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cptlnpanama15th ANNIVERSARY OF LHM PANAMA
In Panama, during the month of September, we celebrate the Month of the Bible and many of the activities that the ministry develops are dedicated to this celebration. The office continues receiving expressions of affection and friendship from friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, donors, volunteers, partners and team members from the Lutheran Hour Ministries, in case of these 15 years (25 years actually) anniversary of this ministry in Panama. We thank God for these 15 years because “Thus far the LORD has helped us!”
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A BLESSING FOR OWEN AND HIS FAMILY
Christ For All Nations and the Patronato Luz del Ciego visited the baby Owen’s home, his mother passed away when he was only eight days of birth. The large family of Owen is caring for him and his two brothers (3 and 4 years old, respectively). Owen received a great blessing from both organizations: clothes, diapers and powdered milk. Mrs. Baudilia, Owen’s aunt, excited expressed her appreciation on behalf of the entire family for the support they received. Demetrio Pérez, Pastor of Bethel Lutheran Mission and member of CPTLN, prayed for children and family members, urging them to remain confident that God will care for the children and all of them. Owen is the son of Brother David, who was the president of Dios es Grande Lutheran congregation in Loma Cová.
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ANTONIO, a young blind student, who appears in the photo, is a sixth-grader student atPedroJ.SossaSchool, has been supported with a Bible study in audio, a MP3 Bible and the book of Psalms in Braille. This is not the first time that God allows the ministry to support young people who, as Antonio, are interested in learning more about our Lord and thus show that there are no barriers to meet him.
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THANKSGIVING DEVOTIONAL AT THE MOP
With a strong desire to evangelize and reach out to workers of the Ministry of Public Works (MOP in Spanish) that do not yet have a full relationship with God, a small group of believers in Christ held a devotional meeting, which the ministry center was invited to share a message based on the Word of God. During this Thanksgiving devotional held on Tuesday September 27, highlighting the Month of the Bible, we shared the booklet When in doubt, consult the Bible. Mr. Luis Aguilar expressed his desire to know more God and put his life over to Him. We pray for him and his mom, they are both having health ailments and need to undergo surgery. Also, pray for the Chief of the Welfare Department of the Public Worker, who expressed her desire to include the program for the spiritual strengthening of the workers.
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Bible STUDY… Dumar BAB ANMAR: OUR FATHER!
The second part of the Bible study on the Lord’s Prayer has continued with our most loyal students Susenith and Josel with whom we met at the Bethel Lutheran Mission.
Both are learning step by step, the prayer taught by Jesus and now they can say in their language kuna “Bab Dumar Anmar” that means Our Father! in English, bringing their petitions to the Lord, acknowledging Him as their Lord and God. The graduation of these students will be held at the offices of CPTLN.
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Spiritual Health: PROTECTIVE FACTOR FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION
God has touched the lives of university students using this ministry when He gave us the opportunity to share with 85 students of Psychology at the University of the Americas-UDELAS and Nursing at theUniversityofPanamarespectively, during the seminar organized by the Mental Health Network to commemorate the International Day for the Prevention of Suicide, on September 6. Participants received bookmarks that share the message: “Behind the anguish, there’s always a glimmer of hope, value your life!”
During the seminar, the topic on job burnout (physical or emotional exhaustion, especially as a result of long-term stress or dissipation) was introduced by the psychiatrist Dr. Richard Gotti and the issue on suicide prevention by Dr. Gonzalo González, chief of mental health program of West Panamaregion. A study by Dr. González found that 28% of suicides in Panamaare mainly due to family and emotional problems. Most people who attempt suicide do not seek help, being mostly housewives and construction workers who are subjected to great stress and alcohol consumption. This same study acknowledges that the spiritual strength in people who practice their faith is a protective factor to the problems, which means they can face them with greater strength and avoid thoughts of suicide.
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CPTLN puppetry AT CHILD GUIDANCE CENTER OF THE MOP
Sixty children and workers at the El Caminito Child and Family Guidance of the Ministry of Public Works were achieved with the Biblical message of obedience to parents and God, and the drama of Patito Juan, which were presented by the CPTLN Puppet Theatre. Children and their teachers sang with great joy, thanking God and asking Him to help them to be better children, as the song sings.
We thank God for the opportunity to share with them the message based on the Word of God and the doors opened in the child guidance center to be invited by Alberto Chacon, with the permission of the principal of this center.
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Calms VISIT CPTLN OFFICE
CPTLN was glad in receiving the visit by the representative of Central American Lutheran Mission Society, the Rev. Miguel Angel Torneire, Brazilian Pastor who works for this wonderful ministry. This was a very productive opportunity in which Rev. Torneire also shared a devotional and received an orientation about LHM Panama. Rev. Torneire was accompanied by President of the National Lutheran Church (IELPA in Spanish) Milton Castillo, who shared with members of the ministry.
