Bible Chapel Mission Trip Blog
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A Day of Preparing & Opening Night Sharing the Gospel
Today was a full day. We cleaned the pavilion and assembled bags with all parts for the craft. In doing so we started with each person assembling one bag. But then we noticed it was chaotic, and we had to take turns grabbing each bead. Jen suggested we do an assembly line, and we knocked out the project. The process worked like a charm! It made me think of:
"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.”
1 Corinthians 12:12 NIV
We all play different roles in God’s Kingdom, and it is beautiful. It truly is a gift from God-all our differences, unique roles, and boundaries in those that give such order and blessing.
Speaking of gifts, later in the day we were so hot, sticky, and tired, but we got such a jolt of joy when we had the opportunity to give the missionaries the donated clothes we brought. It was unexpected, not built into the schedule, but it worked out beautifully! There was even a need among some who didn’t have pink clothes, a color scheme for the missionaries to wear that evening. It was so fun to watch the missionaries find each other great finds. The team reflected on this experience, and words such as gratefulness, community, and care all came to mind.
In the evening we started the conference. The ladies checked in and we gave them their goodie bags, and they loved them! We realized there was a paper near the battery we had to remove for the flashlights to actually work. We went through every bag and fixed it quickly.
After dinner, we worshipped, and then Jill gave her testimony. All the women in the conference prayed over her and her family as she needed to head home early due to a family emergency.
Later on, the speaker opened with a teaching in Genesis about creation. She shared about Adam and Eve and God’s plan for them:
“God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Genesis 1:28 NIV
The speaker emphasized how this command was to both men and women, which was very encouraging to all the women in the room from all walks of life.
Then she shared about sin entering the world, how we all are impacted as a result, and how God provided Jesus to clean us of sin. The message was impactful to all. Helping us to understand that Christ is the only one who can remove us from darkness and bring us into the light.
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Colossians 1:13-14 NIV
The gift of salvation was presented and we pray it was received. It was a beautiful ending to our night.
After devotions and breakfast at the hotel, we left to visit the Embera Drua village in Chagres National Park. Along the way, we stopped and bought empanadas and pastries for the tribe. Once we arrived at the park, we were greeted by a few of the tribe who helped to guide us onto their canoes. They safely and skillfully drove our boats against the current of the river to their village.
Upon arriving, there were several children swimming in the river who excitedly shouted “Traci!” when they saw their dear friend Traci Delibasich from Word of Life Panamá who is well known and dear to the Bible Chapel. We were greeted by the tribe with music and drums, smiles, and handshakes. They were happy to see us and we looked forward to learning more about them.
Tribe member Matteo told us of the origin of their village. They moved in the 1970s from an area along the border with Columbia. They were searching for a better life with more resources and safety. He explained to us how they create the items that they sell to provide their income.
They fed us lunch made of fried tilapia which they caught in the river and patacones served in large palm leaves. After we had lunch, they performed traditional dances and music and encouraged us to join in with them. We had the opportunity to hand out to each family bags of much-needed hygiene, supplies, including full-size bottles of shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, and more. Empanadas and pastries followed afterward and were available for all ages. Our gifts were very gratefully received.
We spent time viewing their wares and buying items that they have made to support their incomes. We particularly tried to buy items from the wife of Valerio who is their president and pastor. Their daughter is attending school to become a nurse and plans to return to the village to help. Also a year ago, Valerio’s house collapsed, and he is still working on purchasing the items needed to rebuild it. He and his wife are living in his daughter’s home with her family until this can be achieved.
We visited the school and the classrooms and met one of the teachers who explained the subjects that they teach. The teachers arrive on Sunday evening and stay during the week before going home on Friday afternoon. We viewed the small church and Valerio showed us where he likes to sit and spend time reading his Bible and praying. We prayed for his congregation, his village, and that God provides and moves hearts to give graciously to these beautiful people some of who are our brothers and sisters in Christ.
To finish our visit, we spent time swimming in the river Chagres. The river is almost crystal clear and very clean. Some of the children joined in with us, and we all had a blast splashing around in the cool water.
Returning to shore, we then began our journey to the camp at Chame. Traffic can be brutal at times as everyone uses the single highway in Panama to commute home from work in the city as it is much cheaper to live outside of Panama City than to live inside and many can cannot afford it. Both in and outside the city it is very easy to see the disparity between different groups. The areas that are poor often have garbage piled outside and usually, the residents will burn it. This is because garbage services are expensive and many simply cannot afford it. Dogs often run around unchained and although friendly, many or skinny and searching for food.
Arriving at camp, we were greeted by the Word of Life team who were so excited to see us. It nearly brought me to tears seeing my beloved sisters in Christ again. After dinner, we prepared 300 gift bags that will be given to the women attending the conference. We also started to prepare the craft supplies that will be used on Saturday afternoon during free time.
At the end of our day, we were very tired, but we all felt such awe at experiencing the beauty of God’s creation in the rainforest, love for the Embera people and the Word of Life team, and excitement to see what God will do over the next few days not only for those attending the conference but also for ourselves.
“And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good.” - Genesis 1:31
Detainment. Determination. Dependent.
8 But now, O Lord, you are our Father;
we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
Wednesday (Lion of Judah School Emali, Kenya)
This was our last day at the Lion of Judah School in Emali, Kenya. We celebrated the 7th anniversary of the construction of the school. The school started with just a plot of land, and today, God has provided a kitchen, two dormitories, a farm, and most recently a large dining hall. The students all got a piece of cake which is possibly one of the only times in their life they get to experience that. This whole celebration was so special to see God’s hand in this school and the results of fervent prayer. Finally, we said goodbye and see you next time to all the students of Lion of Judah.
Thursday (AIC Zion School Nairobi, Kenya)
We returned to the AIC Zion School to spend some time with the 500+ students that they have from the Mathare Valley. As missionaries we spent time teaching the gospel in classes up to grade 8. We also had the privilege to go with a student to their home and prayer over them and their families.
