Panama 2010 - Day 6

Hello everyone!

      I'm writing from an internet cafe here in Santa Catalina. I don't have a lot of time to update, but I wanted to let you know that we are all still safe and doing very well.

     Santa Catalina is gorgeous. Yesterday was our first full day here, and we are staying until Wednesday when we drive back to Casa Paraiso.

     So far we have painted the inside of the local church, started construction on a porch for a man who goes to that same church, have played at the beach with some local kids, and have prayed for a few local families. We also played a giant game of soccer yesterday with some of the older kids.

    Everyone is doing well. The place we are staying at now has a beautiful view of the ocean, and there are a few hammocks in front of our rooms for us to hang out in.

    Just picture a very small town in the jungle by the sea, with lots of heat, rain storms, and hammocks, and that's where we are at! I'm hoping to update again before we lead Santa Catalina. Please pray for Jesus to use our presence here as a light to the people. And pray for the church service tonight, saturday, that our children's program would be fun and effective, and that God's love would be shown through us to the children!

   Love to you all,

     Heather



   

Panama 2010 - Day 4

Good morning!!

         Today we are traveling to Santa Catalina, and since we don't know about the internet access over there, I thought you all would enjoy a morning blog update!

         The drive today is 6 hours long. We have vans with air conditioning (Praise Jeeeesus!) so we should be pretty comfortable. We'll stop for lunch on the way.

         Once we get there we'll be there for at least 6 days. Then we'll be coming back to Casa Paraiso.

         Here are some continued pictures from yesterday at the orphanage and of Casa Paraiso this morning!

         Love to all of you,
               Heather

             

Panama 2010 - Day 3

Our third day in Panama: This morning I woke up rolled out of my bunk and stumbled into the comon area to be greeted by the sun... and pancakes. A good night sleep and delicious breakfast was all we needed to get pumped up for the day ahead. As a group we were all excited to return to Corundu to play with the kids we had met yesterday and perform a few new skits, play more games, and help out the mission any way we could. That turned out to be a stellar performance of David and Goliath with Jordan playing the torso and head of Goliath on Brian's shoulders; Hunter and Chris hanging out with a group of boys flipping, running up walls, and singing rounds of "Ole, ole, ole, ole," while jumping in a huddle; and two groups working on painting and sanding in the unfinished portion of the building.

The second half of the day was very similar to the day before. We went back to the orphanage ready for anything. Each team performed their skit, we played some games, and got a tour of the facilites to really see where these kids live and what their experience there is like. It might be a step up for many of the children, but their desire for attention and love is still apparent on each of their faces. We made more of an effort to connect with the older kids and pulled them aside for a group discussion. Joelene shared her story and got to have a very special conversation with one of the girls coming from a very difficult home situation. You will all have to ask her more about that when we return because I was outside playing tag and chase. I was really moved to see John Branham playing with little Freddie all day even when he was tired and sweaty he just poured out the love of Christ on that boy all day.

We may have only been at that day camp and orphange for two days, but for the kids it was obvious that we had made an impact in their lives that week. As we pulled out into the street piled in the buses, kids waved, cried and chased the buses. As a staff member, I was so moved to really see how big the students hearts grew for these kids, and how willing they were to just be present and open even when the kids were sick and dirty, even if they were tired and hungry, and even with the language barrier.

Tonight we refueled with a wonderful meal of Paella to prepare for the six hour drive to Santa Catalina tomorrow morning. I know that as we leave this beautiful place and head to the coast, we will be taking many memories with us and leaving behind tears of both joy and sadness.

Today I am thankful for Purell, sneakers, Hunter's dance moves, John's patience, Ana's laughter, Patte's kindness, and Dillow's Zicam.
Please pray for the children in Corundu and at the orphanage, travel mercies for tomorrw, health for students caring for sick children, and for Sonrise ministries and their continued work here in Panama.

We miss our HCC family and look forward to sharing more great stories from Panama on our return.
Katie Wolff

Panama 2010 - Day 2

Today our group had the chance to play with and get to know the children here. Our first location was a little daycare where we got to play, draw, act and eat lunch. Most of the kids her were 10 or under.One group prepared and acted out the story of Jesus calming the storm. Later on we actually got to expierience a Panamanian storm. As we were at our second location, an orphanage, a thunder and lightening storm hit. The storm was so cool to see and hear and the rain was refreshing compared to the humidity. Although the noise of the rain on the roof and the thunder made it difficult to talk to the group as a whole so we broke up and played various games like duck-duck-goose, and red light, green light. There was even a group teaching how to make friendship bracelets (however, most of them ended up being taught how to make more intricate ones by the kids). The kids at the orphanage ranged from 1-18 years old. Some of the kids in the orphanage had parents but due to various circumstances were unable to live with them. As a group we got to pray for them that they would be able to return home with their parents or be adopted into a good family when the time was right and once they had a chance to learn more about Jesus. One really cool thing was when one of the kids at the orphanage prayed for two fellow kids who were sick. It was great to hear him talking to God, even if there was a language barrier keeping us from understanding. One of my highlights was hanging out with one little girl named Alexandra.We weren't able to communicate with her too well but like with the other kids we ran around and gave her piggy back rides. However the funnest part was teaching her our names along with other english words like "Howdy Ashley," "High-Five," "Pinky Swear" and various others. I am so excited to be able to go back to both locations and hangout with the kids more!

-Ashley "Peach" Stakset

Panama 2010 Day 1

WE MADE IT!!!!

       *Whew*! After being awake for 20 hours, hopping on two flights and traveling half-way across the world, WE ARE HERE! And we are all alive and very well!

        Traveling today was amazing. We didn't hit very many road bumps (circling Houston airport for 20 mins due to a thunder storm and waiting through run-way traffic leaving Houston), and we all stayed together the entire time. During the take-off from our flights, we all raised our hands in the air (think like riding roller coaster) and cheered as soon as the plane left the ground!

         As for the rest of the trip, Jarrett and Aaron (one of the Sonrise guys) met us at the Panama Airport, took care of our luggage and had rides all set to go for us to take us to take us Casa Paraiso, where we are spending the next three days. You may have seen the video of this place, it's here on the website on the right. BUT. They have done HUGE huge remodels on this place. We came expecting a run down, ricketing building, unsure of showers and water and beds. And I'm sitting here at the kicthen, with couches, fresh wood floors, stable bunk beds, and clean showers, ready to go for us!

         God is already doing so much in our group. Through the laughter, fun, and adventures we had today... I know God is here with us.

         Tomorrow we head out to serve at a local school, working with the kids there, and then we spend our afternoon with different kids in a local orphanage. We will definitely have more stories to share tomorrow evening!

        Here are some pictures from our travels today. Love and hugs to you all back home! :o)

              In His Love,

               Heather