The holiday season has already proven to be quite different here in Panama. I'm not talking about local traditions, but my own view and preparation of the holidays. My shopping, rushing, eating, etc. and the lack of commercialization of the holiday.
In the states, I hear a lot of talk about eating too much over the holidays. In Panama, I've heard no one talk about that or about how after the holidays they will begin their diet. Eating seems to be going on at it's normal pace here in Panama. No extra goodies everywhere and people trying to avoid them. I kind of miss all the yummy stuff!
In the states, people are rushing around stressed out and thus, stressing others out. Shopping, buying, buying some more, and then buying extra in case they need more gifts. In Panama, there are gift baskets in stores. They are small ones and include such things as a box of cereal, toilet paper, and beans and rice. Nothing extravagant, but what a gift of necessity. I have seen an increase in shopping, but not an increase in rudeness or stress. And I haven't seen an increase in rushing. I'm not sure that Panamanians rush anytime, and I think, for the most part, that is a good thing.
We haven't seen people climbing ladders to hang Christmas lights and put up extreme house decorations. In fact, we have only seen a handful of Christmas lights up here in El Valle. However, we did see our neighbor climbing a ladder into a pine tree to cut limbs to make his Christmas tree. It is now beautifully put together up on his front porch with moss (hand-picked) underneath with a nativity scene.
In some ways, it doesn't feel like Christmas here. However, as I look around, I somehow feel like this helps me focus on what Christmas is really all about because commercialized distractions have been removed. I can remember that this a celebration of the birth of my Savior. A time to reflect on the love of the Father who sent his only son to be born into a people who would ultimately reject and kill him. A time to focus on the other great gifts that the Father has given me. And a time to share the Father's love with those around me.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
90-Day Mandatory Vacation
We are here in Panama on a tourist visa, which means we can be here for 90 days with no problem. However, at the end of that 90 days, we must exit the country for 72 hours and then we can re-enter for another 90 days. We just encountered our first 90-day mandatory vacation. This time we chose to go to Costa Rica.
I thought that Costa Rica would be very similar to Panama because they are both small, Central American countries that share a border. However, it was quite different. Attitudes, landscape, nuances of the language, and even the food were different.
Day one we took a cab to El Museo de los Ninos. It was so fun. They had at least 35 exhibits which included exhibits on airplanes, marine life, astronautics, light and color, body health, fossils, etc. Did I mention that this museum was in the old penitentary? It was quite entertaining!
We chose to be touristy tourists on this trip, and so we took a day excursion. First, we went to see the ruins of Cartago, which used to be the capital of Costa Rica before they moved it to San Jose. Lots of ghost stories regarding the ruins and the Catholic cathedrals there.
Next, we went to the Irazu Volcano, which is the tallest, active volcano in Costa Rica. It was extremely cool. No, really, it was probably in the 40's. The week earlier there had actually been snow on the top of the volcano. It was also very beautiful! We got to walk down into one of the smaller craters of the volcano. And in the largest crater, there was a lake which was a beautiful green due to the minerals in the water. Awesome.
From there, we got to have a traditional Costa Rican breakfast at a small restaurant, and then we headed to the Sarapiqui River where we got to ride a boat down the river. We got to see iguanas, howler monkeys, American crocodiles, cattle egrets, toucans, a sloth, squirrel cuckoos, and numerous other birds. Keep in mind, this was not a zoo, but these animals were in the wild. . . in their natural habitat. Again, very awesome!
We got to go on a horseback ride - short, but sweet. Aivlyn thought that was the best thing EVER! And at this place, they also had a butterfly house, a frog sanctuary containing poisonous frogs, and a snake house. Interesting!
Last day, we went down to the Mercado Central. What a crazy, busy area. Store after store after store. And in the middle of the sidewalks, people would lay down black plastic, and set up shop selling CD's, purses, hats, underwear, etc. You name it, you could find it. Whew! We didn't stay there too long because it was too crazy.
We thoroughly enjoyed our first mandatory vacation! And made some great memories doing it.
