Back to Panama

Our trip back to Panama was a pretty smooth, only spending about 2 hours at the border instead of the 4 that we spent on the way into Costa Rica 3 short weeks ago. It was so awesome to drive through the clouds, being so high in the mountains. It was also cool to see all the Del Monte fields of pineapple plants, with red soil separating the patches. It was also wonderful to see the familiar faces of Sye and Jo that came to graciously pick us up at 4 a.m.! Back to humidity, cold showers, and sleeping on the church floor of Panama. We also return to the unique mode of transportation in Panama - 'Red Devil' buses. They get old school buses from the U.S., graffiti them and then drive them into the ground!

Off and On Our Way

Our time in Costa Rica is over sadly and we are heading back to Panama today. As with the trip to Costa Rica, hopefully the 18 hours on the bus will just fly by! We have a few days in Panama to connect with the remainder of our Central America group before taking off for South Africa and rejoining everyone from DTS. As always, with my travels, I will try to be in contact just as soon as I can. We're off. . .

People are just People

As I've encountered various people along my journey thus far, I've brought in certain expectations. That people with AIDS should look sick; that homeless people should look unkept; that refugees should look weak. I don't even know that I've been aware that I was carrying these misconceptions until I met these people. The guy with AIDS looked healthy; many of the homeless are well-shaven and tidy in appearance; the refugees possess a strength that has motivated them to continue moving to find a better life. People are just people, no matter where they come from. We all want to be accepted & loved for who we are; we want safety & security; we want a good life and a hope for the future. Food in our belly, air in our lungs, a shelter over our heads. We are all much more similar than we are different. We're just people.

White Water Rafting & Ziplining

Before leaving Costa Rica in 2 days time, we went out to enjoy some of the best activities this country has to offer: white water rafting and ziplining (aka - canopy tours). We drove about 1.5 hours north of the base for our grand adventure. We hit a level 2/3 river (4 being the highest for rafting, 5 for kayaking) and had a great time! The water has been low, but we only got stuck on a few rocks. No one fell out of the rafts other than those who were pushed out by our guides (they were a lot of fun!). After barely making it up the mountain in our van (the rocky road was slippery because of the rain), we zipped along 6 different lines. The lines were faster than usual today because of the rain. Pictures below, before starting rafting, Paola (our fearless leader, driver & translator) looks at peace, Alaina looks a little nervous (whatever!) and I'm ready to go!

Blessing in a Bottle of Nail Polish

Before heading out this morning, I chatted with my mom and she talked about going to get a manicure and pedicure today. Wish I could join her!

We once again had the opportunity to visit the African refugees that I've blogged about over the last 2 days. After meeting the 3 African women at the center yesterday (there are 4 women in total out of 70 people), I just wanted to be able to go in and bless them. They want their freedom and have no comforts of home that can ease their pain or boredom.

Every women loves to be pampered, no matter their country of origin. So thinking of my mom's plans, I grabbed my 4 little bottles of nail polish that my mom bought for me before I left in April. The officer at the center must have thought I was crazy, asking for a bucket and towels to wash their feet. The women even thought I was a little crazy. Maybe I even thought I was a little crazy!

I don't think I will ever forget what it felt like to wash feet that have walked 1000's of miles in search of freedom. I know I was blessed because they allowed me to wash their feet. And I don't think I'll ever be able to bless another soul quite the way I did today. Who knew that there was such a blessing in a tiny bottle of pink nail polish!

Continuing From Yesterday

Continuing from yesterdays' blog: we were given the chance to speak with the people abandoned in the Caribbean Sea. Costa Rica was actually their final destination, not Canada. Many of them have been traveling for months within Africa and Latin America, fleeing persecution, political oppression and the like. The boat trip from Columbia (which did not include the whole group at once) lasted about 7 days. Upon reaching Costa Rica, they were detained because they did not have the proper paperwork. Many of them have been in the detention center for 2 months now and are eagerly waiting to start their new lives in Costa Rica. Their days are endless, with little to do in the center. And even though we were only there briefly, it must have been a welcome relief to see some different faces who sat down to listen and speak with them (in English!).

News from Costa Rica

My friend Monte (who lives is Costa Rica) passed on the following information to me.

Last Sunday this article was published in La Nacion, Costa Rica's main newspaper:

Fifty-one Africans total, victims of human trafficking, were abandoned in South Limón (Manzanillo) after they were promised by the Colombian mafia that they would be taken to Canada. These 33 citizens from Eritrea, 8 from Somalia, 8 from Ethiopia, 1 from South Africa and 1 from Guinea were attempting to escape from the oppression, violence, and injustice they were experiencing in their countries. Only one of them is female. Six minors were with them but can't be held legally by Costa Rican authorities. Their location is currently unknown.

