Mission to Panama
Last Updated October 2021
Iglesia Evangelica de David Rev. Kanvas and Pastor Ann Ho
Panama Ministry Sharing and Prayers
Due to Covid-19, we were trapped in Canada for almost 2 years. Our recent physical exam showed everything normal. The dentist found cavities on the inside of the lower teeth of Ann C Mo. Their family doctor suspects these cavities are symptoms of Sjogren’s, so it is necessary to see a specialist. Thank God that her dose of thyroid supplement medication remains the same. By mid June 2021, we received our full vaccination. We also booked plane tickets back to Panama on the 27th of October to continue to serve God.
There are so many changes in our lives during our stay in Canada, but it was a time that was filled with blessings. Naturally Covid-19 in 2020 caused a lot of fear, with many even thinking it was the end of the world. Members of our close family got Covid-19 but thank God the symptoms vanished very quickly. Our son wants to buy a house, and to help him with this goal, we sold our house. This action also paved the way for us to do ministry work. The day we sold our house was also the first day of lock down in the city. Thank God the buying and selling went smoothly. We divided the money into 2 to help our 2 children. We could not imagine both our son and daughter finding their significant others and getting married in September and October 2021 respectively. Their spouses are also in Christ, so our whole family can serve God together.
The vaccination effort is proceeding quickly in Panama. People even started receiving the 3rd dose. The pandemic in Panama is currently stable. We have around 100 to 200 new coronavirus cases each day. It is still mandatory for the people to wear masks indoors and outdoors; however, the pandemic is expected to be under control very soon. Thank God for this endless blessing. Brothers and sisters did not get infected even though they have been opening their shops or stores every day. May God continue to guide and protect them. Small supermarkets are still not doing well, and this is complicated by the schools still being closed. May God have mercy on those affected, to let them continue during this hard and difficult time.
Since March 2020, the church has used zoom to meet. Thank God that many pastors and reverends are willing to help online through means such as preaching, bible studies, theological training, Sunday school teachers training, and others. Moreover, we invited medical doctors to demystify the Covid 19 pandemic and vaccination, so people can know more about the pandemic, which also helps provide reassurance to the congregation. Sisters working in a certain province have not had pastoral support for many years, so they join us for worship using zoom worship God and to receive God's words. Now the church is under renovation. May God support our church to become His bright lamp stand.
All shops and stores are starting to reopen. Brothers have not diminished their thirst for God's words. They have bible studies and brother’s fellowships as well. Praise the Lord to raise up brothers to lead these events, and through them churches and families are blessed. Ann C Mo introduced a new Canada 4 Seas Bible Study to Panama sisters. The response has been great, and they take this Bible Study very seriously. Young adults are starting to have in person fellowship activities. Pray that the Lord will guide them in their lives as they begin to date and consider marriage. Let our church become the Lord's mighty people, used by Him.
Hakka sisters’ team was formed at the request of some seniors that speak Hakka dialect. We are not yet fluent in Spanish and are still learning. Now we must take up this new challenge to learn Hakka. We are relying on Jiu Ja and Kiu Ja to teach us. Pray that God will help them to grow spiritually and walk with Him.
There are 8 new believers who were supposed to be baptised last June 2020. Now they must wait for us to return to Panama to proceed with the baptism. May God bless them to continue to be eager in their faith, to know Him more and to pursue Him. We plan to resume physical meetings with hybrid zoom meetings at the same time. Pray that God will give us support through this time.
Theological student Kenneth plans to return to Guatemala next year. Pray that God will give him wisdom while studying online. Thank God that during this period, we can have Chinese and Spanish translations during meetings, so that we can grow together and worship together.