Missions Blog

Day 7 — Going Home

Another early morning. This time, it was to head to the airport and say goodbye to Panama. 

It’s a bittersweet feeling. We were ready to see our families, sleep in our own beds, and return to the comforts of home—but leaving a place and people who had become so meaningful to us in just one short week wasn’t easy.

There was plenty of time at the airport today to reflect on everything we experienced. We’ve all spent time looking back through the hundreds of photos we took, reliving the moments that made us laugh, the moments that moved us, and the moments we never want to forget. We’ve also loved watching Word of Life’s social media fill up with incredible highlights from the women’s conference and seeing the faces of so many women we met throughout the week.

As we looked back, one thing became very clear: we came to serve, but we were also served.

That was one of the most unexpected and beautiful parts of this trip.

We came grateful for the opportunity to help, but we are leaving grateful for everything we received in return. We cherished the joy we witnessed in the Panamanian women. We admired their simple way of living and the hearts of those who prioritize family, community, and God. We took in the beauty of the land—the fog that circled the mountaintops in the mornings, the thick green terrain, and even the heat and humidity that made us sweat more than we ever have. 😂 Somehow, we even came to appreciate the summer weather in October!

But perhaps the greatest gift we are bringing home is the relationships.

We are leaving Panama with new connections there, but even more importantly, we are leaving with a bond among our own group that we know will last a lifetime.

We are now friends for life.

We all came from different walks of life. We are all unique, with different personalities, experiences, gifts, and responsibilities. Yet every person brought something to the table that helped make this team work.

There was leadership and organization, someone managing our finances, travel coordination, ordering supplies, preparing daily devotions, making sure we were medically prepared, taking photos, writing this blog, and countless other details happening behind the scenes. Everyone had a role, and every role mattered.

It’s amazing to think back to the first day, when we were all learning each other’s names and figuring out who was who. Then we were paired with a prayer partner, and slowly those unfamiliar faces became friends.

Now, we’re leaving hand in hand, promising to stay in each other’s lives.

What a beautiful picture of what God can do when a group of women says yes to Him.

It has been such a joy getting to know these women—my sisters in Christ. We are definitely coming home tired in our bodies, but somehow refreshed in our souls.

For one week, we were able to step away from the hectic pace of our everyday lives and focus on one united vision: serving God and loving people.

And through every obstacle, every unexpected change, every long day, every language barrier, every moment of exhaustion, and every challenge along the way, God was faithful.

He was there through all of it.

We leave Panama refined, encouraged, and with an even deeper trust in Jesus. We’ve been reminded that He doesn’t need us to have everything figured out. He simply asks us to be willing.

And when we say yes, He takes care of the rest.

What This Week Meant to Us

As we reflected on the week, we asked each other: What words would you use to describe what this experience meant to you?

“Grateful and blessed to have been called to do a little of God’s work!”

“Truly blessed to have been called to disciple to women. And so grateful for the new friends in Christ that I have made.”

“Humbling! Being reminded that our plans aren’t God’s plan, and that when you’re called to serve, it may not look or play out as expected.”

“Awe-inspiring! God’s love transcends every culture and language, and being part of it from a different perspective is life-changing!”

“A life of faithfulness: the missionaries set a great example of how to live a humble life, serving Jesus first and being bold in their faith.”

“God’s work. Unforgettable women. Truly blessed, grateful and lucky.”

"My favorite part was seeing the joy of the conference attendees and the missionaries. As we share our testimonies, they were able to see that joy of the Lord is our strength!"

To everyone who supported our team through prayer, financial gifts, donations, encouragement, and the many items that were packed into those 22 bags and carried across the miles—thank you.

Please know that you were with us in spirit. You were part of this commission. Your prayers mattered. Your generosity mattered. Your support helped make this trip possible, and we are so grateful.

We are honored that God gave us the opportunity to serve in Panama, and we hope our experience encourages others to pray about where He may be calling them.

If you feel Him calling you to go on a mission trip, GO.

Say yes.

Step outside your comfort zone.

Trust Him with the details.

We promise—you won’t regret it.

We came to Panama thinking we were going to serve.

We’re leaving realizing just how much God served us in the process.

Christ be magnified! Glory to God!

¡Hasta luego, Panamá! 🇵🇦❤️