| Newsletter Archive - 2006 Editor's Note: Howard Walker, a retired parishioner who is a missionary in Panama receives specifically marked financial donations. Howard and his wife Mariela are on a two year mission in Panama at this time. Howard writes: The time has gone quickly since Mariela and I visited Barrie. It was good to meet up with many friends again. Last week I discovered that I can once more access Happenings so I was able to have a very enjoyable feast of Trinity news stretching back to June. It was great to |
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| read about what is happening; the
home groups and studies are certainly providing solid foundations for growth in Christian faith and action. Trinity is a busy place. I feel the enthusiasm. Mariela and I are spending most of our time in the islands. There, we are in the centre of traditional Kuna culture, and preach the Christian message against a background of centuries-old Kuna beliefs. The community leaders, Sahilas, wield a lot of power. They are in control in each island, they set the rules; they are mostly elders well versed in the knowledge of the ancients, their traditional religion and chants. They are the 'guardians' of their culture. Recently there was a week of chanting at a congress of Sahilas from other island communities in the region.
There is no objection to our evangelizing; there is a Baptist church on the island of Achutupu in addition to the church we attend. At least once a week there is an evening of praise and worship with the staff at Dolphin Lodge. There have been moving testimonies as some decide to follow Jesus, firmly committing to 'no turning back, no turning back'. Of course, there are informal as well as formal ways of spreading the Good News, in daily encounters and conversations, using His name in praise or petition at each opportunity in happy times and in times of trial. I am sending a photo of the present church on Achutupu. The worshippers have decided to rebuild, the replacement will be more permanent and larger. Materials are being paid for out of the money Trinity donated, and based on the invoices received. As I have reported previously, this church has experienced wonderful growth. They have a strongly bible-based pastor, he was born in the community and speaks to them in language they understand about poverty, temptation, and destructive ways of life; he turned his life around and they can do the same if they trust in Jesus.
Unfortunately, problems with drugs, liquor, prostitution, and family relationships are common here as elsewhere in the world. In celebration of Canadian Thanksgiving, the Canada Panama Association is supporting our drive for school supplies for the primary school in Achutupu. We are also hoping for donations for school uniforms which all students must wear in Panama. Unfortunately, many parents cannot afford them; as a result many needy children do not go to school as admission is at the discretion of the principals.
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