Day 7 11-20-25

 Lord, thank you for the beauty of this day, and for building bridges this week. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of Your work in Panama. Amen.




Today started off with a walk at 7:15.  We met some rather handsome birds.
We also passed some monuments including this one.




These four sculptures by Ricaurte Martínez show people of diverse backgrounds – black, white, Indian and peasant – working together to raise Panama’s flag. The Pillars of the Nation is a tribute to the contributions all Panamanians made towards building and shaping the country. The Pilares de la Patria monument was sponsored by BLADEX Bank and erected in 2003 along the Amador Causeway near the Biomuseo.


We continued on past the Convention Center.
We were having a wonderful walk

until it started raining. 
At least it wasn't cold and wet. Just wet. And the hotel was in sight.

Back at the hotel, we enjoyed another delicious breakfast. 


Then we climbed on the bus - all the luggage with eyeglasses was already in the back.



We were also carrying folding tables from El Redentor (in case we needed them at the other churches). 

Castillo Fuerte is right by a large soccer complex

and a metro station

Upon arrival at Castillo Fuerte (Los Andes), 


We were warmly welcomed
The sanctuary is fairly large with high ceilings and fans (both ceiling fans and floor fans scattered about.)

We greeted one another, discussed amongst ourselves how we were going to set up, and got the clinic set up.












Pastor Rickman did the Gospel presentation


Then the clinic was up and running



Lunch was provided in an air-conditioned back room.

Then we held the afternoon clinic



and said good-byes ...
This is Pastor Rickman (Pastor Arturo), me, and Cynthia. (Pastor Rickman was my interpreter all day today, and shared about his experiences in Panama, the history of some of the churches here, the 1989  invasion of Panama and its effects, and so much more.)

This is our group photo..
Then we had some delicious empanadas.
One of the special things about this trip was seeing all the family connections - multiple people serving Jesus together from one family. For example, below is John and Melanie, Grandmother, Carmen, and Jovani. Grandma is mother of Carmen who is mother of Melonie. (John is Melonie's husband and Jovani is Carmen's husband.) Carmen and Melonie are both deaconesses at Los Andes. 

On our drive we went through downtown Panama City,
which was rather flooded in some spots.
We passed by Casco Viejo (kind of like the French Quarter in New Orleans)
as well as downtown of modern Panama City
Casco Viejo  in the foreground with the skyscrapers in the background
Soon we were heading back out on the Causeway
 to La Hacienda Columbian restaurant.
where else can you get a mint lemonade?
as well as lots of other great food in generous servings?
Back at our hotel, we gathered to  recap the day and to write thank you notes to our interpreters.




Sign in the restroom at Los Andes:


which literally translated says "The Word of God has life and power". 

Hebrews 4:12

 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Lord, we saw You among us this week. We saw Your Word, alive and active in these eyeglass clinics. Continue to walk with those in the Panamanian churches and may Your church grow and flourish in this place. Amen.

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