Going to the next Village / June News

Report from the field:

This last June, our visit with a team of 12 north eagles and 7 pana eagles together with 4 mountain eagles, to the area of Monte Lirio, Barranquilla, Guabal and newly opened Qda Venado, has being one of the best.

The travels, including the river crossing and the team's distribution was orchestrated by the Lord.  Our going in was done by 4x4 crossing approximately four to five rivers (two became one, and will let you know how), we arrived to Barranquilla and teams took off to their working sites.  

The Barranquilla team stayed for a two day service in the area.  We worked with the women, the men and the children, the Lord even had a marriage counseling with a couple that are having problems.  Yes, even the Ngobe marriages go through hard times,  David together with the Mission Pastor and the Senior Pastor did a wonderful job, we need to go back and find out if how they are doing.  

This same team was moved to Quebrada Venado which was the new area where we are to advance with Mateo.  At their arrival to Venado, they were surprised that even though in a preparation team a house, kitchen was prepared and the village new the team was coming, they thought we were not saying the truth.  As they said later, we had people saying that they will come back and they never do, but see you are telling truth.  Due to the heavy rains that caused the Daira river and almost all the rivers to flood, yes, we witnessed a flooding, a flood that turned our coffee pot over and the team had to move to the school, this was very good, for there we had solar light and a roof but guess what? the only outdoor toilet in the village was also taken by the flood, crazy but so real.  

Here is a short debrief from each area according to each area leader

Monte Lirio - it was wonderful, more progress since last year.  Julio, the church leader, has gotten more involve in the work, William, one of Julio's disciple, has a leading gift and could be, in a near future key for the church leadership; Rosita, Julio's wife, is taking the lead with the women and is holding weekly meeting with them.

We can see how they have taken ownership, not only of the church but of the teachings, meetings etc.  The Lord's supper was done, Julio was a little nervous but he joined in.  It was awesome.

Monte Lirio already has a building where to meet.  The wood was given by Moises Sr, and a north eagle team, the roofing was done by their own effort, Praise the Lord.

Barranquilla - Still not a leader in the area.  In the men's meeting, two men came forward and boldly confess Jesus in their hearts, Victorino helped them with the verses and some answers for the NLC (new life in Christ booklet).  There still a big "mamattata" influence, and the area needs a leader in God's things, as they said, if there was someone that will help us understand then another story it will be.

Venado - First experience doing hut to hut, two teams were formed and we were able to visit six homes.  one of the things that we were not prepared to hear, was a no, as an answer to our sharing of the Gospel.  Working with the kids and the women was great and the men's meeting went well too, they had questions and we are sorry our time there was too short.

Guabal - Amazing, men are stepping into leadership.  Alfonso who got baptized two years ago, together with Lazarus are already leading service.  They are doing church.

In one of our hut visits, a women received Christ after four visits, she said, you have come here over and over again and the story remains the same, no changes, I believe now.  Mateo is doing a good job.

The Flood - Caring for each other.

The flood helped us see how they care for each other.  This is how it goes.

The team to Venado departed from Guabal, rain was on the horizon, so they had to hurry in order to reach Venado before the rain came.  The heavy things were to be carried to Venado by horse, Lazarus leading it, it was  3 trip thing.  Normally the horses take the route that goes through the river and sometimes alongside the river.  

So the team left as well as Lazarus.  By the time the rain started Lazarus already had two trips done and he came back for the rest of the things that was the equipment to show the Jesus film in Ngobe.  By this time the river was starting to go up, but Lazarus already left.  Two hours past by, by the way it takes 1/2 to reach Venado from Guabal, here comes Benito who help carry the team backpack, asking for Lazarus.  Then we all got really worried, for the river was fully up, it flooded everything, the water was brown and carried trees and many other things.  We sent note to the other team that we needed to pray for Lazarus was not in Guabal nor in Venado,  where was he? 

The Church at Guabal stayed to pray and wait for news.  Five hours and nothing,  by this time Benito was back to Guabal and together with another brother decided that they would go and look or Lazarus.  Two hour past by and the church at Guabal was still together, praying and waiting, until Benito and Daniel came back with a big smile, good news, Lazarus made it.  As he saw the river change color he decided to take another route, that saved him from the flood.  The Guabal church celebrated and went home. 

Awesome, how they care for each other, stayed with the wife until good news came.  

The materials for building the Church Temple is already on site, so this month of July they will start to put up the roof.

The last day we close the week with the Lord's supper, celebrating the 30 opportunities of spreading the Gospel, seeing 16 souls choose life and 3 baptism.

Arrangements were made for the team to take advantage of the river's water still a little up and take the boats to Chiriqui Grande, a two boat ride, wonderful.  We got sun burned but it was so wonderful to see how our Lord kept the team safe in every aspect, came out full of joy and new experiences that God willing will turn into a deep calling to be involve on a long term with missions, at home and abroad.  For our Ngobe brothers every visit is a reminder of God's love to them, bringing encouragement that they are not alone doing the labour, that their is a purpose in their labor and a everlasting hope that one day we will all rejoice before the King.


On a last note, the Schools supplies were given to all four schools.  This is a program that is done every year with the schools and also to be able to supply any need that a worker has to supply for their kids what is needed for them to attend school.

God bless,

Talsy, David and team 

"and the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city" Acts 18:9-10