Isla de Franklin

So I am back in the US for a day and therefore have access to technology so I am about to attempt a blog post on my time in the San Blas Islands off the coast of Panama. Blogging about this week is proving a challenge since so many amazing things happened and really the experience as a whole cannot be adequately explained unless you were there, but I shall try.

First I pulled an all-nigher since we were leaving our hotel in Costa Rica at 2:30 in the morning. Then we boarded a plane to Panama from the airport in Panama city we loaded up onto four-wheel drive vehicles and drove a almost 3 hour drive on the windiest, bumpiest roads I have ever been on. I dozed most of the way since I was so tired anyways. Then we loaded up onto boats for a 45 minute boat ride to Franklin's Island where we would be staying for the week. As you can gather we were in the middle of no where.  A Tour of the Island (Sorry it isn't in English)

It was amazing! The floor of my hut was sand and I fell asleep to the crashing of waves that were literally less than ten steps from my door. I showered in the ocean and I was covered in sand all week but it was so wonderful!

There are 365 islands that make up the San Blas Islands. Only 49 of those islands are inhabited they are inhabited by the Cuna people. So Spanish isn't the first or most prominant language which left me a little dumbstruck at first but God always finds a way.

The first island we went to I met a girl named Keilin (which is pronounced just like my name) I rarely meet people with the same name as me, let alone on an island off the coast of Panama. I wanted to get to know her better but she was rather shy. I did give her a Bible though and wrote in it.

The second day of ministry was a struggle for me. I didn't really connect with anyone. So I prayed and then the next day was better. That night though Pastor Morris (The Cuna pastor who was our guide for the week) gave us the scoop on Cuna culture. Perhaps someday I'll do a separate post just on the culture maybe not...

The third day of ministry a little girl named Yeilin latched on to me. Right when we got to the island she came up and asked me to play basketball with her and her friends. I did for a while and then she scampered off and I found something else to busy myself with. When I came back she comes up and says "I've been looking for you" (in spanish) I was happily surprised. She didn't leave my side after that. I found out that she does go to church on her island but I prayed with her to accept Christ in her heart. That was pretty cool. I hope nothing was lost in translation. But I got her a Bible and her friend came up and said she will go with her to church so if nothing else a seed was planted.

The next day I sat down next to a little shy girl named Kellili (I think?) She was drawing in the sand and I knew that some people had coloring books and crayons so I found one and she colored two pictures. She may only be five but I see the makings of an artist in her. She even colored the decorative lines on the page! After she was done drawing she scampered off to show her mom what she had made, that was the last I saw of her. But then this little boy Aiken runs up to me arms open for a hug and he just wants to be loved on. He is four and we had fun looking for broken balloons that could be salvaged and reinflated. (One thing we do a lot of is balloon animals) He was just so affectionate! I loved spending time with him.

The last day was probably my favorite. We only did a half day of ministry and instead of doing the drama as usual, we did worship with some of the leaders of the church. It is probably the coolest thing I have experienced to date. At one point we were singing How Great is Our God in three languages and I was just crying. God was so present there in that moment. Words could never express quite what it was like. I also got to encourage the women in Spanish which for me was cool. I always love when I get to use the gifts God has given me to glorify Him!!

So that was basically the highlights of Panama. There are so many more little side stories I could tell, but those you will have to ask me about. Tomorrow evening I head off to South Africa for two more weeks of adventure. I should have access to internet most days so be expecting some blog posts! Until then Babay Bendakay (God bless you in Cuna...Spelled horribly wrong)

El Final

Well folks my last day of ministry is gone and passed and I think it may have been our best yet! It was the day that we reached the most people. We went back to that same spot that we went to the day before and basically performed the drama there 4 times throughout the day. We handed out so many Bibles and literally hundreds of people stopped to watch us.

I chatted with a couple of girls my age who were looking to get plugged into a church. I prayed with a few people and just basically did my translating gig. I really like translating on short term missions because one of the things I struggle with on short term missions is making a connection and then severing it within a few hours. (At least that's how it works on these trips) By translating I am simply the one in the middle of the two who are establishing a connection. God was so good and on our last day there was absolutely NO rain so the streets were teaming with people and again the police just watched and we even got to witness to them.

