This month we have been all over the place.
As I told you before, we were in the mountains our first few days of ministry, then we came back to the YWAM base for some time. We then went to the Caribbean side of panama for a couple days and now we are back at the base.
There’s a lot that has been going on, so let me fill you in!
For one week, we were teaching indigenous students English. All of the students here are Spanish speaking, as well as their native languages from the various tribes they come from.
One day, we went as a supportive ministry, to the skate rink and helped out with a kids club there.
When we went to Boccas del Torro, the Caribbean side, we went to clean and prepare the cabin for a discipleship training school group that will be staying there for 3 months doing outreach.
On Saturday mornings, we go to a little town about 20 minutes away and have a kids club. We go walking down the streets and gather up all the kids to meet us at the local “cancha” – the basketball court. Here, we play soccer, frisbee, basketball, and then we tell a bible story and have them act it out so they’re involved! They love it! Then of course they get a little snack and juice.
One Saturday specifically, we had a girls day with the students here at the base. Two of my teammates used the program “Days for Girls” and taught the girls about their bodies, periods, and all that comes along with being a woman. In their culture, it’s common for the girls to get married and start having babies as early as 12. Living in small communities and with the belief of polygamy and trading women, STIs and AIDS are taking over. There is also a lack of hygiene due to not having access or not being able to afford feminine products.
My favorite part of ministry this month has honestly just been the community. I’ve been able to make deep connections with the people here as well as our host. One friend specifically, has said “I think your team was an answer to my prayers.” I love these people a lot and it may be the hardest place yet to leave for me!
Also, I got a parasite!
Pray for us as we close our time in Panama and prepare for Costa Rica! We will be having team changes moving in to Costa Rica, and we are prayerfully seeking what ministry will look like moving forward! (More details to come).
God Bless!!
