cottonfamilypanama

Family Update… This month has been a great time of getting back into the routine and spending time together as a family. Emmy loves her kindergarten class and teachers! Kindergarten is half day here, but Emmy stays at school the whole day because this year she is participating in an afternoon Spanish program. She enjoys this very much and is learning a lot of the basics which is making her feel more comfortable around Spanish speakers. Micah and Selah are enjoying time at home. Micah is a veracious learner and is always begging to do a project, read a book or do homework like his big sister, so we began doing school at home with him until he is ready for K4 next year. We are focusing on learning the letters through the chronological Bible stories and he loves it. He is also enjoying memorizing scripture, which has been such a blessing to see his hunger for God’s word. We are having a great time together at home, and I cherish every day I have left with him before he heads off to school next year. Selah continues to be a joy and we are all enjoying her, as she has learned to roll all over, laugh, reach/grab for everything, and grow two bottom teeth!

Dan loves teaching his Marine Science class. Last Saturday he took his class out on the Pacific Ocean to go whale watching, and the Lord blessed them with the most glorious day. They saw over 100 dolphins, sea turtles, marine birds, and they followed a pod of 6 huge humpback whales for over an hour. It was a trip of a lifetime, and his students will never forget it. He also continues to work hard at the mission’s base each day trying to tie up loose ends and finish all of the little projects that need to be done to make the place livable. More to follow on that below…

As I mentioned, I am enjoying my time with the kids and also spending time working at the school. We have a wonderful group of teachers that I enjoy mentoring and being a resource to, as well as supervising them in their growth as teachers. I am also working as the school’s registrar and training to learn our school’s computer program for scheduling the high school students. It is a great part time job that allows me to keep my foot in the professional world, while at the same time tending to my family and home.

Ministry Update… The construction at the Mission’s Base has been slow and arduous. Earlier this month we ran into a major plumbing problem when the storm drain got overwhelmed after a big rainfall and the sewer pipes began to backup and flood the property… particularly our new house. We brought a good plumber in, and he was able to reroute our plumbing system, but not before we faced angry neighbors and inspectors asking questions… It was a tough week for Dan and the guys, but Praise the Lord, they got through it and the problem is solved. The progress at the base has been slow due to so many little things. We are waiting to get the electricity hooked up so we can hook up the AC, so we can paint and so we can finish the floors, etc…. Also at the end of a project, as many of you know, there are a lot of unexpected and extra things that come up. Therefore, we are praying that the Lord will provide the money we need to finish the Missions Base. The Lord has provided for us in amazing ways and we trust him for His financial provision needed to complete the project. Please pray as we wait on Him and trust for the money to come in, so we can continue to work and finish the Base by Christmas and have it ready for teams this spring. See the pictures below to view the progress on the construction.

Since our move last year, Dan has been instrumental in helping some local guys and missionaries launch Christian Surfers Panama. As many of you know, Dan and I helped run Christian Surfers, Manasquan, NJ from 2004-2008. When we moved to Panama in 08, we felt called to spread the gospel through surfing and help share Jesus with the local people of panama. Dan was excited when the opportunity came for a Christian Surfers Chapter to start here in Panama. Since last spring, the chapter has been meeting every Wednesday night and has grown from 5 people to 37 people that attended last week’s meeting! Many of the surfers who attend are not believers but they are hungry for the truth and for something real. Please pray for Dan and the leaders of CS, that they would be led by the Holy Spirit each week and that many would come to know Him.

One of the other ways we have seen the name of Jesus shared with the young people of Panama is through skateboarding. When we lived in Panama from 2002-2004 Dan participated in an Event called Skate Fest, where professional skateboarders who love Jesus, came down to Panama to put on a skate show and then use that opportunity to share God’s love with the crowd. Over 2,000 people attended the event and over 50 kids gave their lives to the Lord. The churches that organized the last Skate Fest have asked Dan and some of the other guys we are working with to help them again, as they prepare to do another event in February 2010. Please pray as they are in the planning stages, looking for venues and praying about the direction the Lord wants them to take. This time, they would like to do 3 different events, one in Panama City and the other two in some local communities an hour outside of the city. It is an awesome opportunity to share Jesus with the kids of Panama!

