Missing Panama

Man my heart is a little "home" sick for Panama. I miss the people, the Louderback Family and really just the country. Like I have said before we did the kids camp every day until 4ish. Once we would be done we would either go back to the hotel and then go places on foot or we would keep the bus and sight see. On Saturday after the kids camp we went and toured the Panama Canal. How cool is that? It was neat to watch a boat come in and the whole process. While we were there 2 boats came in and the second one was leaving while we were there. It was a long process. We also toured the part where it had lots of information as well as examples of how everything worked. There was a short 3-D movie we saw about the history. I was so thankful the Louderback's worked this in for us. I would have hated to be in Panama and not get to see this.

After the canal the Louderback's and bus picked us back up and we headed to the Causeway (spelling??) It was on the water! It was soo pretty and we got to see the bridge of the Americas, got to have a coconut and eat some yummy seafood. It was a great time. It was nice to just relax and enjoy the beauty. We loved it! Thanks Tim and Tina for showing us this part. It was alot of fun

Sunday...Church... The bus and some people from La Boca Baptist Church went back to where we were having the kids camp to pick up some kids and a few adult to come to church with us and the people of La Boca. What a blessing that church was to our team. They were so welcoming and so much fun. Roberto joined us as well. Roberto had to take a bus about 2 hours to get to where we were every day. We were so thankful for his willingness to serve and join us. We miss you Roberto!

The church was packed.

The kids that had been leading music did so at church on Sunday and they were wonderful. Chad did the preaching

And if I say so myself he did a great job! The church planned to feed all those kids after church and it was so organized and blessed those kids I know. It was so fun to watch them and to serve them. It was a meal like they hadn't had in a long time. One part that really touched my heart is one table of kids waited until everyone had been served at their table to eat. It touched my heart because you know all they wanted to do is dig into that food...

The bus then took the kids back to their village (once the bus was found) in the meantime some adults played with the kids out front and others of the team helped clean up in the kitchen and visited with church members. One family in the church had some kids that were burned many years ago. They are now in Texas the Galveston area receiving treatment. Join me in praying for this family as they are out of their country and getting treatment they need. God is faithful and this service was a true example of what it will be like in Heaven. Soccer Game!!!!!! Wow...what a big deal it was for Panama to be playing the USA... Talk about passion.

As we headed out after church to do some sightseeing we were making a "short" walk up a "small" jungle "hill" that over looked the City of Panama. As we were walking you could hear the whole city in a celebration of the start of the game. It was a really neat experience to see.

After the Jungle we went to the Presidential White House...We got to tour the outside and then is started raining. Some were ready to go but it seemed that something really neat was about to happen. And well eventually it did. They were about to have the exchanging of the Guards. This happens every 15 days. But, none of the translators had ever seen it happen. It was really a neat thing to see. We were so close. The band, the military. So cool. Even though we weren't "special guest" for the seats and water we had a great time....Thanks for the great laugh Tim! Once we were done and back on the bus we went to the Hard Rock in Panama. So neat and fun. And it was a blessing to be with each other visiting and enjoying American Food. Monday --- WAHH....the last day in Panama we had a little time before we had to leave for the Airport so we did some last second shopping, got some more "U shaped" pastries and enjoyed the Louderback's....there were lots of tears that morning. It was sad to leave them because in the short time we were there everyone fell in love with each one of them. If there was a way to sneak them on a bus...we would have. But, the fact is we are so thankful our paths crossed and we are so very thankful for all the sacrifices they make each day to be on the "field" telling the Panamanian people about Jesus. Thank you Tim, Tina, Trinity, Noah, Gracie, and Eden for being the hands and feet of Jesus in Panama. I pray God is working out a time for us to join you again soon in the effort. Until then we pray for you daily, think of you often and remember all the things God showed us in and through you. We love you!

Until the WHOLE world hears,