I thought that Costa Rica would be very similar to Panama because they are both small, Central American countries that share a border. However, it was quite different. Attitudes, landscape, nuances of the language, and even the food were different.
Day one we took a cab to El Museo de los Ninos. It was so fun. They had at least 35 exhibits which included exhibits on airplanes, marine life, astronautics, light and color, body health, fossils, etc. Did I mention that this museum was in the old penitentary? It was quite entertaining!
We chose to be touristy tourists on this trip, and so we took a day excursion. First, we went to see the ruins of Cartago, which used to be the capital of Costa Rica before they moved it to San Jose. Lots of ghost stories regarding the ruins and the Catholic cathedrals there.
Next, we went to the Irazu Volcano, which is the tallest, active volcano in Costa Rica. It was extremely cool. No, really, it was probably in the 40's. The week earlier there had actually been snow on the top of the volcano. It was also very beautiful! We got to walk down into one of the smaller craters of the volcano. And in the largest crater, there was a lake which was a beautiful green due to the minerals in the water. Awesome.
From there, we got to have a traditional Costa Rican breakfast at a small restaurant, and then we headed to the Sarapiqui River where we got to ride a boat down the river. We got to see iguanas, howler monkeys, American crocodiles, cattle egrets, toucans, a sloth, squirrel cuckoos, and numerous other birds. Keep in mind, this was not a zoo, but these animals were in the wild. . . in their natural habitat. Again, very awesome!
We got to go on a horseback ride - short, but sweet. Aivlyn thought that was the best thing EVER! And at this place, they also had a butterfly house, a frog sanctuary containing poisonous frogs, and a snake house. Interesting!
Last day, we went down to the Mercado Central. What a crazy, busy area. Store after store after store. And in the middle of the sidewalks, people would lay down black plastic, and set up shop selling CD's, purses, hats, underwear, etc. You name it, you could find it. Whew! We didn't stay there too long because it was too crazy.
We thoroughly enjoyed our first mandatory vacation! And made some great memories doing it.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Limoncito o limon: A typical language story
So, as many of you may know, Aaron and I came to Panama knowing little Spanish. We still know little, but it is more than when we began. Along this journey of learning a new language, we have had some funny stories.
Often, we will ask things like, "How do you say cheesecake in Spanish?" only to have the reply be, "Cheesecake." "Oh! Thanks." Needless to say, these scenarios are a little embarassing.
The other thing we do often is to either use Google Translator or our little Spanish Translation book which Aivlyn calls the "bible." If we are out and about in the car, we will use the book which is what we did today.
I have a spice kit for Garlic and Lime Chicken Fajitas and I was planning on using it today. I had all the ingredients except for lime juice which I could not find at the big grocery store in Coronado. So, I thought I would try looking in some of the local Chinos. Again, I couldn't find any. My last resort was to check the market in downtown El Valle. As we are driving there, I quickly look up the word lime in the little book. It says, "(fruit) limoncito." Great! I practice saying it a couple of times as Aaron pulls into the front of the market. I jump out of the car and walk up to the stands. I don't see limes, but a lady approaches me and I say, "Tu tiene limoncitos?" She gives me the blank I-have-no-idea-what-you-said stare, and says, "Limon?" I say, "No, limoncito. . . limon verde." She points at a bag of what appear to be limes and says, "Limons." "Si. Cuanto questo?" I ask. She tells me; I buy the limes and go back to the car. As I get into the car, I look at Aaron, start laughing and say, "Apparently, limes are not called limoncitos here." We laugh at ourselves. . . again. And head home.
At home, I reinforce my learning by asking our housekeeper about it. She confirms that there is not a difference between limes and lemons here. All are called "limon."
Hmmm. . . thanks little translation book, I think.
Often, we will ask things like, "How do you say cheesecake in Spanish?" only to have the reply be, "Cheesecake." "Oh! Thanks." Needless to say, these scenarios are a little embarassing.
The other thing we do often is to either use Google Translator or our little Spanish Translation book which Aivlyn calls the "bible." If we are out and about in the car, we will use the book which is what we did today.
