Happy New Year from the Henry's 
Rainbow from the misty wind blowing over Barú Volcano
in front of our house.
Our family enters 2013 renewed, refreshed, and ready
for new challenges. 2012 has been a time of change
and new vision. We have adjusted to our new surroundings,
new friends, and new lifestyle. In our new roles in ALDEA, Nike Mentonkwene, and UAF (see past newsletters) our life work is focused and intentional. Since our last newsletter, I have taught an EthnoArts course to an Indigenous YWAM school, represented ALDEA at an international missions conference in the Dominican Republic, and finished my third semester at UAF with a 4.0 GPA. I could list all the other little things we have been involved in, but our life work is developing into more than that.
For years I have taught missionary students the concept of holistic ministry and that the division between the sacred and the secular does not really exist. You are not just a Christ-follower on Sunday and then a drywaller or a nurse Monday through Friday. Our life mission, whatever that is, must penetrate our every waking moment. Your job is not just a "tool" to be manipulated for ministry, your work and your life must point to the life, light, and love of Jesus. Be the drywaller with the most integrity, the highest quality of work, and speak the Truth in Love when the opportunity arises. Be the nurse who shows Jesus' compassion and tenderness, honoring God with your competency. Do all of this while leading your families with love, honor, and knowledge of our Creator.
In the same way, Kristina and I are trying to have a paradigm shift in how we view what we do. We want to be purposeful in our relationships with other parents at our kids' school, with people in the community, in our neighborhood, in the Comarca, and among all with whom we come in contact. Being in "full-time" ministry gives us a little bit more freedom to spend some extra time talking with the single mother on the street, the coffee harvester, or the business owner. Our vision is clear, we have attainable goals, and with every decision we now try to make it based on that vision.
So, though we have many goals, activities, and events planned for 2013, those things are only the skeleton to our life work. Therefore, in future newsletters, in addition to the progress of our projects, we wish to share stories and observations of life here in Panama and wherever else the Lord takes us.
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ALDEA Trips to Dominican Republic and Peruvian Amazon Part 2
As seen in our last two newsletters, the ALDEA trips to the D.R. and to the Urarina in the Amazon fit perfectly with the vision of ALDEA to share the Creator and his Son in the most culturally relevant way. My trip to the COMIBAM conference in November went wonderfully. Our ALDEA team was able to share with many who came to our booth as well as those who attended our breakout workshop. One of the greatest networking achievements of the time was the long-awaited connection to put out an Ethno-Arts course online in Spanish and Portuguese on a reputable missions training platform. We actually now have two! One is based in Mexico and the other based in Argentina.
The Amazon trip is now just around the corner. I will be nearly two weeks incommunicado from my family, something we have not done yet. We are very grateful Kristina's parents could come from Alaska and help with the kids during this time. I am also super excited that one of my best friends, Tulio, an Emberá Indigenous man, is able to accompany me on this trip. I love working together with him. PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR TRIP! Here is a detailed prayer guide for more information. Stay tuned for pictures and a short report upon my return.
NEW DONATION INFORMATION
Our home church has been gracious enough for many years to receive donations for our ministry. Because of a change in accounting, we will need to receive funds directly to our non-profit. If you have been donating either through the ALCC website or on Sunday morning please see the new donation information below. Because we are recognized as a 501c3 organization, we can give you tax-deductible receipts. And as always, thank you so much for giving to our ministry. We are so thankful to be able to do what the Lord has called us to do.
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