Honeymoon In Pastoral Ministry
We ministers love to talk about the ‘honeymoon period’ at the start of a new ministry. I was enjoying mine. But, as they say all honeymoons must come to an end! And when mine did, I took it all in stride as I had expected it to end sooner or later.
Nonetheless, I did not gripe or mope. I simply gave thanks to God for allowing me to have had such a wonderful start. The couple days playing tourist, and the excitement of shopping to ‘set up house’ and of course the warm reception and constant concern of the membership. Who could complain? It was good while it lasted.
Domestic Challenges
The normal wear and tear that occurs with houses became a cause for concern. And even as I hoped it wouldn’t get any worse the telephone at home that worked "off and on" for about three days after our arrival fell silent. Not another tone out of it. It stayed dead for two months!
When the phone went we learnt that some enterprising individuals in and around Colon have a highly profitable trade of stealing and selling telephone cables because of the copper wires. Panama’s copper industry is certainly being boosted. It was obviously my turn to experience what several of my members at church were already experiencing. [One of them actually lost hers the exact time I went by her house to try to use the phone and access the Internet!!]
Challenges at Work
After two weeks dragging my laptop around, one day it decided it had had enough, so it stopped working. The church did not have a working computer and much of what I had started doing came to a halt. I had a lot of things stored on my computer from Jamaica, hoping to cut down on materials that I had to take with me.
Computer repairs took nearly three months. Time, plus other costs are still making my head spin. There was also the disappointment of watching what promised to be a good thing grind to a halt. The majority of those who attend Bible Study are professionals who have access to email. They requested copies of the Bible studies and were forwarding them to their friends and family members overseas as well.
I started an active mailing group and discussions with them on the topic ‘Developing and Maintaining Your Spiritual Life’. Of course, the excitement wore off when there was no more computer to facilitate this process.
Finally, I got back my laptop and would you believe it – the computer the church was planning to buy came that same week. A few days later I got Internet, and after almost three months making little or no contact with family and friends I was re-connected to the world again.
I am still not sure what God intended in that period of isolation. To be disconnected from everyone so early after my arrival, is not my idea of how I would have gone about ensuring that I get a break.
Thankfully though, the entire honeymoon did not crash. We simply had a glitch in communications. Of course you all know that is usually the beginning of sorrows. 
Still, I look at the bright side. It could have been much worse. Communications with the outside world was challenged, but that regarding the relationship with my congregation has been growing in some amazing and amusing ways.
Wait till you read more in next part on the issue of language.
Until Pt. 5
Marvia
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