It's been way too long since August, but I have to reflect on Panama.
As some of you know, I have a Master's Degree in Latin American History. This was my first chance to get to see some of my studies alive, as I have only been to Mexico before this. Everything was illuminated, from spots where Columbus landed to the Panama City pre-colonial ruins to the Canal Zone - it was incredible to experience history.
On another note, the beauty of Panama is incredible. Specifically, the islands of Boca del Toro where we did our work. Look at the pictures I post, because I can't do justice to it.
Bocas was a place like no other. We flew into Bocas Town, which is resort-ish, with a few little touches of a simpler time mixed in. The flight over was absolutely terrifying for me, and the landing was super sketchy, but we made it ... After taking a water taxi to the island Bastimentos, where we stayed, eyes were immediately opened.
Bastimentos is years and years behind our infrastructure. There are no roads. There are no sewer systems. Drinking water is rain water caught in cisterns. The only electricity is caught by solar panels and can run out at any time. The internet is starting to appear in the homes of Westerners, but it's rudimentary if you can even get it (which seems like a weird thing to miss until you are there and missing your kids!)
The people are incredible! Mostly indigenous in race, with some mestizos in the mix (those of native and Spanish duality), they speak Spanish along with native tongue. They live simply, of course, but in tight-knit community with a closeness that is pretty much dead here. While some have judged work ethic and desire to better themselves, I worked alongside local men who made me look like the biggest wuss on Earth (not hard, really). They worked without pay to help make their community better.
Our main focus was on helping to complete a bathroom structure for a school on the beach called Honda (Bahia Honda) - an actual septic system that will improve sanitary conditions exponentially. As we worked in rain and ankle-deep mud, kids walked by to go to the bathroom in the rain forest behind us, painting a clear picture of our mission. I got more out of that contrast than any great meeting or time of worship could bring me (Steven Lodwig led worship so greatly for us, by the way!). While there, another organization came by and started work on sinking a clean water well for the village! So cool that the two things working together are estimated to give kids a decade more of life!
I snuck into the classroom for an hour the first day of work and hung out with the kids. No English spoken - so I reached deep into my brain and started to use my Spanish base (I last took it in 11th grade). I really believe that God worked a miracle, as I was able to communicate just about anything about some struggle. Katherine Shaum did such a wonderful job as our primary translator, but it was such a joy to feel God use me in a secondary role, really fun!
We also got to go to another village and play games with about 100 kids on their field day. It was quite an experience, too. Austin, Ally, David, Bill and Larry all got soaked by the pounding rain, but kept playing with the kids, a great picture! Back at Bahia Honda, Glenn, Katherine, Matt, and Rick kept progress up as we got to see quite a bit of progress made on the bathrooms. We hope to see a finished picture soon!
I could go on ... and will at some point. God crafted this trip out of chaos. It wasn't perfect, but I saw mighty things happen. Bill's hard work rescued it form the pits - and all team members contributed in ways that astonished me. It was almost dead, and, honestly, I had resigned myself to the idea that it was. It was brought to life by God, dedicated volunteers, and hard work. Although we missed some loops, and our meetings were a grind at times, God used this trip to lay the groundwork for future experiences there, I know.
Thanks to the team, to Bill, Glenn, and the others that tirelessly planned things even when darkness seemed to have set in. God is good.
