A Busy Time With Many Changes

We have been a very active group these last few months! So much to do, so many changes!

In February we hosted two teams of 26 people - one group from the US and the other from a Bible School in Norway. Both teams built a house with Homes of Hope, right here in Las Margaritas de Chepo.

Bible School young people - some had no construction experience - but these 19 and 20 year olds built a house!

Our dear friends, Ken and Elaine Orozco (and Judah) move back to Costa Rica.  They left a huge hole in the staff and work here, as they were the Homes of Hope directors. We do not yet have a replacement for them. We have lots of people looking for help with housing, so we are hoping that someone will respond to the need here and come on staff with us.

When the Orozcos moved, we were able to take over the lease on the comfortable three bedroom home they had been living in. This is now our JUCUM Nuevas Culturas Center! After four years of running everything from the Cabezon's home, this is a welcome change for their family, and also gives us a place to have meetings and host teams. Right now, four staff members are living there to keep it safe and offer hospitality.

Later this month, two of our Leadership Formation School graduates are planning on serving at the YWAM Ships ministry in the Caribbean on Bastimentos Island near Bocas Del Toro. The base there is very low on staff and needs help for a month. Could you pray, and consider helping with their travel/room and board expenses? Each of them needs $300 in total. Although about $70 each has been raised or donated, this is still a lot for them.

One of our other LFS graduates is hoping to attend a school to learn how to run Kings Kids. She will either attend in Chiriqui, Panama, or in Costa Rica. This would be in May, and she also really needs help with her expenses.

We also welcomed Tulio and Norelia Rosales and their four children. They have a huge heart for Indigenous people, lots of vision and energy. They are now not only staff but on the Leadership Team with the Cabezons and Robls.

Come June, we will be saying goodbye to the Ganzs, who have served us for almost 3 and a half years as teachers. Steve has taught in our DTSs, in Panama City, in Bocas, Guatemala and Russia. He has been focused more on the Wounaan churches here in Panama, spending time in the villages as well as in homes, and teaching most Sunday mornings in the local church.

Up and Coming: New bi-lingual DTS in October!