"Time and Unexpected Events" ~ Ecclesiastes 9:11

It has been 7 long months since our last post. I haven't posted an update thus far partially because we've been just too busy and partially because I found the task daunting and a bit painful.  Our lives have been completely different than we ever could have imagined. Sadly we have experienced a great deal of serious challenges. However, the experience has been equally encouraging and drawn our relationship with one another and our Grand God Jehovah closer.

Naturally covering 7 months in one post would be tough so I will condense it :)

Making the decision: Brandon and I deeply prayed for direction from Jehovah as it became abundantly clear Brandon was very ill and in the end as truly heartbreaking as it was for our entire family, we knew we had to move back home. This was a loaded decision and I found it completely overwhelming. Jehovah did not allow much time to pass before he gave us clear indications it was indeed the correct decision. We needed to sell all of our belongings in Panama, we needed flights home and we needed arrangements in the states to start over.  whew!! 

Jehovah really just took care of it all... 

A family had found our blog and made the decision to move to Puerto right before we had to leave. They determined it would be a good decision for their family to purchase ALL of our belongings to prepare for their arrival as well as offer us much needed assistance in leaving. It was unbelievable!

Another single Needgreating sister contacted us and purchased our car - literally within minutes of our making arrangements with the other family!! In 5 minutes everything we owned was gone!!!

Jehovah had supported us in moving to Panama and now he was supporting us in moving back. It was again SO reassuring of his love and personal concern for us thru such a grueling time.

Returning Home:  We were able to find excellent prices for flights back but they required an 8 hour drive thru Costa Rica.  With the help of other needgreaters we contacted, arrangements were made to   accommodate our family on a tour bus owned by a brother in CR. Saying goodbye to the congregation and our fellow English group members was a level of emotion I had never experienced before. They had become our family and we loved them.  We all  still long to see our special Panamanian friends again!!

Our arrival to the airport was flawless. Everything had fallen into place, thanks to Jehovah.

Getting Settled: Aside from the joy of seeing our family and friends at home, it was a difficult time when we arrived home. Brandon had continued to decline health wise and of course we were now homeless and lacking anything to run a household, any warm clothes (it was snowing there) and our spiritual routine was out of whack. Not to mention jobless in America!

Within a few weeks of staying with family we were able to move into a furnished guesthouse a nearby brother and sister rented to us. It was one bedroom, very small for the 5 of us but it was clean, affordable and exactly what we needed. We were so thankful to Jehovah for that!                                  

The 1 bedroom house had to be temporary as that was the terms and we really didn't fit. But where to go?! Without steady employment no one would rent to us. A bank loan was out of the question for the same reason. We prayed incessantly and left the matter in Jehovahs hands knowing he would provide.

Never in our wildest imaginations could we have dreamed what happened next....

A family we knew distantly, in the truth came to us and offered to help us buy a home. I still feel shock even now, writing this. They were so loving they wanted us to pick just the right one for our needs. In a matter of a month we had picked out, purchased and moved into our new home. 

As far as employment, due to Brandon's health he couldn't get back into construction as he was prior 

to our move. He has been able to do small jobs here and there. I have been housecleaning and we
have been getting by. Getting just what we need and nothing extra. Needgreating gave us the training on being content with just our basic needs. For these things we are so grateful to Jehovah!

Brandon's health continues to be a problem. Although the doctors here know he is very ill they had 

never identified a diagnosis.  It has put a great strain on our family and has been the most trying thing he has ever endured.
With that being said, as I write this we ( Brandon & I) are in Venezuela at a healthcare clinic owned and run by Witnesses. There are two doctors who both are witnesses. Along our travels we have been informed of this clinic from other needgreaters and missionaries who have had success with their health. It's a unique place as the entire staff are witnesses and it's been such a great experience to meet other brothers and sisters in the organization from all over!
We have only been here a few days and are seeing marked improvement of Brandon's condition. I'm sure there will be more positive updates to follow.  

