Posts Tagged ‘village’

Kuna missionaries

Posted by Jerry and Joyce McDaniels on Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011
Anelio & Silverixia

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…)

don’t forget the recipes!

Posted by Jerry and Joyce McDaniels on Monday, May 9th, 2011
reading the Word

reading the Word

The countdown has begun! Next week Joyce & I travel back “home” to Panama. So much has happened in the lives of our Kuna friends since we last saw them – the flooding and devastation, intense pressure on the believers to return to the traditional ways and forsake the Bible, a dear friend’s death, the Old Testament translation nearing completion! It will be so good to have time together to rejoice and grieve. Plus we have a lot of work to do!

The Kuna literacy program is ready for its final check and then printing. This means there are 6 primers, each with detailed daily lesson plans for the teachers, student writing practice, worksheets, extra reading practice booklets. (more…)

flood update

Posted by Jerry and Joyce McDaniels on Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

We wanted to give an update on the devastation from the flooding of many Kuna villages in Panama. A big “thank you” to all who responded in such a generous way, contributing to the flood relief fund.   

To give you a glimpse of the caliber of our Kuna friends, we recently heard from one of the small churches. They were concerned for the 7 widows with children in their village and another 5 in the village upriver who completely lost their crops in the flood. Not all of these ladies are part of the church, but the believers felt God would want them to care for these widows in both villages. Isn’t that what true religion is all about – putting actions to our faith (James 1:27)? (more…)

Kuna flood relief

Posted by Jerry and Joyce McDaniels on Thursday, January 20th, 2011

…a practical way for you to help

sisters in Christ

sisters in Christ

Recently Panama experienced some of the heaviest rains and flooding on record. Many Kuna villages were affected, including the village where we lived and served for many years. The believers report that 41 homes suffered damage and most of the villagers’ gardens were washed away. This was the food for their daily life as well as cash crops for next year.  All the coffee plants were washed away, the corn, rice, fruit trees, and avocados.  Much of the platano was lost (and this is the main staple of their diet). Many faithful Kuna brothers and sisters are faced with nearly a total loss. (more…)

Bolivia

Posted by Jerry and Joyce McDaniels on Monday, October 4th, 2010
Simba-Guarani lady, Bolivia

Simba-Guarani lady, Bolivia

We are very excited for the opportunity to train 22 Bolivian missionary candidates, begin equipping a new literacy consultant, and make some trips into tribal areas to evaluate and move literacy forward.

Most of us haven’t heard much about the country, but Bolivia is quite the fascinating place! The landlocked country could be summarized by the word “diversity.” Besides Spanish, Aymara and Quechua languages, there are 34 other officially recognized indigenous languages spoken! That’s quite a challenge for missionaries seeking to clearly communicate the most important Message of all time! (more…)

Counting it ALL joy!

Posted by Jerry and Joyce McDaniels on Friday, October 9th, 2009
Anelio and family019

Anelio, Silverixia & family

About two years ago a young Kuna couple were sent out by their church to work as missionaries in an unreached village upriver. This was a complete miracle as God opened doors that were previously completely closed to the Gospel.

In these first years of ministry in the village, Anelio & Silverixia have faced opposition and hardship. At first people didn’t want to hear God’s Book. They ridiculed, humiliated, and opposed Anelio & Silverixia in every way. But eventually the children of the village began showing interest in hearing God’s Book and began listening to the chronological Bible lessons. Little by little adults asked for Bible teaching until there were about 80 adults hearing God’s Word and over a hundred children.

Now there is a small group of new believers in the village who are taking stands in obedience to Christ, refusing to participate in the village drinking ceremonies. This puts them under intense pressure from the village and their families. They have to pay monetary fines. They are accused, questioned and threatened. Most of us cannot even imagine the pressure they live with each day. And yet this little group of believers stands tall for Christ, “counting it ALL joy!”

Would you pray for Anelio and Silverixia as they lead this little, hurting flock? Pray that they will have God’s wisdom, peace and strength. We will be meeting together in November for the annual Kuna leadership conference. Pray that they and other Kunas ministering in difficult locations will be encouraged and prepared for their ministries. 

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Awayo: Fear to Faith

Posted by Jerry and Joyce McDaniels on Monday, October 5th, 2009

A new, short film portraying the journey that brings a Moi man of Papua New Guinea from a life dictated by fear of the spirits to faith in his Creator. This is what we are about!

He is enough!

Posted by Jerry and Joyce McDaniels on Tuesday, December 16th, 2008

four generations in Christ

four generations in Christ

Twenty-three years ago a baby girl was born in a Kuna jungle village. That same year God sent the McDaniels family to that little village as missionaries. So little Silverixia grew up with memories of her mother hearing the Gospel message for the first time and then trusting Christ.

Recently Silverixia with her husband Anelio and their two small children were sent as missionaries to an unreached Kuna village. This is the story of their first year in the ministry: (more…)

I am coming to believe the Book!

Posted by Jerry and Joyce McDaniels on Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

Anelio and Silverixia

A small Kuna church in the jungle began praying for the villages upriver where the people had yet to hear the Gospel. They repeatedly sought permission from the village leaders to send missionaries to teach God\’s Book, but permission was refused. So the church kept praying. (more…)

Time for the Kuna leadership conference!

Posted by Jerry and Joyce McDaniels on Tuesday, November 4th, 2008

Visiting with some dear Kuna friends!

Greetings from Panama! We have already enjoyed several days with our dear missionary co-workers and been able to visit with some Kuna friends. What a joy to see those we have discipled, reaching others who are reaching others for our Lord! It is such a beautiful picture of the chain we all form in the Body of Christ. And we are a link in that chain with you! (more…)