MISSION TRIP TO PANAMA

PASTOR GARY AND JUDITH PETERSON

Come join us on Sunday, September 13th for Experience Panama, a presentation of the mission trip in pictures and stories. 

JUNE 8 TO JUNE 16, 2009

Our mission trip to Panama was our final experience with the Pastoral Leadership Institute.  The Pastoral Leadership Institute is a four-year leadership-training program for Pastors, who shepherd churches in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and their wives.   Our team in Panama included four pastors and their wives.  The President of the Lutheran Church in Panama, Mr. Milton Castillo, was our host. 

We visited all five Lutheran congregations in Panama.  We were privileged to facilitate a women’s bible study in three of the congregations using materials from Lutheran Women in Mission.  We used the typical LWML model of get acquainted, prayer, bible study, craft and fellowship time.  Pastor Gary led a couple’s bible study based upon the movie “Fireproof.” This was a first for that congregation and the leaders of the church planned to hold a family night and show the movie and continue the couples study.  It was noted that several men attended who had not attended church in the past. In addition, we facilitated a Saturday morning children’s program using puppets and a children’s book purchased from Lutheran Hour Ministries.  Our group participated in Sunday worship in English and Spanish and our Salvation bracelet craft project was used in the Children’s Message, which was given by Pastor Gary.  In addition, our group participated in an English as a Second Language class.  We also participated in a home bible study, made home visits, consulted with young adults who were planning a retreat, met with leaders of local congregations to encourage them in ministry, and visited the Lutheran Hour Ministries office in Panama. 

Thrivent funds were used to purchase supplies for bible studies, craft supplies, and children’s books.  We also purchased a guitar that will be used in youth and children’s ministry as well as worship services.  We estimate that we shared the Gospel with well over 200 men, women and children during our visit. 

We thank Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for their generosity in purchasing adult and children’s bible study supplies for our mission trip.

The Lutherans in Panama have a passion for our Lord.  They “make do” with almost nothing.  Housing consisted of tin shacks in some of the villages we visited.  At least one of the pastors did not have electricity and water in his home.  Another pastor needs funds for concrete to “pour a slab” to begin youth ministry in the middle of a very poor village.  We would like to work together with our four PLI congregations to raise funds for these projects and were told that $1200 would fund both getting electricity to the home of the pastor and the pouring of the cement and building a roof for children’s ministry.  We thank you for your donation to the Panama Lutheran Church.