Monday, December 29, 2008

Why be a missionary?

I was backing up and digging through some old files on my hard drive when I came across some old video files. Along with many other attempts to be cool; I made this little audiovisual presentation in early 2006 with Windows Movie Maker to show at my first presentations to raise support to move to Latin America. That was nearly 3 years ago. Technology has changed,even over the last three years...but the message hasn't! It is simple, but take a look!

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Our first Christmas away from family

This Christmas is the first time that Heidi and I have not traveled to visit either of our families and stayed here in Panama.  First off, as much as I miss snow, it was quite amazing to play two-hand touch football on Christmas eve and then outdoor basketball today in 100 degree weather.  Back home in Iowa, we would have been stuck inside in the air conditioning--but that 100 degree weather just felt a little warmer than usual to me.

Well, the Christmas events that did take place here in Panama were very wonderful and helped to alleviate the sadness of not being with our own immediate family.  We have some amazing friends here in Panama that feel like a second family.

Here are a few photos covering the events of the last few days:

 

 

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  We have been so blessed to be surrounded with mission team members and friends here in Panama!

Heidi and I pray that you had a very blessed Christmas and hope that you will bring in the New Year remembering the Joy that comes in the finished work of Christ!

FELIZ NAVIDAD y PROSPERO ANO NUEVO

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Happy 50th Birthday Dad!

This year marks the 50th birthday of Anthony Ray Heisterkamp, born December 21st, 1958.  He is a dad, friend, missionary, businessman, family guy.  I am very blessed to have been raised by him and my mom.

I have been privileged to be apart of 26.5 years of my dad's 50 years on this earth.  I have seen my dad in times of prosperity and when times were tough, when he was sick and when he was healthy, in church and in business, with family and with friends.  He has been my role model, the one that I asked millions of questions about millions of things.  He and my mom provided for my sisters and me all of our lives and continue to bless us to this day.

Dad, as you always told the three of us kids, I will tell you now, "I am proud of you, for who you are and for who you are becoming."  Here's to the next 50 years, may they be fruitful and to the Glory of God, our Father in Heaven.

We love you so much!  Happy Birthday!

Love, Jon and Heidi

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Friday, December 19, 2008

One of my favorite Christmas cartoons ever!

For your Christmas viewing pleasure! Doesn't it just take you back to lying on your living room floor a view days before Christmas and there is a blizzard outside? I have fond memories of Disney's Christmas programs from back in the day! Enjoy!


Thursday, December 18, 2008

Wonderful Christmas Concert in Panama

 
The video in this post is of the Christmas Concert that each Lutheran congregation here in Panama participated in.  Thanks to James Neuendorf, our communications specialist here in Latin America, I was able to catch a glimpse of what it would have been like to attend the Christmas concert--and now so can you!  Enjoy!
 

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Letter concerning Christmas

The following is a letter that I received last Christmas from a family member.  I wanted to share it with you all!

Dear Children,
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a Nativity scene on YOUR OWN FRONT LAWN. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:


1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless?  Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love-- and remember-- I LOVE YOU, JESUS

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Gift Ideas for Little Helly

Hi everyone! I wanted to write a quick note asking for suggestions on what kind of gift you think Heidi and I should get for our new God-daughter, Helly, who I wrote about here in November. She is two years old and the youngest of two girls. I will take ideas in the comments section and then I will let you all know what we decide to get for her in a post before I leave for Peru on January 10th. Multiple votes for a certain gift will give weight to what we decide to give, but I am looking for an original gift idea. If anyone is interested in making a gift that we could buy from you--give me a proposal and I will let you know!

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Monday, December 15, 2008

Jesus and Santa

Friday, December 12, 2008

50,000 shoes in 50 days--Only 18 days left

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Some of you may have heard about Soles4Souls and what many bloggers are trying to accomplish in a 50 day time period. With only 18 days left nearly 10,000 shoes have been donated! There is still a long way to go!

  • The person who donates the most shoes this week will win an autographed Amy Grant guitar (silent auction style)
  • With every pair of shoes you donate you’re entered for a chance to hand deliver your shoes in person on a Soles4Souls trip to Mexico.
  • If you donate $25 (10 pairs of shoes) or more you will receive a free jar of “Save My Sole” foot cream compliments of sponsor, Underology.
  • There is a 1-for-2 match going right now. That means that if 1000 shoes are donated by 11:59 pm on December 13, a sponsor will donate an additional 500 shoes!

Will you join Heidi and I in giving to this worthy cause? Spend less on gifts--give more to people in need! Go to http://www.50000shoes.com/.