"I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus." 1 Corinthians 1:4
Hello brothers and sisters! This week it was announced that Panama will lift the total quarantine on the 1st of June. We will no longer be restricted by gender and our ID number. We will be able to leave the house everyday between 6:00 am to 7:00 pm. A country wide curfew starting at 7:00 pm will be enforced but we are ecstatic to have a little freedom!!! Most businesses are still closed as well as the airport. They are slowly opening up in phases. It will still take time before everyone is able to work again.
Here in Panama the need is great for many families. Even before Covid-19, life was difficult for most people. The average person makes between $500-$600 a month for a full time job. People live day by day here. They even go to the grocery store daily to buy food. Recently the government gave an $80.00 stimulus to most Panamanians but there are still a lot of people in need.
Seeing the needs of so many, Soul Seekers Ministry has started buying food and making baskets for families. We have also sent food to the island. We would like to thank everyone for your donations that made this possible, but there are still so many needs. We are talking to pastors to see how we can help as churches start preparing to re-open. We would like to help supply them with hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies. We know of one church who has given all of the tithes they had received to buy food for families in need.They are trusting that God will continue to provide. We know of a family who is in need of a bed. They have been sleeping on an air mattress with a hole in it for a few months. There are newborn babies in need of pampers. During the next few months, we will focus on providing basic needs for families and churches and writing notes for encouragement.
At the top of the page you can click on "Donate Now". There you can donate through: PayPal, (we will receive it at the end of the month with no fees) or Venmo (it will take a few days to receive it and there is a fee).
Perez Family: "All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer." Acts 1:14
We, the Perez family are doing good. Saraí is finishing her Junior year and Misael his sophomore year. Just writing this is hard to believe. Verna is still teaching English online. Clara keeps SSM finances organized. I, Max, have been teaching two classes at a Christian Institution that is formed by Kuna pastors. I also meet with pastors to see how we, as a ministry, can help when they open their doors again. It is amazing to hear how they are helping each other as in the book of Acts. While they don't have much, they are still willing to help other families with their needs.
As family, we have a list on our white board to pray for people here and in the states. It is great to see as a family how God answers prayer requests according in His time and His will.
Mamartupu/Urgandi and Puerto Gavilana
In the Islands of Kuna Yala (San Blas) there has been an influx of Coronavirus cases. Urgandi/Mamartupu, where we have been discipling, has had their challenges along with other islands. The big challenge is their traditions. The leaders of the islands would not allow nurses or doctor to come onto the island and help test some of the people that had symptoms of the coronavirus. They would rather use their traditions by seeking the spirits with chanting and other rituals they do. A doctor friend shared with me that she sent nurses to an island and the leaders did not allow them to enter. The nurses had to anchor their small boat in the sea and sleep there on a cold night with no blankets. Today, leaders have complied with the government's petition of staying at home but they now have more cases. We have been in contact with the church, encouraging them and praying with them.
Puerto Gavilana, the village, has been doing well. They miss our visits and we miss seeing them. They are making plans for the church. We see their growth in the Lord and how God is teaching them during this time.
Mathew 24:35"Heaven and earth will pass away,
but My words will not pass away.
There has been so much bad news publicized about the virus; but, the scriptures have brought me to the reality that God is in control! The scriptures say that God will do His will no matter what. He can and will use anything, even the coronavirus, for His purpose. I want to be also sensitive about it. The virus has caused fear, confusion, and many more emotions. My point is we need to stand on God’s word and not on what the people, government, or doctors say. This is not the first time or the last time something like this will happen and we will also face other things. The disciples did not understand everything; but through the Holy Spirit their eyes were open.They clearly saw how Jesus Christ came to die for them. They gave their life to Him. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalms 73:26
