By Rod Boyd

"…to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning,
the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
that they might be called trees of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified."
Isaiah 61:3

Three years ago the Assemblies of God church building on the Island of Rio Tigre was destroyed by a storm. The roof of the church house next door was destroyed a year ago. The congregation was discouraged. The church has not had a true pastor for several years. The community government was ready to take the property from the church for lack of improvements.

I was teaching a class on missions at Jehovah Jireh, one of our Assembly of God churches located just out of Panama City on the way to the airport. I mentioned the desperate need of the church at Rio Tigre. God touched the hearts of the group that night. Associate Pastor Donaldo Trejos put together a national MAPS construction team from Jehovah Jireh and other churches. He contacted an architect who put together simple plans and a list of needed building materials. Funds from Project MADU were used to purchase materials and ship them to the island of Rio Tigre.

Each member of the group paid their own way to the island. They spent nearly a week working with the members of the church. Pastor Benigno Gonzalez and other believers from the church on the nearby island of Nargana came to help. Several members of the island community, including members of the same community council that was going to take the property from the church, joined in the building. They worked until they ran out of roofing materials.

Pastor Benigno Gonzalez brought all the members of his church to the dedication of the new church building. Many members of the community came to the dedication service. The Nargana church has caught a vision for the rebirth of the church on Rio Tigre. Each week they take up offerings to pay for gas to travel to Tigre. Pastor Benigno and Clemencio Esquivel, a deacon from the church, hold services at least twice a week.

God has turned the "ashes" of Rio Tigre into something beautiful. The congregation is averaging between 40 and 50 in their services. People are returning to the Lord. During our recent visit I was able to talk with one of the former members of the church and encourage him to seek the Lord and return to the church. Please pray for this humble congregation. Pray that the enthusiasm shown by the community will be converted to enthusiasm for the Lord. Pray for Pastor Benigno and Clemencio from Nargana as they travel to Rio Tigre weekly. Pray that God would lay Tigre on the heart of one of our students from the Kuna Bible School. Pray that we will be able to finish the roof on the church and connecting home.