We were “supposed” to be in Costa Rica this month, but God had other plans. Still, I can’t help but think that though the country didn’t stick, the country’s advertising phrase did – Pura Vida. … even in Panama. I haven’t thought much about Panama and yet here we are running all over the tip of Central America. This month we are based in Volcan living in a church (Casa de Luz or Lighthouse Ministries) but venturing forth to several surrounding areas helping churches and doing street evangelism as well as Christmas programs.
One quick trip over the mountain to Boquete was a STEEP drive. Part of our team went to an all night prayer vigil another three hours away in the mountains. The other half of our team stayed to work on decorating, organizing and filling Christmas bags for the church to give away. I remember what it was like to work at a church during Christmas – busy. The more hands, the better.
Our team piled into a yellow school bus on Sunday morning with Alan. We were picking up people for church. I was a little dubious after twenty minutes of driving and only four people other than teammates sat on the brown vinyl seats. Team Lionheart practiced singing Silent Night and Joy to the World since we were scheduled to sing in church in an hour. It was like we were caroling. We were in a big yellow school bus instead of a one-horse sleigh but the spirit of Christmas invaded, the spirit of joy spilled out and echoed in the mountains.
I stared out the window marveling at the bubbling river an edge beneath us. Tight turns and steep climbs past waterfalls and cliffs had me gasping in wonder – and praying. Up, up, up we went. There were moments I was holding my breath, unsure such a big bus could make the hill. But we did. And then we started getting a bus full. Farm to farm to farm we hopped. Clusters of indigenous men and women in their bright colored apparel stood waiting for us, waiting to go to church.
I was unimpressed with the native attire when I first saw it but now, it brings a smile to my face. The women’s dress is made of one bright color with a simple embroidered trim at the top, at the waist, and at the hem. The mothers have a slit underneath the embroidered bib-like collar so that they can nurse easily. The dress is slightly tent-like as well, making me wonder how many little ninos will come running out from beneath it. No dress is alike. Each is a vibrant color accented with basic squiggles. Simple but shouts joy.
Hair dark as night, wet, combed and cleaned, they filed on the bus in their Sunday best, ready for the long windy bus ride to church. Tradition doesn’t beacon them to wait at a bus stop, ride into town in a hot, stuffy, crowded bus. It is because they’ve been rescued. They’ve met their Savior and have been changed.
I made a new friend (surprise!). You see, God gave me this incredible ability to wiggle my nose like a rabbit (this was useful when I played the White Rabbit in the Alice and Wonderland play as a kid). Well, kids are captured by it and then when they try to do it they get the best expressions on their face! They scrunch up their nose and wiggle their mouths. Joshua did all that and then finally just opened his mouth and his eyes really wide and just stared at me.
When we finally arrived at the church a bit late, we hurried to find a seat on a pew. The church hall was crowded, full of vibrant colors, singing hymns. I saw the joy of the Lord – and a future generation of Panamanians of praise and devotion to God.
