Missionaries Panama Steve and Judy Lytle Summertime in Panama
March 2, 2010
“Stop the world; I want to get off.” I guess we all think that from time to time. In December I envisioned a quiet, slow “Panama summer” with lots to do but plenty of time to get it all accomplished. Now we are only 10 days away from orientation for seminary 2010! Where did the days go and are we ready? That is what I’m thinking right now. Ready or not, classes will begin and the school year will get underway in just a few days!
Camps and retreats: Since our last update in January we have hosted four different church groups who use the seminary facilities for their camps and retreats. And there are two more booked before the end of the vacation months. This has been good because it is exposure for the seminary and also an economic help since they pay just as they would for the use of any other camp facility. It has also been work having everything ready and being available for any questions or needs of each group.
We are thanks for a group from Zephyr Hills FWB Church in Asheville, NC who came down in January to do "anything needed to be done." They replaced window screens, washed windows, build a closet, put in new commodes, changed faucets in two kitchens, visited the hardware store frequently (at least one of them did), participated in church services and made contacts with neighborhood teens. It was a blessing to get to know them better and see their servant hearts.
Steve in States for the month of February: Steve returned to the USA to have some special services for the mission. He traveled in North Carolina and South Carolina endeavoring to raise awareness regarding the new funding system and explain about the financial crisis the mission is going through at this time. He was scheduled to return tonight but his flight was canceled due to snow in Atlanta. I will certainly be glad to have him home!
Seminary 2010: We are excited about the opening of this school year! We have eight returning students. Julio, Osvaldo and Stephany will graduate from the three year program in December! This will be a very special day! Benjamín, Cirilo, Kathia, Loyda and Lino will begin their second year. We are praying for several first year students to enroll. We have two confirmed and four more praying about enrolling. Please pray they will know God’s will for their lives and follow it. Three of the four are young men. We need more men to answer God call to ministry!
Dry season: We are deep into the dry season. The grass is brown, the dust is blowing and the temperatures are high. Pray the dry season will not be prolonged passed April. There are predictions it could last a couple months longer. We need the refreshing rains.
Even in the hot summer, we have some beautiful flowers blooming. I posted a photo of some flowers which remind me of Lamentations 3:22,23. "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Every morning the beautiful blooms greet me and during the day they wilt and fall off. The next morning new ones are again in bloom. They are new every morning. Such a great lesson!
Offerings: We thank you for your generosity in giving. We know times are hard for most everyone now. Thank you for being faithful to support our ministry and the ministry of all our missionaries. Please remember the “World Mission Offering” during the month of April. God is working around the world in exciting ways! I’m glad we have a part in His plan. What a privilege to serve Him wherever He places us!