BACK FROM PANAMA!!!: janetplanet

janetplanet

BACK FROM PANAMA!!!

Jul 15, 2011 21:32

HOLA EVERYONE!!!

If I remembered how to say that in Kuna I would have done so. Sadly, I only remember 3 phrases in Kuna, LoL!

Well, if you haven’t guessed, I AM BACK FROM PANAMA!!!

Wow, what an amazing trip that was. It was nothing what I expected and God moved in ways I never thought He would. I wish I could tell you all that happened, but I have a 100 page journal filled with experiences, prayers, lessons, and memories of this month long trip, so one LJ entry would never suffice.

I will share one favorite moment. It occurred the first full day of our Island ministry in Rio Azucar. It happened to be a Sunday, so we had a combined service that day. They played “From the Inside Out” (on a CD, no bands here) and asked us to sing in English while they sang it in Spanish. If you know me at all you would know that I absolutely, positively adore that song, and it was so special to be in such a far place with a familiar song being sung in two languages. It was just amazing!!

God really did speak to me in Panama. I also returned with several great new and special friends, both from Panama and all over the States. I was with 16 great team members that I grew to love and care about SOOOO much; I seriously was blessed with such an amazing team. Yay for Facebook so we can KIT, hehe.

Thank you everyone who supported me through prayer, encouragement and finances. Without your loving support I wouldn’t have had this life changing experience to share with you! I can’t tell you just how grateful I am. I am so grateful that you saw potential in me and chose to invest in my life! Because of you I saw and experienced life through someone else’s world and it changed me. I will never take readily accessible clean water and delicious pineapples for granted ever again.

Trip Highlights

-In Texas being able to pray for all the young missionaries, one young girl in particular.

-In Texas a group of people prayed for healing and instantly I was healed from the pain cause by my tendonitis. GOD IS GOOD!!!

-I first arrived on the island having it feel so foreign and exotic. However, by the end of the trip knew the island so well that I knew everyone and could get around it easily.

-Spending half the day going on a hike for pineapples. There was a river we stopped at to rest, eat, and fellowship with the pastor and I got to translate his testimony. It was a great time of fellowship with the key church members and pastors, something important to them as there are not too many Christians on that island.

-On the islands I went to the dock to “get away” and have some quit time. However, I was soon bombarded with children. They read out of my Spanish bible and I got to teach them lots of things. It was an amazing un-planned ministry moment.

- -Making a new best friend, his name was Peresoso (aka Sloth).

Funny side note: I knew that Sloth’s were native to Panama. I said to myself, “All I want to see in Panama is a sloth.” When the kid plopped the sloth in my lap I thought, “AWESOME!! I GOT WHAT I WANTED!!” Hehe.

-Having an awesome birthday where I got to pray for healing for others, received 2 bananas and a necklace from the Silas’ wife, got a surprise banner and messages, showered in river with 13 other girls (and lots of little kids), and heard a great sermon about Jonas. (let’s ignore the demon bats that would not let me sleep)

-Seeing God quickly answered prayer in more than one instance

-Making friends with a Kuna woman, enough so that she gave me a necklace and bracelet, in return I gave her my hammock, mosquito net, and some candy J

-Understanding true humility from the great Christians in both the Island and the jungle

I have lots more stories and pictures that I would love to be able to share with you! If you would like to hear more about my mission trip, let me know!

Selected pictures

Me on the Panama Canal: