Monthly Archives: December 2014

By Colleen

So I had two big cultural experiences within the past two weeks. A nearby church had donated us their bus in order for us to take a field trip with the public school in our community Catrigandí. This is the school where I have been volunteering my time teaching English. We decided to go to the zoo which is on the other side of the city from where we live. About a 3 hour trip. The kids, teachers, and parents were very excited. In total there were about 50 that went on the trip.

We never could gather everyone for a photo as everyone was so excited to get moving!

Highlight of the trip: Seeing a school bus full of children look out the windows in amazement at the airplanes as we neared the airport outside of Panama City. I had forgotten that living out in the countryside where we are there is only an occasional helicopter. I was thankful to be part of this experience, knowing, that for some of these children, they have never traveled so far in their own country.

Trying to catch a peek at the airplane.

All in all, it was a successful trip even with occasional chaos of kids running ahead of the group! Happy kids!

Two days later, there was a graduation ceremony for the sixth graders, as December is the end of the Panamanian school year. For some of the uprising seventh graders, they have a choice between two schools to finish out the rest of their schooling through Highschool depending on their house location. For some, like my neighbor Elena, they are contemplating moving closer to the road for the convenience of Carlos having an easier time traveling to school. Otherwise, if they stay, Carlos will have to walk a 35 minute walk out as early as 5 or 6 in the morning just to wait and catch a bus to school. We will greatly miss our dear friends if they move! Please pray for their family as the discern this next big step!

Elena and Carlos

Highlight of graduation: Getting to witness my neighbor and friend Elena see her son Carlos graduate. Some adults in the area have not had the privilege of completing a primary school education. What a proud moment to witness the seven graduates of our small rural community!

(Alena is the mother of Luris, one of Kalea´s mejor amigas!)

Kalea and Luris experiencing the zoo together.

By Colleen

How the time has gotten away from us! We have been keeping busy between working away at our house and leaving to go to a missionary conference on the other side of the city with MB Mission. We have enjoyed the time in sharing with other missionaries from other parts of Latin America. It was a time of sharing, listening, laughing, crying and feeling refreshed with our friends…some new, and some old!

Some of the Wounaan Church Leaders participated in our final ceremony with MB Mission during the Latin American Conference.

Getting to know some missionaries serving in Mexico and Peru. Lovely Women!

Feeling refreshed with the words….” But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction. He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.” Job 36:15-16

I suffered with anxiety and depression for almost a year in regards to my health. At times I felt defeated. These words were a reminder and a truth that I needed to hear in order to have closure and to speak against the wicked lies that I was consumed with in regards to my health. How great and freeing is it to be under the promises of God. Praise God for all of the healing he has done!

I now have that invitation to a spacious place and really feel that He has put a table with much abundance in front of me. I thank God for His blessings and pray the same for you that you would be encouraged to think about the great food he has put before you. For me the food is all of the great opportunities He has put before me. Not to be overwhelmed, but to try and focus on what God is calling me to.

Please pray for our team members Einer and Girlesa Zuluaga. Einer is scheduled to have surgery in December and are currently in Colombia.