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CANDIDATE PASTOR FOR EMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, IMMER MONTOYA VISITS LHM Panama
CPTLN received Rev. Immer Montoya, who came from Nicaragua as a candidate for pastor for Emanuel Lutheran congregation located in Sorá. A visual presentation on the work the ministry develops was realized for him, focusing on working together with the congregation to strength the work with the community of Sorá.
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MURAL CONTEST ON THE BIBLE
Pedro J. Sossa School’s students and teachers were involved in making creative murals that highlights the value of the Bible in contemporary education. The work on the murals was really great, posing a challenge to judges who will select the best. The children drew pictures, signs and used their imagination to the presentation of content. This activity was directed by Project Joel and praised by parents and teachers.
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A BIBLE STUDY FOR CHILDREN
The Bible study History of Creation is being developed with 250 little students. Through 7 sessions the booklet History of Creation, which has been adapted to Bible study, is developed and the knowledge learned is strengthen using complementary tools as videos, songs and short devotionals. These sessions take place at special times during classes’ periods and with the consent of their parents and the principal of the school. Sixto Guevara, volunteer ministry, holds two sessions a week, receiving additional support from other volunteers and teachers.
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GREAT PARADE OF THE BIBLE
For the second consecutive year the Parade of the Bible had been organized and presented to the community. This event represents an effort by schools, police and Project Joel. The children make signs, Bibles with materials such as cardboard, dress Panamanian costumes and walk through the main streets of the District of San Miguelito, for three grueling hours, but the joy and emotion are more powerful. To achieve success requires much time and effort in preparing to perform this parade, effort made by enthusiastic volunteers. There we noted that the puppets of Memo Clan and the team Joel also participated in the parade singing Biblical Christian music. This has been a non usual public testimony seen in our country.
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CELEBRATION OF THE BIBLE IN A MAJOR EVENT
In Panama, during the month of September, we celebrate the Month of the Book, and especially the Month of the Bible. Students from Pedro J. Sossa School came together to celebrate this event. Throughout the month was read the Bible and the New Testament. The teacher Norma Morales considers this activity as very important, emphasizing the effort with which Christian values are promoted through the work of Project Joel throughout the school year.
Strategies to share the Word of God are always accompanied by songs, drama and choreography, as they reinforce in children and young people the message that is exposed through the interactivity, dynamics and communication. Also, special words to all the participants and visitors were given, as well as officials from the Ministry of Education (MEDUCA).
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FEAST OF THE BIBLE
In order to give prominence to the Month of the Bible, Sin Fronteras School held a great luxury Feast of the Bible. The children got prepared to sing and recite Bible passages, with the support of the puppets, songs, presentations and words of encouragement were well received by all present. Nelson Araúz, a Project Joel volunteer facilitator, has coordinated this event with hard work to actually put in an important position the Word of God.
Professor Militza Torres considers this activity as the culmination of Christian formation that takes place in the school and in which God plays a major role, allowing the ministry, through Project Joel, to contribute its grain of sand.
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YOUTH WEEK AT LOMA COVA
The youth group from Dios es Grande Lutheran Church, located in Loma Cová, organized with great detail and effort a Youth Week with the aim to encourage, train and educate young people in the community. The ministry, through Project Joel, had the opportunity to work through the presentation of thematic seminars with the support of volunteer facilitators Nelson Araúz and Yurinko Atencio. The communication between exhibitors and the public was direct and effective, so that the message presented was accepted and understandable as possible. The young people were very encouraged by the dynamics.Pastor Demetrio Pérez, representing the Lutheran Church, was also involved in coordinating this activity.
This has been an excellent opportunity for Project Joel, as monitoring the work being done in the primary school near the church becomes more effective, taking advantage of some students of this school also participated in this week’s activities.
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SEMINAR FOR PARENTS
One of the most difficult tasks in promoting Christian values to children is to involve parents. This challenge has been faced; the ministry had placed particular emphasis on supporting groups of parents who actively participate in the Pedro J. Sossa School, Jerónimo dela Ossa School, Sin Fronteras School and Christian School.
With the interest in celebrating the Month of the Bible, a meeting was held with a good group of parents, allowing to share with them the video My Hope, which, supported by a high-quality film production, narrated in a simple clear and very motivating the most important facts of the Bible, while highlighting the message of salvation in Christ. Songs and readings from the Bible were used to motivate them. We believe that the same methodology of songs and readings that apply in their children can be applied to parents, even adults, because the motivating effect helps to improve the understanding of the message and approach to others.
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Christian leaders FROM the Kuna Yala RECEIVED MATERIALS
For five years, the Rev. Eli Toscani from the Baptist Church located in Kuna Yala, an autonomous territory or comarca in Panama inhabited by the Kuna indigenous people, visited the ministry center. Rev. Toscani organizes an annual event for young people from different areas and islands of the region, allowing us the opportunity to support them by providing videos and materials for the development of this important activity where the Word of God will be proclaimed. We pray for the impact of these materials in the life of this youth.
