“Thus far the LORD has helped us!” (1 Samuel 7.12).

15th ANNIVERSARY OF PANAMA LHM.

In the year 2011, the Ministry of Christ For All Nations is celebrating 15 years of legal status in theRepublicofPanamaand 25 years serving the Lord Jesus Christ in this country, proclaiming His Word and serving His people and this community. To celebrate this event, some activities have been organized to be developed this year, so we hope to impact and have presence in the Lutheran churches inPanama, including a lunch with the pastors of these churches. We thank God for these 15 years… “Thus far the LORD has helped us!” (1 Samuel 7.12).

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INVITATION BY JESÚS DIVINO SALVADOR ​​CONGREGATION IN RIO RITA.

On Sunday July 3, the ministry center was invited by Jesús Divino Salvador Lutheran Congregation located in the community of Río Rita, shared a message about the Word of God. This invitation was a great opportunity the Lord gave us to share His Word to our brothers and sisters of Rio Rita and having a brotherly time with them and the Rev. Jose Ángel Fernández. We pray for these brothers and sisters, may God bless their desire to serve faithfully in spite of the difficulties and limitations that they are living.

 

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NEW TRAINING FOR TRUSTEES OF THE PRISON SYSTEM.

On 6 July, 60 aspiring custodians of the Penitentiary System of Panama participated in a comprehensive seminar on issues for mental health care and conflict management in difficult environments, areas that they should work interacting with people that have committed a crime and causing damage or even taking the lives of others. 

In this system, where there is plenty of tension and stress, the trustees must learn techniques that help them to keep healthy physically, mentally and spiritually, and in that sense, the ministry used dynamics focused on the spiritual strength to handle times of stress without succumb. The participants showed their skills through drama, involving enthusiastically singing the song Father Abraham, creating in them a desire to complete that part giving thanks to God with a hymn of praise and worship: “When I raise my hands my burdens go, when I lift my hands I feel the anointing from God”. 

The time invested in this event was a time of learning, motivation, and thank God for the opportunity to receive the knowledge to develop His work, while we ask Him for this people to help them cope with their burdens. In this activity, 75 people were reached.

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SEMINARY TO NAUTICAL SCHOOL OF PANAMA’S STUDENTS IN BALBOA.

On Friday 8 July, the workshop “Living Values ​​in the Family” was developed at El Redentor Lutheran Church, located in Balboa. This workshop is part of the follow up program to students from the Nautical School of Panama. This time we reached 31 young people who are part of a group that is working on strengthening emotional and spiritual level. 

The ministry was supported by Professor Dayra Ruíz, who carried out this dynamic workshop. During the course of this workshop the issue of the value of love in the family was emphasized. It was a moment of great emotion for some of these young people who left see their emotions, remembering the difficulties they have everyday in their families, as well as, receiving little affection, the lack of communication and other wounds they carry in their hearts. Some of these young people think that love between human beings is something that hurts when you love someone who does not love you the same way or as you want. 

The young people explained their own ideas, phrases and poems what love means to them, recognizing that love comes from God and that love can cover and heal the wounds of the soul, allowing through forgiveness and reconciliation is the family to become closer. 

This workshop was coordinated with the support of Ms. Marta González, a member of this congregation, and with the Professors Minerva Herrera and Magaly Orantes, from this school. 

Pray for this group of young people, hungry for affection and attention from their families; may God will take care of them and for the relationships in their families get better. Also, the Gospel seed we have sown in them will lead them to have a special encounter with God and for that their hearts will be filled with love and their wounds is healed by Him.

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“BOYS AND GIRLS’ Day” in the outpatient AREA IN THE pediatric hospital.

“Boy sand Girl’s Day” was held in the area of ​​outpatient in thePediatricHospitalon 13 July and to celebrate, the ministry participated with the Puppet Theatre and its star Ducky Juan. Three hundred people, both children and adults, listened to the advice given to Ducky Juan by the puppets on the obedience to his mother and father and about the reward that God gives through a long life when we honor our parents. 

Smiley and comforted faces was the immediate response by many of these children who are afflicted by pain in the midst of painful treatments, but to see the puppets and listen to the songs, they could laugh and some even sing. 

To comfort the worried parents, the ministry shared the hopeful message of the Gospel of Christ and lived a moment of joy with children who suffer from a disease, this experience is a great privilege that God has given us, so we give infinite Thanks; “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25.40).

We keep praying for Kevin, may God put His healing hand on his body and comfort him during dialysis treatments weekly. Similarly, we pray for strength for his mother, aunt and caregivers.

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BIBLE COURSE WITH KUNA AND WOUNAN LADIES IN NUEVA ESPERANZA.

On Thursday 21 July, four ladies of the Emberá and Kuna ethnic groups living in the community of Las Nubes in Arraiján, were excited for starting the Bible study “Basic Teachings of the Bible and Prayer.” Doris and her sister Virginia Satiasa were happy because at the end of this first class already knew how to find the verses in the Bible and, as both commented, they had never participated in a study to learn more about the Bible. 

Through the development of this Bible study supports the work of the Bethel Lutheran Mission, sharing the Gospel message, may participants learn more about the teachings of Christ and strengthen their lives through faith in God.

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EQUIPPING THE SAINTS SEMINAR-WORKSHOP: “ANSWERING TOUGH QUESTIONS”, IN EMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN SORÁ.

On July 24, members of theEmanuelLutheranChurch, located in the community of Sorá, participated in the seminar and workshop: “Answering Tough Questions”, which was dictated by Mr. Edilberto Méndez and Lic. Itza Romero from Christ for All Nations. 

