Panama
2023
Dear Friends,
Thank you to all who could join us on our trip to Panama! We all know that serving others is not easy; genuine love and service for others is a rare occurrence. This is why I love Phil 2:1-8. It is always a helpful place to turn when considering a servant’s heart. It says, “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by agreeing, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but humbly count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his interests but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Again, thank you for demonstrating in action God’s infinite love.
Blessings to our guide who labored in pain.
Fernando was exceptional. We had fantastic church services and learned much about the Panama Canal and the coffee in Boquete, Chiriquí, and Panama. And how could I forget the Emberá people of Maje, Cordillera Community? We experience the mountains of Majé, an isolated range on the Pacific slope, about 60 km long, 30 km south of the continental divide across the valley of the Bayano Lake. We saw the shallow Majé River that drains into Lake Bayano, with plenty of photo opportunities along the way. Here are some pictures from our fact-finding mission. All in all a wonderful experience!
Once we arrived, the pastor & the community welcomed us, along with some regional neighbors; we set up our things and coordinated the activities to be carried out with the medical team.
In addition, Dave and I are beginning our 2023 plans for the “Fiesta Grande” in Oaxaca, Mexico; of you for joining us as we start our 2022 plans for the Gran Fiesta.
