Blessings at La Gloria....

12/30/2013 So I'm sitting here in the lobby of the Hotel waiting on our group to rise and shine. I'm listening to the Panamanian news blaring, because that's how they like all noise, music, tv....LOUD! Today is our first work day at the church. Yesterday was a very nice day. We went to the church service in the morning and had a great time of worship! Afterwards we had pizza :) and some of the group filled bags to take to La Gloria. We headed to La Gloria in the afternoon with Nina (Pastor Anhil's daughter). She's a very sweet young woman who knows English and has been a major help to our group! La Gloria was amazing as usual! When we arrived this time all of the children were sitting in the church (more like a blocked park shelter) and singing songs with Pastor Anhil. We were so amazed at even when we pulled out all of the goodies, the children were so quiet and stayed seated the entire time! They enjoyed our skits for them....David & Goliath and Zacchaeus. They were a lot of fun! We organized our gift bags and our flip flops this year so we could line the children up and pass the things out. Three years ago it seemed like we were just completely bombarded with children when we pulled out the flip flops, we didn't want that this year! It was awesome to hand this little boys and girls (and some older children), mostly with bare feet or very dirty flip flops, a new pair of flip flops that were their very own! What a blessing! If my count is correct, we handed out over 160 bags and even more flip flops!! We are so thankful, especially, for those of our friends who have taken part in this trip, not by coming, but by giving! Whether you gave flip flops, the many bags, or the toys....everything was donated and we appreciate everyone giving a little to make those amazing few hours possible! More coming....

The fear of the bridge does not run as deep anymore...

12/29/2013 It's Sunday morning and I'm awake for church. Quiet in my room, just a peaceful humming of the air conditioner. After last night's craziness next door, I'll take the air conditioner! Well we made it to Changuinola, Panama!! All of the flights were great, smoothest travel day we've ever had! Yesterday morning we left on our bus ride to Panama. It was a beautiful ride as always in the rain forest and along the beach. For those of you who've been to Panama, you know how fabulous (insert sarcasm) the walk across the bridge is. Broken pieces of wood, rusty metal, and semis trying to get around you as you trek across the bridge hoping to miss a hole and praying none of the moving boards pop up and hit you in the face! (You know, like in the old cartoons, I think it always happened to Tom in Tom & Jerry! Ha!) well........now they've built a new bridge alongside of the old bridge. Of course the new bridge is only for vehicles and we still have to continue to walk on the old bridge, but we don't have to contend with vehicles and semis anymore! :) it is the little things in life.... Last evening we had a great meal served to us by Yanis and the ladies of the church. We were able to see Pastor Nieves, the boys (oh my! They've grown!), Alicia, Dario, and Arcenio, among many others. It was a great reunion! Today we will be headed to church and then to La Gloria! We are all very excited for this trip! We love La Gloria and then people we get to see there! We are praying this year we have more than enough flip flops to pass out to the children of La Gloria. They said it has grown with over 100 children in the church, with I'm sure more coming out of the wood works when we arrive! They also said that the local church has worked on their building as well, so we can't wait to see all of the changes made! Our schedule this week is very busy. We are at the worksite Monday-Thursday, showing the Jesus Film Monday and Wednesday night, NYE Celebration on Wednesday, and hosting bible schools in between all of it! It's going to be a long, exhausting, but amazing week!! Please keep us in your prayers....we have already been blessed by everyone's prayers already....

In anticipation....

So just a quick post this evening as I finish up the packing and head to bed to endure a very long day of traveling! I can't believe in just a few short hours I will be getting on an airplane to embark on my 9th trip to Panama! I'm looking forward to this year's trip, just as every year! I anticipate a great group of people who come from all walks of life. I anticipate an exciting project, along with VBS, and showing the Jesus Film. I anticipate seeing the faces of some of the most amazing people we've been privileged to be able to call family. And I anticipate a time of renewal, refreshing, and a time of closeness with God. Every year is different, and every year we say it's the best! I can't wait to see what this year holds for us! Please pray for us if you will! Here is a list of the people in our group! Jeremy and Rebekah McLaughlin (WI) Cabot McLaughlin (WI) Rosie Stanchik (WI) Vikki King (WI) Lori Slaney (WI) Robert Slaney (WI) Derl and Karen Keefer (MI) Bryan and Sheila Baker (IL) Gabe and Kerri Manis (CO) Al Smith and Karen Wenger (IN) Karen Renner (IN) Jama Pyle (IN) Kristen Cook (IN) Jamie King (IN) Julia Sorrell (IN) Lois Pines (IN) Thank you for you prayers!! I will be posting as much as I can on this trip....keep looking out for it!