Saying farewell for six weeks is not as easy as it seems. I'm saying goodbye to six weeks of my summer, friends, family, and the worst of all, Chickfila (Panama does not have one). All joking aside, leaving the comfort of the people who surround you everyday is huge. The week leading up to this trip has been very stressful and I have gone through every emotion possible. I have snapped at people who love me the most (sorry). I've had moments of where I need to drop everything and just ask for peace from God. I've also had moments of feeling completely overwhelmed by so many other things and have a sense of no control over anything going on. In all of those moments I had to remind myself this ," Your emotions don't control you. Don't let all these negative moments steal the joy of this trip."
Saturday (Sabado) May 21:
When I got to the airport in Knoxville, it really hit me that I'll be leaving. It was a wave of excitement. I knew something great was about to hit me. My brother, mom, step-mom, dad, and my youth pastor and her kids were there to send me off. I'm really blessed to have these people in my life. They want to see me do great things for the glory of God and they want me to be the best I can be. So all of them being there was really important. I got through security in no time so I had a lot of time to spare at the airport. We arrived at 12 and my plane took off at 3:20. The plane ride to Atlanta went really smooth. The plane, however, was tiny and I really couldn't move in my seat. So I thought I could just talk to the person sitting next to me. Well, at first it didn't really seem like he wanted to talk at all. He had his headphones in and his sunglasses on, so I didn't bother him. Once the plane landed, he wished me safe travels and asked me where I was going and all that jazzy stuff. He was also flying internationally, but he was flying to Saudi Arabia. So our terminals were in the same area in the Atlanta airport. He helped me find my gate and it was a lot less stressful for me. I was worried at first when I stepped into the airport at first because it was crazy busy. But once I figured out where I was going, it was all good. I got on the plane for Panama around 5 pm. No one else was sitting in my row. That was a huge plus because I could put my stuff beside me instead under my seat. Plus I had window seat, which is always great. The Plane ride to Panama was about 3 and a half hours long. Once we were about 2 hours into the flight, I was ready to be landed and just be there. We landed in Panama at 9 pm. I could tell I was in Panama as soon as we landed. My airplane window was fogged up from the humidity outside. It was about 80 degrees outside as well. We got off the plane and I walked to get my bag. I was really relieved to see my bag had made it to Panama with me this time (Delta had lost my bag the first year I went). Made it through Customs no problem. They only asked for my passport and the piece of paper they require you to fill out during the flight. Once I made it outside of security, I walked outside into the waiting area and went to look for Roberto. Once Roberto and his wife picked me up, we went to Nikkos. It's a restaurant that is a tradition to go there on the first night. As soon I was walked into the restaurant, I was stared at by many people. I was the only white person in there and I towered over most of them. I felt very uncomfortable. I got my food, which is always better down there for some reason. I got arroz especial, vegetables, papas fritas, and el pollo el orno. It was all very tasty and delicious. After Nikkos, we went back to Roberto's house. Man, people drive CRAZY here. I have never seen anyone sober drive like Panamanians (Roberto is a good driver, so I was safe). Once we got to the house, I went to bed.