They are now staying at temporary security facilities from the immigration department, while their petitions for being accepted as refugees are being processed. Among them there are professionals (teachers, administrators, anthropologists, etc) and even a relative of one of Guinea´s ex president. Almost all of them speak English.

They have physical as well as legal, physiological, emotional and spiritual needs after loosing all their possessions, documents and money, and being victims of trafficking. Costa Rica won't deport them, and will try to resolve their refugee situations. If this fails they will be assisted in looking for other accommodations in safe neighboring countries. But the process can take many months, and authorities want to relocate them rather than keep them detained.

I'm feeling Bleu

Picture it, if you will: you are 37 years and you've been given 3 years to live because cancer is killing you. What do you decide to do with your life? Live it up and do all the things you wished you had done throughout your life; roll over and die; find a higher calling?

Today we met a lady who decided to find a higher calling. In 2004, with the above diagnosis, Bleu decided to go to Bible school. After 2 years, she decided that she needed even more, so she sold her things and left the USA for Costa Rica, more specifically the town of Jaco. Jaco, on the Pacific Ocean side of Costa Rica, is well known for its waves and surfboarding. It was once a beach retreat for locals, but in the last 10 years or so, Americans and Europeans have over run the town. And with the foreigners, prostitution (which is legal in Costa Rica) also invaded Jaco.

Bleu's original plan was to set up a free daycare program for children of prostitutes, but that plan did not pan out. Instead, she came into an extremely poor part of town twice a week to color with some of the children. Currently (obviously she had more than 3 years to live!), she is minimally paid by a local church to offer a homework program 5 days a week. It is her hope to run a full school program within the community in the future. Many of the children don't go to school, especially the teenage boys who are lured by the "fame and fortune" that surfing apparently offers.

Can one person make a difference? Yes. Bleu has brought light and hope into her community. And if at any point in my journey, I am discouraged, wondering if I'll ever be able to make a dent in the world's problems, I will remember Bleu and be encouraged. So yeah, I'm feeling it, I'm feeling Bleu!

Without Words

I have sat at my computer for a few hours today, uploading pictures and sending out emails and all the while, I just don't know what to blog about. For the first time in these almost 5 months away, I just don't know what I should talk about. So this goes out to all of you who are checking in on me via this blog - thank you for your support and prayers where ever you are on the globe! I know that many of you are enjoying the last few moments of summer, wishing the days would stretch a little longer before school starts. I, on the other hand, am waiting for September and for the official start of Track. I look forward to being in South Africa for about 3.5 months - it's time after all our moving around this summer, to be in one place. Our group of about 50 will shrink to about 20, plus we have a few people joining us that were not a part of our DTS. There we go! - I did find a few words for you to read tonight and now I wish you all a good night.

New Base for JUCUM San Jose

YWAM San Jose (known as JUCUM San Jose in Spanish) is getting a new home. Instead of having 2 separate buildings that are a few blocks apart, they are moving to a large property with one large building. The building started off as a coffee plantation and was most recently an architecture university. There is a lot of potential in the building and a lot of work that will need to be done. Last night I was part of a crew who went down to do some cleaning and painting. This morning I roamed the yard and building to take pictures for the base to help in their fundraising efforts and also for before-and-after photos.

Scars

Last night, we headed out to a homeless shelter that provides a meal, shower and bed for those who need it. There were around 90 men and women in total. A few of them spoke English and we shared Paola to translate Spanish when needed. One man came up to speak with us and talked about his life using drugs and living on the street. He's been clean for a few months now and is struggling to find a job, which has been difficult because of his past. He talked about being stabbed numerous times and being at death's door, but through God's grace, he always survived. My teammate Joanna talked about the story from the Bible regarding Jacob and how he wrestled with God and was left with a permanent limp - a physical scar. When we were in Gamboa, a pastor spoke about how scars are a reminder for us. They remind us of the experience, but they can also remind us that God is continually at work in our lives. And when we look back at them, whether they are physical, emotional or other scars, we can see God's faithfulness in our lives.

Sara, my Friend, This One is for You!

Upon our arrival in Panama at the end of June, we were greeted by this blonde chick (who's now red-ish) with an amazing smile. Little did we know that she would join our team and translate for us as we headed out to Errebache; into the Darien; and off to Costa Rica. She quickly became one of us and her laughter was infectious. Her perspective was different and added so much value and depth to our team as a whole.

