Panama 2010 - Day 11

Well, this is it! Our last night in Panama. It's hard to believe we are actually coming home tomorrow. So much has happened in the past two weeks... so much, that I know, I will never forget.

We all have stories about our trip. About the things we did and the people we met, and how we have seen God in everything that we have experienced. And so much of that is hard to put on a blog.... because whatever is written here will never capture what we have actually lived through and have seen.

I will never forget the little girl from Corundu on our second day here, who took MY hand and wanted to play with ME. I will never forget watching Joelene share her story with the teenage girls at the Orphanage. I will never forget the pounding rainstorms at Santa Catalina. I'll never forget the 9-year old girl who I sat next to in church, who shared her pinata candy with me. And I'll never forget Alejandro, the pastor of a small, brand new church, and the ways that God moved in my life there.

We all have stories. And we all are very anxious to share them with you. When we get home, ask us, "Tell us a story from Panama." And give us the space to be listened to. We want to share with you the amazing adventures that have happened down here in Panama!

But until we get home, pray for our safe travels tomorrow. Here are some pictures from today!

     Much love,

      Heather

Panama 2010 - Day 10

Hello everyone!

         Tonight we are a very tired group. Last night we were up late encouraging each other,which was SO cool, but we all just didn't get a lot of sleep.

          Today we had a WONDERFUL day, cruising around Panama City relaxing and being tourists. After being in the jungle for 6 days, being back in the city is a little weird. We all are experiencing some culture shock already. We spent our morning walking through the rainforest by the Panama Canal. It was GORGEOUS. We saw lots of exotic insects and birds, and saw a tree FULL of howling monkeys.

       After the rainforest walk, we went to a local shopping mall and had lunch. The shops were SO weird to be around again. Mcdonald's, Subway, Cinnabon,... the local mall here is just like any mall back home. It was almost surreal walking around the clean shops after being surrounded by poverty for a week.

     After our visit at the mall, we stopped by a local shop to buy some sweet Panama souveniers, and then had dinner out on the causeway by the Panama Canal.

    Tomorrow we are off to the Carribbean to swim and catch a tan; a relaxing break after working for the past two weeks.

     Here are some pictures from our day today. Love to you all.

             Good night!

             - Heather

          

            

Panama 2010 - Day 9 Continued

This has been an interesting final high school mission trip for me. I have learned about the power of prayer like I never have before. Friday night I got a headache that lasted through Saturday, and on Sunday I developed a fever. So those three days I did not leave the base to go serve the town.


But I was still useful. I prayed so so much. I had realized how God really does answer prayers in amazing ways, so I decided to take the time to pray for the people out in the town, the town itself, the church, and Julie who was sick a few days as well. After a few days of hard praying, I had got rid of my fever and Julie did not need surgery like we were worried about.

Though I was not able to serve much, I helped our team serve by praying for them—all the stories are amazing.
I love you Mom, Dad, and Erik. See you ASAP!!

-John Branham



Hey Mom, Dad, Ken, and Ray, I saw your post on the blog and I miss you too, but I hope you don’t miss me too much because I absolutely love it here, and I am moving here now  LOVE YOU!!! And I’ll see you Saturday night! Love, Ally



Hola Mom, Dad, Tim, John, Dave, and Riley!

Part of me really doesn’t want to leave Panama – there’s still so many things I want to do! – but I’m really looking forward to seeing ALL the family next week. I love you guys so much. See you later! Love, Sarah. :D





Hello family and friends. I am thankful for all of you who prayed for me when we found out I had to go to the hospital. I can’t wait to see you and I am so thankful for such an amazing group of friends and leaders that care so much! See all of you Saturday night and continue to pray for the group!

Love Julie! (:



Hey Mom, Dad, Lindsey and Andrew, I miss you all and love you! Can’t wait to be back home. Oh and Lindsey Happy Birthday in 2 days! (Jules says happy birthday too) See you Saturday Night.

Love Ashley Stakset<3


Hola Dad, Mom, and Casey! I hope all is going well and you’re having fun without me! Haha just kidding..I’ll see you all in a couple days!!! LOVE YOU!!!

Love Ashley Smith



Hey mom dad ben and dan! I miss you! Were in panama city tonight and were going on our debrief tomorrow. Im having a great time! I LOVE YOU!

Loves! Casie

Panama 2010 - Day 9

Remember: You can click on the pictures to enlarge them!

Panama 2010 - Day 8 Conintued

Hello again!

      Well, I've been trying to upload pictures for you all to see for the past half an hour. But it looks like the internet here doesn't like uploading pics :(.

     I'll keep trying, but we will DEFINITELY be able to have pictures up tomorrow night, at Casa Paraiso.

      Again, love to you all back home!

            - Heather