Finally, Dan is planning to head out to Santa Catalina next week to check in and assess the needs of the local church and plan for future trips. Please pray for him as he seeks to build relationships with the locals and traveling surfers. Also, be praying for Jordan and Lindsay Guy. They are a couple from NC that came to Panama to join efforts with us in building the missions base and continuing our long term work in Catalina. It has been a difficult transition for them due to housing and car problems. Please pray for their adjustment and that God would give them strength and wisdom during this time. Jordan and Lindsay are spending this year in Panama City getting acclimated to Panama, learning Spanish and preparing to head out to Catalina where they desire to live and serve in conjunction with our ministry. They are a blessing to us, and we pray that the Lord continues to work in their lives. Since I wrote this update 2 days ago, Jordan and Lindsay's housing situation has been solved and they get to stay in their apartment. Also, their car just got fixed and is working great! Praise the Lord for answered prayer!

Thank you all for your prayers. We need you, and have seen the fruit of your labor back home. There have been countless times when we shake our heads and praise God for his provision and strength. As we look back over the past year, we are so thankful for His Hand guiding us and providing for us. Thank you for all of you who have partnered with us financially, whether it has been one time gifts or monthly support. You are a blessing! In the coming weeks, we plan to give a financial report of our last year and share with you the current and upcoming needs for our family and for the ministry. We think it’s important to be thankful and account for God’s blessing and plan for the future through sharing ways you can pray, help and give as God leads you.

*Don't forget to check out our Family Pictures Link. We added a few new albums and some video!

Paraiso Under Construction

What is the Paraiso Project?

The Paraiso Missions Base is a building project we are working on to have a place to house missionaries when they come to Panama. Most of our missions work in Panama is done in the interior of the country, about 5 hours outside of Panama City in a little town called Santa Catalina. Groups that come to Panama to work in Santa Catalina must fly into Panama City first and overnight before heading out to the Interior. Therefore, it has become more and more necessary that we build a place in Panama City to house groups that come down.

Our building is located 35 mintues from Tocumen Internation Airport and is a perfect location for groups to rest before heading out into the mission field. Because it is located near the city, it is a perfect homebase for us to acquire supplies, rent buses/vans, and have administrative offices. We are excited about other possibilities once we finish this facility. This could aslo serve as a training facility for missions group, a retreat center or a hostel for other missionary groups.

Paraiso Missions Base Building Project

Sept 09 Paraiso

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July 09 and Paraiso update

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June 09

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Selah's First Week

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Jersey CrewMarch09

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Journal Entry

Quick trip to Catalina

Dan heads off to Catalina today with a small group from our home church Grace and Peace, Toms River, NJ. The group is going to scout out a possible trip this summer for the youth of Grace and Peace. We are excited to share the vision with our church and get people excited about coming down and being a part of what the Lord is doing in Panama.

Recovering from sickness

It's been a long week with everyone home sick. Emmy missed 4 days of school this week and Micah and Selah are battling a cold as well. Please pray for everyone to recover soon. The kids are all on antibiotics and have started to show improvement. Heading to the pool today because we are all getting cabin fever and need some time out.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Emmy had a great first week back in School. She is in K5 this year and loves her teachers. She also gets to take P.E. this year, which she is enjoying very much. Dan has also started teaching again and has 14 students in his Marine Science class this year. Jess is back to work as well, supervising the elementary and middle school teachers at CCA. We are looking forward to a great year.

Friday, June 12, 2009

We have about a week to go before we leave for the States. The trick is to keep the kids busy until we go. Today we went to the pool while Dan worked at the Missions Base and next week we will be packing and getting organized. The kids are both in a wedding next Saturday, so that should be a lot of fun. Stay tuned for pictures.

Waiting for Baby to Come!

Today, April 20th, Baby #3 is due. We expected her to arrive while the cousins and Aunts/Uncles/Grandparents were all here, but she had other plans. We had a great visit with our family and now we await the baby's arrival. Jess was very sick over the past week and is feeling better today, so we are thankful for that and praying for a full recovery before the baby arrives. We'll keep you all posted and send pictures as soon as we can.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Today marks one week before The Cottons and The Bakers come to visit. Dan's family will all be here for Easter and hopefully when the Baby arrives. We are so excited to see them and share everyday life with them down here.