What We've learned: Jehovah never let us go without what we truly needed.  We feel as though we have drowned in "blessings" ~ Malachi 3:10  And that we have experienced Isaiah 41:10 ~ "do not be afraid for I am with you...yes I will help you"

We are very appreciative of the numerous emails we have received from all over the world! They have encouraged us, made us feel so loved and I apologize for not always being able to write back. We have gotten many different families inquiring of how to needgreat with children. We are hardly experts at it, but all things are possible and doable with Jehovah's help.  As time permits I will do my best to get back to all the loving brothers and sisters who have contacted us.

From our hearts we want to thank our dear friends, family, other brothers and sisters serving Jehovah who we may never have met, who have prayed for us and assisted us along the way.

We hope to continue traveling, keeping the worldwide brotherhood and options for serving Jehovah real and attainable to our children.  Proverbs 22:6 ~ Train a boy in the way he should go, even when he grows old he will not depart from it.

Time is flying! We've been here 7 months already....

I know, I know it has been WAY more than a month since the last post.  There really is a good excuse though, we have had SO much going on.  There have been joyful times, spiritually enriching times and I'm sad to report we have had some difficulties with health issues.  My computer also was being repaired in Panama City (8 hrs from us) so I couldn't update even when I really wanted to! :)

I apologize in advance this is so long. I'm trying to cover a couple of months in one post.
Here are some of the things that have happened in the last couple of months....

The boys have started school here!!!  They attend a private, bilingual school.  It has been going pretty well.  They are both learning Spanish rapidly and are very happy.  It's a bit of running for us as there isn't a bus.  Jace starts everyday at 7am and Kaden starts at 8am.  They are both done at 1pm.  So we have to make 3 trips a day to the school.  Quite a bit different than living in the States!

We have had the privilege of getting to know multiple brothers and sisters who have come temporarily to needgreat.  We had to say goodbye to them which is always a sad thing.  Becks and Lily from France had to return, a wonderful family from the UK named the Vella's were here for a month with their two beautiful children (but, there may be much more of them on the blog as they are making arrangements to try to move here as well!)

We have made it to the six month mark of being in Panama so we needed to renew our visas.  Since we are conveniently located 30 minutes from the Costa Rican border it isn't too difficult.  We needed to stay for 72 hours so we were able to relax and enjoy some of the beauty in Costa Rica. (pictures below) The kids have amazed us with how much they have adapted here.
While we were in CR we had the wonderful convenience of having a hot shower! Kaden said the cutest thing, "Daddy, I know you want me to try new things...  So I've decided I'm willing to TRY taking a hot shower" We laughed and laughed. He was very serious though.  A cold or lukewarm shower has become so commonplace he felt it really was a stretch to take a hot one!  Children are incredible. :)

At the tail end of our trip to CR we noticed Rayah was becoming very fussy and eventually developed a fever.  At first this wasn't really concerning as I had just gotten over a nasty stomach bug that also had a high fever.  I just assumed she had now caught it and would get better shortly.  However, after not being able to keep her fever down for many days we decided we couldn't wait for normal business hours (it was a Sunday) so we took her to the hospital in David. They weren't able to identify why she had such a high fever so they had to lab work. We were shocked to learn our 3 yr old little girl had an active infection of Mono.  She was very sick.  We watched her closely, gave her the medication prescribed and after about a week and a half we saw significant improvement.  We were so relieved.

But after realizing Rayah had Mono we started thinking it was possible so did Brandon.  He has been struggling ever since I posted about the visit to the Dr. in January.  He has been run down, fatigued and experiencing other symptoms as well. All of which really did fit into the Mono diagnosis.  So we went back to the hospital and had him tested.  It was negative.  So after realizing he was getting worse slowly we continued searching for answers.  Eventually he became so ill he wasn't able to get out of bed at all or if he did it was very brief.  I knew something needed to be done.  I contacted a Physician in NY who was extremely helpful and she suggested we find a Infectious Disease specialist.  I found the only one in the Chiriqui Providence and Brandon is actively being treated by him.  It has been very challenging to keep the household running.  And they have no idea what he has at this point in time.  He has had multiple tests, lab work, ultrasounds etc  We are hopeful he will improve or we will figure out what he has.
We are relying on Jehovah and have felt so blessed to be a part of his organization thru this ordeal.  The specialist we are seeing does not speak English.  I contacted another needgreater sister we had met in passing in David and she was able to find us a bilingual sister who could translate for us at our appointment.  What a blessing that has been!

