Sweet Sweet Panama

Lately I have been extraordinarily nostalgic for Panama and our village in Ipeti Choco. Summer of 2003 I went on a mission trip with Teen Mania, Global Expeditions to the Darien Jungle. I was looking through my pictures and reading the journal I kept while there and it makes me want to go back more than anything else. I have never felt so close to God surrounded by Godly influences, his creation, a driving purpose, empowerment to tell the nations of world about God's love for them, and everything living in a jungle entails. I miss sweating to death and taking baths in the river. I miss the fried plantains and soggy pbj’s everyday for a month. I miss the friends I made there and the Panamanian children. I miss the super fellowship I had with God. What has happened over the past two years? Sure I still want to serve God, but what am I doing about it? Where is my passion? What are your plans for my life God? Do with me what you will, I am yours. I feel like I am wasting my summer. I want to use it to reach people for Christ. How do I do that? How do I do that stuck in the monotony of daily life?

Here’s a prayer I wrote down in my journal in about the middle of our mission trip. I need to say it again: “Man, my focus really off center. Lord, forgive me and make my purpose single fold in my heart to solely exalt you through my entire being. I beg of your forgiveness. Take away my desires and replace them with a heart for you. Amen.”

Here’s some pics just for your viewing pleasure. Man God did so many awesome things that summer. Praise the Lord!


Private beach on our free day, beautiful no? My entire team MAFIA-Missionaries Advancing Forcefully into Adventure.



Chile Farmers we witnessed to after a hike. On the seven hour hike we sloshed through mud up to our knees but it was definetly worth the great views.


We visited the Panama Canal as well on our other free day. The river that runs beside the village for bathing, cleaning, swimming, cooking, drinking, and everything else you can imagine. Dan and I getting ready to leave my sister's apartment in Dallas to Teen Mania's base center in Texas.



Bridge of the America's crossing from North to South America! MMMMMM, sugar cane, and then the hotel bathroom in Panama City, my first time seeing a beday or whatever... I was amused.


Me and the kids and out in the river.