Dan and Jordan are working hard today at Paraiso, continuing to finish up the first bathroom's tile work. Tomorrow, we are welcoming a team of 60 people from Seaside, CA. They will be heading out to Catalina and spending 3 days there, serving the church and the local people. Dan has opted out of leading this trip, as we are getting too close to when the baby is due. Power often goes out in Catalina, and therefore he would not be able to call home and see if he was needed. So we are thankful that he is staying home. Please pray for the other leaders, Aaron, Jordan and Linday and David as they lead this group.

Friday, March 27, 2009

This week has been very productive! We have a crew here from CA and NJ and they have been a huge help. Steve was able to get one bathroom functioning and almost finished and Andrew, Mike and Bob wired the entire Missions Base. Today, Steve takes off to head home and The other three Jersey Boys will work on wiring our house. We are so thankful for all of their hard work and the professional job they are doing. Enjoy the updated pictures! Praise the Lord, we are making progress.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

We are preparing for another team to arrive next week, to continue the work in Paraiso. Once again we are so blessed to have men of God, willing to bless us with their time and skills. Just like last trip, we are not only excited about the work being done, but we are looking forward to spending time with the guys coming down. Great friends from NJ! Pictures and updates to follow.

Monday, March 9, 2009

This weekend we had a small team of contruction workers in from NJ (Aaron, Pete and Rob) helping us work on the plumbing and wood work of the missions base and our home. They were able to accomplish a lot, finishing the rough out plumbing for all of the bathrooms and kitchens. The guys worked super hard, and we are so blessed to have skilled workers as it is tough to find here. Jordan and Linsey Guy have also joined us in our work down here, as they just moved from NC to become a part of what's going on in Panama. Jordan is a skilled contractor, and we are so blessed to have him helping Dan oversee this project.

In two weeks, Steve Brooks will be coming down to help us work on the Missions base... once again, another person giving up his time at work and with family to help with the missions work here. We are so thankful for all of the physical support, financial support and prayer support from home. You all have been awesome, and we count you as a huge part of all God is doing. Thank you! The detailed, March update will follow soon with more pictures of the progress on the base.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Dan went fishing today out in the ocean and brought back 2 grouper! We are celebrating friends birthday's 2night and then although the rest of Panama will be celebrating Carnaval, we will be business as usual. Dan plans to get a lot of work done over at the missions base and on our house project in preparation for the group of guys from Jersey coming to work in March.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

We are super busy right now... the project at Paraiso is in full swing, Dan is running all over the city getting supplies and estimates, Jess is at school trying to get observations and scheduling done before the baby comes and the kids are always busy busy! Emmy has her Valentine's Party tomorrow and premade valentines are hard to come by around here... so we are making our own! The baby is doing well, only 9 weeks to go. Jess feels great, but starting to feel tired and big! A real update will be posted soon.

Getting Back into the Routine!

Kids in bed by eight, quiet nights alone!

Merry Christmas!

We are enjoying the Christmas Season here in Panama, but look forward to heading north to see family and friends on Dec. 26th.

Our Mission

Living in Panama City to continue missions work with beach and urban communities through short term missions trips that promote long term community development...Through it all, that Jesus Christ may be glorified and lives may be changed in His name!

Mission's Base Bunks

Buy a Bed for a Missionary

Our missions base has 20 bunk beds that are in need of mattresses, sheets, pillow, etc. This summer we presented the need to the Ocean Grove Beach Bible study and we had a wonderful response. There were serveral people that gave to the project and at the end of 4 weeks, we had the money to complete14 beds. All of the donors chose scripture that will be written on the beds to encourage the missionaries that stay at the base. Thank you to all who participated. What a blessing!

Our Needs

"So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern." ~Matthew 6:31-33

We are so blessed and praise God for his provision for our family. We want to thank all of you who support us through prayer and finances each month. You are a blessing! Many of you have asked about specific needs that our family has, so we want to communicate some unexpected or irregular things that have come up. If you want to help meet one of the needs below, or contribute just part of the finances for that need, please see our Support Info below. Then we ask that you send us an email, indicating what need you feel led to help meet (if you feel comfortable doing so). Thanks so much in advance for partnering with us.

$?~More monthly supporters! We are looking for people to partner with us on a monthly basis. See the Support Info below on how you can join up with us either through sending checks through the mail or donating online.

Featured pictures

Sept 09 Update