On a positive note, before we realized how sick Brandon was we were continuing to do our best at getting in the ministry and supporting the group here.  We have had times where our joy is difficult to put to words.  I have been able to start several new bible studies and have also been able to take over some of the studies that were started by other temporary needgreaters.

Right now I'm conducting 4 bible studies a week. One is with a vivacious and beautiful little girl who is 10 years old, I met her doing the invitation work to the Memorial. She is a regular study and asks insightful questions.  She keeps me on my toes!
Another is with an English teacher who is Panamanian. Rita had studied with her initially and then Lilly took it over while she was here.  Then she was turned over to me.  She is a wonderful student who was able to attend both the Memorial (along with her husband) and the Special Talk!!!   She has always been Catholic and being a part of teaching her bible truths such as, what really happens when we die (Ecclesiastes 9:5,10)  and the hope of everlasting life on earth (Psalm 37:9,10) has been an incredible experience.  She has embraced the truth so far and she has started rejecting false religious teachings.  I can see her relationship with Jehovah growing stronger each week.  There is nothing more fulfilling I've ever been a part of!!!

 Another one of my studies is a young mother with a new baby.  She is also an excellent study I thank Jehovah for the privilege of getting to teach her. She and her husband also attended the Memorial and the Special talk.  Since both of my studies husbands do not speak English they went to the Spanish Memorial.  This was my first time attending two Memorials in the same evening but, it was also my first  time when 2 different bible studies attended with me!!!

Brandon has continued despite being ill to regularly conduct his study with Andres.  He is a 70 year old man with perfect English who is learning and expressing appreciation each week.  He wasn't able to attend the Memorial but, he informed Brandon that he was planning on coming and at the last minute he was unable.  Brandon has been very encouraged by the privilege of teaching this humble man!  He has had to hold off on the few other studies he has started due to his health. :(

There is an endless list of why we love serving in Panama.  We hope and pray for direction every day to know what is best for our family.  It remains to be seen how it will end up.  Right now as I type Brandon is feeling better than he has in a very long time.  Perhaps the treatment from the specialist is helping.  We will continue trying to get the best care available and doing our best to remain in Panama. We are certain of one thing, if we end up needing to return home we will never regret our time here.  We have learned so much, experienced some of the greatest happiness and feel so spiritually blessed by Jehovah.

The scripture at Mark 10:29, 30 really expresses how we feel.

Preaching for the first time to my study
Alejandra (10 yrs)

"Jesus said: “Truly I say to YOU men, No one has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not get a hundredfold now in this period of time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, with persecutions, and in the coming system of things everlasting life."

My two studies at the Memorial. Angee and Yelka :)

This is what happens when there is no street names or house numbers and your territory is large. :)

We are making territory maps and keeping track of all of the English speaking.  

This is Brandon conducting the Congregation Bible Study

It requires mapping skills, Ibuprofen and Holy Spirit! 

This is Sister Vella and her baby girl with some of the group.
Also Adrienne who is the newest addition to our group is on
the end. We are sooo glad she is here! :)

This is my study Angee and her sweet baby Moses with Kate

This is a Sister in our Spanish Congregation named Mabel
and her adorable daughter Shirley holding baby Moses after
a study with Angee.

This is Kate and I with Arielys - a bible study I had before
she moved out of our territory. :(

First Day of School!!!!

Still happy when we picked him up!

First Day of School- a little nervous at first....

But definitely loved his first day by that smile! 

Another example of our worldwide brotherhood. We were in
Burger King and realized we were eating next to other Witnesses. :)
There are 3 families here from Canada, Texas and Costa Rica

This is Brandon in line at the Costa Rica border waiting to check us all in

A gorgeous view in Costa Rica while we were driving.

