GBGM Missionaries to Panama
1st Quarter 2012
"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." Isa. 43:19.
We are off to a new start and we have hit the road running. With mixed emotions we have packed out of our last assignment in Honduras with GBGM heading to our new assignment, Panama. Our work in Honduras has been fruitful over the past four years and it has been such a joy to see God transform the work there. We will miss Honduras but look forward to the new challenge in Panama.
As we packed out of Honduras we also had to prepare for our two month itineration in the U.S. and make our circuit run, get further training for our new assignment, and take time to see our kids. It has been hectic but so much fun. So, we have been living out of our suitcase virtually from October to mid January. Our itineration to the U.S. was such a blessing as we had the opportunity to share our story of what God is doing through our ministry with our Partners in Ministry (PIM) throughout Texas and beyond. Seeing our PIM was very uplifting and gave us a jolt of renewed strength.
Our many thanks go to those who received us and ministered to us while there. We had the opportunity to visit churches in the NWTX Conference, Central Conference, and North Texas Conference and the New Mexico Conference. We literally traveled from Ft. Davis to Plainview, Austin to DFW. We saw parts of Texas we have never seen before.
What is our new mission in Panama? In a nutshell, we are charged to create a new Methodist District in the Iglesia Evangelica Metodista de Panama in the Veraguas region (the middle of the country) through new church plants and an active Community Based Health Care ministry (Cindy’s charge).
Cindy will be basically doing what she did in Honduras working with marginalized and indigenous population in health care. I will be developing a new faith community or several if possible. We were able to begin building on property that was purchased with the help of GBGM and the Panamanian Church and broke ground just a couple of weeks ago with the South Carolina UMVIM group and local Panamanians. We had 22 locals in attendance in celebration of this new work. We built a make-shift altar under a tree in the middle of the property and that will serve as our temporary church meeting place with benches built by the SC UMVIM team. We have had two services, first week with eleven in attendance, the second week twenty-two In attendance. We so look forward to a fast growing congregation.
What is the strategy for this work? Building wise, we have 3 phases of construction in mind. Our first step is to build a multipurpose building which will serve as our interim church. But is will serve as a strategic staging area for our two other Methodist Districts to engage in ministry in this region as well as for VIM teams to work in. Our second phase will be the physical building of a church as the community grows. Lastly, we hope to build a parsonage for a long-term residence for a pastor as our last phase.
Our reception here in Panama has been wonderful. The staff, missionary, and lay people have been so loving and have warmly accepted our arrival. We thank them so much for all they have done to make our transition easier.
Our visit to the states was wonderful. It was great to visit with old friends, family, and our partners in mission. While in Texas, we set up our home base at Cindy's parents' home in Lubbock. October and November are cold months in Texas and more so in Lubbock. Our winter clothes were non-existent as we departed Honduras to the U.S. with our household packed and in route to Panama. We were not prepared for a cold winter. Cindy and I have acclimated to tropical weather. It was difficult taking snow and freezing weather. During our itineration Cindy's father had health problems and had to be hospitalized with heart blockage. This was very difficult for all of us, torn between having to travel and wanting to take advantage of what little time we had to spend with them. Fortunately, our schedule worked out where we could do both. Please keep Tom Anderson in your prayers as he still suffers from heart problems. Geneta, Cindy's mom needs prayer as she recuperates from hand surgery.
We had the opportunity to visit some of our children while in the states. Our six children, Tanji, Randall, Sasha, Michael, Sophia and Gabriel are scattered all over. They live from the Virgin Islands, Texas and California. No easy task to round them up for a visit and this trip proved even more difficult, so we Skype.
Michael just processed out of his military stint after doing three tours to the Middle East. Mike shared with me that during his last tour he rededicated his life to Christ in a way as never before. He is now out of the service but remains in a two year inactive reserve, living in California. He has thoroughly entrenched himself in the church and remains very active working with youth as he attends college in San Diego, Ca. We just received news that he will be getting married to the love of his life, Gabriela, a young lady he met in church. While we lament we cannot be at his wedding (March 9th) we offer our blessings in his new chapter.
Sophia and Sasha are still plugging away in school. Sophia works hard at the Museum of Modern Art in Ft. Worth nearing the end of her schooling (cramming 4 years in 7). Sasha is studying English education in Austin. Tanji who lives in the Virgin Islands is still praying about her decision to marry. Please keep her in your prayers. Gabriel just returned to college in Austin and remains steady moving forward. We miss them all. Our son Randall and his children were a joy to see during our visit to the states. Seeing grandchildren melts your heart and tugs hard. We miss them all but we hope to see them in Panama in a wonderful family reunion.
Please consider Partnering with us in ministry through the advance program. Your participation keeps us in the field and active in this endeavor.
Please keep us and our family in your prayers. Ways to keep in touch with us if you desire are through the following means:
Email: (David) bumice2000@yahoo.com
Skype: buddyc518
Magic Jack: 806-416-1148
Panama Mobile: 507-6947-9306
Email: (Cindy) cynceb@yahoo.com
Skype: globehopper760
Magic Jack: 806-416-1057
Panama Mobile: 507-6947-9209
The Advance
Cindy's Advance # 14288-Z
David's Advance # 14287-Z
General Board of Global Ministries
475 Riverside Road
New York, NY. 10115
