Eastridge Issaquah Builds 50 Computers
for Panama Schools
By Rod and Sherry Boyd

Fourteen men from Eastridge Christian Assembly in Issaquah, Washington, led by Pastor Andy Rosas, ministered on two fronts in Panama the second week of October. In May 2007 another team from Eastridge was part of building the first two stories at the Jireh Good Shepherd School, located in the community of Pedregal in the outskirts of Panama City. This time, nine men spent the week continuing the building at the school. 

(See Eastridge Issaquah Builds on Two Fronts for a report on the construction team.)

Five other men worked on assembling 55 computers destined for seven different schools and the LACC offices in Panama. Eastridge purchased 55 sets of internal components—motherboard, processor, memory and hard drive—and team members brought them in their carry-on luggage. Other components were purchased locally.

The team assembled all computers in two days. The next four days the team delivered and installed 36 computers to four different schools in the greater Panama City area:

Team members were able to hear the miracle stories of these new schools. The remaining computers will be delivered and set up in the two remote Indian schools in northwest Panama, the Las Mananitas Good Shepherd School library and in the LACC offices in Panama City.

30-second Oasis de Paz Computer Lab Video

Both the building and computer teams attended an elementary chapel service at the Jireh School on the last day. They were treated to typical dances by the children and teachers. The school presented each man with a small gift. Then the team blessed the teachers and staff with gifts. The team then passed out candy to the kids as they left chapel. The team returned for a closing service on the final night. Pastor Andy preached an encouraging message, reminding the church that God is with them in spite of their circumstances.

Thank you, Pastor Steve Jamison and Eastridge Christian Assembly congregation, for your generous construction offering and for purchasing the internal components and licenses for the computers. And thank you, Pastor Andy and team, for your hard work to complete construction of the third floor and for assembling and installing much needed computers for our schools. And thank you to the team members that sponsored children through Latin America ChildCare. Your investment will make a world of difference!