Jerry & Joyce McDaniels opening God's Word through literacy
Jerry deciding on cover style
Great, great news! The Kuna literacy program has been turned in to the printers and work has begun on the printing, laminating and binding of students’ books, flashcards, homework assignments, writing practice, tests, attendance sheets, teachers’ daily lesson plans…!
Thank you for your prayers while we were in Panama. We watched God do wonderful things: (more…)
Joyce & Norma
We have to tell you the story of two Kuna ladies, Yeli and Norma with whom we were just re-connected while in Panama. Many years ago when we had to leave the Kuna village where we had been living because of safety issues, we resettled in a community outside of Panama City where there was a large Kuna population. Joyce began a Bible study and literacy classes with 4 Kuna ladies from that neighborhood. The group quickly outgrew the facility and was moved to a large Kuna church where it touched hundreds of ladies. Well, Yeli and Norma were in that original group of ladies! They heard the Gospel, trusted Christ, learned to read in Kuna and fell in love with His Word! (more…)
Newly designed mola for book covers.
If you’ve ever worked on a huge project for a LONG time, you know how wonderful it is to see things coming together! That’s how we are feeling about the Kuna literacy project.
Years ago we began developing a whole literacy program using all the things we’ve been learning about successful literacy training. Since it has not been our “full-time” ministry, we’ve worked on it here and there between other projects as we could.
Well, we are in the very final stages of editing and formatting in order to take it down to Panama in a few weeks to check a few questions we have, get some artwork done, and then turn the whole Kuna primer series into the printers! Woo-hoo!
Would you pray for us as we finish up the last details on this huge project? We are thrilled with the financial gifts that have come in toward the project. The Kuna literacy fund has received 77% of the total cost.
To follow the progress, please go to: usa.ntm.org/projects/kuna-literacy
Ever wish that you could somehow invest in strengthening the Kuna churches of Panama?
As you’ve gotten to know some of our dear Kuna friends, have you ever wanted a tangible way to reach out to them, to spiritually encourage them and their families?
If so, we’ve got an opportunity for you! (more…)
Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”
There is great value in taking time to be sharpened, equipped, and refocused for the tasks God has called us to do. This guards us from becoming dull and ineffective. The annual Kuna leadership conference in Panama, held early in November is a “sharpening” time for the church leaders and their wives. (more…)
Anelio & Silverixia
We have such a great respect for so many of our Kuna brothers and sisters in Panama! Anelio & Silverixia are a young couple that were sent out as missionaries by their church to a village upriver. You may remember that in 2009, while returning to the village where they minister, they lost their 3 year old son in the flooded river. God has used their faithfulness in spite of many hardships to win many to Christ.
A church has been established in the village. Every Saturday Anelio has also been traveling upriver with some of the new believers to the next Kuna village to teach “God’s Book.” (more…)
he's not old...he's vintage!
Jerry is now a certifiable antique person. Yep, he has turned 50! The kids helped me pull off a surprise birthday party with about 60 friends and family members. Check out pictures of how bad we were to him on our photo page under the family album.
Everyone asks, “When’s your next trip?” We are glad to report that we actually have several months without travels! We’ve taken on some huge projects and are thankful for some time at our desks to organize, write, and make materials available to the missionaries and consultants working in literacy. Trips are lining up for Panama and Africa later this year. We appreciate your prayers for wisdom and clarity as we work.
Bolivia, one of the first countries that New Tribes Mission opened up in the 1940’s, is the location of our next trip!Even though it’s an older mission field, there’s still plenty of work for tribal missionaries. Several groups in Bolivia have yet to hear the Gospel even once! And to finish up well, there is church planting work to do among the Ese Ejja, Chimane, Guayaru, Weenayek, Yuqui, Yuracaré people. An extensive survey is going on this year to clarify the needs. (more…)
So where in the world are we off to next? Well, it’s a country of 17,508 islands with a hot, tropical climate all year round. It is the world’s fourth most populous country, with over 850 different languages and dialects spoken among the various people groups. The country has at least 150 active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. As a matter of fact, every day this country experiences three vibrations and at least one small earthquake, with one volcanic eruption each year.
It is a location known for amazing diversity in wildlife, plants and scenery. There you will find the world’s largest lizard, the Komodo Dragon; the world’s largest snake, the Reticulated Python; the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia; and the world’s largest bee, the Chalocodoma Pluto.
So…did you guess Indonesia? (more…)
So often as we travel we have to ask ourselves, “Were we as great a blessing as we were blessed?” This was the case again as we returned from a trip to Mexico! (more…)
