Missions Blog

 

We are in Panama! Our day started together at 3AM at the Pittsburgh International Airport where we each arrived with two 50lb (some a little under & some a little over 😅)suitcases filled with donations of clothing and hygiene products for the Panamian people and missionaries, craft supplies, and welcome bags for the women attending the conference at Word of Life. Thank you for your generosity in financial gifts and tangible donations to make that possible.

 

Each step of the travel process was met with a hiccup that we greeted in prayer and dependence on the Lord’s provision.

 

On Tuesday morning, Melissa couldn’t check in because her middle name which was on the passport was not on the flight ticket. While she was in Bible study Tuesday morning, the ladies surrounded her in prayer, and at that exact time (seriously!) an email came through saying everything had been resolved! Dependence on the Lord. 

 

When we arrived at the airport we were met with hiccups getting our suitcases checked in at bagged claim. We prayed. Dependence on God. 

 

 

When we arrived in Panama, we were detained (see picture 1) by security. Our suitcases were searched, and our items of donation were questioned. We prayed. Dependence on God. There was a time when we didn’t know if we would need to leave our items at the airport, but after about 15 minutes of questioning, phone calls, and added security, some God-ordained connections were made, and we were on our way with all our bags! 

 

Tracy, one of the leaders at Word of Life Panama, picked us up from the airport, and we headed to a local hotel that would be our place of rest for the first night. But before needed rest, we soaked in the history of Panama by visiting the Panama Canal (see picture 2), driving through and around Panama City, and eating at a restaurant near downtown. 

 

 

At 9:30 PM, Panama Time (10:30 PM Eastern Time), we settled in for the night, a warm shower, and a good night of sleep. 

 

It was a long day, and a day full of the Lord’s provision, protection, and reminders that He is going before us and is with us. Our dependence is on Him, and we are ready and willing to share His Truth and goodness in Panama, as we already have had the opportunity to in the airports and on our travels.

 

Please join us in prayer that we stay moldable for Our Father to do His work through, cracked vessels. That the prayers we prayed as a team throughout our travels would plant seeds of trust, Truth, and His faithfulness in us and in those who witnessed them. And that our Master Potter would be the One on whom our true dependence is placed, that our determination would be in His strength, and that we would effectively share that in Christ we are not detained in sin and fear, but free from the power of sin and of fear in Christ! 

 

Dependence on God. He is good. He is worthy of all our praise! 

 

Thank you to all who are partnering with us in prayer, support, and encouragement! We feel it!