Six Days in Panama--Part 1

We hadn't ever taken a vacation here in Central America--all of our traveling has been for mission trips.  So, we decided to celebrate Stephen's 65th birthday by visiting Panama City, Panama.  We booked the trip through Travelocity, got great prices on the flights and one free night for booking the hotel at the same time.  

We left the house at 4:00 a.m. Thursday morning.  (Those early morning flights sound like such a good idea until you realize what time you have to be at the airport.)  We landed in Panama about 10:00 a.m., though, and had almost the whole day ahead of us.  We had arranged for transporation from the airport to the hotel and they were waiting for us as we exited--might be the first time that someone was holding a sign with our names on it.  

We couldn't check in to the hotel (Trump Ocean Club) at 11:00 a.m., but they watched our luggage while we went off to explore.  There is a vast difference between Panama City and the other Central American capitols that we've visited.  It is extremely modern, very safe, very wealthy and full of foreigners.  We were told that the skyline is reminiscent of Miami.  (We've never been to Miami, so we can't confirm.)  

We made our way to MultiPlaza mall for lunch and weren't disappointed.  The first thing we saw was the Swarovski Christmas tree.  It was amazingly beautiful--later we heard that the value of all of the crystal ornaments is over one million dollars.

 We also found a wood-fire pizza restaurant--just what we needed for lunch.  

After lunch we went back to the hotel to check in.  The room and the view (29th floor) were awesome.

It's not easy to get used to the luxury!  There was even a piano in the lobby that Stephen was able to play.  Before dinner we checked out the five pools, two of them are infinite pools.  I took this picture on my phone and looking at it now I can hardly believe it is real.  You can see where the pool ends and the ocean starts--it's actually quite a drop.  

We finished the night at P. F. Changs--it was within walking distance--and we already knew we would like the food.  

Final Prep and Fruit of our Labor

The Hilo, Aguja y Biblia ladies met yesterday to prepare all of our items for sale.  We finished up a few more Christmas towels and individually packaged all of the items, including the miniature fabric trays.  The signs were printed, the change boxes were prepared and the sales scheduled was finalized. At the final count, we had 70 towels (33 Christmas and 37 Jesus Te Ama) and another 70 small fabric trays.  If we're able to sell everything, we should raise about $300.  

I was able to give them an early Christmas gift--their very own Hilo, Aguja y Biblia t-shirt.  Every lady received a shirt, even if they weren't going to be working at the sale.  

This morning we sold our wares.  Since Stephen wasn't scheduled to play the piano, he and I went to Lourdes with towels and trays, and I wore one of our new shirts.  The congregation was very supportive, and we came back with almost $45.  

I stopped by the hotel to drop off the very few towels that were left from Lourdes and added them to the "inventory" for the final service at the hotel.   

We don't have the results from the sale at the main church in Miralvalle, but between Lourdes and the hotel we raised $164!  Praise the Lord--we will use the money to clean/repair our sewing machines and cover the cost of some of our future projects.

Cambio de Rumbo--Sunday morning

The rain from Saturday night forced a schedule change on Sunday morning.  Originally, we were going to have a very early devotional (6:00 a.m.) at the big tree up on top of the hill.  However, it was too wet and muddy, so we were able to sleep in, do our personal quiet time and be ready for breakfast at 7:30.  

After a time of worship, we met in small groups for our third study in Jonah.  Like the other sessions, we had two hours to talk about everything that happened in Chapter 3.  The power of the study came from the personal, application questions.

After the morning session, it was craft time.  The ladies of Hilo, Aguja y Biblia worked really hard to sew 140 fabric whales.  Earlier in the week, Maria Elena and I put the fabric whale (still wrong side out), a needle, buttons and a bookmark with instructions in individual bags.  Maria Elena gave the four-step instructions relating each step to our lives.  

Step 1:  Change your direction:  turn the whale so it is right-side out.  Be sure that your whale maintains the correct form.

Step 2:  Focus your eyes on God:  sew on the two white buttons first and then add the black buttons on top. 

Step 3:  Fill your life with the Word of God:  pour in a pound of dry rice.

Step 4:  Hide his words in your heart:  Sew the opening closed.

(The rice bag serves a practical purpose, as well.  It can be heated in the microwave (1-2 min.) and used on sore muscles OR it can go in the freezer to be used on swollen feet, ankles or to cool down after exercising.)

It was quite a process trying to explain the steps to everyone at the same time, but we had excellent table leaders who helped with the process.  

Cambio de Rumbo--Saturday afternoon, evening

Saturday after lunch, we boarded the bus to go to the highest point on the resort property.  It was an unbelievably beautiful spot to see the mountains all around us. 

 It also served as a great backdrop for tons of pictures.

We had our second small group study on Chapter 2 of Jonah before dinner.  After dinner we were supposed to meet at the conference center for the photo booth and fellowship, but it was raining so hard, we canceled the evening event.  Instead, we had fellowship in our small groups.

Cambio de Rumbo--Saturday morning

Early Saturday morning, nearly 125 women arrived at Iglesia Bautista Vida Nueva to pick up their registration packet for our annual women's ministry retreat.  It took more than two hours to get everyone through the line, give general instructions and find our small groups 

We boarded the buses with our small group. (Thankfully, a team of able-bodied men loaded all of the suitcases!)  Once on the bus the "crazy" began.  Unlike in the states, no one stays in their seats--instead the bus leaders formed two teams (left side and right side) and challenged the teams to decorate their side of the bus, with the crepe paper, balloons, stickers and tape they handed out.  No one seated during that time--and yes, the bus is driving through the city.  

The decorating contest was just the first of three challenges; the second was making up new actions to a children's song about Jonah and the third was making up words/phrases with the letters they passed out to us.  The best part is that the two-hour trip seemed to fly by.

We arrived at Entre Pinos Resort about 11:30 a.m. and trekked up the hill to the conference center.  The same able-bodied men mentioned earlier, unloaded all the luggage and delivered it to the rooms.  

We sat with our groups and the music team lead us in a sweet time of worship, introducing the theme song, Oceans, by Hillsong.  You can find a video of this amazing song, by clicking here.

Unlike previous years, there wasn't any whole-group teaching.  All four of the teaching times, each one focusing on one of the four chapters of the book of Jonah, were done within our small group.  (Earlier in the month, 40+ group leaders were trained by the women's ministry team.)  At the retreat there were 27 groups, each with a leader and 3-5 women.  This allowed plenty of time to learn, discuss and share our insights and struggles.

Getting Ready

Vida Nueva's women's retreat is this weekend.  There's been so much preparation for this weekend and we're praying that the 140 women who attend will be richly blessed.  The theme of the weekend is "Cambio de Rumbo," which is translated, "Change Direction."

  

We will be completing a study on the life of Jonah--God asked Jonah to change direction and go to Nineveh.  However, Jonah made the decision to change his direction and go toward Tarsus--miles away in the opposite direction of where God wanted him to go.  Jonah's bad decision had consequences for him and for his shipmates.  I'll save the rest of the teaching for after the retreat.

The ladies of Hilo, Aguja y Biblia started preparing the craft for the retreat about six weeks ago.  We thought we were finished, but the women just kept enrolling.  I made 10 more whales this week and then yesterday, Maria Elena and I assembled 110 bags (have 30 more to do today) with the whale, buttons, needle, instructions, etc.  I'll be helping her during craft time on Sunday.

We weren't the only ones working on the retreat, Ena and her leadership team worked all day yesterday and are still working today to be sure everything is ready.   

Pray that all goes smoothly and God is glorified!