Missions Blog

Our final days in Panama were filled with unforgettable moments and a whirlwind of activity.

One of our favorite camp traditions is Carnival Night, where we gather the kids in the gym to play games and win prizes. Regardless of how they perform, every child receives a prize at each station, which makes the experience extra special for them. The kids absolutely love it, and it’s heartwarming to see their joy. All the prizes were items donated, and it was a blessing to witness the kids so excited about receiving them. We also invited the kids who had served at our duplex to select clothing donations we brought, giving them an opportunity to choose something for themselves.

Our final day was emotional as we said goodbye to the children and watched them head home. Not all of them return to loving or stable environments, which made it even more difficult to say farewell. We also said goodbye to the missionaries, who have truly become like family to us. Later, we drove through Curundú to visit the neighborhoods where some of the children come from. It was a sobering reminder of the challenges they face and why the camp is such a vital part of their lives.

As we head home tomorrow, the children, the missionaries, and the Word of Life team will remain in our hearts and prayers. We leave changed, empowered, and determined to be a light in the world.

The morning kicked off with a hearty breakfast and Bible lessons for the kids. One of our teams, working with a cabin, named their group “Cinco Hombres” (5 men). Ian, a boy from the group, recited the memory verse from the day before and won a prize. It was a really touching moment, especially since just the day before, he was in tears because no one wanted to play with him. The kids are also learning new songs, and I have a feeling we’ll be singing them for months!

Another special moment happened when one of our team members got the chance to share Christ with a boy who had come from a rough orphanage. He was struggling to grasp God’s love, but God gave the team member just the right words to explain it. We’re continuing to pray for this boy, hoping for a better future for him.

As the evening came, the whole camp gathered around the campfire. They sang more songs and then sat down to hear the testimony of Darlenis, a counselor from Carrudu, a tough neighborhood outside Panama City. She shared her dream of going to Mexico City to study at the Bible Institute. After her story, the kids were invited to pray a salvation prayer, and if they chose to, they could throw a stick in the fire as a symbol of their decision to follow Jesus.

Tomorrow is one of our favorite days: carnival night!

The day started with a delicious breakfast, which the kids absolutely loved. One of the best parts of camp is that the kids get to enjoy three full meals a day—something that, for many of them, isn’t always guaranteed at home.

While the kids tidied up their rooms, our team gathered in the office for a presentation from Jon Fowler. He shared their journey—where they’ve been, where they are now, and their vision for the future. It was so encouraging to hear how much God has already provided, and it left the team feeling inspired and excited about what’s ahead.

The rest of the day was packed with fun activities for the kids. The younger girls on our team ran craft time, where the kids got to paint and decorate their own cinch sacks. Honestly, we’re not sure what ended up with more paint—the bags or the girls! The evening gospel show was even better than the day before. You could see the joy on the performers’ faces, and it completely drew the kids in—they were loving every minute of it.

It’s so uplifting to see our team growing closer and supporting each other, even when we’re running on fumes and feeling all the emotions. One of our team members really stepped up when the counselor for his cabin had to leave for a visa appointment. Even with a language barrier, he made sure the kids were cared for and had a great time. Our daily debriefs and devotionals—both in the morning and evening—have become such special times of connection and honesty.

It’s been incredible to see how God is working in every moment—through the laughter, the challenges, and the connections being built—and we can’t wait to see what the rest of the week holds.

Today, the kids arrived! The Panama Word of Life team went into the surrounding areas to bring the kids to camp. The staff and our team lined the walkways to greet and cheer for the kids as they arrived. It was a beautiful thing to see some of the nervousness on their faces transform into smiles as they walked through the spirit tunnel. 

The day flew by quickly once the kids arrived. They were assigned counselors and settled into their cabins. After that, the real fun began! The afternoon was spent at the zip line and the pool. I’m not sure who enjoyed it more: the kids or our team! It was so heartwarming to see our young adults playing and bonding with the kids. The slide and the climbing wall were huge hits!

At the end of the day, everyone came together to sing some songs and hear a gospel message. The Word of Life team brought so much energy and excitement that the whole crowd couldn’t help but join in. After the message, the kids were invited to pray and give their hearts to Jesus. The counselors then spent a few minutes with their cabins, answering questions and giving gospel bracelets to the kids who made that decision. It was such a powerful moment to see how many kids chose to follow Jesus.

Tomorrow brings more games, gospel messages, and of course, pool time! 

Oh, the joys of traveling in the winter. Our team landed in Panama City on Sunday, but it wasn’t without its challenges. Saturday morning, the first leg of our flight (Pittsburg to Atlanta) was canceled as Delta couldn’t get a flight crew there. Thanks to the persistence of our fearless leader, Brad Bridges, he was able to work with the Delta representative to find a flight for all 13 team members. The catch? The 6 AM flight now took off from Cleveland instead of Atlanta. What the enemy didn’t count on was the grit and the will of this team to get to Panama. The travel fun didn’t stop after we arrived in Atlanta either. The second part of the flight was delayed so we were an hour late landing in Panama City. 

Through the generous donations of our friends, church family, and neighbors, we were able to take 26 pieces of luggage filled with donations for the missionaries and the kids. It’s always a challenge when you take that much luggage plus 13 carry-ons, both logistically and getting through Panama customs. Once again, God showed up: only two pieces of luggage were opened but they were allowed through! 

Monday brought beautiful weather, good coffee, and a day full of hard work. After starting the day with a delicious breakfast, the team split up to divide and conquer the two tasks we were handed. Half of the team spent the day around the zip line clearing trees and making a path with machetes and a chainsaw. Yes, that team still has all their limbs intact! The other team painted the walls in the dining hall, and what a difference a coat of paint makes! 

The kids arrive tomorrow and we could not be more excited! We can’t wait to share the love of Jesus and support the Panama camp team…..a modern-day version of washing feet.