Sunday (Domingo) May 22:
The night before I was told to get up in time so that we could leave for church at 8 o'clock. So I woke up at 7:30. I was ready to go before 8. We left the house at 8:15. Apparently in Panama, if something starts at 2 pm, for example, you could show up anywhere between an hour or an hour and a half. In the US, if you're early, you're on time, but if you're on time, then you're late. This is one of the many different cultural differences. Another one is breakfast. Usually for breakfast, I will eat what my amazing mother makes, which is a bacon, egg, and cheese sand which. In Panama, it can be anything. For breakfast , I had cow kidneys, freshly baked bread, and coffee. It may sound odd, but it was very very yummy. They made all of this at the church for any of the members to eat. In Panama, they eat every part of the animal that they can eat. Nothing goes to waste. So when someone gives you food in Panama, you eat it. No questions asked. Their food is very good down here and it is made fresh. After breakfast was Sunday School. The lady teaching knew no English. So I sat there and I could pick up on the general lesson, but not the details. She talked about the importance of reading your word and knowing God through the word. That's all I could pick up. So after Sunday school, I was told that I will be playing the Piano that morning. I KNEW ONLY ONE SONG. They had to teach me one other song literally as they were praying for the service before the music started. Luckily, they were all in keys I knew. So once we finished worship, Roberto went up to preach. He was talking so fast, I had no idea what he was talking about. I only picked up three words the whole service. Dios- God, Plata- Silver, and Oro- Gold. He also said "Dios es Dios." That means "God is God." I bet it was a good sermon, but I just couldn't understand anything else he was saying. After church, the cooks made more food. The made rice, macaroni, and mystery meatballs ( I didn't know what kind of meat it was), but it was all very good too. After we ate, Roberto had two meetings so I and the rest of the family stayed at the church for another two hours. I got to talk to his daughter. She's about my age so it wasn't much different. She knows English, but she wants help. She is going to help me with my Spanish and I'm going to help her with her English. We just talked for a little bit until we left the church. We then went to the biggest mall in all of Central America. Airlines will offer discounts for people to go shopping there during Black Friday and the holiday season. The mall is a HUGE deal. We just walked around the mall and went into a couple of stores. After we left the mall we went to a super market. This supermarket is actually underneath another mall. I could tell that the meat and fish the had there were a lot fresher then the meat and fish back home. So we got some meat and cheese, then left. We got home and we watched a movie. After the movie I talked to some friends and family and then went to bed.
Monday (Lunes) May 23:
Today has been a really relaxing day. I didn't go anywhere or really do anything. We had breakfast and lunch here. For breakfast we had scrambled eggs with chicken and toast on the side. For lunch we had spaghetti with meat and a side salad. Both meals were very yummy. Tonight, we're going to go see the new X-men movie. In Panama, movies come out a week earlier than movies in the US. I'm not sure if the movie will be in Spanish, but it probably will be. This will be interesting.
I just got back from the movie and luckily it was in English. The movie theaters are so different. In Panama when you buy your ticket, you are given a ticket that has a seat number on it. Sorta like a concert. Then once the movie is over you leave your trash in there instead of taking it to the trashcan outside because there isn't a trash bin out there for you to go to. These little cultural differences makes Panama the way it is and I love it. This is what makes Panama- Panama. Eso si que es - That's just how it is.
Tuesday (martes) May 24:
This morning I woke up at 6:00, which is very early for me. I got ready for the day, not knowing what I'll be doing. For breakfast, we had chocolate pancakes and scrambled eggs. It was very good. Then we dropped Robert and Matthew off at school. Then we came to the church. At the church all I have done so far is just do secretary activities. I can tell that I'm starting to adapt to the heat and humidity. I'm also starting to understand the language better. I'm still figuring out how to piece all the pieces of the puzzle together, but I know that by the end of my trip that it will be a lot easier. It's weird to leave your home and the comfort of your family, and then be put out into the world and stay with another family. I couldn't have asked for a better family to stay with. They all understand that I'm not the best at speaking or understanding fast Spanish, so they are very patient with me and speak at a speed where I can understand it and then talk back in Spanish. They will sometimes talk to me in English, but it's very rare. While at the church, I went to go look for some water. During my search for cups, I found the world's largest toad. I went back into the office to tell Pastor's wife. We went on a hunt for it. Once we found it, we attempted to scoot it out of the church. IT BACKFIRED!! It freaking tried to attack us. It came at us.. We both let out a huge scream, and ran back into the office, laughing uncontrollably. The toads in Tennessee are not that big or that mean. Never will I ever go back into that room where that thing is until I see it leave. Once we left the church we went to eat at a Caribbean styled restaurant and it was very yummy too. I had shrimp with garlic and curry on it with a side salad, rice and beans, and a cooked plantain. After we eat, we went back to the house. I watched some news for a while and this game show called "calle 7", which is street 7 in English. The premise of this show is to test physically and mental strength. The show is the Panamanian version of "American Ninja Warrior". It's a neat little show. I then went into my read to read this book that a lady at my church had given me to read. This book is already changing how I think about the mission field and long term missionaries. The book is called "Bruchko and the Motilone Miracle". If you are interested in this book, here is a link to the
description. This is my new favorite book. His love and devotion for Jesus and spreading the gospel is unbelievable. I want to do works like that for God.
