Just One Month to Go!
Rod and Sherry

We’re on the final stretch of our nine-month itineration period in the States. Just one month to go! We’re discovering the span that exists between all the things that we wanted to do while itinerating and the reality of simply running out of time. We take this opportunity to share some observations and to update you on our progress and the work that awaits us when we return to return to Panama.

Working Two Jobs. A good friend, observant of our schedule and responsibilities the last few weeks, recently said, “It doesn’t seem like you had time catch your breath during this itineration.” Even though we have a great staff that continues the work in Panama, it has not been possible to step back from field leadership. Skype staff meetings have taken the place of face-to-face meetings. We’ve stretched to the limit what can be delegated to staff and fellow missionaries. The work of itineration (travel, scheduling, follow-up, reports, etc.) combined with ongoing field work has been exhausting. We look forward to returning to Panama to get back to our regular place of work and ministry!

Monthly Commitments. After arriving back to the States with a $1,200 shortfall in monthly commitments, we are happy to report that we have raised approximately $1,000 in new support these last several months. Unfortunately, we have also lost nearly $500! About two-thirds of the new support is from individuals, one-third from churches. Nearly all of the $500 lost are church commitments. We still have a $724 shortfall in monthly commitments. It’s not too late! Would you consider making a new monthly commitment or increasing your commitment? Please complete the online commitment form or download the PDF version. Or simply write us at Panorama@Boyds.org letting us know how you can help and we’ll take care of the paperwork!

Cash offerings for the Latin America Training and Resource Center. After raising our cash budget for our missions budget, we have been focusing on raising funds for the Latin America Resource and Training Center (www.lartc.net). We’re happy to report that God’s people have given more than $25,000 toward our $50,000 project goal! Construction will begin in July of the bridge, followed by road and utility work. Construction of the 3,000 sq ft two-story first phase building will begin as soon as the road and utility work is complete. If you have not been able to see the 2½ video that includes a walk-through of the property, please visit our Boyd Channel on Vimeo. If you would like to contribute to this worthy project, please visit the Assemblies of God secure giving page for our ministry and specify Class 60, Project 14295 - Latin America Resource and Training Center.

Hitting the Ground Running! We have a very busy several weeks after returning to Panama. We are at critical planning stages for the September 2015 Educators Summit in the Dominican Republic and the two Educators Summits in 2016 in Panama (April) and Santa Cruz, Bolivia (August). We will be joining the Little Davey team in Guatemala the middle of July and will be directing the Latin America Education Board meeting in Managua, Nicaragua the end of August.

The Long Good-bye. The hardest part of leaving the States is saying good-bye to our family and good-friends. We know that so many of you faithfully pray for us… you’ve told us so! Pray for us this last month as we say good-bye to grandchildren, children, parents, siblings and other family and friends. We return home to Panama… just without all these dear ones we love.

And now we say thank you to you! You have encouraged us, helped us, prayed for us and supported us. How much fun it was to tell our churches and support partners that you have helped us be present in Panama for 20 years! And in God’s great plan for world missions, we couldn’t have done it without you!