I am back from Panama and I don't know whether to be sad or happy. It is very bittersweet.
Panama was just beautiful and life changing!
It all started on June 11th, with Missionary Advisor training. A missionary advisor is a leader that is over a small group of girls called a Missionary Advisor Group [MAG] and small group of guys & girls, which is called a Ministering In Groups [MIG].  |
| My MAG, Annette & Hannah |
For the first few days, we had many hours of training in Garden Valley first. We had many sessions and spend a long day outside, learning skits and songs for our Vocational Bible School that we were doing on the Islands and the Jungle. I was put into leadership as the MC for Vocational Bible Study. Being in leadership is something that I had to learn to love. Naturally, it is easy for me to be a leader with a team of leaders, but during this trip, I had to learn that God gives us authority. He is going to put us in positions that stretch us and being in leadership by myself was something I had to face and be confident in. I had such great team leaders that poured into me daily and empowered me every time I had to face the small group of kids.
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After hut to hut ministry, my MIG Kendra, Verity, Nathan & Breanna |
On June 15th, we made our journey to Panama City. We all got to rest at a camp and get ready for our boat rides over to the Islands for our first week of ministry. After a few complications with logistics, we took a 5 hours boat ride to the Nargana Island. Upon arrival we went up to a island that had trash every where. The island had no plumbing, but for Panama is was a very modern island. They had electricity, so we heard music and televisions and most people had cell phones and wifi. We were greeting by the Silas and headed our way to the church where we would be housing. Immediately kids from every corner saw that the Americans were hear and greeted us with welcoming smiles and hugs. Our group quickly put our things down and went out to the court to play with the children. We played duck, duck, goose or in Panama they say "gato, gato, perro." which is cat, cat, dog. We all were just drenched in the humidity and ready to call it a night, but we had one problem. Our hammocks and food were shipped to the wrong island. The locals were so giving though and let us use their own hammocks while our leaders found out which island our things went.
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| The Nargana Island |
Throughout the week, our schedule looked kinda like this:
6am: wake up & get ready
7am: breakfast
8am: quiet time
9am: time with your MAG
9:30am: hut to hut ministry with your MIG
11:30 lunch
12:30 VBS
2:30 processing the day
3:00 MAG time
4:00 preparation for the next day
5:00 dinner
6:00 showers
8:00 couch time
It was definitely exhausting in the heat. We all were very ready to sleep, but we all had a few rough nights because of some noises we heard throughout the night and a very loud thunderstorm. At 4:30 every morning, a man were blow a conch and call all the women to clean their huts. We also had a cat at night that would get into fights with other animals right next to the church. It was definitely an experience that won't be forgotten any time soon.
On June 25th, we all got back on the boats and headed back to Panama City. It was so bittersweet. We all got very attached to the natives and many tears were shed. The children were probably the hardest to say goodbye too. They all would just climb up you and beg you not to leave. I was left speechless so many times. We all headed back to the city and got to experience our first free day of shopping in Panama City.
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| Effie, Leianna, Luciero and I |
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| The buildings in Panama City |
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| Braceletes! Bracelets! |
On June 29th, we all took a 4 hour bus ride to the Darien jungle. When we arrived at our Te Kuna village, it was definitely something that I did not expect. This village was a lot less modern and the people mostly spoke Kuna, unlike the at the islands where people spoke Spanish majority of the time.
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| Showers in the river. |
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| All of our hammocks |
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| The bathroom.....sick. |
There also was a lot of spiritual warfare in the villages. Many of the people did not know who Jesus Christ was, but they believed in God and many other idols. The children also were very hesitant to approach us.
We went straight in with our typical schedule and ministry was great and the same with VBS. We all really learned to work together as a team and made great friendships with the older people in the villages. The children also became used to us and open to us.
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| Celestino showing off his artwork |
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| Playing red light, green light 150 charging after me to win a prize! |
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| Leianna and I in Kuna skirts |
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| He was so fun! He only spoke Kuna, so he didn't talk much |
On July 8th we all were back in Garden Valley, debriefing on how our trip went. Today, I still cannot believe how fast my trip went. Throughout the weeks I learned so much about boldness and having authority. At both the islands and the villages, there was a language barrier because well...I don't speak spanish [yet!] and there was so many opportunities that our group could've just gave up and quit.
Psalm 37:5
"Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
and He shall bring it to pass."
Our group had to remember to trust in Him, because even though we didn't see mighty miracles like a blind person seeing or lame person walking, we had to let God do what He wanted to do. I do believe that miracles did happen they were done on the inside. Many people got a chance to encounter the Lord in such a way that is so unexplainable.
So to everyone who has been praying and supporting me, I cannot express my gratitude for everything that you have done for the Kingdom of God. Miracles did happen, hearts were softened and many gave their lives to the Lord during our trip. Your acts of service helped make this happen! Thank you! (:
Sincerely,
Abigail Marie
