Property Improvments --> Let's grow

We've planted over 50 pineapples and fruit trees this year [Mitch has a pineapple in his hand]. We have steps running in many directions. Our latest endeavor is a road from the dock to the base. The dock is almost complete and the inside of the base has been transformed to a stone and brick castle.

We can tell where we're going when we go places by the land or trees. On the way into Shark Hole, this tree helps us find the way into the village.

Tucans and other types of birds and monkeys can be found on San Cristoval.

Medical Outreach --> Salt Creek and Shark Hole

We worked with a great medical team from Connecticut. It was held in two jungle villages which required the prerequisite tents and mosquito nets. The people were blessed by doctors, dentists, and eyeglasses. Dr. Wong from Panama generously gave a donation of dental supplies when others were forgotten. Thank you Dr. Wong!! It was perfect timing because schools were on vacation for the week. Mitchell made some cross necklaces with the kids and the team made bracelets. Dale and Kimberly brought the water to drink and cook with every day. In Sharkhole, we were amazed by how clean it was. Salt Creek is about a 45 minute boat ride away and Shark Hole is about a half hour boat ride, both are up dense jungle rivers.

So many of the people here have damage to their eyes from the constant sun, and no sunglasses. In addition, none of them have glasses. When the team began giving out glasses the line quickly grew. Thank you to the DeBellis family for providing many reading glasses, and thank you to everyone who pitched in. We have been giving out the glasses here on the base for two weeks now, and the smiles of those who couldn't see and now can totally bless us!!

We also had a short-term intern named Ryan Wilson from Michigan State University come down for two weeks and minister to us. We had never met him before and were awed by his servant heart. He did worship for our indigenous service as well as our "gringo" service on Isle Cristobal. He went with Reanna to volunteer at the neighborhood school, and helped Dale get the dock rebuilt. He never complained, did everything as he was told, and offered to do more. He was such a blessing to have with us here in Panama. The neighborhood kids will miss him and so will we. Please spread the news and let others know how a short-term mission outreach can expand their hearts and spread God's love.

The church on Isla Bastimentos

We have been meeting every Saturday at the little restaurant/meeting area near our house for a simple worship and teaching time. We have been trusting the Lord to help with His spirit as we flounder in our Spanish delivering teachings and testimonies that we translate (thank heavens for the dictionary.com site) and Spanish worship songs. Our friend and pastor Kendall has been in the states for two months, so the service has been up to us. Erika and Kellen led worship, and Erika presented the gospel through a children's Spanish bible story book with pictures. They listened intently, crowding around to see the pictures better. Afterwards, several prayed to have Jesus in their lives, and we stood and held hands as new brothers and sisters and gave thanks to the Lord. Two weeks later, we celebrated when Dan and Andy came by holding a baptism service on our rebuilt dock, and had the joy of watching the St. Luke's team baptize the new believers.