Well folks, month 1 has come to an end!! Panama was amazing and the people treated us so well. And God’s glory definitely was shining all over the country. Part of the month was spent in the mountains serving an indigenous tribe (Ngobe tribe). We had no running water, no electricity, slept on a dirt floor, were secluded into a metal building for 21 hours of the day, and played with little kids 12 of those hours. It was physically and emotionally exhausting, but we got to do and see some pretty cool things! God seriously is great.
The other part of the month was spent doing various ministries, including: door-to-door bible distribution, visiting an old folks’ home several times, doing random projects around the base, and prison ministry. Although I loved doing all of these things, prison ministry was by far my favorite.
Here’s why:
I truly saw God working miracles on September 23.
We were told on Monday night that we would be visiting the Women’s prison near where we were staying. We were told that we would have a couple hours to do a service and that we could do whatever we liked. We were also told that the women struggle with drugs, alcohol, abuse, but most importantly forgiveness. Upon hearing this, I volunteered to share my testimony.
We got to the prison on Tuesday morning and checked in (got patted down and everything). We were sitting and waiting to move areas when I get stung in the corner of the eye by a wasp. Extremely painful. Immediately everyone prays over me, puts ice on it and I take a trip to visit the prison nurse (that was an experience). She gives me some allergy medicine and I immediately begin to feel drowsy. I didn’t want to share my testimony and wanted to rest, but something inside was telling me that I had to share.
We sang some songs, and then another teammate of mine shared her testimony. During her testimony it was clear our translator was just having some difficulties relaying the story. A prisoner jumped up and began translating. It was amazing. So my teammate finishes her testimony and it’s my turn. The medicine was really taking its toll on me but I knew I had to share. I had to share how I had overcome emotional abuse, depression and anxiety and learned how to forgive. I began speaking and the prisoner began to translate for me, as well. As I was speaking, you could see tears welling in the woman’s eyes as she translated my story. She had been through a similar experience and could still feel the pain of it. She had not forgiven. But as my story went on, the demeanor in the woman changed, her eyes lit up and she seemed hopeful.
After I shared, I sat down and the same woman approached me. She proceeded to tell me that when she was translating for me, she felt like she had found her purpose in life. She no longer felt like the life she was leading involving drugs was enough. She said she felt God and all of His love. I was brought to tears because I knew that was all God’s work. It wasn’t anything I did, but all Him. Even though Satan tried to stop that from happening with the wasp sting and medicine, it was all in the name of spreading the kingdom. So according to my squadmate, “Satan is a butthole”, but if we have one thing in mind, God will overcome that every time. So no matter what, don’t listen to that voice that tells you “I can’t” or “don’t”. Just go all in, head first and you will see miracles.
I will forever remember that moment with that woman. And I will be praying for her.
But for now we are on to month 2!! We are in Los Guido, Costa Rica working with Christian Light Foundation doing various ministries. We don’t have internet at the base, so it will be sporadic when I post. Thank you for all of the continuous love, support, and prayers. It truly means the world to me.
Xoxo,
Kaitlin
