September 2008
Dear Cyber Friends and Prayer Partners,
Greetings once again from the “Crossroads of the World”, Panama. Since you our last report, grass has been growing under our feet, but not from lack of activity, but from the abundance of rain. With the blessings come the hazards. Just this morning a bus lost control from excessive speed and because of the wet road condition ended with the front tires crossing over a meter high concrete divider. It caused a several car pileup and a tremendous delay for folks getting to work and students to their schools. Sadly, there was one fatality, a young mother. Thankfully, her young daughter was strapped into her car seat and so she survived. It was a vivid reminder of how quickly things can change from one moment to the next. It is a stark reminder of how important our message of being prepared is so that folks are ready for that next step.
The Lord has blessed as we have seen a renewal of inactive members returning to Veracruz and souls being saved in Suntracs. For those who prayed for our national pastor’s retreat, thank you! Many of the pastors who attended said that it was one of the best meetings yet. Bro. Steve Proctor and Jim Osborne from Westwood Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff, MO were our special speakers. Your prayers were very much appreciated during the translation of the messages. There were at least two national pastors present that came very discouraged and left refreshed and ready to re-enter the battle.
Within in week after the retreat, twelve visitors came from our sending church, Central Baptist, in Portsmouth, VA. It was such a blessing to have them come and minister. The team was divided into two groups. One completely painted the Veracruz auditorium building, inside and out. The other team worked with two groups of kids teaching several weeks of Upwards Basketball in just four days of activities. Kathy Jeffries recruited several from both works and organized a bell choir. What a treat that was for our people and what a ministry they left behind with a gift of bells and some music for each church.
We are continuing to lay the ground work for our national revival emphasis. There had been some talk making a combined, concerted effort, but the idea has settled in that what we need to do is reach our local areas first. Please be much in prayer. The dates will coincide with the national patriotic days, November 2-5, 2008. We are still praying for the Lord to indicate His choice in speakers. With two churches, it would be great if the Lord would send a Spanish speaker for one while the other work would have a translator.
In the area of prayer request, we would ask you to pray for some of our families that are being really challenged in their faith. One particular family in Suntracs has gotten very active in inviting others to come and as a result, two have been saved during services or just after and others have become concerned for unsaved family members. We see the Lord blessing, but there are always those things that test the faith.
As you know, Dario has been supporting his family with a gardening service. In order to be able to maintain a good customer base, he really needs a more professional machine. The mechanic that repairs the machines he uses now has told him that he really needs something more heavy-duty. The machine that the mechanic recommends would cost just under $600.00. This missionary will put in the first $100.00, but we need some help. When his machines are down, he is unable to attend to his customers and that can cost him business. He has chosen to do this in lieu of taking a regular job that could interfere with his ability to do ministry and be available for the folks in Veracruz. I believe he is worthy of this help. Would you maybe make this a special item of prayer or maybe a Sunday school class project? Any help would be blessing.
Thank you again for all of your faithfulness. More than you could ever know, it is a blessing each and every month.
For Souls in Panama,
Dan & Cricket Young