Today was our last day of ministry here in Panama. It started off like any other day, with breakfast at 6:30. We left at 7 but when we got to the farm, we didn’t stop. Missy and I were in the truck cab with “dad” so we asked him where we were going but his only response was, “It’s a secret”. So Missy and I continued to play our “ride and die” scenario game where we figure out how we will potentially survive when the breaks fail on “dads” truck while driving straight down a mountain. We finally came to a stop about 25 minutes later. “Dad” said “Let’s go!”, so we grabbed our things and started walking.
While walking to who knows where, we were trying not to fall on our faces in knee-high grass while also dodging giant cow patties every few feet. Finally, we get to the top of this small mountain with the most incredible view I’ve seen since we’ve been here, and that’s saying something! “Dad” tells us that what we’re looking at is all 80 acres of the farm.
He looked at us and said, “Work is important, but the mission is more important.” This is where some of us lost it. “Dad” told us he brought us to this place to pray over the farm, the vision of their ministry, and the new projects that they are about to start. (They are about to start building multiple mission houses around the property!) Tears were flowing at this point…and then we started praying.
The more I prayed over this family and their ministry, the more I cried. I cried because I love these people with my whole heart. I cried because I’ve become a part of this family and I don’t want to leave. I cried because I wasn’t sure when I would be able to come back. I cried because I am so thankful that the Lord brought me here and said, “This is how much I love you”. But mostly, I cried because everything I was asking of the Lord was a plea for this place, this family, and this ministry.
His response?
“I love them more than you and I will take care of them.”
Once we finished praying, “Dad” took turns coming around to each of us to pray over us, hug us, and tell us how much he loves us as his daughters. At this point, we were all sobbing uncontrollably.
Y’all, this man was a stranger to us 18 days ago and now he introduces us as his daughters! THAT is how you love like the Father. We didn’t have to earn “dad’s” love. He loved us unconditionally from the moment we stepped in his house.
I’m so thankful for my time here in Panama and that the Lord brought us to the Cabellero family. This most definitely isn’t goodbye, but as “dad” would say…
“Next year!”
-H
*We leave tomorrow for Panama City to meet up with the rest of our squad and then start traveling to Indonesia Saturday morning! We will have a 24 hour layover in LA where I get to see my parents and then 2 more flights before we land in Jakarta. Please be in prayer for safe travels for my squad and my parents!
