Ah, Panama!

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">Mission to Panama

 

 TOCUMEN, PANAMA CITY, PANAMA

July 18-27, 2013

Going to Panama was motivated by my desire to go back to a location I lived in for three years in my youth. My father was stationed at Fort Clayton in the Canal Zone about 35 years ago. I attended Curundu Jr. High School. Believe or not, three years was somewhat a stable period of time for a “military brat.” I had the best time there, but I remember I was actively seeking the Lord. I was Catholic and went to church, took Catechism, and even read the Good News Bible (New Testament Bible that was available in the church). It seemed like I knew about God, but He seemed far away. I REALLY wanted to get close to God and have a personal connection. I didn’t experience that connection until I heard the Gospel very clearly from a classmate in Hawaii two after I left Panama.

I’ve learned since then that when we share our faith with others, we need to do the “ask” to give people the opportunity to respond to accept God’s offer to restore a relationship that was broken from the original sin by believing in His Son, Jesus, who came to earth, suffered and died the substitutionary death to take our punishment and sin away. He was buried and then rose from the dead on the third day. He is called Savior because he saves people from sin and its consequence: death – both spiritual and physical. When we believe, we are given a spiritual birth and become a part of the family of God. When our physical bodies no longer exist, we will be given new bodies someday. Most importantly, we can be close to God because Jesus made it possible to have access to the Father. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me.” 

It was my hope that I would be able to share the Gospel with people who may be searching for a relationship with God like I was when I lived in Panama. God directed our team to Tocumen, San Antonio area, in Panama City. The majority of our time was spent with the youth in Pacora, Tocumen, San Juan, and one day in La Gueca. God granted more than I hoped for or imagined. Our translator/national missionary and the local pastor’s wife approached a school in San Antonio to ask if we can share God’s story with the kids. After hearing a short presentation with the Evangecube, she wanted every single student to have the opportunity to hear the Gospel.

For two days, we were allowed to go to each classroom, starting with seventh graders. It

was a school of 2,000 students, from Kindergarten to 7^th grade. We were allowed 15 minutes to present the Gospel in each classroom. There were only five of us the first day, but I was the only one who didn’t speak fluent Spanish in the Tocumen team (another team went to Pacora to work with a church there). Each classroom gladly received the Good News and stood to their feet to pray to accept the gift of salvation through Jesus. Some of the teachers were not in the classroom, but a lot of them also received Christ as their savior, while some were evangelical Christians. Our wonderful translators/national missionaries had the children extend their hands to pray a prayer of blessing for their teachers. On the second day we were able to reach the children all the way down to the third grade. 

I heard the second graders were anticipating our visit to their classrooms, but we did not have the time to it. We did reach 1,186 in that school...Gloria a Dios!

My friend Josefina wanted to do a mission trip when she retired, but with the help of family and friends and Salinas Valley Community Church, she was able to go on this trip and share her faith in Spanish. She said the highlight of this mission trip for her was the Panamanian people. They were loving, generous, and opened up their homes, their hearts and their lives to us. Our team was really small, so the churches we were serving were asked if they would be able to provide housing and food to us. They willingly did so. Our host families: Marcela and Sonia. Also pictured below is Rita, one of our wonderful translators.

 Pastor and his wife in Tocumen and home church leaders and family in San Juan. We celebrated "Children's Day" which seems like an annual celebration and special program and ministry for children. Pictured below is the San Juan leader's neighbors' car port. It rained on and off the day we ministered in San Juan. The church's prayer request is for sponsorship of something similar so the kids and adults can meet even if it rains. The home is small inside, so 24 neighborhood kids were better accommodated outside.

During the other times of our stay in Pacora and Tocumen, we visited homes in the community to share God's Word. We also visited church members to pray and encourage each other in the Lord. We had evening meetings as well where we could share our testimonies and what God has revealed to us.

 Tour Day - Link to Panama Canal video

 

On behalf of Chris and Josefina (pictured above at the Miraflores Locks) and the Panama crew, many thanks to those who supported us financially and through prayer. God is amazing. His wonders never ceases.

Isla Perico

Today you will be with me in Paradise

Almost half of 2013 is gone. I knew I wanted to start this year giving thanks to God and reflecting on what he has done for me. It's been 32 years since a high school classmate in Honolulu explained to me that Christ died for me because his love was great for me, and so that I may be rescued from the consequences of sin. When I surrendered my life and gave my heart to Jesus as savior and Lord, I received such a peace that I knew my life would never be the same.

For my birthday in February, I stayed at a friend's condo in Lihue, Kauai. It was a retreat from the normal activity and time set aside to reflect on God and appreciate the beauty of his handiwork. Hawaii seems like paradise. When I think of the word paradise, I sometimes think about one of the thieves on the cross who was crucified with Jesus. He obviously didn't lead a righteous life, but God was kind, gracious, and loving. Because that thief believed that Jesus was the Son of God, and an admitted sinner, Jesus assured him that he will be with him in paradise that day.

I don't know what paradise is like that Jesus was referring to, but I do know that peace with God is paradise to me; the peace of God comes with being friends with God. When trouble comes such as the death of a loved one, the promise of his presence in this life and the next life has given me hope and a peace beyond understanding. My sister and friend, Arceli, passed away at the end of March; a huge loss in my life. The omnipotent, omniscient, everlasting God is with me...and she is in his presence face to face. Her faith becomes sight.