Panama is known as 'The Pass between Two Continents and The Pathway between Two Seas'. At 8 degrees north of the equator, it has been the meeting place of commerce and culture for centuries, connecting the world from north to south and east to west.
Panama is a rapidly developing country, the fastest growing economy in Central and South America. However, we still are not too far removed from 'Third World' status when it comes to high corruption in all levels of government and business, poor education, poor health care, the gap between the rich and poor, the dwindling middle class, escalating immorality, and violence. In saying this, we see a rapid growth in materialism, with the people trying to obtain at all costs, even to the neglect of their own children, a lifestyle that they see and hear through their televisions and social media networks. The skyline of Panama City looks much like that of any other capital city in the developed world, but don't be fooled by the façade that obscures the reality of spiritual and moral darkness. There is a saying here, "Dress so no one knows you're poor"; in other words, what you see is not necessarily what is true.
The Panama Canal is one of the largest trade routes in the world, hence the varied cross-section of culture, language and religion that exists. Indifference to the gospel because of religious confusion, materialism and social media is on the rise, and many young people are addicted to their electronic devices and virtual friends. There is much spiritual confusion and blindness, and the word 'Christian' is applied very liberally to anyone who attends any kind of religious organisation, whether or not they believe or teach that Jesus is God, or that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. In spite of these hurdles, God is working; souls are being reached with salvation and growing spiritually. The Lord Himself said in relation to the strait gate, "strive to enter in" and, of the narrow way, "few there be that find it".
April 26th, 2016 marked seven years of assembly testimony in Valle Hermoso, and December 5th, 2015 marked five years since the planting of another assembly in Dolega (La Acequia), Chiriqui. Our fellow workers Marcos and Sara Sequera, commended from Venezuela in 2009, labour in this province of Chiriqui in the far west of the country, which borders Costa Rica. Since the beginning of the year the assembly there has been enjoying the accommodation of a newly constructed hall.
The work in Panama commenced in the small village of Valle Hermoso, about 45 minutes west of Panama City, in November 2005, with a visit by Ross Vanstone from Canada. That visit turned into a two-year stay but, when we arrived permanently in December 2007, Ross moved on to break new ground elsewhere. Over the years, as with any new work, there have been many difficulties, heartaches and tears but, as the birthing pains gave way to new life, God was doing an eternal work in the Isthmus of Panama. We still face difficult situations, but we are also seeing fruit and growth, evidence that of a surety the work is of God. We are so dependent on His wisdom, Word and strength to guide us through each new situation with which we are faced.
The small group of believers in Valle Hermoso continues to show signs of growth and commitment. It comprises first-generation believers, and most are the only ones saved in their family. It is not easy for them, and each day is a test of their faith as they seek to live a Christian life in the midst of ungodly home environments with many temptations. Most of the adult believers attended a variety of churches before they were saved, so they come with much religious baggage and confusion that is not easily undone. It takes much time, patience and step by step teaching to feed them and help them grow. The teaching isn't just in spiritual and moral things; it also includes marriage and family life, how to care for and teach their children, resolving problems in all areas of life (work, school and family), managing finances and learning to form an orderly and respectable lifestyle, using Scripture as their guide.
We work with a number of indigenous people from the Kuna Indian tribe. They are open to the gospel, and a number have been saved and added to the assembly. One family in particular has given us much joy; three of the sisters (Hilda, Rode and Anelda) are saved, and two are in the assembly. The son and daughter of Rode are saved and baptised, and the son (Rotzel) is in fellowship. We just heard recently that two daughters of Anelda have professed salvation as well, so we thank the Lord for this encouragement. The Sequera's live in the province of Chiriqui, and labour mostly amongst the Ngobe Bugle indigenous tribe, where they have also seen blessing in salvation. There are numerous indigenous tribes throughout the country, but these two are the largest in size.
On Thursday evenings we visit an orphanage called Ciudad del Niño ('City of the Child') for two Bible classes. There are about 140 children, and we are able to speak to about half of them each week. They are a good group, and attentive, but their young minds have been contaminated by what they have experienced at a young age. We pray that the constant pouring of God's love, through His Word, into their hearts will soften them and turn them to the Saviour. Lois's time practising in the clinic at the orphanage has been limited due to the schooling needs of our children, but she still has an active presence there. Another opportunity to share the gospel at the orphanage is with a number of young Taiwanese ladies who volunteer in a variety of capacities. They usually come for a two-year term, and we have befriended a number of them. Also, we have had the opportunity to have them in our home and share gospel literature with them in their native tongue. At first they were reluctant to take the literature but, in a recent conversation with a couple of them, they told us that they now are reading the Bible and attending a Taiwanese Bible study, and they had a number of questions for us. We are happy to be links in the chain, channels only, that souls might hear the gospel and be saved.
The Friday evening young people's Bible class has grown smaller because of competition from five new churches starting up very close to where the hall is located. These groups are very worldly in their means of attracting the young, with very little emphasis on salvation or the truth of Scripture. It is an evening of worldly entertainment in the name of God! Immorality, violence and disrespect on all levels run rampant amongst the young, and are destroying these precious lives. We know it is only salvation and obedience to the Word of God that will save, guide and preserve them from the disastrous lifestyle of their parents and peers. They don't need more of the world in the name of church; they need salvation in the name of Christ!
As a result of seeing so many young people start well, but then get drawn away by this ungodly world, we started a special Bible class for those who are saved and baptised. The focus is to help them understand the importance of cultivating, enjoying and pursuing with all of their heart the personal relationship with the Lord that is essential to holy Christian living.
Throughout the year we have children's Bible classes at our home, as well as a variety of other gospel outreaches in the local communities. The annual short missions trip for girls from 'the homeland' has been an encouragement to the work here, as well as contributing to their personal spiritual development back home.
There is still much work to do, the labourers are few and often weary, but great is the God whose work it is!