We have run into a lot of other missions teams here in Costa Rica so God must be doing something here!

Last night I also had the great honor and privilege of being asked to read one of my student's testimonies for her when she was baptized. About 8 people were baptized last night and it is always a joyous sight to behold!

Tomorrow at O'dark thirty I am leaving for the San Blas Islands in Panama. I will be traveling by plane, four wheeler and boat to get there! That being said I will have absolutely NO internet! Sorry y'all this coming week may be a blank in the blogging world. I will try to journal and catch you up on it later. Until then, please pray that God would give me the energy and endurance to continue this trip! 

Expect the Unexpected

Today was not what I expected. I'm not sure it was what anyone expected. First the bus dropped us off in a park while it was downpouring. This park had no covering so we decided to go to a park that did. On our way to the park we walked through this shopping area and I saw an area I thought and felt would be perfect for the drama, however it was raining so I didn't say anythign. We walked to the park only to find that another team was already there. We waited for them to pack up and then had lunch while we waited for a new crowd to form.

We performed the drama talked to a few people but it was nothing spectacular or anything. Our plan since it was still raining was to go to another park with a gazebo type place. So we walked there again only to find another team. At this point we were all feeling pretty defeated. But our leaders had us on the move again to where I wasn't sure but much to my surprise and delight it was the area I had seen earlier.

The police then showed up and told us they didn't think we could be permitted to perform there and then walked away. After praying we decided to do it anyways and the police actually ended up watching and there was a very large crowd. It was just such a blessing! While I didn't talk for long periods of time with people I did some tranlsating and I felt good about the day. The students were cold, wet, and so very very tired but yet not one of them complained! I'm so proud of our team!! We only have one more day of ministry left and we intend to go back to the shopping area and just perform the drama all day because the crowd is constantly changing!!

Med Clinic

Today we again went to La Carpio but a different area. We also did something a little different in the fact that we did a medical clinic. We still did the drama but we also handed out medicine and stuff. We even managed to see some other Americans who weren't there as missionaries they would just call themselves philanthropists.

But that wasn't the only way things were different. I also only did the drama once and while everyone went and did the drama again I stayed back at the medical clinic and used my extremely limited medical vocabulary to help several families. Apparently hoof and mouth is running rampant in La Carpio. It was really interesting to use my translation skills in a way that was even further out of my comfort zone. I really just love using my skills in Spanish!  Even one of our official translators said she could tell that I really love Spanish and she barely knows me!

One little boy after the first drama came and plopped down on my lap and asked to take a picture with me. I didn't have my camera but after I found it we did take the picture. It was just cute. His name was Dorian and later I got to help diagnose his family, including giving vitamins for him and his brother. I hope he grows up to be big and strong!

That was really all today. Just a lot of asking what was going on and diagnosing people, but when people don't have access to things as simple to us as Tylenol, it means a lot.

Stay and Wait

So yesterday was a day of rest and rejuvenation. God knew the things I needed that I didn't even realize I needed. So I am thankful for that! I had a wonderful chat with an older couple who really were just such an encouragement to me. 

 Today we went to a neighborhood called the Guarari. We started our ministry by walking around the neighborhood and inviting people to come see the drama. In the process we met a girl named Chris who was trying to quit smoking. We prayed for her to be able to kick the habit and then the pastor ended up sharing the gospel with her and she accepted Christ. We promised her a Bible if she came to see the drama. However, the drama never happened. After we returned from inviting people around the neighborhood to come no one was there exactly at 11 when we said we would do the drama. So our leaders, forgetting that we should be thinking on Tico time (aka 11 is equal to 11:30)decided our time would be better spent elsewhere and we would come back later. I learned later that many people had come asking about us. It truly bothers me that we as Christians did not follow through on our commitment. I made sure some Bibles were left with the people who stayed behind so I hope Chris got her Bible. 

 Instead we went to a park near a marketplace. There were lots of people and we chatted with quite a few. I talked with one woman Rosabella who was there with her 1 year old son. She has 5 other kids back in Nicaragua where she is from. She shared with me that just the other day one of her children called and asked her for money of which she has none at the moment since she isn't working. I prayed with her for the safety and health of her children as well as to find work so she could provide for her family. I gave her a Bible since she said she didn't have one. She waited a good half hour in the pouring rain for that Bible because we had to get it off the bus. I hope she reads it! 

