Thank you for joining us on this journey. What a blessing it is to know that so many are standing with us in prayer and support as we continue serving in Panama!

We are sitting in the airport (after 3 security checks!) waiting to board our flight to the USA! We will head to Shreveport for a few days before we head out to Minnesota for a week of training and meetings for Global Fingerprints. We will then travel to Texas for a week to visit friends, family and our supporting churches before we head back to Louisiana.

We are so excited to see some friends and hug some necks! We love our home here, but are definitely looking forward to a few weeks in our other home!! Shoot us an email if you want to meet up while we are in.  Blessings and see you soon!

It is hard to believe that we have been here for 6 months! This time has been a compilation of so many emotions. We are elated that we have received our temporary residency… then on the flip side, we gasp just a bit as we realize that this IS our new home! As we encounter both locals and gringos here in Panama, a very normal question is asked to us, “Where are you from?“ This brings us to a pause….. where are we from?!?

Texas, Louisiana, Panama…. where are we from? Where do we belong? We know that this is a very normal stage of transition, but it is hard (especially for our kiddos). We all want to belong, right? Although I have a Panamanian driver’s license tucked in my wallet (yay!), I can walk my blonde haired, blue-eyed, basic speaking Spanish self down the street and there is no doubt that I do not belong. I chuckle as I write this… it is not rocket science, it is just obvious that I am not “from” here.

And then we talk to our family and friends back in the US.  We hear about their lives- lives that mirrored our lives a few years back. But now our lives are quite different, and we are quickly reminded that although our roots are there, we are no longer “from” the States. This is not a bad thing… it is just our reality.

While this transition is hard, we know many have traveled this path before us and are confident that the Lord is using this time to draw us to Him. He is teaching us that we can always- no matter if we are in Panama, the States or Timbuktu-  find our identity and belonging in Him. That is a truth we can all cling to!  Please join us in praying that the Lord will provide significant relationships for us and the kids here in Panama- our new home.

It was such a blessing to have a team from Wisconsin serve a week with us here in Panama. Much of our time was spent in the Lidice community, where we are looking forward to beginning the Global Fingerprints program. We had the opportunity to play games, teach an English class, and help with some projects at the local church. Along with that, we were able to share the Gospel with over 100 kids right there in the public schools! How incredible is that!

We also visited the Embera village, an indigenous group who lives about 30 minutes up the Chagres River. Our family has now been to the village several times; it is encouraging to see how the Lord is continuing to grow our relationships there. The little ones were happy to see Reeves and it was fun to watch her pour into those around her. We look forward to continuing to grow those relationships and see what the Lord has in store for that village!

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We are constantly awed by the Lord’s faithfulness and goodness. Here are some ways you can continue to pray:

• HEALTH. We have all (other than iron-gut Matt) been struggling with some stomach issues. We are learning what foods cause problems, when we can/can’t drink the water, etc. Pray that the Lord will strengthen our bellies!
• MINISTRY. Pray for the new relationships that are forming. Pray that we will have the wisdom to know when to step in to help and when to step back and watch. And of course our Spanish- pray that we can communicate with love and effectiveness.
• SUPPORT. We have lost several ministry partners. We were advised that this can happen in support raising. Although we are not completely surprised, it has created a financial burden for us. Please pray that the Lord would raise up others to fill this monthly gap.

We were blessed to be part of this GlobalFingerprints medical clinic. A team of doctors, nurses and more came from Springfield, MO to perform checkups and love on all the GF kids here in Panama. Ian and Reeves jumped in wholeheartedly – they helped with translating, sports, and arts and crafts. When we were driving home after our first day at the clinic, Reeves said, “Mom, I finally understand why we are here!” 

Those words made my heart leap… yes, this is why we are here. We are here to share the love of Christ. We are here to serve. We are here to partner with churches to reach out to those in need. We are so thankful to be here and look forward to all the Lord has in store as we grow in our ministry here.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We have seen the Lord answer so many prayers over the past few weeks. Thank you for standing with us. Here are some ways you can continue to pray:

• Although our Spanish is coming along, we still have a long way to go. Plus, the Spanish in Panama is so much different than Costa Rica! Pray for us to grow in this language.
• We are building many new relationships. Pray for wisdom and clarity as we navigate these relationships cross culturally.
• Praise the Lord the house is all done! Pray that we will begin to find healthy rhythms for ministry and family.
• There are 6 GF kids who have lost their sponsors. These children must be sponsored before we can add new kids to the program. Pray that the Lord will provide new sponsors for these kids.

