Me: What kind of insects are there?
Albin: Mosquitos, bugs, nothing too bad.
Me: What about spiders?
Albin: There are tarantulas. And you must check your tent before you get into it every night.
Me: How do I get them out of my tent if they get in?
Albin: Well the tarantulas are harmless. Just shoo them away. However, if you see a large (he demonstrates with his hands how large) black spider, kill it instantly. They are very poisonous.
Me: What do I do if I get bit by one?
Albin: Squeeze poop out of it and rub it on the wound. It will pull the poison out…

Yeah. Awesome. (Sarcasm intended)

We are leaving at 5:45 tomorrow morning to drive the five hours to the city of Boca Del Toro, then another 45 minute drive in a pickup truck to the bottom of the mountain where the tribe lives, and then a two hour hike to their indigenous village with the snakes and poisonous black spiders.

God is SO GOOD. He knows I hate spiders, and He knows that spiders will only be getting worse from now on as we prepare to go into Asia, Eastern Africa and India, so I have no doubt He is preparing me for these horrors. Except for by the time I am done with the jungle of Panama, spiders will no longer be horrors to me. Because I am taking the challenge. I will get over this irrational fear.

Because my God is bigger than a spider. He is bigger than a pair of fangs, or eight hairy legs, or eight beady eyes. And He is bigger than my fears.