(a recent letter received from Jim & Phyllis Childress, Panama)

Dear band of brothers serving as active agents in the Great Commission,

I want to take time to share this report about our recent short trip to the U. S. to visit family, drop in on a few churches and pastors, celebrate our anniversary (59), spend some time with our sending pastor and take care of some business at Commerce Bank.

We had the opportunity to spend several days at the Mission’s Office campus as well.  I was inspired by what I saw.  I have been granted permission to share this report as I want to share my observations in case you have not had a chance to visit the new location:

The BBFI property is located on the outskirts of the city with access from W. Sunshine and Farm Road 123.   Entrance to the complex is from the state route on W. World Mission Avenue, a downward slope that runs in front of the Office and Event Center.  The entire terrain is a rolling hillside sloping both to the west and south.  The campus has four construction projects, each at a different topography level: 

• The new Mission´s office is one story and is the everyday workplace as a service center.  Upon entering the campus from Farm Road 123, it is the first building.  Unlike the previous building, it is a standalone center of operations.   The design is compact and efficient.  I noted that efficiency is stressed over luxury.   There are plenty of parking spaces for staff and visitors in front of the office entrance.
• The second level has the Event Center building and is similar in style.   It is located near the office building and is used for special meetings and training.  There is more parking at this level.
• After the Event Center the road curves around the area and descends southward to the five ground-level apartments that provide temporary housing.  I believe we were the first to occupy apartment 3. These apartments are like the ones at Kearney Street although there are some modifications – there are two options for double occupancy if needed (rooms 2 and 3; or rooms 4 and 5).  There are five off-road parking spaces.  Praise the Lord, there are no steps to navigate.
• There are seven apartments for retiring missionaries after the slope levels out on Great Commission Ave.  The extended distance from the other three buildings provide privacy for the residents. The seven apartments are under one continuous roof in a town house style design, and each apartment has its own garage.  Four have one bedroom, and three have two bedrooms.  The building offers a curb appeal that I have never experienced during my lifetime.   The red brick exterior is completed, but some final finishes are ongoing on the inside.  It does look like they are close to completion.  I noticed there is a slab for a second complex of seven more retirement homes when needed in the future – I imagine it was done to avoid bringing back heavy equipment to move dirt when the second complex is needed.

I have been touched by all of the personal concern the Mission’s Office staff has applied to perfect their efforts for the benefit of us missionaries.  Changes we have seen in recent years and the efforts that are taking place now have inspired me to be more grateful for the mission’s office demonstrated concern for us.  I have been touched to be more grateful and demonstrate my gratitude.  I think some special thanks to the Mission’s Office is in order and said action would encourage the staff.  I have decided to give a special one-time offering in November as a thank you.

I have no idea what the financial status of the construction is at this time, but I do know that most construction projects incur surprise challenges and cost over-runs.  This is a perfect time to practice bearing one another’s burdens.

I think the examples of Melchizedek and Jacob have been mis-applied in many lessons on tithing.  I see those men as examples of men giving thanksgiving offerings for God’s abundant supply.  I think a special offering of thanksgiving would be a good thing while BBF is facing the challenge of meeting their budget for all of these projects.

 I give to the Mission’s Office monthly but that is not what I am talking about … I am talking about recognizing a special need and responding to it with a spirit of thanksgiving.  In recognition of 49 years of demonstrated love I want to reciprocate with a one-time thanksgiving offering this Thanksgiving season.  I am reminded of Brother Boonstra when he often challenged “just think what we can accomplish when we work together”.  I invite you to join me in this effort to be a blessing to those who have been a blessing to us. This is an opportunity to give thanks in all things.  I invite you to join me in this November opportunity.

Fishing and feeding till Jesus comes,

Jim Childress

BBFI missionary to Panama since 1976