Panama 3_15 - 3_24

Reflections on Panama

I was blown away by the whole “Panamanian experience”.  To walk (and I do mean walk) around with the people, whether in the towns or in the villages on the mountain, it was amazing to see how happy they are.  By all means I would say they live much simpler lives than we do, and maybe that is why they are happy. Fellowship is a big part of who they are. 

They spend a great deal of time outside and talking with their neighbors.  We in America  seem to come home to our nice houses and lock the door behind us, cuddle up with our digital device (TV, wi, phone, iSomething) and block everyone else out.  There is something very good about spending time with others in conversation, with no set goal or preconceived notion. The same is true with spending time with Jesus.  Imagine how much more joy the people would experience if they knew Jesus.  While we were there over 50 people accepted Jesus into their hearts and turned from the sin that so easily traps us. Praise God for using Ben and I in the capacity He did. And for all the seeds that were planted this trip that now need water, I pray for those Pastors and the ones who come behind to find favor and perseverance to press on with the people of Panama.  In the words of Ben, “I miss Panama”.  We are indebted to all who made this trip possible and for those that we got to share this journey with. 

Tomorrow...PANAMA

Friends

We are now one day away from boarding the plane(s) for Panama.  It is almost surreal that it is finally here.  The mad scramble to finalize (and start) our packing is upon us.  Ben and I would not be here if it were not for your love, financial support and most of all your prayers.  God has already used you to show us His grace and plan and we are confident that He will continue to use your prayers to carry us there and back.

Please continue to pray for our ability to speak the Gospel clearly to the people that God brings in our path.  May we be able to communicate God’s love in a very practical way (whether it is Ben in the classroom, or the leaders with their teams on the basketball court, or bible studies).  Help us draw closer to Christ as we lean on Him to fully meet the personal and ministry challenges we will face. 

You are going with us on this trip.  We are an extension of each of you.  This is a beautiful picture of how the body of Christ works…hands and feet that travel wherever the Lord leads us, following His commands and rejoicing together in all that He will do!! 

Once again, thank you for your support.  Looking forward to sharing with you all that He does.  We will try to keep facebook updated while we are away....no guaruntees. 

                                    

Peace

B and b

Mission to Panama

Dear Family and Friends,
We have been given the opportunity of traveling to the country of Panama over our spring break (March 15-24) with a church in OKC, for a mission trip.  My lifelong friend, Matt Hofeld, is the Pastor (Mayfair Baptist Church) and the leader on this mission trip.  Our group will be working in the province of Chiriquí, doing various ministries such as basketball clinics, door-to-door evangelism, children's Bible activities and much more. 
We are anticipating many things on this mission trip. This will be Ben’s first opportunity to go on a mission trip out of the USA and my first time to lead a basketball clinic. We are very excited about our opportunity and would like to invite you to share in it with us by praying for us, and with us during these days and the days leading up to departure.  First, we request a prayer of health while we are preparing for, and on the trip.  Second, that God would use us as we minister to the various people and groups we come in contact with.  Third, that God would use this time to more refine who Ben and I are so we can more fully follow God’s plan. And finally, that God would send resources to insure that the group’s financial responsibilities ($1500/ea.) would be met.

 

A general schedule of events is as follows:

Friday, March 15^th: Travel Day (depart 10:30 AM OKC, Dallas, Miami, arrive 8:30 PM Panama City)

Saturday, March 16^th (Las Lomas): 7 hour bus journey from Panama City, Evening prayer walk

Sunday, March 17^th (Las Lomas): Morning worship, afternoon basketball clinic, afternoon church equipping & leadership meeting

Monday, March 18^th (Gulaca – Wa-lack-a): Morning prayer walk, afternoon basketball clinic, afternoon adult bible study, evening movie event

Tuesday, March 19^th (Anastacio): Morning prayer walk/Door-to-door evangelism, afternoon basketball clinic, afternoon adult bible study, evening movie event

Wednesday, March 20^th (Cerro Iglesias): Volleyball/Soccer during school, classroom evangelism, children’s bible activities, ladies bible study

Thursday, March 21^st (David): Prayer walk/Door-to-door evangelism, classroom evangelism

Friday, March 22^nd: Tour Day

Saturday, March 23^rd: 7 hour bus ride back to Panama City

Sunday, March 24^th: Travel Home (Panama City, Dallas, OKC)

 

We greatly appreciate your prayer partnership.

