We just for done with dinner. The food here so far (2 days) has been really good. Last night it was pork chops, potatoes, and green salad, it was all good. Tonight it was baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, coleslaw and brownies and it was delicious. That was another thing I didn't like about Panama City was the food usually wasn't very good.
We went to a boys catholic school this afternoon and did ministry. Tomorrow after breakfast we are leaving for a remote area where the native Ngobe people live and stay there a couple of days. We have to take all of our food and water with us. There are no stores and we don't even know where we are going to sleep for sure. Oh there is no power and sometimes no water either. This sounds like it will be another real adventure. Obviously there will be no Internet so I won't be posting anything again until Friday night if I get a chance or Saturday.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
MINISTRY BEGINS
Wednesday begins our first day of actually going out to do some ministry. The first thing we did is the kind of thing I really like because it is such an unlikely and unusual thing. We went to a private Christian Chinese School in Panama City to share, sing, and perform drama for. Now how many people do you know who have ever done that? It was fun and the staff was really happy to have us be there. I sure didn't know this before coming here but there is a really large Chinese population in Panama, about 5-10 percent of the population is Chinese. They run all the small stores around. Whether I went to the laundry, the Internet cafe, of the grocery store they were all run by Chinese, now I thought that was odd.
So anyway they are not very friendly and they don't want to be bothered with talking to people so these Chinese Chriatians decided to start this school in the hopes of opening the door for the gospel to them. Seventy percent of the kids that attend the school are Chinese. The school teaches English, Spanish, and Chinese so the kids learn all 3 languages and when they graduate they will be able to communicate with 90% of the worlds population. Chinese parents are attracted to sending their kids to this school where they get a better education. It really was a cool school.
In the afternoon we went and shared at another smaller private school that is affiliated with YWAM and the kids that go there come from not such good homes so they were fun too.
The next day we actually went to men's prison and did our dramas, sang and gave testimonies. Now that was pretty wild going to a prison. We had to have papers from a pastor that goes there and works with them and then going through all the security checks was interesting. The kids from the Panama team are quite musical, they play instruments and a couple are quite good singers so they really do a great job. All of together really do a pretty good job of ministering in all these different situations.
In the afternoon we went to a girls orphanage. It was sad to think of those girls having no family but it was good to be able to go there.
Finally on Friday we went to the worst most dangerous neighborhood in Panama City. There are 18 gangs in the area, it's full of crime, drugs, and prostitution. Recently the police have started having a real strong presence in the area and things a improved a little. A Christian group has come in and started a school there and one of the guys who has been there for a couple of years says that he has seen some positive changes since he has been there. We did our program at the school, the kids were really cute. A little lady from YWAM has been working with the kids and some of the moms who are prostitutes trying to show them the love of God and help in raising their kids so she made arrangements for us to also do a prayer walk while we were there so one guy from the school walked with us to the police station around the corner and a policeman went with us on our prayer walk to help keep us safe. It was pretty powerful and quite interesting.
So anyway they are not very friendly and they don't want to be bothered with talking to people so these Chinese Chriatians decided to start this school in the hopes of opening the door for the gospel to them. Seventy percent of the kids that attend the school are Chinese. The school teaches English, Spanish, and Chinese so the kids learn all 3 languages and when they graduate they will be able to communicate with 90% of the worlds population. Chinese parents are attracted to sending their kids to this school where they get a better education. It really was a cool school.
In the afternoon we went and shared at another smaller private school that is affiliated with YWAM and the kids that go there come from not such good homes so they were fun too.
The next day we actually went to men's prison and did our dramas, sang and gave testimonies. Now that was pretty wild going to a prison. We had to have papers from a pastor that goes there and works with them and then going through all the security checks was interesting. The kids from the Panama team are quite musical, they play instruments and a couple are quite good singers so they really do a great job. All of together really do a pretty good job of ministering in all these different situations.
