Arrival in David - Friday, January 14

We landed in Panama City about an hour late.  Myrl Brut, our Langhorne Rotary contact, successfully negotiated for two taxi vans to take the twelve of us and a large amount of luggage from the airport to the Albrook bus terminal.  Unfortunately, the Continental Airlines delay caused us to miss the midnight bus to David and we had to wait in a somewhat deserted bus terminal for the next bus at 3:00 AM.  The team made good use of the time finding food and napping in a bus waiting lounge.  The “express” bus ride was smooth and only stopped a few times during the night including a morning stop to check our passports.  After 6 hours and 5 minutes on an overnight bus ride we our stiff, aching, and sleep deprived bodies arrived in David – our home for the next week.  We retrieved all of our luggage and set about recruiting 5 taxis to transport us to the hotel.  Here is where we experienced our first hardship.  In light of all that could go wrong, we are praising God that we are all safe and the mishap will not jeopardize our trip.  In the midst of all the confusion of loading the taxis and giving directions to the hotel, a briefcase bag was stolen containing cash, a wallet, DVDs, charging cords, and miscellaneous items. 

In today’s group devotions we were focusing on Expectations.  Once again, our devotional really hit me between the eyes.  One of the questions was “What if the situation is not as you expect?”  We certainly did not expect the loss of some of our cash and valuables.  We were challenged to look at how David responded to King Saul’s pursuit of him in Psalms 57:1,2.  David cries out to God and despite the persecution of Saul he boldly states that he will take refuge in God.  So shall we.  Furthermore, our devotional challenged us that “many times little things affect our attitudes the most”.  Isaiah 26:3 reminds us that if we keep our focus on God he will provide perfect peace.  It is our desire and intention to keep the focus on God, not letting these little things prevent us from our goal of showing Christ’s love through deeds and actions as were reminded in a previous day’s devotions examining I John 3:16-18.

Tonight we will experience some authentic Panamanian cuisine and get to bed early for our 6:30 AM pick up for transport towards the coastline for our first service project.

 

Pictures

·         The deserted halls of Albrook bus Terminal in Panama City at 1:00 AM.

·         Panamanian countryside as we travel by bus.

·         Our bus.

·         The taxi and the scene of the crime.

Departure - Thursday, January 13

The Lord is indeed watching over us as we begin our journey to Panama.  Everyone arrived at PBU on time. After prayer for our trip, provided by Athletics Director Drew Watson, we departed the Mason Activity Center and traveled to Langhorne where we met members of the Langhorne Rotary.  The Rotarians sent us off with a monetary gift to help with the costs for the extra luggage containing the donated baseball equipment for the orphanages.  PBU Alumni Scott Mitchell and Jeff McElhaney were present at the Langhorne Rotary meeting.  Travel to Newark was uneventful!  Special thanks to Ken Kirkner who drove us to the Newark Airport.

Six degrees of separation came into play in the ticketing line.  As we were checking our luggage and getting boarding passes the ticketing agent asked where we were from.  After telling her we were from Philadelphia Biblical University, she asked if we were a sports team.  When she learned we were a baseball team going to Panama she was very excited and told me that she misses baseball since her son graduated from Rutgers.  Upon learning that he recently graduated I took a chance and asked her if she knew Steve Hook, a Neshaminy High graduate and son of PBU adjunct professor Peter Hook.  I shared how Steve and my son spent a few winter breaks together preparing for spring baseball in the Mason Activity Center gymnasium.  She was so excited to tell me that Steve and her son played at the same time and were both drafted by the Kansas City Royals.  Needless to say all our bags were processed expeditiously and even one or two that were slightly over the 50 pound limit were accepted without hesitation.  Praise the Lord for making such a connection.  The ticketing agent and I made one more connection when we realized both of our sons are Centerfielders.

After about a one hour delay we left the gate and were airborne.

Pictures

·         The team preparing to leave PBU

·         Packing the us amidst the snow of Langhorne

·         Very late Thursday night at customs in Panama

Where we are going - David, Panama

In 24 hours we will be in Newark, NJ waiting to board our Continental Airlines flight to Panama City.  We depart Newark at 5:01PM on flight 887 and arrive in Panama City at 10:14PM.  Upon arrival and getting through customs we make our way to the bus terminal for an overnight ride to the City of David in the Chiriqui province.  We eagerly anticipate the many adventures awaiting us.  Please pray for safety as we travel and in making the appropriate connections.

Snow Predicted for Mid Atlantic

Hopefully today's predicted snow for the Mid Atlantic will not delay our departure on Thursday.  In just two days we will be on the 5:01PM flight out of Newark heading to sunny and warm Panama City.