I have a spice kit for Garlic and Lime Chicken Fajitas and I was planning on using it today. I had all the ingredients except for lime juice which I could not find at the big grocery store in Coronado. So, I thought I would try looking in some of the local Chinos. Again, I couldn't find any. My last resort was to check the market in downtown El Valle. As we are driving there, I quickly look up the word lime in the little book. It says, "(fruit) limoncito." Great! I practice saying it a couple of times as Aaron pulls into the front of the market. I jump out of the car and walk up to the stands. I don't see limes, but a lady approaches me and I say, "Tu tiene limoncitos?" She gives me the blank I-have-no-idea-what-you-said stare, and says, "Limon?" I say, "No, limoncito. . . limon verde." She points at a bag of what appear to be limes and says, "Limons." "Si. Cuanto questo?" I ask. She tells me; I buy the limes and go back to the car. As I get into the car, I look at Aaron, start laughing and say, "Apparently, limes are not called limoncitos here." We laugh at ourselves. . . again. And head home.
At home, I reinforce my learning by asking our housekeeper about it. She confirms that there is not a difference between limes and lemons here. All are called "limon."
Hmmm. . . thanks little translation book, I think.
Monday, November 15, 2010
I'm Thankful for. . .
Being in Panama and away from the comforts and "security" I'm used to has changed my perspective. I have come to appreciate things in different ways. So, during this time of year as we focus on things we are thankful for, I thought I would do the same through my Panama eyes. Here goes!
1. I'm thankful for Skype. I can talk to family back home without running up a huge bill. Even our $.10/minute Panamanian cell phone can add up a big charge with a good conversation.
2. I'm thankful for Spanish-speaking friends who know to speak slowly and dumb-down anything they're trying to say to me in hopes that I might get it.
3. I'm thankful for mechanics who make housecalls and can teach my husband how to use jumper cables to connect the battery to the glow plugs so we can always start our car.
4. I'm thankful for Chinos/tiendas/kioskos within a couple of blocks where I can buy grocery necessities, but nothing extravaggant.
5. I'm thankful for days of beautiful, warm sunshine after many, many days of torrential rain.
6. I'm thankful for bug spray. . . if only I could remember to use it every day.
7. I'm thankful for Calamine lotion for when I don't remember the bug spray.
8. I'm thankful for friends who own lots of movies and let us borrow many at a time.
9. I'm thankful for my washer and dryer. I saw a Panamanian woman washing individual items of clothing (off a large pile) in a sink yesterday and hanging them to dry, and was re-thankful for my machines.
10. I'm thankful for Google Translator which helps me make some sense in Spanish when I have the time to use it. And for gracious Panamanians who wait patiently while I slowly speak my Spanish phrases.
11. I'm thankful for lush mountain scenery out my kitchen window and for beautiful black beaches which we can enjoy during a day trip.
12. I'm thankful for hiking as a recreation not a necessity. We met a boy 45 minutes into our uphill hike today who still had "un hora mas a mi casa" (1 hour more to my house). We headed down at that point.
13. I'm thankful for Denise who watches out kids for a couple of hours a week so Aaron and I can have a break from being with them. When you homeschool and don't have a mall or stores to just run in to just look around, you don't get much a break from your kids.
14. I'm thankful for the senses of humor of my family.
Aaron. . . well, most of you know him.
Mylen cracks me up with his sarcasm and funny expressions.
Aivlyn has really begun to get into role-playing and can take it to an extreme.
15. I'm thankful for family and friends who plan on visiting. It gives me something to look forward to.
And on a much more serious note. . .
17. I'm thankful for a God who can bridge gaps of culture and language to bring people together in Him.
18. I'm thankful for the invitation to come directly to God himself anytime with anything on my mind.
19. I'm thankful for the guardian angels God has given to watch over me and my family.
20. I'm thankful for the hope that I have in my Savior, Jesus.
21. I'm thankful that I am a child of The King of Kings!
Gracias, Padre, por todo lo que haces por mi! Thank you, Father, for everything you have done for me!
1. I'm thankful for Skype. I can talk to family back home without running up a huge bill. Even our $.10/minute Panamanian cell phone can add up a big charge with a good conversation.
