Panama Mission Trip

“There are no language barriers when you are smiling.”
- Allen Klein

The Parable of the Prodigal Son, in Luke chapter 15, tells about a son who left his home and wasted half of his father’s estate. When the son had no more wealth and was in great need of food, shelter, and decent work, he returned home. The father ran out to meet his son when he saw him walking toward the house from a distance, pulled him into a loving embrace, and rejoiced because his son had returned home. This is the story that my youth group shared with elementary school students in the city of David, Panama. We choose this story because the love the father has for his son in the parable reflects the love our Father in heaven has for each and everyone of us. It doesn’t matter what our background is or how many mistakes we’ve made, God loves us constantly and more than we can even imagine.

Last summer (2019) our youth group had the opportunity to be the first individuals from the congregation to travel to Epicenter church’s outreach campus in David, Panama, and spread the love of Jesus. The purpose of this campus is to help provide resources and aid to the people in the immediate community that deal with issues relating to poverty, hunger, education, and abuse. Through this we hope that our kindness and love reflects that of Jesus Christ. It was a joy and a privilege to be able to travel to and serve the community in David, as well as spend time at a local elementary school there.

Along with the Parable of the Prodigal Son, we taught the students the English song “Jesus Loves Me” along with dance movements to go with it. It was so much fun to see them dancing, singing, and getting engaged in the story we were telling! I am not fluent in Spanish, but I was able to have basic conversations with the children, and I loved how comfortable we were with each other despite the language barrier. The students at the school were so loving and so appreciative that we took the time to visit their school, and they welcomed us with open arms.

After this trip, I felt more confident than ever that God’s purpose for me is to serve and work with children. I know without a doubt that I want to study elementary education along with Spanish so that I can work at a low income school (similar to the one in Panama) and let God do His work on the students through me. This mission trip was truly a blessing, and words can’t even express how the students made me feel with just a hug. I pray that God gives me many more opportunities to return to Epicenter Panama and visit the students there.

-- Thank you Lord for the opportunity you gave us to travel to Epicenter Panama. I pray that Your will be done for the campus and that the building be used to bring others closer to You. I pray that the students realize their worth in You, and rest in the knowledge that Your love for them is even greater than the love the father had for his prodigal son in the biblical parable. Each of these students is special and important, and they each have a purpose uniquely designed for them. I pray that you use our outreach program to help them see themselves in Your eyes.” --