Panama 2002

Our medical missions trips continue to be blessed by the Lord with souls saved, lives changed and church plants furthered on the mission field. Here is Deidra Brown’s report on the Panama trip.

”You can’t have a medical clinic. OK, you can hold a health fair but no medicine,” the Panamanian government declares. “We don’t want to go if we can’t do medical missions,” proclaims four team members. Two other team members each reported, “something has come up at work and I may not be able to go on the trip.” “Please bring a power steering gear box so we can transport the team in Panama.” The missionaries went on to say that they never have problems with their van. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all” (Ps 34:19). As we prayed for the mission trip to Panama, we knew the devil was fighting and that the Lord had great and mighty things in store but He did “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Eph 3:20). Since we couldn’t conduct a medical clinic, we had a health fair focusing on preventive medicine. We were told to bring all the toothbrushes, toothpaste, vitamins and eyeglasses we could fit into our suitcases. The church was set up into health stations; health for the children (salud de ninos), health for the adults, for the eyes, for the teeth and for the soul. The health fair was a huge success as approximately 400 people were checked then were presented the gospel. The trip was well worth every trial as 49 people professed Christ as Savior and that was only the first day. Things kept getting better with 54 professions on day two and 62 on day three. Praise the Lord!

During the fair, the nonmedical part of the team went out soul winning from door to door and on the streets. What a thrill to see young men come back from soul winning, excited to tell of people’s life changing decisions. Robert was delighted to tell how he and his interpreter shared the gospel with one lady; how she was broken realizing her need for a Savior and asked Jesus to save her from her sins. Nathan shared how he would entertain the children, pass out tracts to those passing by or whatever he could to prevent distractions as his interpreter shared the gospel.

We knew that God had great plans for us when on the first day Will and Robert were late in returning from soul winning. Finally, the two of them came riding up in a taxi even though they left on foot. They were both red faced and a little breathless. They quickly apologized for being late but told how they came across a soccer game and the boys wouldn’t listen until they played soccer with them. The guys played soccer then presented the gospel and 11 of the boys professed Christ as their personal Savior. We were thrilled to wait because sharing the gospel was our main reason for going.

The people at Victory Baptist Church are going to be very busy since 195 people made professions of faith while we were there. What an answer to prayer to see the Lord work in our lives and in the lives of the Panamanian people. I continue to be amazed how God can use ordinary people that are willing to serve Him in ways far beyond our greatest expectations.

Please pray for the medical mission trip to Bolivia in April. Also, pray for the political situation in Venezuela so we will be able to take the teams there in June and July, Lord willing.

In His Service,

Deidra Brown