2. I'm thankful for Spanish-speaking friends who know to speak slowly and dumb-down anything they're trying to say to me in hopes that I might get it.
3. I'm thankful for mechanics who make housecalls and can teach my husband how to use jumper cables to connect the battery to the glow plugs so we can always start our car.
4. I'm thankful for Chinos/tiendas/kioskos within a couple of blocks where I can buy grocery necessities, but nothing extravaggant.
5. I'm thankful for days of beautiful, warm sunshine after many, many days of torrential rain.
6. I'm thankful for bug spray. . . if only I could remember to use it every day.
7. I'm thankful for Calamine lotion for when I don't remember the bug spray.
8. I'm thankful for friends who own lots of movies and let us borrow many at a time.
9. I'm thankful for my washer and dryer. I saw a Panamanian woman washing individual items of clothing (off a large pile) in a sink yesterday and hanging them to dry, and was re-thankful for my machines.
10. I'm thankful for Google Translator which helps me make some sense in Spanish when I have the time to use it. And for gracious Panamanians who wait patiently while I slowly speak my Spanish phrases.
11. I'm thankful for lush mountain scenery out my kitchen window and for beautiful black beaches which we can enjoy during a day trip.
12. I'm thankful for hiking as a recreation not a necessity. We met a boy 45 minutes into our uphill hike today who still had "un hora mas a mi casa" (1 hour more to my house). We headed down at that point.
13. I'm thankful for Denise who watches out kids for a couple of hours a week so Aaron and I can have a break from being with them. When you homeschool and don't have a mall or stores to just run in to just look around, you don't get much a break from your kids.
14. I'm thankful for the senses of humor of my family.
Aaron. . . well, most of you know him.
Mylen cracks me up with his sarcasm and funny expressions.
Aivlyn has really begun to get into role-playing and can take it to an extreme.
15. I'm thankful for family and friends who plan on visiting. It gives me something to look forward to.
16. I'm thankful for working appliances and a good landlord who replaces them quickly when they stop working.
And on a much more serious note. . .
17. I'm thankful for a God who can bridge gaps of culture and language to bring people together in Him.
18. I'm thankful for the invitation to come directly to God himself anytime with anything on my mind.
19. I'm thankful for the guardian angels God has given to watch over me and my family.
20. I'm thankful for the hope that I have in my Savior, Jesus.
21. I'm thankful that I am a child of The King of Kings!
Gracias, Padre, por todo lo que haces por mi! Thank you, Father, for everything you have done for me!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Panama's Independence Day
Panama has just finished celebrating its independence on November 3rd. Panama claimed its independence from Colombia in 1903 with the help of the US (thus the friendly relationship between the two).
Now when I say "band," I mostly mean percussion. Ok, ALL percussion! 3+ big bass drums, scores of snare drums, and the girls play the xylophones. I'm not talking about 1 or 2 girls playing xylophones in the back of the group. There were probably 10 girls playing the xylophone leading each band. In addition, the sound of the xylophone was not subtle; they played entire songs all in unison. Couple the xylophones with the bass drums (being beaten for all they were worth), throw in a few cymbals and what you have is. . . Very loud and a very good beat. I'd give it a 9.5!
The twirling groups were another point of interest. Lots of girls twirling batons! They ranged in size from very small (probably 4-5 years old) to high school-aged girls. Each group had their own uniform which, I've learned, are hand-sewn each year to fit that specific girl. A few of the groups didn't twirl batons, but had Chinese fans that they did a routine with. All in all, quite entertaining.
We also got to see traditional dress. The traditional Panamanian dress for a lady is called a pollera. They are full-length skirts that must take yards of material to make. They have multiple ruffles that make up the shirt that matches. Then there are the shoes that match the ball that goes at the neck of the shirt. Very pretty, and the little girls, obviously, learn at an early age the appropriate way to hold the sides of their pollera. And the boys with their cute Panamanian hat and white shirts. The second picture above shows two girls: one in traditional Panamanian dress and one in traditional Kuna Indian dress.
