray that he will contact me so I can pass it on to the Richardson’s. Jaclyn has been a blessing to travel with. She is patient and mature beyond her years and considers not knowing when we will make it home an adventure. We all forget so easily how precious life is and do not take the time to stop or even slow down to see how God is working all around us. We both wished Taylor and Sarah were with us to share in the adventure.
Tuesday August 25th
Now that I have been home for a while (not a long while because T and I went to Mississippi and Colorado) I have had some time to reflect on Panama again. There is so much opportunity for us to reach people in every walk of life. I miss the fellowship of morning devotion, the excitement in Sarah and Jaclyn’s voices when they talk about their day. I miss how Taylor seems to attract everyone to her when they discover she can speak Spanish. The teachers in the school could not stop talking to her. I even miss the time spent with Mike. We had lots of time to talk, which as everyone knows is rare in Modesto with so much going on. I hope he learned a little something from me, because I learned a whole lot from him. I know team two is having a really busy time, and I wish that Taylor and I could be there to help and share in the reward God will provide for their efforts. We are praying for team two’s safe passage home, that God will grant peace and comfort to the Leonard family, and that God will allow us the opportunity to return to Panama soon.
Terry and Taylor Hoffman
I am writing this on a blank page in the back of my bible, on the plane from Panama City to Miami. It is 6:00 PM Panama time. We were supposed to be almost to San Francisco by this time. Jaclyn and I will have to spend the night either in the Miami airport or a hotel as all flights to the west have long since departed. We left on time this morning only to have the plane return to Panama due to the smell of smoke in the rear of the cabin. It took 9 hours to determine what happened, fix it reload us and our baggage and get us on our way again. It amazes us to see how a mission trip can make a day as stressful as this one, an almost fun experience. We talked to people and laughed, we marveled at the patience of three year old children stuck 10 hours with only crayons. One girl about 10 passed the time by reading a “Lets Start Talking” workbook we gave her while standing in line. Her father could not believe we would teach English for free, using our own time and money to get here. He took my number because an associate of his needs English teachers to train the staff of the Panama canal expansion. I pray that he will contact me so I can pass it on to the Richardson’s. Jaclyn has been a blessing to travel with. She is patient and mature beyond her years and considers not knowing when we will make it home an adventure. We all forget so easily how precious life is and do not take the time to stop or even slow down to see how God is working all around us. We both wished Taylor and Sarah were with us to share in the adventure.
Tuesday August 25th
Now that I have been home for a while (not a long while because T and I went to Mississippi and Colorado) I have had some time to reflect on Panama again. There is so much opportunity for us to reach people in every walk of life. I miss the fellowship of morning devotion, the excitement in Sarah and Jaclyn’s voices when they talk about their day. I miss how Taylor seems to attract everyone to her when they discover she can speak Spanish. The teachers in the school could not stop talking to her. I even miss the time spent with Mike. We had lots of time to talk, which as everyone knows is rare in Modesto with so much going on. I hope he learned a little something from me, because I learned a whole lot from him. I know team two is having a really busy time, and I wish that Taylor and I could be there to help and share in the reward God will provide for their efforts. We are praying for team two’s safe passage home, that God will grant peace and comfort to the Leonard family, and that God will allow us the opportunity to return to Panama soon.
Terry and Taylor Hoffman
Monday, August 24, 2009
We want our Panama Mom . . .
We want our Mom !! Today we begin the second week of our reading schedule. We are amazed at how we have adapted to our routine. After trying to cram in as much as possible during the weekend, we are now settling into a busy week of interacting with our readers. Saturday began with an opportunity to look at a few houses in Brisas to get an idea of the average home in this area. Finally we got an opportunity to do a little sight seeing! We signed up for a tour of “Monkey Island” in the Gatun Lake portion of the Panama canal. After a beautiful 20 minute boat ride up the canal, the captain gently coasted our little boat up to the tropical foliage of the island, when we spotted a huge Iguana resting on a low branch! This thing was massive, its body was about 3 feet long, tail was over four feet, must have weighed close to 30 pounds. Our guide says they taste like chicken! Like a scaly, cold blooded, tropical chicken with a hint of cricket aftertaste no doubt! Our guide called the monkeys and all of the sudden it was raining monkeys! They were dropping off of the trees onto our boat, onto the shade awning, the deck; it was more fun than a boat load of monkeys! The little white faced monkeys were eating bread out of Libby’s hand. What a beautiful country filled with amazing things and wonderful people. Sunday we were blessed to worship with our brethren of the Metropolitan Church of Christ again. One of my readers, Edwin Garcia, came with his family to the worship assembly! Please pray for the work that God is doing in Edwin’s life and heart! Finally we were able to have a big nap, yes! We turned down a few social invitations in the interested of getting rested for a final week of enthusiastic readers. So, here we go! We left Brisas at 7:30am in order to arrive in the downtown, or centro, district to meet with our readers in their law office. We will finish at about 11am, trundle down the elevators, through security, and drive out of the parking garage. This will just give us time to stop at Brisas, change clothes, inhale lunch, then out the door to the neighborhood, Castellana, where Edwin’s pre-school is located where our classes will begin at 1pm and continue until 10pm. We try to fix a quick sandwich and gulp it down in between readers when we can. So far, we have been so busy that we have often forgotten to eat supper. After visiting with Edwin and his wife Lesbia we usually arrive back at Delores’ house sometime around 11pm, a few times as late as midnight. I am going to have to enter a serious coffee detox program when we get home, I am now drinking six or eight cups throughout the day… We really miss our Panama Mom! During our last trip we were so well taken care of by Shelia and Gertrue that we didn’t realize how hard she worked. Now we are struggling to find time to eat, do laundry, buy groceries, fix meals, take pictures, even to write these updates! We took as many students as we could, about 95 a day, but we still had to turn people away! We have a growing list of people waiting to be called in case of cancellation or to be notified of the next class in January. God has really prepared the hearts of this community, it has been an incredible opportunity to see God do amazing things in the hearts of all of us! I close this update with this good news, no new cop stories! So in closing, Shelia, where are you??!! We need you !! Mike
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