When I read the book of Exodus, I often have a hard time understanding, much less relating to, the Israelites. Israel suffers, performing back-breaking labor under an Egyptian king who stops at nothing to keep them in slavery, including killing their children. God hears their cries, demonstrates his power over rival “deities” and “kings,” showsContinue reading “Teaching in the D.R.”
Author Archives: ajpanaggio
2026: THE Year
It generally takes me a while to remember that we are in a new year. That is not the case in 2026. My family and I have been looking forward to this year, in one way or another, for thirteen years! Adriana and I moved to the US in 2013 to pursue the training weContinue reading “2026: THE Year”
Happy Thanksgiving!
The date of our departure from the US nears! We aim to return to Peru in the summer of 2026. This has caused us to marvel all the more in the beauty of Michigan’s fall and to delight in little things like cutting down our own Christmas tree, the way sunlight sparkles on freshly fallenContinue reading “Happy Thanksgiving!”
Dominican Republic and the Gospel
59,000,000. By 2050 there will be approximately 59 million more Christians in Latin America than there are now. 59,000,000!!!!!** If there is only 1 pastor for every 100 Christians, then Latin America will need at least 590,000 new pastors in the next 24 years. The Center for the Study of Global Christianity calculates that onlyContinue reading “Dominican Republic and the Gospel”
We’ve Signed!
I am the resurrection and the life… Do you believe this? I recently encountered Jesus’ astounding statement in a new way while working through John 11:17–27. Jesus speaks these words to Martha, sister of Mary and Lazarus, while she suffers a tragedy. She grieves the loss of her beloved brother and worries over the financialContinue reading “We’ve Signed!”
Big progress as the summer begins
“How long, oh Lord?” “How long will you hide your face from me?” “How long…” “How long…” Four times, David cried out to God in Psalm 13 for an answer from the depths of despair and doubt. He needed an answer not to why this was happening but to when it would be over. DavidContinue reading “Big progress as the summer begins”
Gracias Dios por…
As we drove from Michigan to Pennsylvania for a Thanksgiving reunion with Adriana’s older brother (my best friend since high school), our sister-in-law, and their two kids, I asked Adriana: “When we move back to Peru, what U.S. traditions would you like our family to continue?” We agreed on two: We love Thanksgiving because weContinue reading “Gracias Dios por…”
Slow but steady…
Since we returned from our vision-trip to Peru in July, our kids often ask, “when we live in Peru, will we…?” They are excited and thinking about our move. Their enthusiasm encourages us as we slowly but surely make progress toward the goal of returning to Peru in January or February of 2026. We haveContinue reading “Slow but steady…”
Vision Trip 2024 (post-trip)
“Please Mommy, never make us do that again,” pleaded Ilana after we finally arrived in Grand Rapids on July 3rd around 11 pm. She was referring to our 25-hour trek from Lima to Grand Rapids which began with an overnight flight leaving at 2:30 am. The journey was rough, but the trip was great! WeContinue reading “Vision Trip 2024 (post-trip)”
Vision Trip 2024 (pre-trip)!
Our family has exciting news! We are going to Perú for a vision and reconnection trip from June 7th to July 3rd. The last time we were there was 2017—seven long years ago—for the wedding of my sister to Adriana’s brother (yes, that is legal). At the time, Aila (8) was 1.5 years old andContinue reading “Vision Trip 2024 (pre-trip)!”
Asi es la vida... 