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Latin America Resource
and Training Center
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Your Sent Ones
Rod and Sherry Boyd
“How can they hear about him unless
someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them
without being sent?” (Romans 10:14-15)
We are nearly half way through our nine-month itineration
time in the States. October and November were especially
busy, participating in several missions conventions.
December and January were much quieter. Conventions begin
again in February. Even though we have all of our Sunday
mornings scheduled, we are still available on most Sunday
and Wednesday evenings for ministry. Pastor, please
email us at
panorama@boyds.org if you'd like us to visit your
church.
We have enjoyed
reconnecting with our supporting churches, family and
friends. It is such a privilege to be able to challenge
churches to greater commitment to world missions.
We met a young boy at church a couple of Sundays ago. Jayden
instantly became a friend and we gave him a friendship
bracelet and prayer card. We asked him to put our prayer
card in his Bible and whenever he saw the bracelet or card
to pray for us. His mother was standing nearby. We saw him
later that day at a missions meeting. His mother told us
that we made an impact on him and that he did exactly what
we asked him to do.
Traditionally, in the churches in our movement, the figure
of “missionary” has served to remind our churches of God’s
love for our world and of our responsibility to go and make
disciples of all nations. Not everyone is called to go and
give a lifetime to this cause. But all can pray and give.
The full passage from Romans 10 reads:
And that message is the very message about faith that we
preach: If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe
in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be
saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are
made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your
faith that you are saved… For “Everyone who calls on the
name of the LORD will be saved.” But how can they call on
him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can
they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And
how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And
how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is
why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of
messengers who bring good news!” (Romans 10:8-10, 13-15,
NLT)
But God has called some to leave home and go to a foreign
land. God helps these “sent ones” to reach people, plant
churches and train leaders, all in the power of the Holy
Spirit as incarnational ambassadors of God’s love. The
strong and constant voice of missionaries that visit our
churches reinforces the vital role that each local church
has to send those whom God calls. Our system of itineration
is effective specifically because of this dynamic. It is by
our presence and pleading for help that the Holy Spirit
prompts His people to respond. We are constantly being sent
by faithful prayer and financial support! And God is
constantly speaking to children like Jayden, and to youth and
adults of all ages about giving their lives so that the
whole world may know Him.
As important as itineration is to maintain the missionary
conscience in the local church, it is not the missionary’s
primary ministry. We are field focused! Even now while in
the States we continue to be
fully engaged with our ministry in Panama. We are grateful
for fellow missionaries Miguel and Maria Morales and
missionary associates Randy and Lynne Forsyth who cover
important responsibilities in our absence. Without these
dear colleagues it would be impossible to move forward with
important events and provide essential services to pastors
and leaders in Panama and throughout Latin America. Thank
you!
The Morales advance the important work of ministerial
training. In addition to preparation for upcoming events,
Miguel also directs the PROCEPA teacher certification
program. National PROCEPA Seminars are scheduled for Panama,
Chile (March), Nicaragua (April) and Argentina (June).
The Forsyths continue to advance both school construction
and development of the Latin America Resource and Training
Center. They recently worked with a team from Florida to
continue construction on the Getsemani Good Shepherd School
(see photos). Many schools are completing the construction
of needed classrooms that will be used when school starts in
less than a month.
Our focus is now on our return to Panama. Pending all
required clearances, our plan is to return to Panama on July
2nd. We are currently lacking $800.00 in monthly commitments
that are required for us to reach our budget. This is down
from $1,200.00 that we were lacking a couple of months ago.
We’re grateful to churches and individuals that have stepped
up to begin or increase their commitment. Please pray with
us that additional churches and individuals will do the
same. Would you consider helping? Please email us at
Panorama@Boyds.org or complete the
online commitment form.
Thank you for sending us!
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