This blog has taken sometime to type because I was not sure if I had the emotional capacity to
1. Put the words to paper (keyboard)
2. I knew there was no way to put my experience in Panama into words that would do it justice.
This is my attempt to do both
Yes my name has changed.
No I did not get married on the race. (It’s in our covenant that we won’t date on the race)
I did however get adopted.
In my last post (Click Here) I explained that my host in Panama adopted me as a daughter.
Every morning I would wake up get dressed and head to breakfast at 6:30am. Yaneth (Madre) would be in the kitchen preparing breakfast and she would stop just to give me a hug! After a while I would hear “Daniella Caballero!” and I knew Enoc (Padre) was close. I would respond by saying “Present, present”.
Y’all I miss Rio Sereno so much Enoc and Yaneth were more than just host they are family. From day one they welcomed me in as their daughter and I literally did nothing to deserve it. How can I even explain that?
Not only do I have an amazing set of parents I have an amazing little sister Libny and little brother Abner. Abner welcomed us with a delicious cake our first night in Panama. It was so unexpected and heartwarming. Abner also wants to be a pilot when he gets older until then he is doing an amazing job at dominating school by excelling in his classes. Libny came home on the weekends because she goes to school in Panama City. She is studying to be Dentist to go and serve in India and Africa. When I say they are the best little brother and sister I am not exaggerating they truly are.
I love being a member of the Caballero family because the love that they have is not just in words. They express their love in action 100%. The hospitality that they give is beyond what I have ever experienced. There were always hugs going around. The way they interact as a family of four is selfless and full of love. There were times I would walk in the kitchen and see Abner dancing with Yaneth and my heart would leap because you can see that this family genuinely enjoy each others presence.
This further goes into their ministry as well. The vision is to support 365 missionaries a year. 1 missionary for each day of the year. One day at lunch on the farm padre sat us down and told us about this vision as well as gave examples of how God has been faithful to this beautiful family from being able to the states to someone volunteering to pay for all of Libny’s dentistry schooling. God has been faithful to this family.
Leaving the Caballero family was by far one of the hardest things I have had to do thus far on the race. As I type this I am brought to tears because it was through this family that God showed me how he adopted me into his family
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Romans 8:14?-?17 ESV
It was through the Caballero family that I learned that this spirit of adoption is a gift and there is nothing I can do to earn it or make it go away. I just have to receive. It’s that simple I just have to walk through the door and my identity has changed. I did nothing but show up and that is what I get to do with God my father.
So all that to say. I am Danie’lla Maria Caballero daughter of Enoc and Yaneth Caballero and sister to Libny and Abner.
I am a daughter of Yahweh! My father is Abba! My brother is Yeshua Hamashiach (Jesus)! My brother is Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit)! I am a child of God.
As Padre would say no good VERY Good!
Panama has a piece of my heart!
Financial Update
I am currently $5,610 away from being fully funded.
I have 7 DAYS to reach this goal by April 30th.
Would you consider donating $100?
I am asking that you give from your heart.
This is more that a mission trip this is life. Ministry gives me the opportunity to share love with others. Help me continue to do this.
Your donation helps cover food, lodging, travel and medical insurance. It also covers set up, coaching, debrief, training, and administrative costs prior to and throughout your Race.
Donate via
Blog: Click Here
Cash App: $dmpella
Venmo: daniella-patterson
As always
Thank You
