"blessed beyond belief..."

06.30.2012 It's Saturday and it's been a longggggg day. We began out journey at 5am as we headed on our 2 hour bus ride. We finally made it to the river to get into the hollowed out tree trunked boat. It was so cool! Something I always envisioned doing! We had a full boat....17 people, 8 boxes of rice, cookies and juice, and lots of bags filled with goodies for the kids. The boat ride was an 1 1/2 hour and started pretty well until....it began to rain! We were going to the village of Incanti, but heading to another village first to drop off rice and pray with the people. The closer we got, the more it rained. We probably looked a little silly with ponchos and garbage bags over us...all you could see were our eyes! So funny! We made it to the kuna village and hiked up the mountain with rice in hand. It was so awesome to be greeted by some of the little kuna girls. The village was made up of grass huts all around. We were asked to come into the home of Alexia, a man that Edwin knows. We were greeted by all, the kuna children sang to us and we sang to them the same songs in English. We prayed for one another in our own languages also. Afterwards Deena and I served the kids tea and cookies...that was so cool! Each child had went to their homes and brought back coffee mugs to be filled. I was so filled to serve them on this way. We met a few people that were going to be baptized the next time Edwin goes to the village and also a couple that plans to get married. We prayed over them also. We walked around the village some and then went into another hut to look at all the things they made. I got a new bracelet! :-)  As we were getting ready to head down the mountain to head to Incanti, we received news that Incanti was being quarantined because of an outbreak of diarrhea and fever in the children.  Four children had died that day. We were saddened to hear of the news. We decided to stay in the village and play with the kids. We made a craft with them and also made salvation bracelets with them. I was almost trampled by the ladies and kids when I began to pass out bags to them! We headed back down the mountain and into the boat. We were all exhausted Nd enjoyed the calm rude back. We prayed as we went past the Incanti village for those families who lost children and were sick. After we made it back we headed for supper. It was an exhausting, emotional day. I was glad to get back to the house and go to bed. During dinner we were able to skype with the kids.....I needed that. Tomorrow is church and our last day in Panama. Sad....