By Rod and Sherry Boyd

WE NEED HELP!  As we begin to refocus our attention back to our work in Panama, we are convinced we can't do it alone.

We have been blessed to have several construction and ministry teams help us in Panama.  These teams are absolutely essential to the development of the Latin America ChildCare school ministry in Panama.  In the last 5 years these teams have built 32 classrooms and an assortment of other school facilities.  In addition, designated building funds have assisting in building an additional 27 classrooms.  The number of schools has increased from six in 1995 to 23 this year.  In our last term--the five year period from 1999 to 2004--school attendance increased from 2,302 to 4,043!

Construction is just one indicator of how demanding growth has been in the LACC school ministry in Panama.  The number of teachers has doubled in the same five-year period.  There are been a number of program improvements.  For example, nearly all of our schools teach two important specialty subjects:  Computer Technology and English.  Parents dream of better things for their children... a way out of poverty.  A survey was conducted in early 2004 by Panama's principle newspaper La Prensa.  The question was asked: "Do you believe that English should be a required subject in elementary school?"  An amazing 96.4% of the 1,453 voting declared "Sí" (yes).  These parents know that if their children learn English and computer technology, they have a ticket out of poverty.  And since Latin America ChildCare believes in ministering to the whole person, we want to help.

We want to help our schools improve in these specialty subjects.  Most often, the English teachers have poor pronunciation and attempt to teach English as if it were the students' first language.  They need help.  The computer labs in our schools are woefully under-equipped, with far too few computers; at times, years behind in technology.

This is why we urgently need three missionary associates that will give one year or more to ministry in Panama.  We are looking for three capable people to serve in the following ministries:

TESL Coordinator (Teaching English as a Second Language).  This person would serve as a consultant and advisor to Panama's 23 elementary and secondary schools.  Responsibilities would include:

• Evaluate current efforts to teach English

• Assist to develop a TESL program, including identifying curriculum

• Provide training for English teachers

• Model classroom teaching

Technology Specialist.  This person would provide support and assistance to the school computer labs, ministry offices and General Council offices (and others as available) in the following areas as able:

• Assemble and repair computers

• Install and troubleshoot software

• Install and maintain networks

• Programming (Visual Basic and MS Access would be very helpful)

• Provide training to computer teachers and staff

Construction Coordinator.  This person would coordinate construction efforts and details with the Panama Latin America ChildCare office, pastors and school leaders in the following areas:

• Purchase building materials

• Gather necessary tools

• Coordinate local labor

• Work with MAPS construction teams

Panama is a Spanish-speaking country.  Therefore, missionary associates will need to know or learn Spanish in order to function, most likely attending one or two quarters at CINCEL, our language school in Costa Rica.  The Missionary Associate Program is a ministry of Assemblies of God World Missions.  Visit the Personnel and Family Life page (http://worldmissions.ag.org/departments/Personnel_and_Family/dep_pandfl.cfm) for more information.

Would you join us in praying that God would send us these three capable people?  We believe God is already calling.  Please pray that each one will be listening!  If the Lord is speaking to you, write us or talk with your pastor.