By Rod Boyd

After years of hopes and dreams, the construction of the Kuna Bible School is finally becoming a reality.  After it became apparent that land would not be available on the island of Playon Chico, the house next to the Assemblies of God Church on the island of Nargana was offered to the Kuna Bible School for sale.  The house was owned by one of the deacons in the church who had donated the adjoining property two years ago to the church. 

Efraim Arosemena and Luis Gonzalez with Pastor
Benigno and Deacon Clemencio showing the textbook
for the next class, taught by Efraim in early January.
General Presbyter Luis Gonzalez, Missions Director Efraim Arosemena and I traveled to the island recently to finalize the purchase.  Project MADU provided $2,000, one-half of the purchase price.  The owner agreed to allow the church and Bible school to pay the balance over the next several months.  The church will raise $1,000 of the balance through events and fundraisers.  The Kuna Bible School, with the help of Project MADU as needed, will match funds raised by the church to finish payment on the house.

The house needs work and will be remodeled and painted over the next few months.  The house is divided into four rooms which will be used as follows:  classroom, library/office, kitchen/ dining room, and speaker's room.  The owner has used the home for a small store.  The Bible school will continue to operate this store to help with gasoline expenses for travel between the islands.

Project MADU was also able to help the Assembly of God Church on Nargana with a matching offering of over $400 to pour a cement floor in the sanctuary.  This church has experienced steady growth over the last two years.  A before and after picture is included to show how this church is enlarging it's sanctuary.  The picture on the left was taken two years ago.  The picture on the right was taken the end of December.  On the right side of the picture to the right is the house purchased by the Bible school. 

Pastor Benigno Gonzalez provides visionary leadership to this church.  We hope to be able to provide this congregation with a more stable sanctuary within the next several months.  Project MADU was also able to help construct a new sanctuary for the Assembly of God Church on the island of Rio Tigre.  This construction was just finished days ago.  We hope to include a full report in the March edition of Panorama Online.

We are indebted to those who have given to Project MADU.  Madu is the Kuna word for bread.  Your gifts have helped us share the "bread of life" with the Kuna.  God Bless You!  There will be many more Kuna Indians in heaven because of your generosity.  If you'd like to invest in Project MADU and share your loaf, please send your offering to:

Project MADU # 7623
DFM/ Assemblies of God
1445 Boonville Ave.
Springfield, MO  65802

Please continue to pray for our efforts in the San Blas Islands.  Pray for stable leadership.  Please pray for workers.  There is a desperate need for a worker in Rio Tigre.  And Pastor Carlos has now left the work on Playon Chico.  We need a strong pastor for this work also.  For this reason we have started the Kuna Bible School.  But it will take time.  Pray that God will intervene in the meantime.