We got to celebrate Independence Day with our city, El Valle. It, like almost all other Panamanian cities had a parade. The parade for El Valle, which is a small town, had 5 or 6 bands in the parade, 7-8 twirling brigades, and numerous other civic groups.
Now when I say "band," I mostly mean percussion. Ok, ALL percussion! 3+ big bass drums, scores of snare drums, and the girls play the xylophones. I'm not talking about 1 or 2 girls playing xylophones in the back of the group. There were probably 10 girls playing the xylophone leading each band. In addition, the sound of the xylophone was not subtle; they played entire songs all in unison. Couple the xylophones with the bass drums (being beaten for all they were worth), throw in a few cymbals and what you have is. . . Very loud and a very good beat. I'd give it a 9.5!
The twirling groups were another point of interest. Lots of girls twirling batons! They ranged in size from very small (probably 4-5 years old) to high school-aged girls. Each group had their own uniform which, I've learned, are hand-sewn each year to fit that specific girl. A few of the groups didn't twirl batons, but had Chinese fans that they did a routine with. All in all, quite entertaining.
We also got to see traditional dress. The traditional Panamanian dress for a lady is called a pollera. They are full-length skirts that must take yards of material to make. They have multiple ruffles that make up the shirt that matches. Then there are the shoes that match the ball that goes at the neck of the shirt. Very pretty, and the little girls, obviously, learn at an early age the appropriate way to hold the sides of their pollera. And the boys with their cute Panamanian hat and white shirts. The second picture above shows two girls: one in traditional Panamanian dress and one in traditional Kuna Indian dress.
The parade was really neat. It was also quite long. In addition to having to wait for one band to be far enough away so the next one to be heard, you also had all the parents of the students in one band following their child's band along the parade route. So, the entire parade looked like this: Band, parents, wait, wait, wait, twirlers, parents, band, parents, wait, wait, band, parents, twirlers, parents, wait, wait. . . Well, I think you get the picture. So, on the first day of the parade, we watched for almost 2 hours and with no end in sight decided we needed to go home and eat lunch. The next day (yes, the same parade two days in a row), we arrived later, and got to see the remainder that we hadn't seen the day before. Probably a two and half hour parade.
So, Happy Independence Day to Panama! Thanks for letting us celebrate with you.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
God at Work! Part II: Nico's Story
In the last post, I mentioned our new friend, Nico. With his permission, I am sharing his amazing testimony of God's work in his life.
Nico grew up in Panama City in a very rough part. Probably what Americans would consider "inner city." He said most of his friends were dead by 18 or 20 years old because of the rough lifestyle they lived in. Nico was an artist, and one day a man saw his art work and told Nico (when he was about 17 years old), "God has blessed you with this incredible talent. He will use that talent to get you out of here." Nico, having grown up with a Catholic background, believed in God, but God was not truly part of his life. So, he took that information and liked the idea of the hope it provided, but wasn't sure he really believed it.
In the meantime, life for Nico went on. Surviving and living this rough life in Panama City. Several years went by, and Nico's mom had moved to El Valle. One weekend, he came to visit her and brought a couple of his paintings with him. He quickly sold his paintings and made a decent amount of money from them. He began thinking that he should look into coming to El Valle more often. Slowly, he was able to save money from selling his artwork, and he was able to move to El Valle. This was 10 years after the man had told him that God would use his talent to get him out of that bad place in Panama City.
Once in El Valle, Nico met Bianca. They began their life together, but still, Nico says, "Something was missing." He was learning English, but was always looking for opportunities to learn more. He was also searching spiritually and longing for a personal connection to God.
Time passed, and one day a man came into Nico's shop at the market. Nico says, "I don't know how we began a 'God conversation' but we did. And this man, gave him the name and phone number of a lady from the city who would come and study the Bible and English with Nico through the Let's Start Talking program. Nico was excited about that possibility to combine two things he was wanting to do. He kept the scrap of paper with her phone number and name on it, but didn't do anything with it.