Wednesday ( Miercoles) May 25
This morning I got up at 6:00. Today I will be meeting the principal of the school that I will be doing some teaching at. Before I go do that I'm going to be working at the church for a little bit. I have been in contact with a couple of pastors and all that fun jazz, but my favorite part about today has been my study time. I started reading Proverbs 25 because it's the 25th day of the month. As I dug into it, I can't really explain it, but God was speaking directly into my spirit about this trip and how I will be used here. It also talked about how God will take away any impurities that I have and through him I will be able to a cool drink on a hot harvest day for the lost. I got really excited when I read that and I can't wait to see where God is going to take me over the next few weeks. I am now all settled in and the work can begin. I am starting to be able to pick up Spanish a little bit faster and I can give responses a little faster than before as well. Church was really good tonight. I really don't understand what they're saying, but I'm not going to let that get in the way of me worshiping. I can't thank God enough for sending me here and using me to do a mighty work that will stick with me for the rest of my life.
Thursday (Jueves) May 26
Today I got up and got ready to go to the church. We left the house at about 6:50 and it took us almost an hour to get to the school because of traffic. I have never seen traffic this bad before. Apparently, traffic usually isn't that bad, but there have been riots breaking out at the University near the hospital causing awful traffic jams. Anyways, we got to the school and I got to meet the Principal of the school there. He is a very nice person and very welcoming. He introduced me to some of the teachers that I will be working there. I was also shown around the school and met some more of the staff. The school is very excited to have me there to help their students understand American culture and learn English from a person who comes from the culture and grew up in it. I'm excited to help these kids out and to help them understand something outside of their element. I can't wait to meet them and get to know them. It's going to be very different for them and for me. This is something that I have never done so I'm going to be uncomfortable at first, but this is something I want to do. I know that God has placed this passion inside of me and that it will grow the more I use it. That's what happens when you do what God has called you to do. You grow, learn, and develop what he has entrusted you with. I'm going to be more than a teacher to these students, I'm going to be a counselor. I want them to know that I am here to give them spiritual guidance and I'm praying for them. I care so much about where they go in life. I want to see all of them do something amazing for God, their families, and themselves. After leaving the school, we just came back to the church and I made reservations for the youth group's hotel for when they come down here. Other than that, that's all I did.
Friday (viernes) May 27
IT'S FRIDAY!!! I get to sleep in tomorrow and I couldn't be happier about it. This week so far has been really eventful and also exhausting. As I reflect on this week, I just see where God has been preparing me for all the work I will be doing. I see where my gifts and talents will be put to use. I know that I will never be the same after this trip and I never want to be the same. I can see where I am understanding Spanish better and I can respond a little quicker than when I got here. Just one week here and there has been a huge difference. I hope everyone gets to experience a life changing experience in their life time. If I were to go back in time to when I first came to Panama that I would be doing what I am doing 3 years later, I wouldn't have believed it. God has brought me through so much and has taught me along the way. He has taught me where real joy comes from, how not to always take life so seriously, and the best of all, how to be a disciple and help disciple people for his glory. One thing I want people to understand is that I'm not here in Panama to make a big statement that says,"I'm a better christian than you. I go out of the country and do things." No that's not what this is about. This is about spreading the gospel to people who need to hear it. This about learning life skills that will be important once I get home. This is about God. This isn't about me being glorified. It's about God being glorified. Without God, none of this trip would be close to possible. Without God, I wouldn't be who I am today. I don't even know where I would be without him. People need to realize that there is a better life for themselves than what the world sees and tells them. God is so much better. A lot of people I know find comfort in the things of the world and then they are left empty time and time again. They run to that stuff because it's what they see. We, as humans, cannot see the spiritual world. We only see the human world. We see what looks to be fun, but we don't see the deceit behind it. We don't see the torment or addictions of drugs or alcohol. We see relief. We see something that is in the grasp of our hands, but God is also in the grasp of our hands. Just seek him. He is waiting for you. He is calling you home to him. Are you going to respond, or are you going to let yourself be dragged down even deeper into the pit you are digging for yourself?
Here are some pictures from this week:
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| Yummy cow kidneys |
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| My fun little desk |
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| The Church |
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| Lorena and Linda |
