Missions Blog

Detainment. Determination. Dependent.

 

We are in Panama! Our day started together at 3AM at the Pittsburgh International Airport where we each arrived with two 50lb (some a little under & some a little over 😅)suitcases filled with donations of clothing and hygiene products for the Panamian people and missionaries, craft supplies, and welcome bags for the women attending the conference at Word of Life. Thank you for your generosity in financial gifts and tangible donations to make that possible.

 

Each step of the travel process was met with a hiccup that we greeted in prayer and dependence on the Lord’s provision.

 

On Tuesday morning, Melissa couldn’t check in because her middle name which was on the passport was not on the flight ticket. While she was in Bible study Tuesday morning, the ladies surrounded her in prayer, and at that exact time (seriously!) an email came through saying everything had been resolved! Dependence on the Lord. 

 

When we arrived at the airport we were met with hiccups getting our suitcases checked in at bagged claim. We prayed. Dependence on God. 

 

 

When we arrived in Panama, we were detained (see picture 1) by security. Our suitcases were searched, and our items of donation were questioned. We prayed. Dependence on God. There was a time when we didn’t know if we would need to leave our items at the airport, but after about 15 minutes of questioning, phone calls, and added security, some God-ordained connections were made, and we were on our way with all our bags! 

 

Tracy, one of the leaders at Word of Life Panama, picked us up from the airport, and we headed to a local hotel that would be our place of rest for the first night. But before needed rest, we soaked in the history of Panama by visiting the Panama Canal (see picture 2), driving through and around Panama City, and eating at a restaurant near downtown. 

 

 

At 9:30 PM, Panama Time (10:30 PM Eastern Time), we settled in for the night, a warm shower, and a good night of sleep. 

 

It was a long day, and a day full of the Lord’s provision, protection, and reminders that He is going before us and is with us. Our dependence is on Him, and we are ready and willing to share His Truth and goodness in Panama, as we already have had the opportunity to in the airports and on our travels.

 

Isaiah 64:8

English Standard Version

 

8 But now, O Lord, you are our Father;
    we are the clay, and you are our potter;
    we are all the work of your hand.

Please join us in prayer that we stay moldable for Our Father to do His work through, cracked vessels. That the prayers we prayed as a team throughout our travels would plant seeds of trust, Truth, and His faithfulness in us and in those who witnessed them. And that our Master Potter would be the One on whom our true dependence is placed, that our determination would be in His strength, and that we would effectively share that in Christ we are not detained in sin and fear, but free from the power of sin and of fear in Christ! 

 

Dependence on God. He is good. He is worthy of all our praise! 

 

Thank you to all who are partnering with us in prayer, support, and encouragement! We feel it! 

Wednesday (Lion of Judah School Emali, Kenya)

This was our last day at the Lion of Judah School in Emali, Kenya. We celebrated the 7th anniversary of the construction of the school. The school started with just a plot of land, and today, God has provided a kitchen, two dormitories, a farm, and most recently a large dining hall. The students all got a piece of cake which is possibly one of the only times in their life they get to experience that. This whole celebration was so special to see God’s hand in this school and the results of fervent prayer. Finally, we said goodbye and see you next time to all the students of Lion of Judah.

Thursday (AIC Zion School Nairobi, Kenya)

We returned to the AIC Zion School to spend some time with the 500+ students that they have from the Mathare Valley. As missionaries we spent time teaching the gospel in classes up to grade 8. We also had the privilege to go with a student to their home and prayer over them and their families.

Dear Team,

Sunday (AIC Zion, Mathare Slums Kenya)

In the morning, we went to the AIC Zion church service with Reverend Wambua. The church was packed to the last seat and many members of the congregation participated at some point or another. Their worship team was so talented with a mix of worship music we are used to and Kenya-rooted worship songs.

The AIC Zion church also has Sunday school after the service that students all the way up to 25 participated in. We as missionaries, spread out and taught in different classrooms across the church. We had the blessing to meet all the students in our classrooms and even share our testimonies with them while teaching them the good news.

Monday (Lion of Judah Wisdom School, Emali Kenya)

On Monday, we were warmly greeted at the Lion of Judah Wisdom school in Emali, Kenya. The students performed both songs and dances to greet us and show some of the fine arts they have learned. The best part was that these songs and dances both glorified God and directly spoke worship over the school.