About 2 weeks later, Lisa Carter was visiting El Valle. As she walked through the market, she stopped in Nico's corner shop and looked around. Again, Nico and Lisa "coincidentally" started up a 'God conversation.' Nico excitedly mentioned that a lady from the city would be coming to study the Bible with him. He scrambled to find the scrap of paper with her information on it. He handed it to Lisa and her jaw dropped. It was her own name and phone number she was looking at.
Through the Let's Start Talking program and studying with Lisa, Nico made the decision to give his life to God and be baptized. But still, he says, "Something was missing. I wanted my family to know Jesus." He decided not to say anything to Bianca to try to push her, but he would just let his light shine. About 9 months later, Bianca came to that same decision, and Nico got to baptize his wife!
To hear Nico tell this story is incredible. He has such a passion and zeal for Jesus. He doesn't know why God waited 10 years to take him out of Panama City and why he searched for so long before really finding God, but he trusts God with all of his heart. It truly is an amazing story about an amazing man being led by our amazing God!
May we all seek God with all of our hearts. For when we do, we will find him.
Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Nico grew up in Panama City in a very rough part. Probably what Americans would consider "inner city." He said most of his friends were dead by 18 or 20 years old because of the rough lifestyle they lived in. Nico was an artist, and one day a man saw his art work and told Nico (when he was about 17 years old), "God has blessed you with this incredible talent. He will use that talent to get you out of here." Nico, having grown up with a Catholic background, believed in God, but God was not truly part of his life. So, he took that information and liked the idea of the hope it provided, but wasn't sure he really believed it.
In the meantime, life for Nico went on. Surviving and living this rough life in Panama City. Several years went by, and Nico's mom had moved to El Valle. One weekend, he came to visit her and brought a couple of his paintings with him. He quickly sold his paintings and made a decent amount of money from them. He began thinking that he should look into coming to El Valle more often. Slowly, he was able to save money from selling his artwork, and he was able to move to El Valle. This was 10 years after the man had told him that God would use his talent to get him out of that bad place in Panama City.
Once in El Valle, Nico met Bianca. They began their life together, but still, Nico says, "Something was missing." He was learning English, but was always looking for opportunities to learn more. He was also searching spiritually and longing for a personal connection to God.
Time passed, and one day a man came into Nico's shop at the market. Nico says, "I don't know how we began a 'God conversation' but we did. And this man, gave him the name and phone number of a lady from the city who would come and study the Bible and English with Nico through the Let's Start Talking program. Nico was excited about that possibility to combine two things he was wanting to do. He kept the scrap of paper with her phone number and name on it, but didn't do anything with it.
About 2 weeks later, Lisa Carter was visiting El Valle. As she walked through the market, she stopped in Nico's corner shop and looked around. Again, Nico and Lisa "coincidentally" started up a 'God conversation.' Nico excitedly mentioned that a lady from the city would be coming to study the Bible with him. He scrambled to find the scrap of paper with her information on it. He handed it to Lisa and her jaw dropped. It was her own name and phone number she was looking at.
Through the Let's Start Talking program and studying with Lisa, Nico made the decision to give his life to God and be baptized. But still, he says, "Something was missing. I wanted my family to know Jesus." He decided not to say anything to Bianca to try to push her, but he would just let his light shine. About 9 months later, Bianca came to that same decision, and Nico got to baptize his wife!
To hear Nico tell this story is incredible. He has such a passion and zeal for Jesus. He doesn't know why God waited 10 years to take him out of Panama City and why he searched for so long before really finding God, but he trusts God with all of his heart. It truly is an amazing story about an amazing man being led by our amazing God!
May we all seek God with all of our hearts. For when we do, we will find him.
Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
God at work! Part I
I, along with many of you, are believers that God is constantly at work in our lives. But what a blessing from God himself when we can see clearly how He is at work and how He (and only He) can bring life's puzzle pieces together to complete a beautiful picture of Himself.
Four weeks ago today, we had our first assembly in our house on Sunday evening for worship. Five families were there that first night. The Chownings, the Grecos, the Uptons, the Carters, and the Fernandezes. We knew the Uptons from Abilene, but hadn't kept up with them at all. The Grecos were our realtors who helped us find our house when we came to Panama in July. We had met the Fernandezes in July when we came. And we only had met the Carters for the first time a week prior to this first church meeting.
