Coordination and Planning

It's been a week or two since I last blogged so I am writing as I think of things this time around.  Since we returned to Panama from furlough many things have taken place.

One of the major accomplishments is the near completion of the Regional Mission office in Panama City.  The only step left is to install some small office divisions to give privacy to some of our staff.  We have a newly set up conference room where we will be able to hold Regional Team meetings and conferences with our partner churches and other organizations.  I have to say that I am proud of the work.  I will have to post more pictures at a later date!

Another big thing in my agenda lately is planning the first Latin American and Caribbean missionary retreat since 2004.  We will be hosting all of our LCMS WM Missionaries and alliance (partner church) missionaries in Panama, December 1st-6th.  We will have 4 full days of worship, fellowship, and plenty of information sharing.  There will also be plenty of time to relax and rejuvenate and just be with God, as we all know ministry, unfortunately,  sometimes gets in the way of that.  Many of you probably don't know this but most of our missionaries are on their own in their host country.  Granted our missionaries have great relationships and are integrated into the life of the local church where they work, but contact between missionaries on a regular basis can be very miniscule and at times we may feel very isolated and alone.  A regional retreat like this is meant to make each of us aware that we are not alone in our work and that many others are going through the same things. 

So I have been busy planning this event, from the hotel to the transportation, to the food, to making sure everyone has their tickets purchased.  I am really enjoying doing all of this coordination...I think I inherited this trait from my father. :-)

Well, I will sign off for now!  Give praise to Him from whom all blessings flow!

In Christ,

Jon

Here we are painting what is now the conference room in the regional office.  It took a good three coats to cover the once bright green walls.