But far more than all of that (and the countless hours we made her translate), Sara became one of my dear friends! Yes, I loved her massages and the animated way she translated (I think if you tried to tie her hands behind her back while she was speaking, she would have just died!), there was something about the immediate connection that we had. And as we said our goodbyes today, I don't think my tears could even begin to express how much she has blessed me and touched my life. So this blog is just for you Sara! And girl, you don't know how excited I was to receive the necklace that you left behind for me today - I will treasure it and think of you as I journey on!! I miss you already!


"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our heart and we are never, ever the same." (Flavia)

Christian Surfers

This evening we attended a Christian Surfers (check out www.christiansurferscostarica.com) Bible study. We studied I Corinthians 13 (the love chapter) together and then we were able to share about our work with Voice for the Voiceless and using our photography to fight injustice. We have been challenged to use what's in our hands to serve God: for us it is our cameras and for them it is their surfboards; for us it is more than just pictures and for them it is more than just catching the next wave (though both are great - getting a spectacular picture of them catching that perfect wave would be amazing!). Their heart is also to help those in their communities, so it was a privilege to share our mission and what we've been able to do here in Costa Rica with them. Surf's up!

Volcan Arenal

If I thought Costa Rica was beautiful before, the country outdid itself today! We drove about 3 hours north of San Jose to a town called La Fortuna, which is home to the Arenal Volcano. The greenery on the drive up was spectacular and when we stopped to take pictures of the volcano, the clouds were. . .phenomenal, for lack of a better word. My love of weather and geology came together in this unbelievable place. It's a bit of hit-and-miss in regard to seeing the top of the volcano because of the clouds, but we were so blessed to enjoy it the whole day, seeing the volcano spit its own clouds into the air. I went to sleep with a BIG smile on my face - I was like a kid at Christmas!

All Wet

We are in winter, as dubbed by the locals. For all intents and purposes (atmospherically and geologically speaking anyway) , it is summer but because it's the wet season, they call it winter. Mind you, the dry season is not really dry - it's just less wet. So their summer (which is really the winter) is driER than the rainy season ("winter" but really summer). But it's always wet - it's really just the degree of wetness that changes.

The Stackticon!

Going or doing something familiar makes one feel normal being so far from home, even if only for a moment. And though it's probably not my first choice back home, it is always good to hit a McDonald's or Burger King when on the road. But it is always funny to see how they modify the menu, depending on the country that you are in. For example, a McDonald's breakfast out here includes rice & beans. Alaina and I shared a Burger King quadruple Stackticon! We shared it, partly because the meal cost us $10 US, and partly because it was 4 patties.

Happy Costa Rican Mother's Day!

A second Happy Mother's Day wish goes out this year to all the moms in my life as we celebrate Mother's Day in Costa Rica today! I wish you all a very special day and know that I miss you all intensely! Actually, I've been missing all of my family this week, so this blog is for you! As I encounter construction crews, people in scrubs, youth pastors that we speak with or semi's that speed past us, I think of you all. Please know that you are close to my heart! The more ministry that I do; the more poverty I am faced with; the more stories I hear - it all makes me increasingly thankful for the way I grew up and the blessings that have been poured over my life. Daily I have come to realize how God's hand has been and continues to be a hedge of protection over me. I wish there were better words to say it, but all I can simply say is THANK YOU!

FundaVita

Last night we went back to the ghetto area that we visited on Monday and we spoke at a drop-in center. The program is called FundaVida (see www.fundavida.org for more information) and is run by a local church wanting to make an impact in the lives of children and young people in the city. One of my teammates asked the youth to describe the program (they ranged in age from 12 - 24). The 24-year old guy spoke up and said they this was more than just a drop-in center - it was a refuge from the streets and violence, but most importantly, it was family. After we spoke, I ended up playing ping pong with one of the girls and even though we both sucked at playing, we had fun together without a common language. Paola got quite serious in a game of Twister (as pictured below. . .the butt).

Waiting in Line

Waiting in line has a whole new meaning after this morning's experience volunteering at the Salvation Army. When we arrived at around 7:30 a.m., there was a long line of people waiting outside - who knows how long they had been there. We started serving breakfast just before 8 a.m. and only 18 people could eat a time. As 18 were eating, the next 18 sat waiting on the side of the room, smelling the rice & beans, looking at the plates of bread and a local sauce (kind of cheesy), hoping that food would not run out before it was their turn. People had to eat quickly - no time to waste.