Bianca and Niko Fernandez have lived in El Valle for 8+ years, but just recently became Christians. In fact, the Monday after we arrived in El Valle (on a Sunday), we got to witness Bianca's baptism into Christ! In the face of all the things we needed to get done, this was an amazing way for God to remind us of the truly important things. Niko had only been baptized 9 months prior to that.
Rachel and Giovanni Greco have lived in El Valle for 6 years. They have been believers, but didn't have a church to meet with out this way. They would drive into Panama City (2 hours) to meet Bible study groups or go to church when they could. On our first Sunday in Panama, we attended Crossroads Bible church in the city. The first person that came up to meet us was one of the children's ministers. We told him we were moving to El Valle. He said, "Oh, I have good friends who live up there who could really use some Christian fellowship!" Aaron and I both thought, "Yeah, ok. Like we're going to know them, but sure." "Who is it?" we say. He says, "Rachel and Giovanni Greco." And to think that we just "happened" to find them to be our realtors in July when we were here!
David and Lisa Carter are missionaries here in Panama, as are Mark and Miriam Upton. In fact, Miriam and David are siblings.
So, here we are. Five families sitting in my living room. Bianca speaks almost no English. Everyone else speaks some level of English. Aaron and I speak almost no Spanish. Everyone else speaks some level of Spanish. And yet, that night, we worshipped together. We talked about what church is. We decided to come back together and share our God stories, our testimonies, and God's words to us from that week. We remembered how the first Lord's Supper was initiated and why Jesus chose that Jewish symbol of the Passover. We read God's word. And we all sat in amazement at what God was doing in the midst of us, and wondering with wide-eyed anticipation what else God has in store. Why are we all here at this time? How is God going to work among us? And that is where we still are. . . waiting on God.
Four weeks ago today, we had our first assembly in our house on Sunday evening for worship. Five families were there that first night. The Chownings, the Grecos, the Uptons, the Carters, and the Fernandezes. We knew the Uptons from Abilene, but hadn't kept up with them at all. The Grecos were our realtors who helped us find our house when we came to Panama in July. We had met the Fernandezes in July when we came. And we only had met the Carters for the first time a week prior to this first church meeting.
Bianca and Niko Fernandez have lived in El Valle for 8+ years, but just recently became Christians. In fact, the Monday after we arrived in El Valle (on a Sunday), we got to witness Bianca's baptism into Christ! In the face of all the things we needed to get done, this was an amazing way for God to remind us of the truly important things. Niko had only been baptized 9 months prior to that.
Rachel and Giovanni Greco have lived in El Valle for 6 years. They have been believers, but didn't have a church to meet with out this way. They would drive into Panama City (2 hours) to meet Bible study groups or go to church when they could. On our first Sunday in Panama, we attended Crossroads Bible church in the city. The first person that came up to meet us was one of the children's ministers. We told him we were moving to El Valle. He said, "Oh, I have good friends who live up there who could really use some Christian fellowship!" Aaron and I both thought, "Yeah, ok. Like we're going to know them, but sure." "Who is it?" we say. He says, "Rachel and Giovanni Greco." And to think that we just "happened" to find them to be our realtors in July when we were here!
David and Lisa Carter are missionaries here in Panama, as are Mark and Miriam Upton. In fact, Miriam and David are siblings.
So, here we are. Five families sitting in my living room. Bianca speaks almost no English. Everyone else speaks some level of English. Aaron and I speak almost no Spanish. Everyone else speaks some level of Spanish. And yet, that night, we worshipped together. We talked about what church is. We decided to come back together and share our God stories, our testimonies, and God's words to us from that week. We remembered how the first Lord's Supper was initiated and why Jesus chose that Jewish symbol of the Passover. We read God's word. And we all sat in amazement at what God was doing in the midst of us, and wondering with wide-eyed anticipation what else God has in store. Why are we all here at this time? How is God going to work among us? And that is where we still are. . . waiting on God.
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