First, we want to thank all of you who gave so
generously to help us through the major budget short-fall at the end of
2018. Not only did your donations keep
us afloat, but it was a huge encouragement to us personally. We are still operating with monthly pledges
well below what is needed to keep the mission going; however, we are trusting
God for His will about the monthly short-fall.
In February, we began the trek to Georgia and spent
some time in Alabama. We were able to visit two supporting churches in Alabama
and reconnect with supporters. It was so good to see many people we have not
seen in a while and update people on the recent happenings in Panama. Later
that month, we took part in my (Bethany) home church’s week-long missions
festival. It was a wonderful time of catching up with other fellow missionaries
and supporters at the church, and receiving some spiritual renewal. Sadly, I
lost my voice for part of the week, but God restored it just in time for me to
speak at the Women’s Missions Tea later that week.
During our time in the States, we were also working on
collecting various items being stored for us in Missouri, Alabama, and Georgia
to ship to Panama. We were given donations to help outfit our dorm in Panama,
and through buying used items in the US and then shipping them to Panama, we
were able to find good quality items for a fraction of the price it would cost
to buy them locally. We also purchased a shipping container that would be
filled and then driven to Florida to be shipped. We had so many people come
together to help us fix, clean, store, and load items, and it truly was such an
encouragement and blessing to us all. If you were a part of this adventure, we
thank you again for all your help. We could not have done it without you.
After the container was finally filled in Atlanta,
Corey and his parents began the long drive to Miami. During the first part of
their trip, the container started to lose control due to its weight and almost
flipped both the container and the truck towing it. Thankfully God protected
everyone, and helped Corey get control of the vehicle which was able to come to
a safe stop. They were able to fix some of the issues but had to then drive the
whole rig at only 45mph; however, with this speed, they would not make Miami in
time to put the container on a boat and Corey get back to Atlanta to fly out
with the rest of the family. Amazingly, God worked out some last-minute details
and got the container to a shipping location, and Corey back to Atlanta for his
flight. We are now trying to get logistics figured out on this end to receive
the container. Please pray for us as we deal with immigration, customs, and
getting the container from one side of the country to us on the other side.
We returned to the Panama on March 12, and since then,
we have been readjusting to being home after being away for a few months. As
much as we loved seeing family and friends, and visiting churches, it is good
to be home and back in our normal routine. One huge blessing for us personally
happened since getting back home here in Panama. We have hot water! In the 15 or so years of ministering in Latin
America we have never lived anywhere with hot water in the shower. We did have a
few “widow makers,” one of which started an electrical fire in the shower with
Corey and another gave him and electric shock while showering, but now we have
an on-demand gas water heater and hot showers!!!
We are now looking ahead to what this year holds for
us in Panama: visitors, Auburn grant, short term teams, farm development, and
training programs. Please continue to keep us in your prayers that we
prioritize our time the way God directs and not just in what we hope to
accomplish. Thank you everyone for your prayers and support and we look forward
to keeping you posted on what God is doing through Lasting Harvest in Panama.
Your partners in reaching the world,
Corey, Bethany, Anne, and Benjamin
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