I helped prepare the plates in the kitchen and got to know one of the workers whose name is Christopher. He's 26 and part of a rehab program offered through the Salvation Army. The entire program lasts for 9 months and he has completed 4 months already. Thank God for second chances in life - he talked about hurting a lot of people in his life, but now things are different. He hopes to become a chef once the program is finished. Before leaving, I let him know that I will be praying for him as he works to make changes, not only in his life, but also in the lives of the homeless in his community. The picture is of 6 of the 7 guys currently in the program - Christopher is the guy in the middle row, on the left.

RAW

I volunteered to share about Voice for the Voiceless this morning during base intersession. I started by showing the "Sex + Money" video clip (completed by the last track, on the topic of human trafficking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjEFtjVMCHY&feature=related) and it was my plan to dive right into what Voice for the Voiceless is all about. But when I got up to speak, my tears once again reminded me of why I'm here and what it is that I'm here to do. We've only been in Costa Rica for a few days and have only met and talked with a few people along the way, but the whole experience has simply left me RAW. It hurts so much to leave your heart so exposed and yet at the very same moment, it is the most liberating. When words finally came, I told them that I have seen the video many times; that the numbers in it are staggering; that I didn't expect to cry. What can I do? Is this journey that I'm on really going to make a difference? I know I've changed, but do I affect change in others? I asked an unusual thing of the people I addressed this morning: Get angry. Get so angry that you do something because, whether you like it or not, you cannot leave today's meeting in ignorance. Now you know. . .now you have to do something.

Not Your Typical Drive-Thru

The YWAM base heads out to a local shelter about once a week to provide food to some of the homeless people in that area. We joined them this afternoon but had a problem getting to the shelter because of the traffic and heavy rain. Instead, we made stops along the way as we saw homeless people who looked like they were in need of a meal (meager as it was - lentils, bread and juice). We had a mini assembly line in the van to prepare plates and we handed them out of the window (hence the "not your typical drive-thru"). By the time we reached the shelter, our portions were pretty small, but we gave what we could.

Hit the Ground Running

Paola is our host and coordinator here at the YWAM base in San Jose and she has various events and meetings planned for us during our 3 week stay. Yesterday we went into the ghetto to speak with a pastor and her ministry. The only way people can safely enter this area is with her because of her standing within the community. She shared about the meal program the church provides and her heart for these people. It was really moving and her tears brought forward my tears. There are so many people hurting and it is these 'troops in the trenches' that carry the biggest burden, many times without the support of the local church. To say that they are running on empty is an understatement, as they lack resources, money and people to run these neccessary programs.

In the evening we were invited to share with an evening school program where 18 - 25 year olds work at their jobs during the day and then go to school at night. Some of the students live in the ghetto we visited in the morning. I was able to speak about the ministry of Voice for the Voiceless and commended them on their decision to continue their education. I even offered math help, but no one took me up on the offer, though it did produce a few laughs and many of them did raise their hands that they needed the help!

Little Pleasures

My day may have started at 5:30 a.m. in order to get to the 6:30 a.m. breakfast time, but I tell you, I was pretty close to heaven. For the first time since June 25, I enjoyed a HOT shower. I almost cried - that's how wonderful it was! Electricity is pretty sporatic around here and when you're in the shower and the electricity goes off, you are left with freezing cold water. Thus, I enjoyed my entirely hot shower even more!

Errebache Video

Please head to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba_tCktyv8Y to check out the Errebache video that our good friend Sye helped us with. It will be attached to the website just as soon as we can.

Costa Rica

I have made it safe and sound to San Jose, Costa Rica! Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers along the way. I hope to be in touch as much as I can, but I have to buy internet time, so it may be limited, depending on what everything will cost me around here. Thanks to 12 Hearts for the care package - we all LOVED it (I think everyone wants to know who made their CD's)! We have matresses and kind of warmer water than Gamboa. What I love the most about Costa Rica thus far - the humidity is a million times lower!!!!!!! I can wear a tank top (even though some of my teammates think it's too cold) and not sweat my brains out.

