Hello family & friends!

We have arrived safely back in Dallas, TX and are all truly grateful for the opportunity to be used of the Lord in Panama this week. We are humbled by the work He did in the lives of the people of this nation and by the way He revealed Himself to us.

The team is currently in debriefing and learning how to share their story.

We thank you so much for the service of prayer you poured out on our behalf.  The things we saw would not have happened apart from your prayers assaulting the throne of grace and beckoning the heart of God to move to make His name known.

Please pray for these students as they head home.  Ask the Lord to give them strength to stand and to boldly declare the great things God has done. Please pray for those we left behind.  Pray for those who will follow up on those who gave their hearts to Christ this week.  We yearn for more than a one time decision but hope for disciples of Christ to be developed. Lastly, our team and many others long for God’s name to be made great among the Kuna tribes that have been held in bondage for so long.  Beg the Father to break through and rain down salvation among these beautiful people.

Enjoy the last few pictures and thanks again for everything.  We love you.

Dios le bendiga,

Brent Higgins & Katie Kyle
Country Coordinators

The Awe Star office just got word from Country Coordinator Brent Higgins that the team is out of the jungle and on the way back to Panama City.  Brent shared that after he preached the first evangelistic service five Kunas gave their lives to Christ! The team will be on a two-hour bus ride back to the city, clean up and spend the afternoon exploring more of the Panamanian culture, i.e., shopping. They will close out tonight with a service and head to the airport tomorrow morning at 3:45.

The time in Dallas tomorrow is an important day as they begin the debriefing process. This is one of  the most important parts of a missionary’s training: learning to re-enter back into their own culture with the new knowledge and experiences they have received. Again, continue to pray that the team will finish well.

Walker Moore

Hello family and friends!

After a tasty breakfast of Panamanian fry bread this morning, the team headed out to a local park to present the Gospel.  Upon arrival we noticed two police officers who were monitoring the park.  While the team prayed, the leaders and our contact went with the officers to obtain permission to perform the drama in the park.  We could have easily just walked in and set up hoping that they would not shut us down but, realizing that God has all authority, we sought to maintain our position under the authority of the land and receive the officers’ blessing to present.  After one phone call, two offices, a lot of time and much patience we received permission from the city counselor of the area to present the Gospel!

After performing the drama, the team went out and ministered and saw many give their hearts to Christ including, you guessed it, the two police officers.  With much sincerity, they both asked Christ into their hearts and one took his response card and wrote a message to the team on the back asking us to pray for his family.  By staying under the law of the land, God moved in incredible ways to proclaim His name.  He has all authority and we truly learned that our disappointment is God’s divine appointment.

As I write the team is outside the Internet cafe ministering in the streets of Panama.  We have already had an incredible day and are anticipating even more.

Later on this afternoon, the team will work in a high school and a poverty stricken area of the city presenting the Gospel.  Please be lifting up these opportunities.  Ask that many would surrender their hearts to our King.

This will be our last update for awhile as early tomorrow morning, we head for the jungle.  Please be in prayer for our travel their, our time ministering to the Kuna Indians, continued health, greater passion for the Lord, and our discernment as we seek His will for the rest of our time here.  We will be in the jungle all day Thursday and Friday and will return to Panama City Saturday morning.  We’ll be in touch then.

Thank you for walking this journey with us!

Brent & Katie
Country Coordinators

We awoke to an eggs and bacon breakfast today! Yeah!

After we were filled, we headed off to do 6 dramas. Four were in schools. At those four sites, we saw over 600 students pray to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior!!! We are amazed at His grace and so incredibly blessed! We interacted at the schools and got to enjoy the children on their level. This was most or our team’s favorite ministry site so far. They absolutely loved the time with the kids!!!

We rejoined the medical mission team today in a different village. One that is inhabited by gangs . . . the signs and symbols were everywhere. We saw a few salvations here, but were enthused to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ. What a blessed time. Our last drama of the day was in a shopping center that doubles as a bus terminal. We saw several come to Christ here as well. One of our students asked for permission to go to a specific woman who had not seen the drama. The Lord had put her on this young woman’s heart.

It turned out that she and her group of friends were all lesbians. Undaunted, this young woman stayed the course, and shared the gospel message in great detail. The woman she ministered to was very interested, but her friends made it very difficult for her, as they laughed at our student as she did what God called her to do. She did not relent until she had shared all that was in her heart. We are so amazed and proud of her. Most people would have bailed at the first chance, realizing the difficulties and hardness of heart of the situation.

God has blessed this team with spiritual maturity, love for each other, and love for the people of Panama. They are a pleasure to minister beside!

