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First Things

The sounds of birds calling to one another woke me, Tom,  from my sleep. I glance out my window. It is about five minutes until the sun rises over the tree lines and begins its daily march across the sky.

I get up, mix up a “Spark!” and sit at my desk and begin to pray, ponder and plan for the day. Overwhelming amounts of tasks fill my thoughts and stir up a little anxiety in me. A seemingly endless demand on my mental, physical, spiritual and emotional resources. I remind myself that it is for this reason that I sit and pray. I have always liked to say: "If you are going to be in the business of passing out Living Water, you MUST remain close to The Well."

The longer I walk with God, the more I learn. A reminder came to me as I sat in a prayerful state. My pondering, planning and prioritizing of my to do list for the day stirred up in me this thought: “The answers to my questions are not as important as the questions themselves.”

The who, what, why, where, when, how of accomplishing various tasks, responsibilities and goals are not as important as who I do them for.  "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."

I had a mental image of what I think Jesus might have looked like as he knelt in the dark early hours in the garden called Gethsemane. His disciples (team) asleep nearby and He is praying about the upcoming days events. “Yet not what I will, but what You will.” THAT is the question to ask- Lord, what is it You would bring to me to do today? That has become my prayer. I am vigilant throughout the day to watch and listen for the opportunities He brings my way. I also know that He has placed us here for several reasons. They become more clear with each passing day. Our team is growing. We can accomplish more together than we can alone.

The progress made in the various communities is such an encouragement. We have locals inviting us to events, birthday parties, celebrations, I have performed a couple of weddings.  We have neighbors that ask us for prayer and are not afraid to ask for help. They trust us. They invite us into their homes and they feel welcome at the Outpost. 

The morning bell reveille roused me from my musings. I smiled as I stood up to head to the dining hall. The relevance and importance of a verse that seems so cliché at times running through my head.
 
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

As the year moves on, I encourage you to revisit your goals. 

My neighbor gave us some fruit from one of his trees. I had heard about them, but never prepared them. Fortunately, my friend Candido- a Ngobe from a nearby village- had his family over. She showed me how to clean and prepare the new fruit called Breadfruit! It was delicious.
LOOKING FORWARD
As we closed out 2017, we spent some time praying about this past year and preparing our hearts for 2018. The phrase, 'Tilting the Scales' was a phrase that resonated with both of us.

2017 was the year that we became firmly established in Panama. Interesting enough, most mission 'experts' say it takes about 5 years to be established into a culture. As we approach June, it marks five years since we left Texas and headed to Belize to backpack our way to Panama.

We were invited by Darlene Cunningham, the co-founder of YWAM, to go to Australia in June 2018 to spend two weeks learning, praying and worshiping with the heroes of the faith in YWAM. Loren and Darlene and the global leadership team are spending quite a bit of time with leaders around the world passing down the legacy and DNA of YWAM to the next generation of leaders. We will be sharing more about this -and our hopeful time in Kona  - this March.

 
We  have been asked by our Ships leadership in Kona to come and spend 3 or 4 months with the leadership team there and learn more of the ministry culture and international philosophy of YWAM Ships, not just be isolated on our island an ocean away.

When I explained to our international director that it felt like I was leaving a toddler, he affirmed my concern and reminded me that we finally had a team we could trust to oversee Outpost and the ministry here. He said, "Think 'long term', like 20 years!"  TWENTY YEARS!??? Dumbfounded I responded,  "What?!? That means I will be 71."  Jim replied, "EXACTLY."

Never,  never,  did I ever expect or imagine that when we responded to the call and said "yes" to God that we would go and keep going for 25+ years. 

The scales ARE tipping for us here at Outpost Panama and we continue to say "yes" to whatever God has for us in this next season of our life and ministry. 
 
You can be part of what is happening at Outpost Panama and Sow the Love Ministries. We are supported and funded by the prayers and financial contributions as provided by friends, family members and interested organizations. Will you prayerfully consider how you, your church or your business can participate through giving during this New Year? There is detailed information in the box below.

"Thank you" for your prayers, friendship and financial gifts.

FALL DTS
a.k.a 
The Fab Four

On December 27th at 0500, our Fab Four jumped in a water taxi and set out on their Field Assignment. The team of four amazing young adults, led by our very own Andrew, headed out first to San Jose, Costa Rica where they spent the night and then flew into Mexico to work with a pioneering YWAM location in Querétaro run by Rob and Kathryn Harryman. Next stop, Antigua/Barbuda, where Tom and our medical directors- Nathan and Christina Pineault- will join them  for a little post hurricane assistance.

Medical Makeover

We are in the process of redefining how our medical teams impact the communities we serve. Our new Medical Directors, Nathan and Christina Pineault and their three boys have joined our staff and are changing the face of medical missions for Outpost Panama. They bring a wealth of knowledge with 21 years combined experience as R.N.'s and EMT service, several years serving in foreign missions before choosing to make Outpost their new home. We are excited to welcome to our team for 2018 and beyond...Pictured right: Liam Burns, Dr. Glenn Burns, Tom, Christina and Nathan

 

JOIN OUR TEAM
 
Tax deductible donations may be made by:
 
1 ) “Snail Mail”:
 
Please make checks payable to “Sow the Love Ministries” and include a note that says “For Tom & Holly” on a separate sheet of paper. Mail to:
 
Sow the Love Ministries, Inc.
c/o RMI Review Services
PO BOX 224902
Dallas, TX 75222
 
2) PayPal:
Use your PayPal account to send your gift to:  illgotellthem@gmail.com
 
3) ACH:
Contact Tom or Holly for instructions to enroll in a hassle free monthly giving program.
 
Tom
Panama Cell- +507.6705.0648
illgotellthem@gmail.com
FB- Thomas J Schmidt
Skype- pastort66
Twitter- @illgotellthem
Blog- under construction
 
Holly
US T-Mobile Cell- 469.268.5520
mommyofnine@gmail.com
FB- Holly L Greenfield Schmidt
Skype- holly.schmidt9
Twitter-@mommyofnine

 


Copyright © 2018 Sow the Love Ministries, Inc., All rights reserved.


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