In the afternoon we went to a girls orphanage. It was sad to think of those girls having no family but it was good to be able to go there.
Finally on Friday we went to the worst most dangerous neighborhood in Panama City. There are 18 gangs in the area, it's full of crime, drugs, and prostitution. Recently the police have started having a real strong presence in the area and things a improved a little. A Christian group has come in and started a school there and one of the guys who has been there for a couple of years says that he has seen some positive changes since he has been there. We did our program at the school, the kids were really cute. A little lady from YWAM has been working with the kids and some of the moms who are prostitutes trying to show them the love of God and help in raising their kids so she made arrangements for us to also do a prayer walk while we were there so one guy from the school walked with us to the police station around the corner and a policeman went with us on our prayer walk to help keep us safe. It was pretty powerful and quite interesting.
CATCH UP
I going to try and start some catch up on what has been happening. The Panama City base was beautiful, as was all the surrounding area around the city, it was like a tropical jungle everywhere but I did not really like the base. It was on the side of a mountain almost straight up and down with the girls dorm where I had to stay with about 15 other girls was the very top building with the bathrooms we had to use about in the middle so . . . it was walking up and down the hill and up and down stairs constantly, it about did me in.
The DTS from the Panama Base was suppose to be leaving for their outreach a couple of days after we got there but they had some problems so they didn't leave while we were there and we ended teaming up with them to so our ministry while we were there. There were 10 on their team and it did work out pretty good working with them.
Sunday we went to a church service in a town called Gamboa and it was across the street from part of the Panama Canal so that was my first view of the canal. Then on Monday we had a free day and got to relax for the most part and recover from traveling. It was hot and humid there and the dorm only had a few fans to cool it off (which they never did).
Tuesday we all had a work day at the base which is never my idea of a good time. We all worked all day up until dinner.
The DTS from the Panama Base was suppose to be leaving for their outreach a couple of days after we got there but they had some problems so they didn't leave while we were there and we ended teaming up with them to so our ministry while we were there. There were 10 on their team and it did work out pretty good working with them.
Sunday we went to a church service in a town called Gamboa and it was across the street from part of the Panama Canal so that was my first view of the canal. Then on Monday we had a free day and got to relax for the most part and recover from traveling. It was hot and humid there and the dorm only had a few fans to cool it off (which they never did).
Tuesday we all had a work day at the base which is never my idea of a good time. We all worked all day up until dinner.
Monday, October 28, 2013
FINALLY
Finally I have wi-fi again and the Internet is about to shut off for the day. We finished our time in Panama City were there was no Internet available and that was not good. Today we took a bus the Chiriqui Panama and that took all day.
Hopefully will have time to update all my goings on tomorrow.
Hopefully will have time to update all my goings on tomorrow.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Panama
Here we are, Panama City. What a day, left at 4 this morning for the airport in Guatemala City and was suppose to be in Panama about 10, it's 7:00 at night right now, we finally arrived and got picked up by the YWAM base and are stopped at a Taco Bell to get some dinner. It has been a crazy, wild day but we are all safe and I'm thankful for that. I pray things smooth out from here.
Our last day of class yesterday was good, Praise The Lord that part is over and we all made it. We gathered together after lunch and had worship and took communion together. It was really nice. Then had an exhausting night of final packing and getting ready
Foods here.
Our last day of class yesterday was good, Praise The Lord that part is over and we all made it. We gathered together after lunch and had worship and took communion together. It was really nice. Then had an exhausting night of final packing and getting ready
Foods here.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
ALMOST OVER
This part of the DTS is almost over. Tomorrow is the last day of class. We have been busy trying to get last minute stuff done before we leave Saturday morning. We are suppose to be leaving here at 4 in morning to go to the airport in Guatemala City. Our flight to Panama is suppose to be a couple hours.
