Head, Shoulders, Knees and Many, Many More Shoulders

As the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.  - Isaiah 55:10-11

Today started like Tuesday, but it ended in a much different fashion.  
We shipped out early for the Panama Christian Academy (PCA), where we spent our morning as temporary gym class instructors. Basketball, soccer, and volleyball were the subjects of choice. Our students, like yesterday, ranged from the ages of 8-16.  And, like yesterday, their energy was off the charts, though we matched them step for step (we faced a bigger test later in the day).

Many of them also greeted us with excellent English, a stark contradiction to our sketchy Spanish (We're getting better! And Mal you're an exception). Sharing testimonies was again the capstone of the morning. Josh spoke to three different groups of 20+ kids, highlighting the fact that we can still set an example even at a younger age. 

After 4 hours at PCA, we voyaged back to Casa Paraiso for a short break. Power naps crucial. Especially considering our next adventure.  

At 2:30, we traveled to the village of Booyala, a much different setting then what we had been accustomed to thus far. Booyala is rural but well populated.  We rolled up to the village church and were immediately greeted by a host of smiling faces. The next three hours were dedicated to presenting villagers with Sawyer water filters (as well as demonstrating how to properly use them), giving away donations from home (coloring pages, bouncy balls, and nail polish may be popular, but Free Bird bracelets are the hands down favorite), and playing. 

No, not just playing. PLAYING. The Booyala kids are experts at running, jumping, climbing, and basically providing us with the best workout ever. And that's saying a lot coming from 14 current and former athletes. We may be active, but our new friends were a pack of Panamanian energizer bunnies. 

And let us not forget the shoulders on this team. Many a shoulder was sacrificed on this day. May these shoulders heal quickly, because they will most definitely be put to use again in the near future (shoulder rides are all the rage in Panama). 

Day 2 came to a close with devotions, led by expert storyteller and leader Jay Pops. We discussed trusting God with not only large requests, but also in the small things of life that we often shrug off. 
Continue to keep out team in your prayers.  Pray for energy (we may not need it now, but we'll need it soon). Please lift up the nation of Panama as well, as God's Spirit continues to spread, achieving the purposes for which He has sent us! 

Today's Testimony:

Josh - 1st Timothy 4:12

Much love and God Bless, 

The Panama Zoo

P.S. Shoutout to Ricky.. and Steve Jobs.