The boys’ home personnel must like us because they asked that we be ready an hour earlier this morning – 8:00 AM. We crammed our group of 10 into a Toyota Land Cruiser and journeyed the 30 - 40 minutes north to Potrerillos. The final touches on the first dormitory had been completed and a second dormitory was prepared for our arrival. We went straight to work. After working through the morning and into the early afternoon that included a “coffee break” of banana bread and fresh papaya juice and a lunch of soup, rice, macaroni and tuna we had fully completed painting two dormitory rooms green and the main entrance, bathroom, and showers white and blue. Our foreman was very pleased with our work and said several times with great a big smile “rapido”- translation: he thought we were working very fast. Around 2:00 the boys finished school and it was very evident in their smiles that they were glad that we had returned. It was encouraging that we had learned many of each other’s names and their English was improving as was our Spanish. Of course a rematch in soccer was in order. We played better but the USA still lost to Panama in a close match with the final score being 5-4. Remember we are a baseball team; not a soccer team.
Around 4:00, time in Panama is a little less precise; we joined the other workers on their bus and returned to David. We joined Myrl for dinner at Hotel Alcala. After dinner we flagged some taxis to attend the local Rotary meeting. We met the Rotarians, introduced ourselves, and thanked them for their assistance in making our missions trip possible. We especially appreciated the efforts of Hector Palacios and Patrick McKittrick and thanked them by giving them each one of our team hats – a Philadelphia Phillies baseball hat. The group was very excited and immediately recognized the connection with their beloved “Calicho” [their nickname for hometown favorite Carlos Ruiz]. Myrl also made a presentation to the Rotary of quilts form the Quilts for Kids group.
Later that evening back at the hotel we had our group devotions. These group devotion times have been very special providing a time for some reflection on our work and God’s word. We were all challenged that at all times and as we head into the latter part of our trip and are getting tired that we should avoid complaining. Philippians 4:4-6.
It is 6:00 AM and I need to sign off because the folks at Potrerillos must really like us – they want to pick us up at 7:00 AM today!
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| Getting the donations ready for tomorrow |
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| Chad congratulating the David Rotary Winner of a Phillies cap |
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| Coach Haas thanking Patrick McKittrick for his assitance in setting up contacts in Panama |
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| The soccer players |
What an incredible journey! You are making a major impact and building relationships as you represent Christ. Our sincere prayers continue. May God bless each one of you as you serve Him through the many completed tasks, your diligent work ethic and living out your love for the Lord. The boys at the center, community people and Rotary members are watching.
ReplyDeleteEleanor Dunlap