Here is a picture of the aftermath of the rain 

 Finally, I briefly talked with Maria who is 23. She was at the park with her cousin Sebastian who was playing soccer with some of the students. Maria shared with me that she is graduating college this year. She used to go to a church youth group when she was younger but their is no youth group for the college age students. I shared that I have a similar experience but that I do things on my own. She said she already owned a Bible but was thankful to have seen the drama. Her cousin was so cute before he left he came and tapped on my arm and said "Thank you" in English. It was adorable.

 Despite the struggles our team may be facing, we are still spreading the gospel!!! Please pray that the issues within our team may be stopped, it's the enemy trying to stop our ministry. 

Let Me Be

Day two here in Costa Rica has passed. Today we only went to one place in a neighborhood called La Carpio. We went to a church and first performed the drama for the children's group at the church and then we went and performed the drama in the middle of the street. La Carpio is known for being very dangerous but God was good and kept us all safe. Again I am going to tell about a few of the people I met. First and foremost I met Katie! She is fifteen years old and one of five. She has three sisters and one brother. She loves skateboarding and metal music. She enjoys making friends and video taping her friends doing various tricks on their skateboards. Her boyfriend however is a beast on a bike! She showed me a video of him donig some of his tricks and it was insane! She wants to grow up to be a teacher someday. She was so funny and really just enjoyed interacting with everyone with me as her interpreter. She even managed to give me a piggy back ride. She has been going to the church we were at since she was little. She was just a great and beautiful girl (I have several pictures with her) Nolan was a little boy I met later in the afternoon who I didn't get to know as well as I would have liked. I learned from his sister that he doesn't talk and he is two but he can hear just fine. It's strange because I met a little boy last year who couldn't talk. His sister's name was Maria Jose. She is 12 and in school and she also attends the church we were at but only she goes from her family. So I am praying that God gives her strength and support despite the fact that her family doesn't share her beliefs. Finally I met Theresa. She is the leader of the little kids program at the church. She has been doing it for 3 years. She doesn't get paid but it is a full time job! She is studying to become a pastor. She expressed that sometimes it is difficult to do what she does but she loves it nonetheless. After we were done with our time in La Carpio I was feeling completely drained (I still am) I think it is because of all the Spanish and translating. So I decided I was going to take a nap but as I was laying in bed trying to fall asleep I felt like I had a song stuck in my head but then I realized that this was a song all my own. So I had to get up and write it down and record what was going through my head. So here are the lyrics. 'Even though the storm may rage/ I get on my knees and pray/ to the high exalted God/ who can take my pain away// So let me be/ used by you/ and let me be/ consumed by you// I'm going out into your world/ and following your call/ to set the people free/ just as you have done for me// So let me be/ used by you/ and let me be/ consumed by you// Cause you are my God/ you are my deliverer/ and you have remained/ and you won't leave ever// So let me be/ used by you/ and let me be/ consumed by you// You have remained// and you won't leave ever// I´ll be consumed/ by you forever//' I'll post myself singing it at a later date when I have the technological capabilities.

