Jim and Phyllis Childress
Missionaries to Panama since 1976
25 July 2009
Dear Faithful Rope Holders,
We have been busy in a variety of ministries the last few months. Here are some of the things we have been involved in the last few months:
Amazon trip – I had a good time with the Operation Renewed Hope medical team working on the Amazon River in Peru. I believe it was reported that there were around 145 professions of faith in the three days of clinic. The trip was eight hours down river from Iquitos and 25 hours back.
Coastal ministry -Belén and Río Concepción – We had our seminar and Bible Institute classes in May. I had 9 students in the pastoral classes and others were taking music courses.
Coastal ministry - Caimito – I have had two opportunities to preach there lately. Once in May I was able to preach thee times on Saturday and Sunday (between the Bible Conference and the week of institute classes); and again in July. In July they had a high attendance of 50 in our evening services, which was almost double the attendance that they had when I visited in May. Our last day, six adults made professions of faith. We established June as perfect attendance month and those in perfect attendance every Sunday and Wednesday would receive a new Bible or a new hymnal. I think we gave away 18 Bibles and several hymnals.
Francis Daggett – Brother Daggett was a pastor for over 20 years. Last year he had a tumor encrusted kidney removed. At that time doctors gave a life expectancy of 2-5 years. Brother Daggett did not make it to the two year mark. Things happened quickly and he was hospitalized twice before he graduated to glory. Everyone thought he would have a little more time. His last days of life, he was not a pastor, but a missionary to any and all that came to his room. I know of at least one hospital worker that received Christ as savior because of his witness and testimony.
Glad Tidings Baptist Church – I am at the church for limited services since I have been needed in other ministries more than I anticipated. The church is going forward with preparing their new property and getting the final paperwork done to have the property titled in the church’s name. Pastor Garcia has a job now working as the legal counsel to the governor of the San Blas Province. The governor knows Horacio’s family and sought him for the job. The governor understands Horacio´s commitment as a pastor and promised to allow him flexibility for his ministry responsibilities. We consider this an answer to prayer.
Ordinations – Before we leave for furlough we will see two pastors ordained: Brother Jairo, who is now the pastor of the Bible Baptist Church where brother Daggett was pastor for over 20 years. Also Horacio will be ordained as pastor of Glad Tidings Baptist Church. When we return from furlough, two more pastors in the coastal ministry will be the next pastors to be ordained. The two are Andrs Saén of Belén and Alvaro Manzané of Río Veraguas.
New Missionaries coming to Panama – Brother Lowe, long time missionary to the Jewish community in Spain brought a couple to investigate the possibilities of working in Panama. It seems that they see will be starting deputation soon. Pray for Paul (Peru) and Paola (Ecuador). Paul is an economist and Paola is a doctor. We were impressed with them as they saw the need and responded to the opportunity at hand.
Furlough – We will be leaving for the U.S. on August 20 although we will also be in Nicaragua September 18-24 for a week assisting Oscar Chavez with his ministry there. I will be teaching a seminar to pastors on being a quality sending church and being a successful missionary. In September I hope to have some medical exams done to see where I am with my health issues … COPD, diabetes and probably Parkinson´s. I will include our furlough schedule as it has developed thus far.
Please accept our thanks and appreciation for the sacrificial gifts given in April, May and June. Since I am preparing for our national pastors/missionary retreat, I do not have time to receipt in an itemized fashion right now. We will do that later.
Fishing and feeding,
Jim
savd4evr2@childress.panagringos.org