Overwelmed.... in a good way.
Overwelmed. That describes our experience this last weekend in many ways. Overwelmed by what God is doing in the lives of Wounaan belivers all over Panama. Overwelmed by the hospitality and generosity of the Wounaan people. And yes, tired as well.
We started out on Thursday of last week, waiting at the port of Coquira. Soon our captain arrived and the process began of buying the gasoline, and waiting for the rest of the crew to arrive. Meanwhile the girls and I enjoyed a breakfast of fried tortillas and beef at a small restaurant.
Soon everyone arrived, including our team from YWAM Chiriqui, and the boat was loaded. We headed out down the Bayano River, only to realize that our motor was too small for the weight. So we turned around again and switched out with a friend's larger boat and motor. And we were off again!
The day was sunny and we covered ourselves as much as we could. The wind was low and we made good progress. About four hours later, just at the day was cooling off we made our way through some sand bars and found a little spot of beach at the mouth of the river. There was some welcome shade from the mangroves, which also provided a "restroom".
Soon our captain deemed the tide high enough to head up river. Less than an hour later we had arrived. The children were ecstatic to be out of the boat. Our little group included 8 children, all but one under 5, and I was amazed at how well the behaved. The end of the trip had most of the happily splashing in the water.
Then we commenced carrying our stuff up a long hill and into the community. After talking to several people we figured out where we and our group were staying. Our hosts were a large family that openned their home to 15+ people and were generous and helpful. They decided that I needed a bed and gave us a seperate room. I felt bad for about 15 seconds about having a bed when no one else did. Then I just thanked God that I would sleep well!
There was just enough time to get in line for supper at the community kitchen which served the 500 or so people attending, get some quick showers, and head to the main event.
When we arrived the meeting place was full. Representatives had come from churches all over the Darien and East Panama, belonging the Iglesia Evangelica Unida, the first churches planted among the Wounaan about 50 years ago. This meeting is a yearly event, held in a different community each time.
There was singing, and preaching, and sharing about what was going on in the different communities. I left the meeting early to put the girls to bed, we were more than ready.
The next day was filled with meetings, more waiting in the meal lines, and Alex kicked off the youth events in the afternoon. Along with another local youth leader, they got the young people together for a time of sharing from God's word, and then... soccer! The played two days in a row, with a trophy for the best team.
The theme for the weekend was "Repentance". There was much teaching and a lot of discussion. As I listened to what was said, I started to get the picture. When missions were started among the Wounaan, they were told that they needed to "repent", but this was a Spanish word that they didn't understand. It was seen as the same as being baptized. Several older men shared about how they had gotten baptized just because everyone else was doing it, and didn't understand it's significance until years later. One man described his experience as climbing a ladder as he understood more and more the faith that he had accepted as a boy.
Now their challenge was to reclaim this word and bring true understanding about what it means to repent. I wondered to myself how many in MY culture really understand this word. What does it mean? What does it lool like when someone repents? Everyone there agreed that this was something that needed to be talked about more.
As we hoped, we were able to share a meal with Alex's sister, and talk some with her family. Their house was just across the path from where we were staying.
The food was great. I don't know how long those in the kitchen spent getting the shellfish that we ate at several meals, but it was delicious. The second day a pig was killed, which provided our lunch and dinner.
Our second day was spent mostly at our host's house for me, since Abigail woke up with a fever. When our hosts found out, they quickly mobilized to her aid. Medicine was found, and they prepared an herb infused bath for her. She wasn't able to keep the medicine down, but the bath did wonders. Soon she was sittling on my lap in the hammock, slowly eating her lunch of boiled plantain and pork in a tasty sauce. By the afternoon I couldn't keep her in the house any longer and she was happily running to and fro with the other kids.
That evening I knew the meeting was planned to last all night. I also knew that we were supposed to be up at 6:00 and ready to leave. I really didn't have the energy for the meeting, since I was still fighting a bad cold. I sat down for a moment and prayed about whether I should try and attend, or just got to bed early. I felt I should go, so off we went with the girls. The meeting house was packed! Many, many people were standing outside without a seat. It was truly inspiring to be part of those meetings.
After thoroughly enjoying the meeting, I headed back to "our" house at 11:00, with two sleepy girls. Settling them into the bed, I laid down too. Sooner than I wanted, morning came.
A lower than usual tide found us almost stranded as the guys struggled to pull the heavy boat down to the water the next morning Bags were hurriedly thrown in, children passed in, and we all jumped in. Once we got past the low parts of the river, it was a smooth trip. We arrived back at Coquira port, sun burned but glad to be back. Now only two short bus rides stood between us and home. Before we knew it we were back in our little house in Margaritas, getting a much needed shower and a dinner for hungry tummies.
For Alex, this time only highlighted how much need there is for leaders to work with young people. There was a wonderfully positive response to what they were able during the weekend. People kept coming up to Alex from different communities asking him to help them reach out to young people in their home town. The church leaders from one village even promised to pay all his travel expenses if he will come and help them.
At the last meeting with the young people, an invitation was given to give your life to Christ. 15 young men and women responded. One young woman shared how she had been thinking about eternity and realized that she didn't know where she stood with God, or where she would spend eternity. This was heavy on her mind and she was ready to surrender to God. Alex and the other leaders rejoiced at this. As several of the young men live near our area, Alex is hoping to get together with them and help them as they learn to walk out their faith.