Tonight we had spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. It was sooooo goood! Tonight we are spending time in our small groups and then packing for the jungle. We won’t leave until Thursday morning, but we need to store some things while we are there.

Please pray for our ministry tomorrow, for continued health, for this team to remain strong, and for many continued opportunities for the Salvation of the Lord to come to the people of this land.

Dios Le Bendiga!!!

Katie and Brent, CCs

A wonderful breakfast of Panamanian pancakes, syrup, cereal, and juice was enjoyed before we headed out to do ministry. Wow, was it delicious!

At our first ministry site on the Cinco de Mayo (the main center of town with the busiest pedestrian traffic) one of our student ministry groups encountered a man who had been feeling heavily oppressed by sin. So much so that he began to smoke (again) just today. As the Gospel was shared with him, he spoke a great deal about his mistakes. Amazingly, our student (who is far from fluent) understood what the man was saying! When the man asked if he was sure Jesus could erase all of his sin, our students confirmed that his life could be completely changed. The man took his only remaining cigarette, broke it in half, and threw it down while claiming his victory over sin in Christ!!! Hallelujah! While they spoke, the distractor on the team played game after game with the man’s daughters, to keep them occupied while dad surrendered to Jesus! We give praise to God for our team’s understanding of the language, and this man’s new faith!

At another site, we met up with a medical missions team in a Kuna Indian settlement. While many people sat and waited for treatment, we did the drama and ministered to them. We saw many give their hearts to the Lord. The other team was very gracious and enthusiastic that they were tending the physical needs while we tended the spiritual or eternal needs. We enjoyed them so much that we will work with them again tomorrow in a different village.

We had lunch on the bus, and devoured our PB & Js while heading to another site. It is amazing how good they taste when you are hungry . . . of course, it’s not about the food, it’s about our obedience . . . and that is where the real filling comes from!

We did five drama sites in all today, and then returned home to a chicken and rice dinner. It was so tasty! After we ate to satisfaction, we entered a time of teaching and worship, where the Lord moved over the team in a mighty way! Hearts were completely surrendered before Him and faces glowed in the glory of our God!

Cool showers feel good after a hot and humid day of ministry. Really, we mean it!

Please pray for continued health, for stamina in the heat, for receptive hearts and safe travel. We are so grateful to be here, and thank you for your prayer support and your financial support, to allow this to happen!

We praise God for you and your vital role in lifting up this team.

Until next time, Katie Kyle and Brent Higgins, CCs

Training has gone very well and this team is ready for ministry!

After a day of travel to Miami and then Panama City, we arrived early, and were able to work through customs without incident. We headed to lunch at McDonald’s (yes, even in Panama) and then headed to the grocery store to get a supply of food.

Once filling our needs, we headed out the Mt. Carmel Camp, where we are staying for a few days. We unloaded into our dorm and began to practice the drama. The students are so excited to begin ministry in the morning. The temperature is very hot and the humidity is high. The landscape is green and mountainous, and birds are calling across the horizon. Several large parrots are housed in the camp, and one is most friendly. He seemed to cheer us on while practicing, sweating, and preparing our hearts for God’s best.

Tonight, we ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, called home, and then spent some time together as a team, talking through functions and roles. We are ready to begin to share.

CCs shared in a story time to let the students see how God has moved in the recent past, among His people. All are trying to sleep now, in preparation for the day’s work tomorrow.

Please pray for focus, for surrender, and for many to come to know Him through a personal relationship. We cannot wait to see what He has in store!

Katie and Brent, CCs

The team has arrived in Panama! They are on their way to Camp Mount Carmel where they will be stationed for the next few days. They will finish practicing the gospel presentation, learn how to minister in teams and then get a good night’s rest. Pray for them as tomorrow they will be ministering in Cinco De Mayo, the central marketplace for Panama City. Many people from all walks of life will cross their paths tomorrow. Pray that God will give them boldness and the listeners a receptive heart.

The team has been hard at work learning the gospel presentation “Freedom.” The team has bonded well and the students are excited about leaving tomorrow for Panama. Pray for Brent and Katie as they lead this team. Pray for the team’s health and safety as they travel, pray for the Lord of the harvest to bring seeking souls.

On Monday the team will present the gospel at Cinco De Mayo, the crossroads of commerce for the Panamanians. Tuesday and Wednesday they will be ministering in schools. Thursday through Saturday they will be in the jungle working with the Kuna people in the village of Icandi (translated “Clear Water” in English). Sunday they will be heading  back to the USA for debriefing and home Monday. This means lots of work in a short time. We will continue to post updates on the students’ progress. Thank you so much for your prayers!

Walker Moore

Awe Star Ministries