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SHIELDSfamily
October 2018

Third generation missionaries church planting in Panama

www.missionsbeyond.com

PRAISES AND PEOPLE UPDATES

Elena turned 11 years old on September 18 and recently attended her first
youth group activity. Beth’s parents visited for a week near her birthday and we had
a wonderful time. It was so nice just to enjoy time with family. We went out boating
near some islands and saw whales and dolphins up close! Mamaw and Papaw
brought lots of goodies and even some presents that friends sent with them. One
man sent Ethan some snake boots!
*We asked prayer *Elena and her *A friend at
last year for Emilio to be friend Nataly both church had multiple
saved. God answered received an illustrated p r e g n a n c y
that prayer and Emilio New Testament after complications, but *Marco has been
accepted Christ after reciting the books of the recently delivered a faithful to church ever
talking with a coworker. Bible at church. Nataly healthy baby boy since getting saved on
Tw o w e e k s a g o , was the first person saved named Matias. We Children’s Day in
Emilio’s mom got through our ministry are thankful that God July. He has even
saved too! here in Panama. spared their lives! been bringing friends!

THREE young girls got saved at a recent youth activity- Iliana, Cindy, and Genalí!

EVANGELISM AND VIOLENT PROTESTS

Our evangelistic efforts have become more creative recently. God has given unique
opportunities to hand out tracts and do some street preaching. For example, at the beginning of
each trimester of school, students line up to receive their government scholarships. While they
wait, we hand out tracts to them and their parents. Another example: over the past few months
there has been an increase in protests against the government. People (mainly Ngäbe people)
stop traffic on the PanAmerican Highway for hours multiple days in a row until their demands are met. Since Panama is
mountainous and small, there are no other roads to detour around the blockades. Ethan greets the protestors in Ngäbere,
passes out tracts, and preaches as able. Normally we have to hike into the mountains to reach the Ngäbe with the gospel.
But now they have been coming to us!
Please pray for Panama. The last protest was about building roads to three rural villages in the comarca and it
escalated quickly into violence. The protestors hurled stones at riot police, shattered vehicle windows, and even set fire to
the police station. Ethan and Noah were trapped in traffic for hours before police enabled a few vehicles to pass through.
The passage was quickly closed and the madness continued into the night and over the next two days. Now we keep a
supply of non-perishable food in stock and stay away when the people get angry. Pray for wisdom, patience, and safety.

Support Address : All Points Baptist Mission PO Box 977 New Philadelphia, OH 44663 | “Ethan Shields” in memo