Panama, Day One

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Compelled

“I too will have my say; I too will tell what I know for I am full of words

and the spirit within me compels me.”   Job 32:17, 18

Compelled, what a great word, it is exactly the word that describes the feeling we all had as we boarded the plane to head to Panama.  It is a word that has kept coming up over and over these last days and even again this day, as I drove in the vehicle with Alan Foster and his family, he was describing to me how he came to stay in Panama. He said “I was compelled to walk down this remote road…”  He was eventually picked up by a missionary couple who invited him to stay and serve with them in Panama.  Needless to say he did.  It is for him that our team has made this long trip, we want to see where it is that we can be a help to this mission field, in this far away country...compelled to go to Panama, to love, to learn, to listen.

The first thing we noticed in Panama was the heat, hot and humid, the sky though dark with night was heavy with the smell of rain.  Our layers of clothing were soon peeled off as we loaded the 12 large suitcases and boxes filled with gifts and books and supplies, piled mostly on top of Alan’s vehicle and the vehicle we rented, secured with rope and all wrapped in large garbage bags…a cloud burst was never far away.  Then we stuffed in our 12 carry-ons, into corners, placed at our feet and onto our laps…all of this plus our 6 team members, Alan, Colleen, Kalea, the baby in his car seat and Samson, the dog…all sweaty.  Two vehicles all of this and oh yes, one more thing…air conditioning!

Our first stop was the grocery store for some dinner to eat along the way, it was already late and the only choice for food at this point.  So, having some food to eat, Gatorade to drink and conversation to share we made our way to our first stop; Chepo. 

El Chepo, an unassuming quaint motel, the front entrance was an open hallway with rooms on either side, simple clean, each room had one bed, its own bathroom, just a few bugs, not many and… air-conditioning.   A light rain had already started; we unpacked what we needed and settled in for the night; Loralee and I will be roommates for the next ten days… a little reading, writing, talking and sleeping.  

This is just the beginning.

I love that.

I am going to Panama

    I am reading a book by Emily P Freeman, she has written a most beautiful book filled with words that encourage us to take a deep look into our purpose, to find the art we were made to live…we are God’s handiwork after all, His masterpiece.  I love that…I am an artist, well, I have an artist’s mind, and I understand the idea of our purpose being an art work to be displayed, whether it is raising children, photography, creating with paint and brush or fitting words on a page.  More than that, in displaying His hand in all we do, all of us, God comes out in a million little ways.

   Months ago, I began looking into a mission’s trip I could be part of, to have a bigger purpose, something to be intentional about.  I had just read an article from Allan Foster, a missionary in Panama, the article was mentioning how they needed encouragement and wondered how a team could come to help them.  My first thought of service was for them, but what could I do alone.  Other ideas came and went, words from friends; doing this, going there or helping here, me thinking, months of searching out something intentional. 

    Then I heard that our church was sending a team to Panama, to the Fosters, the missionary family who months before had needed encouragement.  My first thought was, wow, I love that, they can search out what is needed and then I will join in on the next trip out.  But God had something else in mind, at the next church meeting, the question was asked if anyone else would like to join in…yes, me.

    Now it looked like I may be able to go along…but the team was set, their tickets already bought…and now it seemed like I may not be able to go.  Prayer and waiting and I thought perhaps the question should not have been asked and I wondered.  But God works in mysterious ways and I soon realized that of course the question was meant to be asked because I was meant to be part of the team…perfect.

    So, in just a few more sleeps, six of us will be heading out to Panama, loaded with eleven suitcases and boxes filled with tools, boat fittings, pump motors, computers, sound equipment, books, clothes, food, toys…more than that…words of encouragement, eyes open to learn, ears to listen and hearts to love.

    Our art, displaying God in a million little ways…

    I love that.