trans·for·ma·tion
noun
a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance
It is hard to believe that it is already July and we are in the back half of 2023. Although it has passed quickly, this year is no doubt a year filled with transformation, both physically and spiritually. We have seen the Lord use short-term teams to help make lasting improvements in the churches we partner with. We have seen walls painted, roofs raised and hearts changed….
Growing pains!
The churches that we work with have been growing little by little. Yes, this is a huge blessing, but it also brought along the need for more space. Thankfully, through a GF grant and the generosity of a few churches from the US, we were able to add roofs to two of our churches, creating more meeting space. We love hosting teams and seeing what the Lord can achieve in just a short week. We see the physical transformation here in Panama, but we also see people return home to the US with transformed minds and lives. God is working and His work does not return void!
Iglesia Bautista Shahah, Lidice
Iglesia Shahah has been serving alongside us for the last 6 years. What a blessing to work with groups from California, Minnesota and Wisconsin and members of the Shahah congregation to transform this building in big ways.
Windows and doors were added to secure the church; now they do not have the setup and tear down the sound equipment each time they meet. The inside and the outside of the church were painted, and we even had a few of the kiddos help out with the painting! Finally, a large roof was added to the side of the church to create additional meeting space and a covered play area for the kids!
The pastor also had a great idea to take one of the small rooms and transform it into a safe place for toddlers and babies. Praise the Lord that the church is continuing to grow and this new space is needed. Pray with us that the Lord will continue to transform the hearts of the people and the church will continue to spread the love of Christ.
Iglesia Bautista Torre Fuerte, Chicá
Hope Church helped to transform Iglesia Torre Fuerte by painting and adding a roof to the back of the church to provide extra classroom space for the kids.
After the initial work, members of the church have continued working and completing the project. Click below to see the video recap from Hope Church.
Iglesia Bautista Luz y Vida, Santa Clara
It is amazing the difference a day can make. We had a great group from Pepperdine University come and serve with us. The pastor wanted a church that was “peachy” colored, and the group was able to make that happen in a few hours. It may just be paint, but it also is an encouragement to the pastor and congregation to know that a group of students want to serve them with the love of Christ.
Transformed hearts!
One of the most beautiful parts of serving with short-term teams is getting to witness the transformation of hearts. From pastors crying thankful tears for answered prayers, to moms excited about reading the Word of God to their children, to young people gaining a newfound excitement of how God is working…. these are the moments that we cherish. We pray that God will continue transforming hearts!
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