January Newsletter

FIRST EDITION: We thought that with the coming of the New Year, that we might put a new look on our newsletters. The ministry that we started here at Youth With A Mission Panama is called “Sonidos de la Selva” or “Sounds of the Jungle”. Its goal is to see the native peoples worshipping God the way He created them to be. We promote the implementation of their indigenous instruments, language, and music to be used in glorifying their Creator. We also just thought it sounded nice for the name for a newsletter.

END OF YEAR WRAP-UP: December has been a very busy month for us. The month was filled with many administrative tasks that John had as director of operations for YWAM Panama. One of the biggest was trying to register a hotel shuttle bus that had been donated and shipped from Miami. There are so many bureaucratic, frustrating steps in doing anything legal in Panama. Even though we have been in Latin America for several years now, our industrious, Western mindset still harshly clashes with the “mañana” mindset that many Latin countries work in. It has taught us patience and endurance. If anything, it’s helped our Spanish leaps and bounds. I can now argue using Spanish legal jargon. I also remind myself that everything I do in this position helps the ministries of YWAM run smoother, therein discipling more people and winning more souls to Christ.

EMBERA RECORDING SESSION: Many of you remember the song-writing workshop we were part of last October. The Emberá people from the church in Piratí composed five scripture songs in their own language and cultural style. We are planning a recording session to record those and others written since then on a high quality system. A few people from Proskuneo Ministries will be coming down with their recording equipment to help facilitate this session. This is taking place within the next 2 weeks. We will keep you updated on the outcome of this session. Please write us if you are interested in obtaining a copy of the c.d. or mp3’s of these songs to Ancone (God).

HAPPY NEW YEAR! We pray that 2007 has been a blessed year of growth for all of you as it has been for us. 2007 brought the birth of our first baby girl, a house, new friends, as well as bringing old friends to work alongside us in Panama. We praise God for all of you and His faithfulness through your prayer and financial support for our ministry. We pray 2008 brings you all closer to our Lord and that it brings success in all that you put your hands to do for His glory.
With Love,
John, Kristina, and Natalie Henry