Bible Chapel Mission Trip Blog
Welcome to The Bible Chapel Mission Trip Blog. Please use the dropdown feature below called - Any Tag - to choose which trip blog you'd like to read!
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.
Dear Team,
Sunday (AIC Zion, Mathare Slums Kenya)
In the morning, we went to the AIC Zion church service with Reverend Wambua. The church was packed to the last seat and many members of the congregation participated at some point or another. Their worship team was so talented with a mix of worship music we are used to and Kenya-rooted worship songs.
The AIC Zion church also has Sunday school after the service that students all the way up to 25 participated in. We as missionaries, spread out and taught in different classrooms across the church. We had the blessing to meet all the students in our classrooms and even share our testimonies with them while teaching them the good news.
Monday (Lion of Judah Wisdom School, Emali Kenya)
On Monday, we were warmly greeted at the Lion of Judah Wisdom school in Emali, Kenya. The students performed both songs and dances to greet us and show some of the fine arts they have learned. The best part was that these songs and dances both glorified God and directly spoke worship over the school.
Additionally, we spent a lot of time getting to know and playing with all the many students of the school. We had the opportunity to both care for and love on all the unique and talented children. Many of us were able to talk to the kids about God’s hand in their lives and the gospel in its entirety.
From Levina Mulandi, Nairobi, Kenya:
I try to read the proverb chapter of the day as part of my day. My proverb today as our mission to Thailand comes to an end is:
Proverbs 28:26 NIV
Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
This proverb captures my thoughts and memories of all of us who were part of what God did in and with Faith House, in Thailand this week. God helped us not to be fooled. No one tried to trust in themselves. Our leaders Uncle Glenn, Brenda, and Maria, tried to walk in wisdom, always consulting and admitting when they were clueless about what to do next. And because they did that we were kept safe in many ways.
My friends, (Jesus calls us friends) so we can call each other friends in Christ. And that is what He gave us in this mission trusting friendships; a number of us had days when we were not well, and again no one trusted in themselves, but humbly and wisely accepted to be benched by God on that day and lie down to recover. And trust that God will accomplish His work here even without them on that particular day. And they also trusted the rest of the team to do their part, that was wisdom and insight right there.
My friends at Faith House did not trust themselves in this mission but wisely and humbly allowed us to partner with them and take their girls (that they obviously love so much and are giving their lives to) and we got to teach and love them too. Even though they know more about the girls and how much better to love them. These co-workers have done well. Jesus said let the children come to me. And they have done that. And this week they wisely and in trust stepped back and let us be part of letting the children come to Christ too in some way. Jesus also says, what you do for these little ones in my name, you do it for me. And the Faith House staff graciously and wisely and with insight let us share in this privilege of giving to the girls and so giving to Jesus. An amazing experience in and of itself. To be able to give to our God and our Father!
I had the privilege of sharing my book, The Sisterhood Secret", with the Faith House girls, all from 9 years old all the way to university level 28 years old, the Faith House staff, and my friends on the mission. And again I observed these people of God from the youngest to the oldest (70+ years) walk in wisdom and insight into what they took away from the book, as the Lord led them and as we talked. Not trusting in themselves and thinking they know it all, but humbly and wisely listening to God and to one another. The Faith girls in the university graciously and with lots of energy listened to us and we're ready to take up the mantle to 'Go and make disciples of all nations,' (more like run) beginning with Thailand universities and the Myanmar village kids that they left behind, just as in the princess lost narrative.
Working together with wisdom and insight, we had a taste of heaven. Where every tribe, every people, every nation, will stand before One God and be together in One Spirit, and One Word. We experienced that this week, because of God's lavish wisdom and insight at work among us.
As I prepared to come on this mission and for each day in the mission, this was my prayer. "Our Father Who art in heaven...
And God put His Name on us literally, His Kingdom came in a way as we sought His Kingdom first, by teaching on the discipleship of nations. His will was done on this part of the earth, Thailand, this week. And He forgave us many times and gave us the wisdom to forgive one another as we are forgiven. He gave us each day all we needed and the savior like a shepherd led us, especially our two leaders every step of each day. And when the evil raised its head to attack us; in sickness, money access trouble, the heat, language differences. God delivered us from all evil.
Here is the song that says it all so much better. Listen to it and worship and thank God with us.
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=y8VerH9rqc8&si=B1F4qc9J2f2c5QA4