The Short Story….

• We left Costa Rica at 2 am on 1/8/17. We were using a tourism service that several other of our missionary friends had used to move to Panama and Nicaragua. This was a blessing because we did not have to sell/give away all of our things or weigh our bags for the plane.
• We arrived at the Panama border at 7:30 am. The “normal” is for it to take 3-4 hours max to get through the border. It took us 3 days. There is not a specific reason…. they gave us many different reasons, put the van and our things in a holding lot, took hours to process paperwork, then needed different paperwork that took more time, etc. But after 3 nights in a hotel and $306 in “taxes” we were back in transit.
• We arrived around 7 pm on 1/11/17 to our new neighborhood west of Panama City. In about an hour we unloaded the van, grabbed and packed up clothes for the next 3 days, and loaded back up with our team leader to head to the ReachGlobal Panama team retreat that had begun that afternoon.
• We spent 3 days at the retreat. This was a great time of relaxation, getting to know our team, and setting some exciting ministry goals for the next year.
• We arrived back at our house on Sunday night where we were greeted with the smell of mildew and dog. We had two 50 pound bags of clothes that were on top of the van. It stormed while the van was in the lot and the bags and clothes got wet. FYI… 100 pounds of clothes equals about 15 loads of laundry:)
• The residents before us had a large dog that apparently both Reeves and I are allergic to….. no bueno! Just for fun, we walked the neighborhood and stopped by leasing to inquire about another house that was empty and had never had tenants.  Y’all….we signed a 2 year contract for that house 2 days later. We are so excited…not only is it clean, but it also has backyard space. Double yay!!
• We are now in the process of prepping the other house. We are waiting for power to be connected and are looking forward to moving in and getting settled soon.

The Bigger Story….

• Y’all, to say that the last few weeks have not been stressful would be a lie. BUT, to say that God is faithful and was not surprised by any of it is the complete truth!
• I have been amazed by the resilience and flexibility of Ian and Reeves. We have found the ability to laugh through many of those “that just happened” moments. Yes, we have had some times of discontent and unkind words, but overall our family has had a peace, unity and perseverance beyond comprehension. God is good!
• PERSPECTIVE….I know that many times people choose a “word” for the New Year… I have never done that and never planned to. However, over the past week God has been putting this word on my heart. Our perspective changes EVERYTHING!!! It doesn’t matter if we are on the mission field, in the states, single, married, parents, kids….whatever. What is it that you are troubled with today? Maybe change your perspective?  So many times I come before the Lord with my expectations, asking for the things I think I need or deserve. Really? Instead, let me come to the throne seeking the grace and mercy to accept what He has given me (Hebrews 4:16). Instead, let me come before the throne praising Him for not giving me what I truly deserve. Instead, let me give thanks for all the blessings in my life that I take for granted everyday. Instead, let me look for ways to bless others instead of looking at myself. Instead, let me have a perspective that seeks to glorify the Lord in all things.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We have seen the Lord answer so many prayers over the past few weeks. Thank you for standing with us.

While most people are counting the days until Christmas, we are packing and counting the days until we move to Panama. It is a bit crazy and overwhelming that we will be making another major move in 17 days, but I love how the Lord is continuing to provide along the way…..

1. We don’t have to weigh bags!! Panama City is about 12 hours from here, so we will be renting a large van to move us. It is more economical than flying and we don’t have to sell more of our things. Yay!
2. We have already sold our car! This is a huge praise. We posted it for sale and it was sold within 3 days.
3. We have found a house in Panama. The house is in the same neighborhood as our other team members and will provide our family with a comfortable and safe place to live!

Just as we have praises, we also have some prayer requests…

1. Houses for rent in Panama, are not quite the same as houses in the states. Currently, there are plumbing fixtures and cabinets (praise!), but we will have to purchase and install all lighting, air, hot water and appliances.
2. The residency process in Panama will cost around $7,000. Please pray that the Lord will provide these funds.
3. Transition is always hard. We are overjoyed about the opportunities that await us in Panama, but packing up and saying goodbye is always difficult. Pray especially for the kiddos during this time of transition.