Some News from Panama

Kenny King

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

It is our hope that this note catches you in preparation for Christ the King Sunday and the onset of Advent. It is also a approaching time for the celebration of my ordination to the Sacred Order of Priests in the Anglican / Episcopal Communion. Please join with me on November 30th (St. Andrew's Feast Day) as I continue to rededicate myself to the calling that God has placed before me.

Also this week, please keep me in your prayers, as I have moved to accept a new position in the Diocese of Panama. At the request of the Bishop of Panama, the People of God here in the Provence of Bocas del Toro, and with the grace of God; I am accepting the position of Provencal over the parishes of this region. My new responsibilities will be for the spiritual direction and shepherd for Santa Maria de Virgen, Isla Colon, Bocas Town; St. Jorge's Episcopal Church, Almirante; Transfiguration Episcopal Church, Changrinola; St. Michael's, Guiabito and various preaching stations throughout the Provence. I will be traveling from our home in Almirante throughout the ensuing weeks preaching, celebrating the Eucharist and offering the sacraments to these various communities; and overseeing the operations of these parishes and stations in their day to day activities. Pray for me that I may receive the guidance, wisdom and knowledge to give the People of God the Good News of the Gospel of Christ.

Our lives continue to be extremely busy, as we have had two funerals in the last week and I celebrate the Blessing of a Marriage on December 7th. God continue to grow the Church in this area and the English Only Service begun on Isla Colon now has a regular attendance of North Americans and European Citizens. We continue to be amazed at the grace of God in this ministry.

Our struggles continue as we call the "powers that be" to accountability for their treatment of workers and people of this Provence. We make little, but steady progress, as these powers continue to oppress a people who have little hope for the future of their children. Often now, in the beginning of our rainy season, we struggle for lights and water. When we have two to three boats in port, we loose all power and water so the ships can be supplied by the company. The Company has little regard for life here, and we seem to be a expendable community as we try to educate the children without lights for study at night, water to bathe in or clean dishes or clothes with. Yet there are communities around us that do not have even these basis necessities, mostly the indigenous populations. Pray that God will soften the hearts of the "powers that be" and give them a concern for their fellow human brothers and sisters.

May God continue to Bless and Keep you in your individual ministries and in the work of our beloved parish family. We miss you all greatly and our prayers continue to support you in the work that God has set before you.

Many Blessings,

Fr. Kenny Ryan-King, and Oonagh
Your Missionaries in Panama

"All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing." Sir Edmund Burke