It Rains, He Reigns, and We Jump off Cliffs

Two days without a post means the Zoo has some catching up to do. Let's get to it. Double Time.

Canal Chillin'

Thursday

We kind of knew it was a matter of "when" not "if". It is rainy season after all, and although we dodged several small storms our first couple days, we ran into our first Panamanian downpour on Thursday afternoon. The result: A cancelled softball clinic at one of the country's three (yes.. three) universities.  Were we looking forward to the clinic and the chance to interact with kids our age? You bet. Did God still provide us with a unique chance to outreach and serve?  You bet.

The Zoo and CCA ladies

After touring the Panama Canal in the morning, we watched as the sky opened up big time. But the afternoon was still in God's hands, and He directed us to the courts. We split up (ladies and gents) and scrimmaged the boys and girls basketball teams of Crossroads Christian Academy (CCA), a local private school (our host Dan works at the school and provided the connection). The absence of a language barrier allowed for several great off-court conversations and times of encouragement with CCA.  There was also some fairly intense basketball. The Zoo is always down for hoops, and we're thankful that God provided us with a special ministry opportunity in the process.

Thursday night was another highlight for the team.  We broke out our instruments (a guitar, a bucket, and a Pringles can filled with beads....) as Nate lead worship at home. Anyone listening to us would have quickly realized that God made us all athletes for a reason.  But God also made us to worship Him, and that we did, off-key and unashamed.  Our last song was a moment we will not soon forget.  We all reminded ourselves we can't sing, but we've also been reminded that He reigns, even on days when it rains.

Friday

We've spent a lot of time on this trip bonding with our sweet darling Melanie. She's quite the van (quality transportation for days). Melanie has taken us everywhere, and today she went on her longest trip yet, a 1.5 hour drive south towards the Columbian border.

F

The Zoo arrived in a thatched-roof village situated alongside a beautiful lake.  After not getting a chance to be with kids on Thursday, today was the exact opposite. We immersed ourselves in a morning and afternoon of whiffleball, duck duck goose, extreme shoulder riding jousting, American football, coloring pages, gift-giving, picture-taking, nail-painting, talking, and laughing. And Futbol. Lots and lots of futbol, with kids that are scary good for their age. Size can be deceiving.

We also spent time giving an important water filter demonstration to village adults.  In addition to handing out 15 filter kits today, the love of Christ passed through the village. God continues to refresh  the people of Panama with both clean water and Living Water.

Translator Antonio and Sawyer rep Nate the Great lead the filter demonstration

Experiencing clean water

Our afternoon ended with cliff jumps into the lake.  Pure awesome. We'll just leave it at that and let the picture do the talking.

Each day we have come home around 6 feeling absolutely exhausted. Every night, however, God has been rejuvenating us through our devotionals.  Tonight our hosts Dan and Jess Cotton shared what it has been like to walk not by sight, but in total faith, in the years following their graduation from Messiah. The ensuing conversation was uplifting for this group of 14.  We may be wearing out physically, but God has been strengthening us spiritually. . . that alone has us feeling quite excited for the upcoming weekend (it's gonna be a busy one.. stay tuned).

 Continue to lift up Panama in the name of the Lord, and pray for us as we go on ministering in the villages outside the city this weekend. Thank you for your prayers! He Reigns.

Much love and God bless,

The Panama Zoo

"Brave like puppy, strong like bull"