Additionally, we spent a lot of time getting to know and playing with all the many students of the school. We had the opportunity to both care for and love on all the unique and talented children. Many of us were able to talk to the kids about God’s hand in their lives and the gospel in its entirety.

 

From Levina Mulandi, Nairobi, Kenya:

I try to read the proverb chapter of the day as part of my day. My proverb today as our mission to Thailand comes to an end is:

Proverbs 28:26 NIV
Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.

This proverb captures my thoughts and memories of all of us who were part of what God did in and with Faith House, in Thailand this week. God helped us not to be fooled. No one tried to trust in themselves. Our leaders Uncle Glenn, Brenda, and Maria, tried to walk in wisdom, always consulting and admitting when they were clueless about what to do next. And because they did that we were kept safe in many ways. 

My friends, (Jesus calls us friends) so we can call each other friends in Christ. And that is what He gave us in this mission trusting friendships; a number of us had days when we were not well, and again no one trusted in themselves, but humbly and wisely accepted to be benched by God on that day and lie down to recover. And trust that God will accomplish His work here even without them on that particular day. And they also trusted the rest of the team to do their part, that was wisdom and insight right there.

My friends at Faith House did not trust themselves in this mission but wisely and humbly allowed us to partner with them and take their girls (that they obviously love so much and are giving their lives to) and we got to teach and love them too. Even though they know more about the girls and how much better to love them. These co-workers have done well. Jesus said let the children come to me. And they have done that. And this week they wisely and in trust stepped back and let us be part of letting the children come to Christ too in some way. Jesus also says, what you do for these little ones in my name, you do it for me. And the Faith House staff graciously and wisely and with insight let us share in this privilege of giving to the girls and so giving to Jesus. An amazing experience in and of itself. To be able to give to our God and our Father!

I had the privilege of sharing my book, The Sisterhood Secret", with the Faith House girls, all from 9 years old all the way to university level  28 years old, the Faith House staff, and my friends on the mission. And again I observed these people of God from the youngest to the oldest (70+ years) walk in wisdom and insight into what they took away from the book, as the Lord led them and as we talked. Not trusting in themselves and thinking they know it all, but humbly and wisely listening to God and to one another. The Faith girls in the university graciously and with lots of energy listened to us and we're ready to take up the mantle to 'Go and make disciples of all nations,'  (more like run) beginning with Thailand universities and the  Myanmar village kids that they left behind, just as in the princess lost narrative. 

Working together with wisdom and insight, we had a taste of heaven. Where every tribe, every people, every nation, will stand before One God and be together in One Spirit, and One Word. We experienced that this week, because of God's lavish wisdom and insight at work among us. 

As I prepared to come on this mission and for each day in the mission, this was my prayer. "Our Father Who art in heaven... 

And God put His Name on us literally,  His Kingdom came in a way as we sought His Kingdom first, by teaching on the discipleship of nations. His will was done on this part of the earth, Thailand, this week. And He forgave us many times and gave us the wisdom to forgive one another as we are forgiven. He gave us each day all we needed and the savior like a shepherd led us, especially our two leaders every step of each day. And when the evil raised its head to attack us; in sickness, money access trouble, the heat, language differences. God delivered us from all evil. 

Here is the song that says it all so much better. Listen to it and worship and thank God with us.

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=y8VerH9rqc8&si=B1F4qc9J2f2c5QA4

We said our last goodbyes to the girls at Faith House so thankful for a great week of sharing God‘s love with them. Helping them learn more about how to evangelize to others in their schools and in their community. Teaching them more about discipleship from one to the other. During this trip, we were able to equip them with so many techniques from the wordless bracelet, to the evange cube, to discipling each other so they can share Jesus with others around them.

Everyone hopped in our van, including Maria from Faith House and took a six hour ride up to Chiang Mai, Thailand. This is a place that has 6,500 missionaries and can reach 30% of the world’s population in a three hour plane ride. It’s a smaller urban center, but has lots of American influence as there are a lot of expats here. We will be here for a day and a half with the Faith House girls who are attending university here. There are 10 girls attending university from Faith house because of an organization called Bbright. It was started in 2021 by Brenda Tenison after a mission trip to Faith House when she realized that so much could be done to help these courageous girls make their dreams come true through education. To find out more about Bbright, visit www.bbright.org.