The content of the seminar taught them to think and what to do with questions about our faith, which may seem uncomfortable for us, to share the Gospel of Christ much better, and to discover the true feelings behind these questions, which are a reflection of the spiritual and emotional needs of the person expressing them.

The ministry’ Director conducted the devotional “We can not keep silent” to 30 people, including youth and adults. Following the seminar, we shared a delicious lunch. The day was blessed because it gave very good weather and a lot of people at the seminar.

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“GRANDPARENT’S DAY” IN THE MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS.

On Tuesday, July 26, invited by the Ministry of Public Works of Panama (MOP in Spanish), the ministry participated in the “Grandparent’s Day Fair”, organized by MOP in order to honor the elderly in Grandparent’s Day. 100 people applied for the ministry material, the booklet “Learning to grow old” was distributed, while the “Train of Values” with the Puppet Theatre performed a drama. This was another great opportunity God has given us, especially to be taken into account by public institutions such as MOP and open doors to share the message of hope of our Savior, through the materials the ministry produces.

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PUPPET THEATER IN NEW LUTHERAN MISSION IN CHILIBRE.

Pastor Ruben Ávila, in charge of the new mission in the community of Chilibre, invited the ministry to participate in an event organized at the Enciende unaLuzSchool, on 28 July. In this activity, a “Parade Horse promoting Values”, the Puppet Theater performed a drama, whose message encouraged parents and children from this school to learn more about Jesus and integrate them into community life in Chilibre Mission. Those who showed interest were referred to the Pastor and his wife. 70 responses were received. God bless the work in this community.

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“BOYS AND GIRLS’ Day” IN COLEGIO JAVIER.

In 2009, Project Joel made ​​several performances during the “Boys and Girls’ Day” and Christmas parties at Colegio Javier, thanks to the contact made by the facilitator Wendy Pérez. The teacher in charge of coordinating these presentations, Ana Lucia Córdova, positively evaluated the work, highlighting the quality of the training material and transmitter of Christian values. There are now three years of collaboration with children school (children attending maternal section, and students from two levels of kindergarten). From this work emerges a beautiful testimony of a mother, Hildaura Gutiérrez, presented at the end of this report.

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SONG CONTEST “I’LL SAY IT SINGING.”

The final selection of participants in this contest was selected among students fromSinFronterasSchool. The volunteer and facilitator of the ministry, Nelson Araúz, in charge of this task, coordinated the first round, which was attended by all students of the school. This activity took place in a cultural atmosphere, where the Panamanian typical dress was admired and children sang and danced with joy.

 

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NURSES ENHANCE THEIR KNOWLEDGE IN CHRISTIAN VALUES.

Nursing students from different universities have been trained by the Project Joel team about themes based on Christian values. A group of people received information on “Management and Control of Anger,” which was discussed in the course of hours. This seminar, practical and interactive, met the goal of highlighting Christian values ​​contained in the booklet “Control of Anger,” in order to be a blessing in the development of their profession with the public in everyday life. With the support of Lic. Jorge Lasso, these presentations were coordinated successfully.

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RECOGNITION TO VOLUNTEERS WITH PASSION.

Volunteers with Christian lives, Sixto Guevara,AnaLópez, Olmedo Madrigal, Leticia Maldonado, Nelson Araúz, Dayra Ruíz, Norma Morales, Jorge Lasso, Susana Pérez, among many others, have been placed by God in our daily work with children and young people; thank God, they make the task of the Project Joel is carried out. God is working through these volunteers, who have become His hands and feet. 

At schools, children receive speeches which complement the lessons learned from the dynamics, participate in devotions and many are involved in presentations and performances. 

The facilitators who support us are trained to perform a job successfully, feed with new information; we use updated educational videos, produce materials according to the reality of the country, and in this times are better conditions to develop a task of Christian education in values than several years before.

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VIDEO “MY HOPE”.

The video “My Hope”, with 12 chapters, has been presented to more than 6,000 students in Sin Fronteras, El Buen Pastor, Jerónimo de la Ossa,Loma Cova Schools,Christian School and Instituto Rubiano. 

Each one of these presentations is divided into 6 sessions which have been developed since early this year. The sessions include understanding studies based on the topic. As well as teacher Marina Aguirre says, fromEl Buen PastorSchool, “It’s very motivating to go through these series of videos and start a Bible study, because this is a better way to understand much better the study of Bible.”

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BIBLE STUDY “THE POWER OF PRAYER.”

The teacherAnaTouste, Christian dedicated to serving the Lord, had being conducted on a voluntary basis, the Bible study “The Power of Prayer” with youth in the community of San Miguelito, a high risk area. She does this work during her free time at the Dios de Profecía Church. 10 students have joined this study, whose goal is that kids made ​​in school gather in the church.

 

 

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“BOYS AND GIRLS’ Day” IN DIOS ES GRANDE Lutheran congregation in Loma Cova.

The young Nelson Araúz, Project Joel facilitator, along with a team of volunteers from Dios es Grande Church located in the community in Loma Cova, celebrated the “Boys and Girls’ Day” in Jesús en los Pobres School with teachers, as Mr. Domiciano, a member of Dios es Grande Lutheran Church, who worked as a volunteer in this event. The clan of puppet “Memo”, coloring books, dynamic games and songs gave a Christian color to this party to celebrate this special day for children. Thank God, parents, students and community members attended the event, which was a double gain because all of them also received the message of Jesus.

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