Oh The Places You'll Go.

     To do, or not to do, that is the question. Or at least I think that is the question I was asking myself several months back. I was at a crossroad, wondering whether I should take a summer job or travel... and I took the path less traveled by. Okay, maybe many people in my position would have chosen to travel, but I couldn't help myself from another cheesy line. I'll stop. This summer, I traveled to Panama for three weeks and Colorado for a week. Now I am back to real life and getting started on planning for the next school year (Yes, teachers work during the summer-- just not the 50-60ish hour weeks we have during the school year). But before I get too lost into planning, I wrote an update letter. The friend I visited in Panama, Kelsie, is a full time missionary, and every month, I proofread her letters. The tides have turned. Okay, I'll really stop now, but they really have changed. Instead of proofreading her letter, I wrote the letter! I hope you enjoy reading; I was listening to Brian Regan as I wrote it, and I hope a minuscule amount of his talent rubbed off into my writing.

June 2015

     Have you ever eaten at one of those fancy restaurants where an appetizer is the same cost as a down payment on your house? But nonetheless you spend your life savings on those crab cakes. You think to yourself, “I’m going to have an enormous mound of magnificently tasting crab cakes.” Then off in the distance you see your plate of crab cakes. They look small, but no fear, the distance is altering your perspective; it has to be. The plate is finally set in front of you, and to your dismay you just spent your entire life savings on two crab cakes the size of quarters. All you get is a tiny taste, wanting more.

     Now you are probably wondering how crab cakes relate to missionary work in Panama. If I were Kelsie, you would be wasting your time wondering because crab cakes have absolutely nothing to do with Panama. However, I am not Kelsie. I am her friend, Kristin, and I visited Kelsie and Rufino for three weeks this month. During my time with them, I had a tiny taste of their life, but I was left wanting more, hence the crab cakes. Obviously, the restaurant situation was exactly like visiting Panama. I will try to keep this update letter short and sweet, but let’s face it, Kelsie is great at summarizing what goes on down in Panama, and I am an English minor who likes to write. I have a lot to tell you about: I was able to witness Kelsie work her magic during weekly Kid’s Club, English lessons in the schools, and hosting a short term mission group.

     During Saturday morning Kid’s Club, the neighborhood kids learned about the creation story. The first week, they learned about the first three days of creation. By the next week, one would expect that the children would forget everything we said and more. After all, my students (I’m a seventh and eighth grade math teacher) forget what I said ten minutes prior. What Kelsie has said in the past is completely true; she’s not lying, and neither am I when I say that these kids are extremely enthusiastic about learning.  They recalled all they learned; so much so that they could test the teachers to see if we knew what we were talking about. One thing that I loved about them was that they were so accepting of me, the gringa. Although I don’t speak much Spanish, they would come ask me questions, and wait ten minutes for me to answer in broken Spanish. Okay, it may not have been ten minutes for me to form a sentence, but the kids were extremely patient and loving.

     Saturday evening English classes take on a parody of the UPS saying: “Rain or shine, snow or sleet we have English class.” One week it was bright, sunny and hot, and the next week it was pouring rain. The stairs across the street turned into Victoria Falls, but they were not swayed from learning and practicing English phrases. They would come up to me exuding with joy while practicing saying, “What is your name?” “How are you?” “Good evening.” “Nice to meet you.” I have yet to see the class happen during snow, but if Panama did have snow, they would, without a doubt, hold class.

     The last full week I was in Panama, we had a short term mission group come in. They were an Orthodontist team from Texas. Despite their long day of travel and overnight bus ride, the team arrived with excitement to look at many, many teeth. They visited two schools, Orilla del Rio and Higueron, over their four days in Panama. The schools shut down their usual business for the students and their families to receive dental and other health care. In addition to dental care provided by the Texas team, there was an OB/GYN, an optometrist, an also a general doctor. It was a blessing to immediately see the community’s physical needs meet while also knowing that God was using Kelsie’s team to nurture their spiritual needs by the relationships that were and are being built.

     While the orthodontist and his hygienists were busy pulling teeth, four of the Texas team members joined us with the kids. We had games, face paint, crafts, and Bible lessons planned for them. The kids absolutely loved playing soccer, or should I say futbol. There were about twenty kids playing soccer at any given time. They were ecstatic when they found out that the Texas team would give out a few balls at the end of the day. In order to stay away from a mob breaking out, we decided to host a competition. We told the kids that if they memorized the memory verse, they could have the opportunity to win a soccer ball. There was a flood of kids who went to study the words they had written on their craft. Their love of soccer gave the opportunity for the love of God to live in their hearts.

     Although my taste of Panama was quarter sized, it was unforgettable and mouthwatering satisfying. Oops, I started salivating for those crab cakes. A better adjective than mouthwatering would be delightfully. The work that is happening in Panama is without a doubt furthering God’s Kingdom. Many children are benefiting from the love given by Kelsie, Rufino, and others. They might not experience God’s love through their family members, but they are without a doubt receiving God’s infinite love from Kelsie’s team.

     Please pray for the relationships Kelsie continues to grow. Give her and others mental and physical strength to plan for the everyday as well as the many short term teams they are planning for. They have one or two teams a month coming to Panama from now until November. Praise that the Directors of the schools gave wanted English teachers, and that through teaching they can reach the kids in kids clubs. Pray that the kids continue having their excitement to learn so that they can continue learning about God’s unchanging infinite love. Praise that I had safe travels to and from Panama. Praise that the Texas team had safe travels, and prayers for the future teams to have safe travels.

     If you’ve made it this far, I want to say thank you for staying strong and reading my novel. And if you ever decide to visit Panama, I would highly suggest one unforgettable experience: wrestle an iguana, kill it, and cook it. Iguanas are delectable, especially with fried yucca and patacones. Just kidding. Don’t do that. It’s illegal, but do try fried yucca and patacones.

Until next time,

     Kristin DeKock

  

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge –that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3: 17-19