On this fine Wednesday in Panama, the Panamaniacs were busy with sharing God's love to children at a Christian School as well as the village of Gamboa. Each teammate was stretched by the language barrier, but as we all know, Love speaks every language.
Starting our morning early, we headed to the Christian school to run volleyball clinics for many grades. From 2nd grade to high school age students, we had the opportunity to not only share volleyball skills, but with each grade, one of our team members shared their testimony. With each session, we became more comfortable with using our broken Spanish skills to relate to the kids. Seeing the children's improvement in the sport as well as their wide smiles was satisfing to our team. Laughs and smiles were shared through the games played, hands slapped, and encouragement shared. After five sessions and a lunch (where we were treated like celebrities by the kids), we began our journey to Gamboa.
After a 25 minute bus ride and 10 minute boat trip, we landed at the village. Since we arrived at nap time, there were only a few people around. Once there was word we were there, children began appearing from their homes. Most of the female team members stayed with the small children to blow bubbles, jump rope, and paint nails (absolutely loving on the children). Through those activities, friendships were born. All the while, there was a game of soccer going up at the field of the village. Again, like the Christian school, sport brought total strangers together to share the love of the game and bring fellowship to life.
All in all, sports were played the gospel was shared- it was a blessed day.
Now, until we all lay our heads on our pillows, games will be played and laughter will fill our house. May God continue to bless this trip. All for Him!

- Panamaniacs

We made it to Panama! We have checked into Casa Paraiso and will sleep soundly tonight. Super excited for what tomorrow holds! Buenas noches!

-Panamaniacs

Benji's Mini-Blog #1

Chilling in the airport waiting to board our flight for Atlanta (layover). The group is absolutely beside themselves with excitement. Cam and Pete are getting jittery from their  cups of over-priced, average tasting Starbucks coffee. I currently am scarfing my second package of pop tarts (brown sugar obviously, lots of sugar and fat...I hate myself). It's a hoot of a time. We're taking lots of super cute pictures during our wait too, hoping to take the social media world by storm. That's all for now!


xoxo <3

And we're off!

Our group of 17 mixed athletes have been staying at Messiah College to train and prepare for the journey ahead. On Sunday we individually reflected on our expectations for the coming weeks and how we hope to be used be the Lord. It is so evident that our team has been divinely hand-selected, as we have already formed close bonds and even have some of our own inside jokes. We have enjoyed getting to know each other and it is mind-blowing that most of us were strangers just a few short days ago. Not only have we been preparing spiritually through focusing on missions in Scripture, but we also prepared our luggage by spraying all of our clothes with Sawyer anti-insect repellant products. Sunday evening we enjoyed a cook out dinner and games. Monday morning we participated in a "cross-run", in which we jogged rugged terrain carrying large wooden crosses. This experience created unity and cohesion within the team. We received training regarding the water filtration systems that we will be installing and utilizing during our time in Panama. This morning we are all packed up and heading to the airport to embark on our exciting adventure! Stay tuned for further updates throughout the week!
-Panamaniacs

Surf's Up for the Concrete Farmers (goodbye Panama!)

An everlasting stream, Your river carries us home. Let it flow. 

The Zoo has returned to its native soil. 

We arrived back at Messiah this evening following an airborne day that began at 4:30 AM (thank you God for safe travels throughout the trip!) This crew is returning in an exhausted but encouraged state. We adopted a rigorous schedule over the last week, but God provided strength throughout, drawing us close to Him and to each other over the course of every new journey Panama had to offer. And our final two days (Sunday and Monday) provided some of the best adventures of the trip!

Sunday

Our Sunday began with the much anticipated trip to Arraijain, a community close to Paraiso where God has been working through Rio Missions. Last year's team got the chance to visit and told us it was one of the highlights of their trip. It turned out to be one of ours too, as we got the chance to spend the whole morning and afternoon in Arraijan. In the morning we worshipped with the congregation and a powerful (and unexpected) blessing from the speaker. We also attempted to communicate in love with the crazy bridge monkey.  Well.. at least some of us did.