 

God Bless!

Brian and Ben

 

If you feel led to make a financial contribution, checks can be made payable to Mayfair Baptist Church and mailed to the following address.

Babcock’s c/o Mayfair Baptist Church

2715 NW 50^th

OKC, OK 73112

 

Thank you again for your prayerful support.

 

 

 

This Christmas

What is it about Christmastime that brings with it the expectation and desire to slow down?  Everybody talks about the hectic-ness of the Christmas season, with Christmas parties, presents to wrap, cookies to bake, etc.  But deep inside of us all we want to pause.  We want to enjoy the season with family and friends but the stress of getting everything perfect keeps us "to busy" to chill, to focus on what is really important. 
The first Christmas, and the reason we should all celebrate the season, was pretty amazing. But it didn't happen in what we would call a "perfect" way (referencing stable, manger, hay, farm animals).  The house wasn't decorated, cookies weren't baked, but the Savior still came.  He wasn't worried about the decorations or the treats, He came for you.  He came with you in mind, to spend time here with and for His children.
This season is a great time to remember, not everything has to be perfect.  We need to remember people.  Remember those friendships you used to have, but haven't focused on lately? Remember those people that are truly special to your life but you haven't told them lately? Take time this season to reconnect with those lost relationships, to drop words of encouragement to the person who helped you get where you are today, to hug your family, to worship your Savior. 
Sorry for my Christmas ramblings today, but ultimately stuff will pass and perfection is different for all.  So instead of worrying and running around to make everything perfect, focus on the people that mean something to you.  Stuff passes... people matter.  Make the most of this season.  Share your time, talents and treasure on those close to you.  The memories you create will be remembered long after the fruitcake has gone bad (wait....does fruitcake go bad?). 
Let's remember the true meaning of CHRISTmas and share it with those close to us.  Let's make that phone call to a friend we haven't talked to in a while.  Let's send a note to that parent, teacher, coach that had an impact in our lives.  Let's tell our family of our love for them.  Let's hug those close to us everyday.  Let's love those around us and show the true meaning of Christmas to all we come in contact with.

Peace
Merry CHRISTmas
B

Wow! So true, so true

Proverbs 8....

BOOM!

Proverbs 8

Wisdom’s Call

8 Does not wisdom call out?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
² At the highest point along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
³ beside the gate leading into the city,
at the entrance, she cries aloud:
⁴ “To you, O people, I call out;
I raise my voice to all mankind.
⁵ You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, set your hearts on it
⁶ Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.
⁷ My mouth speaks what is true,
for my lips detest wickedness.
⁸ All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.
⁹ To the discerning all of them are right;
they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
¹⁰ Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,
¹¹ for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.

¹² “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.
¹³ To fear the Lord is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
¹⁴ Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have insight, I have power.
¹⁵ By me kings reign
and rulers issue decrees that are just;
¹⁶ by me princes govern,
and nobles—all who rule on earth
¹⁷ I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me.
¹⁸ With me are riches and honor,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
¹⁹ My fruit is better than fine gold;
what I yield surpasses choice silver.
²⁰ I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
²¹ bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.

²² “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works
    before his deeds of old;
²³ I was formed long ages ago,
at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
²⁴ When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,
when there were no springs overflowing with water;
²⁵ before the mountains were settled in place,
before the hills, I was given birth,
²⁶ before he made the world or its fields
or any of the dust of the earth.
²⁷ I was there when he set the heavens in place,
when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
²⁸ when he established the clouds above
and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
²⁹ when he gave the sea its boundary
so the waters would not overstep his command,
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
³⁰ Then I was constantly at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
³¹ rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.

³² “Now then, my children, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
³³ Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
³⁴ Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
³⁵ For those who find me find life
and receive favor from the Lord.
³⁶ But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
all who hate me love death.”

 

 

 

 

Well Said!