On the Road Again

Our long road trip begins in a few hours time. . .leave the church at 9, be at the bus terminal by 10, leave at 11 (at least we can hope to leave on time, but in Panama, it's unlikely!). We will hit the Costa Rica border around 5 a.m. tomorrow morning and will have breakfast at that time as well. The bus is a Greyhound type with comfortable seats, a/c and a bathroom (which some of my teammates need more than others). All the local people around here keep telling us how cold it's going to be, but that's relative. If the temperature is a little lower and the humidity is not as high, I will take the "colder" - it's not Canada and Canada is warm/hot right now so I'm sure that I'll be just fine! I will be back in touch just as soon as I can. That's it from Panama!

www.errebache.com

Tonight was the "Official Unofficial Launch" of www.errebache.com!! It's unofficial because we still need to add the Spanish translation and upload a video to our Tourist page. PLEASE check it out and let me know what you think. It was definitely a team effort and so many people were involved in making it all happen (our group, plus other photogenX-ers here in Panama). Be sure to also check back in the next few weeks for the video - it's definitely worth the wait (thanks to our videography Sye!). I also ask you to pass on the information to your circle of people via email, blog, facebook, etc.

Alaina

Living in community and working within our own outreach has given me the time to get to know people better than I was able to in Kona. I want to introduce you to one of my teammates today - Alaina. The picture below is provided by her and, as you can tell, she has a lot of fun in life! She's only 17 and I know that at 17, I would have turned around and high-tailed it out of here a long time ago, but she has pressed on. She's been a trooper, helping with the pictures for our website project. And no matter how many times we come to her with changes, she graciously takes on the work. I look forward to traveling with her to Costa Rica and taking more crazy pictures together! Besides, who else will French braid my hair like she does?!?

Tourist Day

My team hit Panama City to do some final sight-seeing, souvenir shopping, and, most importantly, eating from the best places we have found in the past 6 weeks or so. Some strange highlights of the day included taking pictures in a doorknob (of all things - look at the reflection carefully!), hanging out with Einstein (to whom I owe a lot for giving meaning to my life - hence, the hug!), and going bowling together (yep, bowling shoes are the same ugliness in every country, but in Panama you have to pay $2.50 per person to use the shoes. If you don't have socks, it's another $2.10 and that's all on top of what it costs just to rent the lane for an hour.). I wowed my teammates with my superior bowling skills and at the point we had to leave the game (early with 2 ends left in order to catch the last bus back to Gamboa), I was the unofficial winner!

Gamboa

Our team's time in Gamboa is quickly coming to an end and I don't think I've really talked about this quaint town we're living in. We are north of Panama City, right along the Panama Canal. Being on the Canal meant that, up until a number of years ago, it was an American town. Considering the small size of the town, the facilities that they have are numerous - the only problem being that they have not been maintained (which is difficult given the weather and humidity). The five-star resort and Smithsonian research station keep people coming through Gamboa. Don't ask me why, but these are some of their street signs (aka butt boy and muscle man)!

War Cry

THE WAR CRY SOUNDS OUT - IT IS A BATTLE CRY NOT FOR LAND BUT FOR THE SOULS OF HIS PEOPLE.


I cannot begin to describe what I have learned and experienced being able to work along side Tulio for the past month or so (and just so you know, he really does have a dramatic war cry!). He became a Christian about 3 years ago and his passion for God and his people is amazing. He carries an influence and an intensity rarely seen in people, certainly in today's society. Tulio is working within his own family at Errebache to show them God's love, but it doesn't stop there. Our trip to the Darien was a trip back in time to visit each of his parent's tribes and he carried the message of Christ to them as well. Even Panama cannot contain him and the fact that he is an indigenous man, bringing Jesus to his own people carries such weight. We would share and they would kind of listen. Tulio would share and he captivated them.

"I will raise up for them a prophet like [Moses] from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him." Deuteronomy 18:18

I know that you have not met Tulio (though I do recommend taking the tour to his village if you are ever visit Panama - it's totally worth every penny), but I am asking you to consider a way to serve and bless him in his ministry. I think that the most important tool that he could obtain right now is to learn English. It would be a huge asset as tourism increases for Errebache (hopefully in part to the website that we're putting together) and also as he begins to travel the world (because there's not doubt that his message will travel). Would you join me and put money towards purchasing Rosetta Stone in English for him? If you are interested (small or large donations) please contact either me or my parents. Gracias!!

Picture thanks to Joanna.

The Costa Rica Countdown Begins

The official countdown to Costa Rica is now on. We will be leaving next Friday on the overnight bus and will be in San Jose late Saturday afternoon. We will out there for 3 weeks, arriving back in Panama on August 31, giving us a few days to get everything ready to head to South Africa. It will be great to meet up with those of our team that have been in South Africa while we've been in Central America. Up until then, we are pushing to complete as much as the website as possible for Errebache. I have really enjoyed working on this project and am learning so much from Tulio about his heritage and culture, as well as various aspects of web design. I can't wait to show you all the work we've been doing.