Worshipping with our friends in Arraijain

The afternoon involved putting the final touches on an incredible bridge project that fellow MC student Danger Russ undertook this summer.  For our part of the project the Zoo became Concrete Farmers. We transported material, mixed, then poured concrete into two large slabs on each end of the bridge (they'll serve as small ramps). It was a tiring and total team effort, and we are all very excited that we got the chance to pour a little extra love into the work God has been doing in Arraijain. 

That time Josh became a Man.

The end result!

 Post-concrete we headed to a national park for our final adventure of the day: the jungle run / jog / walk. We trekked through the rainforest to a beautiful waterfall, which we climbed (and fell down).

 Great way to end the day! 

Monday

Monday  = last day = off day = beach day. But this was no ordinary beach day. Today we learned how to surf courtesy of our host and experienced surfer Dan Cotton. Monday was also a day to big chill, reflect on the trip, and watch Double D capture the 1st Annual Panama Zoo Invitational Pong Ping Tournament. (And climb Mount Risk). We closed our day by gathering in the Casa Paraiso living room for one last time of group devotions.

The view from Mt. Risk (Paraiso is in the foreground, Panama City in the far background)

It is evident that God has stirred hearts on this team.  As much as we have fallen in love with Panama, this group of MC students and leaders is pumped to get back on campus.  We're eager to share what God has done, and continue serving him among our peers and in the Harrisburg area.  This trip has centered upon bringing water to the people of Panama, both clean water.. and Living Water.  God's river is carrying us home now, but that doesn't mean the water is going to stop flowing. 

Our incredible leaders!

Thank you for your prayers and support over the course of this week!  We ask you all to keep both us and Panama on your hearts, as God continues to raise up a generation who takes risks for Him, who loves to live for His plans in total faith.  

Much love and God bless!

The Panama Zoo 

Mud, Sweat, and Tears (For the Pioneers)

2 days left.  Whoah.
The further we get in this trip, the faster the days seem to fly.
We're all hoping the next 48 hours crawl by.
But before we get ahead of ourselves..
Here's a Saturday recap.

Heading out! David, our team leader from Score International, is on the left

Today we traveled to another pair of villages, one in the morning and one in the late afternoon.  Each village experience - we've visited 5 now - has been unique. The personalities, the setting, and the activities have changed every time.  But one thing sticks from location to location: a welcoming spirit.  Our new friends greet us with joy every time.  They show us around and make us feel welcome. They love conversation (as slow as it can be) and forgive us when we struggle with our Spanish.  We came down to Panama to share Christ's love and have received a steady dose of love ourselves.  Saturday was no exception.

Today started with a boat ride.  The river trip was a quick but entertaining experience for us, and it concluded with a landing at our smallest village yet.  Within minutes things got muddy (dirt was not an option today, it was an accessory).

Readers, there's nothing quite as challenging as Mud Pit Soccer. Especially for those who don't play soccer much..aka the entire Zoo. There's also nothing that makes you laugh quite as much. And there's nothing that makes you yell quite as much (PASARLO). MPS made for quite a memorable morning. That, and the fact that several of our guys tried to take on spicy peppers. Tears were shed. A truly gorgeous moment for pioneers everywhere.

Jay Pops post-MPS. Giddy for the jersey exchange.

The afternoon took us away from the water and back to an urban village. We joined up with a larger group of middle school / high school guys and played... you guessed it.. more MPS. Same crazy sport. Completely different location. We also spent time making balloon animals (props Tina) and bracelets.  A time of sharing testimonies brought a significant close to our rewarding day.

MPS, it's been real.

2 days now, and we ask you to be intentional in praying for this country, that God's love will continue to strike hearts in and around Panama City.

Much love and God Bless,

The Panama Zoo


Today's Testimonies:

Joe - James 1:5-8
Mal - 2nd Corinthians 12:

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"