This was a family we met from Italy while we were having lunch. We
were able to enjoy a nice bible discussion and place some literature.

These are some of the monkeys we saw while we were in CR.  It was awesome!  They are such playful creatures. The one is right above our porch of the cabin we stayed in.

As Promised....

Summer is officially here! It's blazingly hot here! 
(some days the heat index is 110 degrees F)

Just as the Apostle Paul said at Romans 1:15 we feel "eagerness to declare the good news"  The preaching work is our favorite part of being in Panama!  

We are having awesome experiences and are so appreciative of the privilege.  

Here are some pics of our ministry in recent weeks.

Luke and KK at the door

This is Jordan he is from the US, he is a great addition to our
group and as you can see he offers us comic relief! :)

This is our dear friend Kate (and our Spanish teacher)
She is an experienced need-greater originally from
Australia that we quickly grew to love!

"Look at that!"

"Stand still and show yourself attentive to the wonderful
works of God" - Job 37:14

The householder was camera shy
but she did let me photograph her
beautiful children!

This is Rita's bible study Sandy.  She is from the US and is making
tremendous progress.  She loves Jehovah and we deeply care for her.
Sometimes we go out to lunch after we have her study :)

This was my yummy lunch! 

and this is the view from the restaurant.

This Happy Crowd is the first time Puerto Armuelles English Group had a Ministry school!!!! 

Here is some proof! :) It was thrilling to hear talks from sisters
in ENGLISH!!!!

Here are some Random Pics and Fun Times!!!

Best Friends!

Talented Tyler

KK and his first starfish we've ever seen here
(in background another need-greating little girl)

2nd Starfish of the day

We visited another family with children
who are need-greating. The kids just loved playing
with them!

Road trip to David....

 has this effect on the kids on the way home!  :) 

Ray loves Tyler

This is Aurelie and Becks
(from France and England staying for 3 months)
they are singing "Listen, Obey & Be Blessed" with the kids!

                                       This is Jay - He is from the US and stayed for

                          a month with Jordan.  We miss him!

Some Hardships as expected....

This was when Hurricane Sandy passed by Panama.  It rained for about 3 1/2 days straight and since we have major water issues here, it led to 3 days of the water being shut off all together and then the 4th day this is what came out of the tap.....

This was a very challenging time for us, unable to do laundry, shower, wash hands etc.
Proverbs 17:17 came to mind - "A true companion...is a brother born for when there is distress"

We had our first Girls Night Out to build each other up. It was exactly what I needed!

This is how we wash our fruits & veggies - either for 20 minutes in bleach
or preferably in Grapefruit Seed Extract for a few minutes

This was another exciting meal, grilling chicken and steak kabobs!

Some exciting foods we have been able to 
make with creativity:
Eggs Benedict... (actually Jordan
is an Outstanding cook 
who made this with Kate -
 I just showed up to eat :)

My two sickies at the Doctor :( They are better now.

                                       

This pic shows most of our need-greaters all together (temp and permanent) Aurelie, Becks, Ben & Gayle (from the US) Jordan, Radiah (from the US) and a visiting couple from Boquete, Buffy & Pete.  Also some Panamanian brothers who are working very hard to learn English!

A little congregation get together at the beach... 

Most of the brothers and sisters are swimming but a few were just having a blast out of the water!

This is Luigi an awesome brother in our congregation 
getting the boys some fresh coconut water!

Luigi with his fiance Kayla holding Rayah

RayRay and Melody

Luke - an excellent example for our boys to look up to!

Tyler- An amazing young brother we adore!

Jordan enjoying the weather!

Such a blessing to know this sister!

Bates Family 2013

Sending our love and greetings to all of our friends and family across the globe, encouraging you all to remember Colossians 1:10,11- "In order to walk worthily of Jehovah to the end of fully pleasing him as you go on bearing fruit in every good work....being made powerful with all power to the extent of his glorious might"  

Need-greating with children is very challenging on many levels, however we always find it encouraging to know that Jehovah realizes we have limitations and when we reach the point where we feel like we can go no further, Jehovah is there to give us the strength to continue on.