Simon and Lavonne Challinor Serving the Lord in Panama among the Naso people 
I am not really sure where to begin this news update. Should I begin chronologically since our last update in September when we went back upriver for another three months of life and ministry, or should I proceed directly to the big earthqake and even bigger rain we experienced just a few weeks ago? For the Naso, time has divided itself into two frames, before and after the big rain. Any conversations concerning time don’t mention actual calendar days, but rather where they were when the river grew to record levels leaving desruction and debris in its path towards the Atlantic Ocean.
I think I will begin with the earthquake although at the time it did not really seem that big of a deal. In the very early hours of the morning (1:13 am) on November 19, Simon and I were alseep when our tin house started rattling. At first I just thought it was a horse rubbing against one of the posts causing the house to shake (this has happened before). We soon realized it was an earthquake, and once the house stopped shaking we went back to sleep. In the morning we heard that it measured 6.2 on the rector scale. There wasn’t any visible damage in the area. That same day it began to rain, another very normal occurrence where we live, but on the heels of an earthquake it would soon prove to be disastrous. It kept raining and raining for several days and soon the knee deep stream not far from our house became a rushing raging torrent with huge trees being uprooted and pulled away. The river flooded its banks as well and just kept rising. Gardens along the river and streams were swept away in the current. Next we began hearing from the peole about landslides in the area. After that we heard about the flooding and major landslides in the whole province. When we heard that the the main (and only) access road into the province (unless coming from Costa Rica) was shut down because of the landslides, we realized that certain commodities such as fuel and food would soon become scarce.
We wanted to communicate with our mission office to let them know that we were fine, and that we planned to just stay put until things settled down a bit. In the process of trying to get to a hill where our cell phone would work, Simon lost his footing crossing the creek because of the thick mud and swift current. In the process of swimming in order not to be swept under some debris the cell phone was lost. Thankfully, a friend loaned us his cell phone that we were able to use after we charged it and put some money on it for him. We were able to let our office know that we were fine and that when we heard that we could either fly commercially or travel out by road they would hear from us again.
I can think of so many things for which to be thankful for over the past two weeks. So many of our friends brought us oranges, plantains, yucca, or some other root vegetables. It really touched my heart to experience their generostity. None of our kids or the the people became seriously sick or injured during the worst part of the flooding when there would not have been a way to get them medical help. I am thankful that God protected the people in many ways. Nobody in our community lost his home and He proctected them from landslides all over the area. I am thankful for the opportunities that God gave us to serve and minister to our neighbors during this dramatic time. A helicopter landed four times in front of our house to deliver relief supplies. Simon spent many hours helping organize and divide the food that was sent. Some verses that often have come to mind over the past few weeks are found in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. “Be joyful always (not just when the sun shines), pray continually (an attitude of dependence on the Lord); give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” It is such a comfort to know that each and every situation in which we find ourselves is part of God’s unique plan for our lives.
We are now at our mission guesthouse. We had an interesting trip out by river and road. The river had returned to its rightful bed by Wednesday and so we locked up the house and headed downriver. We had heard that the the road was open to small vehicles and flights were flying in and out of Changuinola. When we arrived in town, a taxi offered to take us aross the mountains in his vehicle. Flights were all booked until the weekend. As we traveled over the mountains we were amazed at the devastation and landslides. The kids started counting landslides and quit when they reached 200. Not all of the slides covered the road but a good many of them did. The Department of Public Works was working very hard in very precarious situations to clear and keep the road open. After the taxi dropped us off we were able to catch another bus to bring us the rest of the way. We are so thankful for the safety God gave us and for bringing us safely to the guesthouse.
Now to the days before the “big rain.” As we have mentioned in previous letters, we have been teaching the children and young people chronologically through the Bible since this past spring. We finished at the beginning of November. We are so thankful for all the children who came and heard the truth. One of our little neighbor boys has been an enthusiastic attendee the whole time. His mom told me that after the story of the crucification he went home and recounted to her the entire account. Just a couple days ago Simon asked him what one needs to do to “be with God” and with a big smile on his face he replied that it is only through trusting in Christ and nothing else.
We continue to meet with the believers. Each of them face unique challenges at home, and we continually encourage them to walk in the truth that they know from the Bible. Seledonia (we’ve mentioned her before) has been dealing with a sick 14 year old daughter and just does not seem to be getting any kind of reasonable answers from the doctors in Changuinola. We are praying about a way to try and help her get some answers while we are near Panama City. Tito and Luisa (Tito worked on the Bible translation) have certainly faced some trials over the past few weeks. Their home near Changuinola was flooded and so they relocated only to have to move again when flood waters reached there as well. Simon talked to him yesterday by phone to check and see how they were doing. Needless to say, we would appreciate your prayers for the believers. We trust and pray that each of them would grow in their love for the Lord and their dependence on Him in all situations.
I can’t really close without mentioning our boys. They are all doing well and have successfully completed their first semester of school. Michael did a big science project and research paper on batteries and gave a good presentation to the family. Daniel was thrilled when the Phillies won the World Series and since then, the kids have played many baseball games in the yard with their friends. Robbie continues to be thrilled with his horse, Star. He rides her whenever he can, as well as spending his free time on Saturday washing and grooming her. He is also in the chicken business and has been selling me eggs from his hen, Speckles. Andrew is the only one of the boys that I can still lift and hug without causing permanent damage to my back. He keeps trying to keep up with his older brothers and usually does a pretty good job holding his own. We are thankful for the blessing of four healthy boys.
Once again, thank-you for your part in our lives through prayer. We appreciate those of you who have prayed for us during the months of silence on our part by virtue of no internet access. We always are amazed (we shouldn’t be) by God’s faithfulness in untold ways.
God bless,
Lavonne for the family
