Day 6 11-19-25

This morning I went to take my shower, and when I came out of the bathroom, my roommate, Kelsey, was gone.  Not in her bed. Not anywhere in the room .Not on the balcony. I mean, you really can't hide too many places in a hotel room. I did not see a note either.....But then I looked out over the balcony. 

Mystery solved!

For those who wanted to, a walk was scheduled for this morning at 7AM. Just an out an back along the walking path. We saw a large banyan tree - a type of fig tree known for its ability to spread widely by growing aerial roots from its branches that eventually become new trunks.

Also a vulture.

Yes, this IS living....Life is not ALWAYS a swinging park bench with flowers, but this morning it was...

Off to the west, there were some storm clouds brewing above the line of ships waiting to go through the Panama Canal. The mountain is Taboga Island. Pastor has been to the beach there, but it was heavily littered and not particularly appealing for swimming (unlike the San Blas Islands which are on the Caribbean side of Panama, and apparently quite nice).

We passed the grave of Panamanian head of state Omar Torrijos

Also this pagoda made to look like some famous Korean pagoda. 

Amazing ocean views.

Old army barracks, now left for the graffiti artists. 

A walk in the park so to speak. No, it really IS a walk in the park.

Higher quality graffiti.

Another shot of Ancon Hill, this time in the daylight (see Day 2 blog for night view)

Dock and mist on the mountains

almost back to the hotel

We made it! -home away from home

Breakfast meats of the day - pork strips or hot dogs

It was raining after breakfast, but at least we got a nice walk in before breakfast.

Dan saying goodbye to Radisson, the cat.

Boarding our bus.

A cloudy crossing of Bridge of the Americas

On the other side of the bridge, long lines of traffic heading into Panama City (with the still-under-construction railway right there behind it.)

A quick stop at the grocery store in La Chorrera for ice for the cooler.

We arrive at the Mission Church at La Chorrera.

 

The Bible passage on the sign is Hebrews 12:2 - 

...looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith...

A table is already set up outside for registration. 

Not sure why there is a large hole in the street with culvert over the top of it.

We unload the bus

Inside there are more tables set up, lots of them. We assess the situation, and think about how to best arrange the stations.

Meanwhile, Pastor Alejandro Lopez welcomes us warmly and with enthusiasm.

He then produces a cooler of Coke Zeros for Pastor Hartwig. Friendship forever sealed I think.

Banners - interestingly in English.

Outside, people are gathering for the clinic.

Coming up from the bathrooms (Three individual bathrooms behind the structure.)

Back of building with bathroom doors to three individual bahtroom stalls with sinks (opposite the potted plants).

Pastor Alejandro talking with those who are gathered for the eyeglass clinic.

Cindy and I move our table outside, next to the registration table.

Inside, suitcases are unloaded.

Cleaning and sunglasses table. Martina (Pastor Alejandro's daughter) with Charma and Kelsey.

The clinic is up and running - Marilyn and Lorrie at the glasses distribution table.

Nursing station  (we switched positions with registration table, so that in the end, the order was waiting area, registration table, nursing station, and then (on the corner) glasses cleaning/sunglasses station.

Today my interpreter was Jose. Jose shared some of his story with me. He grew up Catholic. He fell away for a while, but a friend invited him to church and he went. He started attending the mission Presbyterian church with his friend. Eventually that pastor went back to his home country in South America, and Jose started going to the Baptist church. But when the Presbyterian church re-opened with a new pastor, he went back to the Presbyterian church. He likes the liturgy. They meet in a home in La Chorrera. There are only three families that attend church there - the Pastor's family, his family, and the family of the person in whose home they meet. There are also several children from the neighborhood who come for Sunday School.  He also has a good friend who is Lutheran. Eventually this friend moved to Los Andes, and attends church there. But every year they go together to Sora for the first Sunday in Advent service.. He loves the Advent wreath and the teaching of Pastor Alejandro (who is also Pastor at Sora). Jose is an English teacher and looks for any opportunity to improve his spoken English. How thankful we are for those who come and interpret for the eyeglass clinics! We would not be able to have these clinics without them!

