Its all about Jesus!

One of my leaders talked about how they had a word form God for us. It was about a field and how we were planting the field and after our work was done we looked back and saw that it was still dry and nothing was growing yet. But that if we were to come back in time we would see growth. That word seems so true for us. We thought we would come in and help make a publication to get the word out on Human Trafficking and prostitution, and encourage the church in Panama to rise up and help in this need. Isn't it sooooo like God to have another plan and much better. After a month of being here and things moving in a slow pace, we had the opportunity to talk about this topic to some churches here in Panama. We realized we had already a publication in a 30 day prayer booklet for the Voiceless that has just been translated into Spanish.

Then God opened up doors to meet with prostitutes at a medical clinic every Wednesday morning. We passed out pieces of paper so that they can write down prayer request that we come together and pray for later. Also people asked for prayer personally or for family members. Prayer is an opportunity to break down a language barrier that many of us have. The Holy Spirit moves in prayer and thats the amazing part, that God chooses to use us. It becomes all about Jesus his plans and how each day he brings something new to show us and to be apart of. We want these women to know Jesus personally and also to know his huge love for them. I saw my friend Rachel almost in tears telling these women how much Jesus loves them.

Thats what matters to us! Some of these prayer request were to get out of prostitution. I can't imagine the horror of having to sleep with men for money and men who don't care about you, they are just there for themselves. The guilt and the shame that satan fills these women with is disgusting. Jesus first loved us and knows everything that we have done and never once does he take his love away. He loves these women and has given us the opportunity to share it with them. Lord it has been a blessing and a privaledge to be apart of what you are doing in Panama.

Papas

Here in Panama I have noticed one thing with the food chains, food comes with fries! I enjoyed a Quizno Sub yesterday, and found out it came with fries or papas as we say in spanish!!! They were great fries as you can see by the picture! So you might be thinking that doesn't sound so far off but a week or so ago I had fries with Taco Bell, not tator tots but french fries! As I realize this appears more different when it comes down to american chain resturants that usually you don't find fries with. But oh well, by this story you can tell that I ordered them and ate them! Papas for everyone!!

Time

So time here is coming to a close. I have a week and a half left and today is my day off and I am off to get some gifts for the family!!!!
Being here has been a great experience but a long one. As being a part of the twelve hearts team, I have daily walked with each one of these wonderful people. There is coming the day where we will go our separate ways. Its an honor that God has brought us together for this time. These folks are family to me and I know I will see them all again either on earth in Heaven. Thanks God for this time in Panama....and a little time, coming soon, in South Africa!

Cappabera "Pig dogs" or "Pig Rats"

This animal was first introduced to me by my leader Susi. Susi told us a story of these "Pig dogs", as she called them. Their real name is Cappabera. To me they look more like a big "pig rat" that has no tail! This creature is very unique to me, I watched this "pig rat" digging in the ground and burying some sort of food.

I see them a lot in the little town of Gamboa, where my group and I are staying. They come out of the bushes right as your walking past....not so fun to hear the bushes rustle right by you!
I do enjoy Gamboa its a nice quiet town where you can watch the boats drift by...literally!

Prostitution and Trafficking

Here in Panama prostitution is legal. Usually the women who are prostitutes are from Colombia or Nicoragua. We have met a Lady who works with prostitutes. every Wednesday she goes to a medical clinic and talks to these women who are waiting for an appointment. There are rules here where prostitutes have to register and go for checkups for their health. My team got to go and talk with these women on last Wednesday. One gal I talked with was going home soon to see her kids and her mom.Women can come in on work visa's and then they have to leave for awile when that is up and go back home. They do return to work again. I had a translator and it was nice to have help talking to her. We also got to give out booklets that talked about Jesus. The true reason for talking to them is to let them know they are loved by Jesus and what he did for all of us, but it was also nice to hear a little of her story.
A lot of these women work in gentlemens club's, spa's, strip clubs and so on, this gives them more protection from physical abuse. Women aren't treated so well, as a prostitute your life can be in danger. It is illegal to own a prostitute and take her passport and documents that is part of Human trafficking. There is a line that does get crossed here in Panama but the government is trying to crackdown on human trafficking. Children are trafficked within Panama. They can be trafficked for sex and labor and indiginous women are trafficked as prostitutes in their own country as well.
Our team has been speaking on these issues and trying to have opportuniuties to talk with these women and hear their stories. We are glad we get to go back again to the medical clinic, to talk with them and pray with them.

I love visual help!

I love funny signs....even though their not meant to be funny.....they just are! I happened upon this sign near a board walk downtown Panama City. Even though you can't read the language that is where the visual helps! I am a visual learner and usually if someone tells a joke it takes me a second till the picture appears in my mind. Yes, that means I usually laugh a little later then others!!! But anyway its great to have a visual!!!!!

Water and rain!

Well it takes me awhile to blog so here I am again. Just to give you an update from our water bottle outreach. We got to write something special on a water bottle and gave them out. The problem we had was that it rained hard and we got stuck for a couple of hours under a building. Under the building there were other people that we got to give some water to, even though there is a language barrier. I did get the chance to practice the little Spanish that I know...." agua?....No denero!" "Water?...No money(free)" That's as good as it gets!

These opportunities are team building for sure......this idea was two teammates of mine and they did a great job! We have days here where we have nothing scheduled so our leaders give us opportunities to do something for others. So far we got to paint and give our paintings to the YWAM base. Next, like I just shared we gave out water bottles. Then part of my idea and my teammate Charissa, we baked cookies for our neighbors, the Smithsonian scientists and the owners of the local store in Gamboa. It was fun and well what can I say we are addicted to chocolate over here, so most things we back end up with chocolate!