Thanks so much to all who prayed for our health and contributed to the cost of this trip. Upon returning we both agreed it was more than worth the effort. We also truly felt God strengthening us as we were struggling with sore thoats and coughs. Thanks so much, prayer does make a difference.
It's time for this long post to come to an end, thanks for reading!
We started out on Thursday of last week, waiting at the port of Coquira. Soon our captain arrived and the process began of buying the gasoline, and waiting for the rest of the crew to arrive. Meanwhile the girls and I enjoyed a breakfast of fried tortillas and beef at a small restaurant.
Soon everyone arrived, including our team from YWAM Chiriqui, and the boat was loaded. We headed out down the Bayano River, only to realize that our motor was too small for the weight. So we turned around again and switched out with a friend's larger boat and motor. And we were off again!
Then we commenced carrying our stuff up a long hill and into the community. After talking to several people we figured out where we and our group were staying. Our hosts were a large family that openned their home to 15+ people and were generous and helpful. They decided that I needed a bed and gave us a seperate room. I felt bad for about 15 seconds about having a bed when no one else did. Then I just thanked God that I would sleep well!
There was just enough time to get in line for supper at the community kitchen which served the 500 or so people attending, get some quick showers, and head to the main event.
When we arrived the meeting place was full. Representatives had come from churches all over the Darien and East Panama, belonging the Iglesia Evangelica Unida, the first churches planted among the Wounaan about 50 years ago. This meeting is a yearly event, held in a different community each time.
There was singing, and preaching, and sharing about what was going on in the different communities. I left the meeting early to put the girls to bed, we were more than ready.
The next day was filled with meetings, more waiting in the meal lines, and Alex kicked off the youth events in the afternoon. Along with another local youth leader, they got the young people together for a time of sharing from God's word, and then... soccer! The played two days in a row, with a trophy for the best team.
The theme for the weekend was "Repentance". There was much teaching and a lot of discussion. As I listened to what was said, I started to get the picture. When missions were started among the Wounaan, they were told that they needed to "repent", but this was a Spanish word that they didn't understand. It was seen as the same as being baptized. Several older men shared about how they had gotten baptized just because everyone else was doing it, and didn't understand it's significance until years later. One man described his experience as climbing a ladder as he understood more and more the faith that he had accepted as a boy.
Now their challenge was to reclaim this word and bring true understanding about what it means to repent. I wondered to myself how many in MY culture really understand this word. What does it mean? What does it lool like when someone repents? Everyone there agreed that this was something that needed to be talked about more.
The food was great. I don't know how long those in the kitchen spent getting the shellfish that we ate at several meals, but it was delicious. The second day a pig was killed, which provided our lunch and dinner.
Our second day was spent mostly at our host's house for me, since Abigail woke up with a fever. When our hosts found out, they quickly mobilized to her aid. Medicine was found, and they prepared an herb infused bath for her. She wasn't able to keep the medicine down, but the bath did wonders. Soon she was sittling on my lap in the hammock, slowly eating her lunch of boiled plantain and pork in a tasty sauce. By the afternoon I couldn't keep her in the house any longer and she was happily running to and fro with the other kids.
That evening I knew the meeting was planned to last all night. I also knew that we were supposed to be up at 6:00 and ready to leave. I really didn't have the energy for the meeting, since I was still fighting a bad cold. I sat down for a moment and prayed about whether I should try and attend, or just got to bed early. I felt I should go, so off we went with the girls. The meeting house was packed! Many, many people were standing outside without a seat. It was truly inspiring to be part of those meetings.
After thoroughly enjoying the meeting, I headed back to "our" house at 11:00, with two sleepy girls. Settling them into the bed, I laid down too. Sooner than I wanted, morning came.
A lower than usual tide found us almost stranded as the guys struggled to pull the heavy boat down to the water the next morning Bags were hurriedly thrown in, children passed in, and we all jumped in. Once we got past the low parts of the river, it was a smooth trip. We arrived back at Coquira port, sun burned but glad to be back. Now only two short bus rides stood between us and home. Before we knew it we were back in our little house in Margaritas, getting a much needed shower and a dinner for hungry tummies.
For Alex, this time only highlighted how much need there is for leaders to work with young people. There was a wonderfully positive response to what they were able during the weekend. People kept coming up to Alex from different communities asking him to help them reach out to young people in their home town. The church leaders from one village even promised to pay all his travel expenses if he will come and help them.
At the last meeting with the young people, an invitation was given to give your life to Christ. 15 young men and women responded. One young woman shared how she had been thinking about eternity and realized that she didn't know where she stood with God, or where she would spend eternity. This was heavy on her mind and she was ready to surrender to God. Alex and the other leaders rejoiced at this. As several of the young men live near our area, Alex is hoping to get together with them and help them as they learn to walk out their faith.
Thanks so much to all who prayed for our health and contributed to the cost of this trip. Upon returning we both agreed it was more than worth the effort. We also truly felt God strengthening us as we were struggling with sore thoats and coughs. Thanks so much, prayer does make a difference.
It's time for this long post to come to an end, thanks for reading!
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