Yesterday afternoon we all went to town for some last minute shopping. Today I started to tackle to task of sorting through my too much stuff, deciding what I need to take and what I should leave behind for now. That is one nice thing that we can leave all our extra stuff here at the base.
One thing I don't like is changing currency again although they say Panama takes American dollars and they say Costa Rica takes dollars also. I think the time is a little different in Panama also. It has been nice to be on the same time here as it is at home but that will change when we go off daylight savings time.
We had my favorite thing for dinner tonight, these chile rellano things with finely chopped veggies and chicken that Floricita makes.
Yesterday afternoon we all went to town for some last minute shopping. Today I started to tackle to task of sorting through my too much stuff, deciding what I need to take and what I should leave behind for now. That is one nice thing that we can leave all our extra stuff here at the base.
One thing I don't like is changing currency again although they say Panama takes American dollars and they say Costa Rica takes dollars also. I think the time is a little different in Panama also. It has been nice to be on the same time here as it is at home but that will change when we go off daylight savings time.
We had my favorite thing for dinner tonight, these chile rellano things with finely chopped veggies and chicken that Floricita makes.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
LAST WEEKEND
This is the last weekend we have in Guatrmala. Next Saturday we leave for Panama. Our Thanksgiving was good and it all went well yesterday. Aaron and Bri found an old Macy's Thanksgiving parade online they played for us along with Christmas music, it was a fun day. Last night, Saturday night was I think the quietest Saturday nights we have had. Everyone was so wiped out from working on the preparations all day and then eating a big meal it was like everyone was in bed before 10:00.
Today after church a group of us went out to eat together. We went to a restaurant called Monoloco (Crazy Monkey). I had heard they had good nachos there so I ordered the Nacho Apocalypto. It was huge, enough for a complete meal for at least four. We all partook and none went to waste.
I have some homework I need to finish up so I better get that done.
Today after church a group of us went out to eat together. We went to a restaurant called Monoloco (Crazy Monkey). I had heard they had good nachos there so I ordered the Nacho Apocalypto. It was huge, enough for a complete meal for at least four. We all partook and none went to waste.
I have some homework I need to finish up so I better get that done.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
THANKSGIVING
It is Thanksgiving here at the base since we will be out traveling when the real Thanksgiving arrives. Since early this morning people have been busy, busy cooking and washing dishes in the kitchen preparing the feast for about 24 of is to eat. It is smelling really good and I hope we will soon be feasting.
I had my work duty from 8-10 this morning and that is about all I have done.
Only one more week of class and then off to Panama. I washed my tennis shoes by hand this afternoon in preparation for leaving soon. Tomorrow I plan on doing a little shopping after church and getting some last minute things for outreach.
Just like when I packed to come here it is hard knowing what you really need to bring and what you can just buy along the way as needed but all I can do is give it my beat shot.
I am going to check in dinner. Later
I had my work duty from 8-10 this morning and that is about all I have done.
Only one more week of class and then off to Panama. I washed my tennis shoes by hand this afternoon in preparation for leaving soon. Tomorrow I plan on doing a little shopping after church and getting some last minute things for outreach.
Just like when I packed to come here it is hard knowing what you really need to bring and what you can just buy along the way as needed but all I can do is give it my beat shot.
I am going to check in dinner. Later
Thursday, October 10, 2013
NO GYM
Here I am taking advantage of "no gym" today and having a little "free time". Life of good. There are 2 washing machines here, one built this century and one that could be in a museum, one that works and one that is broke. We can pay $1.00 a load to use one of those washing machines and the one we choose is not our choice, can you guess which one we can pay to use. . . well it is the broke machine we are allowed to use and since it is broke there is no point in using it. The alternative the past couple of weeks has been to allow our dirty clothes to pile up and hope we can still find something to wear or break down and wash by hand which is what I did yesterday.
I hated it, it was hard work, took way too long and ruined my nails. Next week before we leave for outreach those of us who have money we are willing to part with are sending it out to a laundry service to be done and I plan in being first in line.