Inside, this is the entire space. (This is what is used as the Sanctuary, when Pastor Alejandro comes on those two Saturdays/month to lead worship services. He said there have been times when the room cannot hold everyone, and then some stand just outside, and look in the windows.) We  put flippers near the door (which is out of view) and glasses distribution at the far end on the left side of the room, and tables with sorted glasses  on the right side of the room.

The people wait patiently until they are called to come to the nursing station

At lunchtime, we eat in the "Sunday School room" which is to the left of the Sanctuary. One of the women from the La Chorrera church had prepared chicken, rice and coleslaw for our lunch and filled individual to-go containers to bring to the volunteers. 

Front of building with our bus in front.

side of building (Laura coming back from bathrooms; Dan headed toward bathrooms.)

Another view of the interesting sidewalk arrangement with gaping holes on sides.

Pastor Alejandro at the Evangelism station.

people waiting outside of the church with view of house (?) next door

Judy gets to hold the baby while mom gets her eyes tested. Can't beat that job!

Glasses distribution station.

Vision testing area (two tables) 

Myrl at the vision testing station

This woman was all smiles and later was super excited to show Cindy and I her sunglasses after she made it through to that station- the sunglasses were pink and matched her dress.

Denise testing vision

Sunglasses/Cleaning station

We had several people in fire/police uniforms come in. Here is someone looking at the vision chart.

Cindy with another satisfied customer

Cleaning and sunglass distribution table

Dan manning the vision pointer

which is opposite from the vision testing table

It all happens under the cross of Christ 

Myrl testing vision

Denise and Aris at the vision testing station

Aris modeling his new sunglasses

Jonathon (who wants to start Seminary next year) with Charma

Packing up eyeglasses back into suitcases.

Loading up the van

Pastor Alejandro jams some hymns on the keyboard, while Lorrie belts out the words. Quite a performance!

Dinner was at Mi Trapiche (in Costa Verde)

Our table, ready to eat!

Of course most of us had the famous Tres Leches for desert.

We  celebrated Martina's birthday. She will be 16 tomorrow, and plans to go to medical school and/or pursue research in genetics. Over dinner she shared about her family (sister who is 12 and brother - due date of Dec 21). 

We also celebrated Myrl's birthday (also 16? I couldn't quite hear from my end of the table)

Devotions tonight were led by Charma based on Mark 10:46-52,  the story of blind Bartimaeus receiving his sight. 

When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

(He trusted that Jesus could heal him)

Also, when Jesus called him, what did Bartimaeus do? 

Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

May we also jump to our feet and run to Jesus, full of excitement and trusting that we are safe when we are with Him)

Highs today 

-Pastor's high was that we seamlessly set up the clinic on our own (without him), deciding where tables would be, and it all worked out great.

-The organization of the La Chorrera team led by Pastor Alejandro, who put together the list of people we would serve, as well as what times they would come, and also the constant monitoring of the situation so that lines did not form at any of the stations

-Although we were unable to provide glasses for one woman (she was unable to communicate or walk  due to a stroke), Griselda spent time with her in the Sunday School room, asking her if there was something she could do for her, praying for her, and singing a hymn. Pastor Alejandro also spent time with her.

-The woman who kept coming back to show everyone her new glasses and thank everyone.

Lord, 

You are the way, the truth and the life

You are the well that never runs dry

I'm the branch and You are the vine 

Draw me close and teach me to abide

Be my strength , my song in the night

Be my all, my treasure, my prize

I am Yours; forever You're mine 

Draw me close and teach me to abide.

(Abide by Aaron Williams)

Lord, abide with me, with this eyeglass clinic team, with our interpreters, with the Pastors and Deaconesses of the Lutheran Church of Panama, and with all who come to the clinics. Draw us close and teach us to always abide in You. Amen.