It's Never Pointless

Day one of ministry here in Costa Rica is officially over and boy am I exhausted! Today we went to a girls shelter for girls ages 12-18 who have been abandoned or abused by their families. After that (while it was raining) we went to a park to perform the drama. So I figured that for the most part the way I will write my blog posts is to give you snapshot introductions to the people that I meet. Hopefully with picures included at some point.Today I did not take pictures mostly because the girls that we met could not have their pictures taken due to security. The girls shelter was actually a beautiful campus with multiple buildings. The girls were so welcoming to us. After the drama we got to spend some time just hanging out with them and as people say here 'loving on them.' I got to spend a particular amount if time with two young ladies so let me tell you a little bit about my interactions with both of them. First I met Luz. I sat down and asked her to tell me something interesting about herself and she starts with 'I don't know my mom or my dad and I never see my sister.' She came to the shelter in May. I asked her what her dreams were. She wants to learn English and French and become a famous actress. I also learned that she is esentially in love with Justin Beiber. She says she only listens to his songs and her favorite song by him is Never Say Never. She also loves to do hair and nails and make-up. Basically anything having to do with beautiful things. Next I met Rosaline. Let me tell you this girl could talk a mile a minute! I swear she didn't stop to breath, which was quite a test of my rusty Spanish. She didn't talk much about her family except that after she accomplishes her dream of moving to Miami and working for NASA (this girl dreams big!) she would bring her sister to the US as well. She likes dance music and I assume based on that that she also enjoys dancing. She was a hoot! After the girls shelter we went to the park in the rain. Thankfully, the park had a gazebo that provided shelter for us as we performed the drama. (I choose to see that as God's provision.) However, there were quite a few (including myself a bit) that were a bit discouraged since there weren't many people hanging around. I noticed about five that stayed for the whole drama and one was particularly interested. Some of our group prayed with him and I talked to his cousin while he played soccer with everyone. Antonio was his name. He was born without a lot of his fingers and from what I could gather he had some other problems as well. His cousin said he had had a lot of surgeries. He had a cast on his hand because he had recently had a surgery to split two of his fingers that were together. He looked so happy and his cousin said that he could do everything on his own like eat and write and everything despite the fact that at least on one of his hands he only had one finger. While it was discouraging that there weren't many people at the park. I choose to believe that it was not pointless. In fact one of our translators said it is never pointless. Who knows what Antonio will grow up to be or how he may be a part of God's plan. Finally, we ended our night with a concert by Holly Starr a Christian singer. She performed one her newer songs that I feel is an encouragement that any of you reading this blog may need! So here is the link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xD2hl9q3ROM

Pura Vida

Well I have safely arrived in Costa Rica!! The first of the three countries I'll be visiting this summer. I just want to give a brief update on what has been happening the past week. First off, my team is great!! We have spent the past two days learning a drama called Spellbound. It is an allegory of the gospel that we perform when we go out on ministry days. Here is a link to my team doing it last year. [Okay I was going to put the link here but due to uber slow internet that won't be happening...in that case just search youtube for Spellbound] Usually it is only the students that participate in the drama and after the first day of training I was not slotted to be in the drama. I had said that if absolutely necessary I would ONLY be a mime. Well things changed yesterday when due to physical difficulties the girl playing the china doll could no longer play her roll and so I am now in the drama. It's interesting because I was pretty set on not being in the drama, yet here I am. But I am actually really loving it because it gives me the opportunity to get to know the students better because I get to interact with them more and be part of the team. This morning I woke up at 4 am to board a plane bound for San Jose. Praise the Lord there were no delays, no lost bags or passports or people. We are now at our hotel resting up to go out for ministry tomorrow. I actually have yet to take any pictures and even if I did I couldn't post them so you all will just have to wait until I get home to see them all. Anyway, the Costarican 'slogan' so to speak is pura vida. It is my prayer that while we are here and even when we return home that we are living the pure lives that God has called us to, and thanks to Christ's death on the cross we truly can live a pure life. His blood has washed away our sin and has made us pure. I think the people of Costa Rica may be on to something in their motto.

Oceans

Oceans by Hillsong was just playing in the airport (if you have never heard it look it up). I feel like it was a special message from God to me since that song has always really spoken to me. 

There are two lines that are the cry of my heart and both are in the chorus. The first is "spirit lead me where my trust is without borders" for me that line is my cry for God to take me wherever he needs me in the world.

The second line says "Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith will stronger..." This is my cry for God to lead me into a life I could never imagine. 

So in hearing this song today, I hear God calling me to trust because he is both leading me across borders and he has things in store that I could never imagine! 

Here We Go Again

Tomorrow I embark on what most would call the summer of a lifetime, but I would call a summer of service and learning. I will be visiting three countries on missions trips. And despite what happened last time I left the country I am shockingly not anxious at all and we are less than 24 hours away from take off! That can only be explained by one thing: God.

This is a true attestation to the power of prayer! So many have reached out to me today to let me know they are praying and I know that there are so many more out there that are doing so; some I don't even know. I am so grateful to all of you and God!

Hopefully I will be posting some short God moments throughout the next five weeks and then following up with some longer posts once I have my computer again. Posts will be dependent on time, energy, and most critically internet access. So I make no promises but keep a look out.  And keep praying that this experience would be life-changing (in a good way!)