That was my tale of wow for the day. Enjoy!
I hated it, it was hard work, took way too long and ruined my nails. Next week before we leave for outreach those of us who have money we are willing to part with are sending it out to a laundry service to be done and I plan in being first in line.
That was my tale of wow for the day. Enjoy!
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
TIME
I actually have a little time and energy to write something tonight. As of October we have been able to opt out of going to the gym, which I did, so that gives me some extra time and I love that. We are gearing up to get ready for our outreach. We are preparing some dramas and kids ministry stuff for it.
One thing I don't think I have mentioned is my Mother fell in her kitchen a couple of weeks ago and had to go to the hospital. The good thing about it is she didn't break any bones and while she was in the hospital they had wi-fi and I was able to FaceTime with her. She doesn't have the Internet so I haven't talked to or been able to communicate with her since I left. Any way it was on my birthday I was able to talk to her and I enjoyed it and so did she.
It looks like I am going to make it through the classroom phase of the DTS along with all my chores and other activities. Now the challenge will be success out in the field. One thing that doesn't seem to change is school work/home work and I guess when we go out into the world there will still be some of those things to do.
I guess I better be off to read my book.
One thing I don't think I have mentioned is my Mother fell in her kitchen a couple of weeks ago and had to go to the hospital. The good thing about it is she didn't break any bones and while she was in the hospital they had wi-fi and I was able to FaceTime with her. She doesn't have the Internet so I haven't talked to or been able to communicate with her since I left. Any way it was on my birthday I was able to talk to her and I enjoyed it and so did she.
It looks like I am going to make it through the classroom phase of the DTS along with all my chores and other activities. Now the challenge will be success out in the field. One thing that doesn't seem to change is school work/home work and I guess when we go out into the world there will still be some of those things to do.
I guess I better be off to read my book.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
WEEK #11
It's week number eleven. Only one more week of class then outreach begins. Time on the one hand seems to be flying by and then on the other it doesn't seem to go near quick enough.
Rachael was here for a week and left early Monday morning. It was a real blessing to have her here. We flew to Tikal this past weekend, it was a good trip. I enjoyed finally seeing Tikal, very interesting. We stayed at the Tikal Inn which is right there is the jungle and it was hot and humid. After we had walked 4 hours in the jungle seeing the Tikal sights and we had lunch both Rachael and I just went to our room and crashed, too exhausted to do anything else.
She and I went to Antigua last Thursday afternoon, shopped, ate, walked around, had coffee and a good time.
Last week our school was in evangelism and it was pretty good. This week is on Worldview. I am enjoying it and I like the teacher. He came with four other guys from his church that are working at an Orphanage that is being built in San Lucas.
As always I stay too busy, I can't believe I can't manage to keep this blog updated more often than I do. I have a "Country Report" that I need to get done in the next couple of days along with reading a book they just handed out yesterday which the report is due on Monday so I will be busy with those things.
I will sign off for today.
Rachael was here for a week and left early Monday morning. It was a real blessing to have her here. We flew to Tikal this past weekend, it was a good trip. I enjoyed finally seeing Tikal, very interesting. We stayed at the Tikal Inn which is right there is the jungle and it was hot and humid. After we had walked 4 hours in the jungle seeing the Tikal sights and we had lunch both Rachael and I just went to our room and crashed, too exhausted to do anything else.
She and I went to Antigua last Thursday afternoon, shopped, ate, walked around, had coffee and a good time.
Last week our school was in evangelism and it was pretty good. This week is on Worldview. I am enjoying it and I like the teacher. He came with four other guys from his church that are working at an Orphanage that is being built in San Lucas.
As always I stay too busy, I can't believe I can't manage to keep this blog updated more often than I do. I have a "Country Report" that I need to get done in the next couple of days along with reading a book they just handed out yesterday which the report is due on Monday so I will be busy with those things.
I will sign off for today.
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