Has it really been two months since we arrived? Well, there are mixed feelings about that. It is weird how when pulled out of familiar surroundings and routine, the concept of time changes. I don't even know if I can explain what I mean. All I can say is that I often find myself wondering what day it is. I know that once we find our locale and begin to be about church business everything will make a bit more sense. At least I hope it does! Please, Lord?
Well, what can I share? There is a lot to share but I can't help but ask if it is "stuff" people will want to read. Let me start by explaining the recent photos.
Are you wondering what is going with the close-up of the arm? That is my nine-year-old daughter's arm. Her name is Sarah. She has suffered severe allergy complications since the first weekend we got here. I guess that moving from high and dry Colorado to the dense tropics of Panama will provoke some kind of reaction in the human body. Allergies are nothing new to us but I was taken by surprise by the severity of Sarah's reaction. This is my baby that was actually born in Central America. Who knew she would be the one to have the hardest time adjusting to the climate here? So, let that be proof that Panama and Costa Rica may be two very small, neighboring countries with drastic differences. Anyhow, Sarah endured three weeks of itching, skin irritations and major discomfort before we decided to find a doctor to help her. We are not ones to hastily run to the doctor. I knew she was having allergic reaction to something and so we prayed and believed for it to clear up. Always remember to have a good measure of common sense with your faith. I woke Sarah up for school one morning and my heart broke; her limbs were covered in the lesions pictured, her face was swollen with red splotches and she itched badly from head-to-toe. I had enough. God gave me a mother's heart for a reason. So, we found an allergist and got her in to see him that very day. After the first minutes of seeing her, this were his exact words: "Bienvenido a Panama!" (Welcome to Panama) Nice! I didn't feel welcomed at all. We got through it though. The doctor was so kind and truly concerned for my little girl. We ran a gamut of tests and he was able to help her. Thank you, Jesus. She has to receive a shot once a week that acts as a vaccination against environmental histamines. It was a rough go at first, but today she is doing fine and we seem to have some control over those wretched allergies. I'm grateful for doctors.
I feel that the other pics give a good showing of what Panama is like as far as surroundings.
The flora and fauna truly are dense. We are in the jungle! More jungle than I ever expected and it is a new thing for this city girl. If there is no breeze, I feel like I am living and breathing in a sauna.
There is an area of the city named Casco Viejo. That is where we took the photo of the worn apartments clothed in chipped paint. It is so beautiful over there with its colonial architecture. Very romantic. And that is also where I snapped Pastor Dustin and Meg with the Kuna woman. The Kuna Indians are Panama's indigenous people. They are fascinating to watch as they mingle in with modern day Panama. We need to study their history. They know how to make a buck, or balboa (Panama's currency), that's for sure. When we asked if we could get a picture with her, she kindly obliged with a price of two balboas = two dollars. It was worth it to us.
I want to end this blog by sharing something that happened today. We finally found a keyboard for ministry and went to pick it up. The seller was the son and grandson of men of God. They all serve in a Foursquare church located in a rough area of the city and that is where we had to go to collect the keyboard. As we drove through this area, called Curundu, we saw so much filth, poverty and desperation. And then we saw graffiti markings that announced someone's motto for life: matar o morir (kill or die), mato o me matan (i kill or they kill me). Wow! Be merciful, Savior. We have heard more than enough about Curundu and reading those words confirmed it all. I knew then that this church was a very special place. When we arrived and entered their facilities, there was no question that the church was exactly what it should be: light in the darkness. What a profound 45 minutes we spent with those men. If we are honest, we have to admit that we envy their location and the opportunities they have. At the same time, we are inspired and hold them in high esteem. We know that on that day, the Lord will say, "Well done, my good and faithful servants!" We left that church with such a burden and excitement for what God has in store for us.
We will never claim any sort of greatness. These past couple of months have had some lows that made us ask questions. Lord, will you really use us? How will you use us? What are we doing here? This is the human side of us. But, thank God for His faithfulness and mercy. Our life song will only sing of His power and miracle working hand because in ourselves, Dustin and Rachelle Jones, we can do nothing. Whatever we accomplish is for His glory. The road travelled with Him is not always easy. As a matter of fact, it can get pretty scary with its bumps, unexpected detours and even the road blocks encountered here and there. But, how wonderful to be able to say, "I trust you, Jesus.," and then see that He always gets you where you are supposed to be.
Thank you for your prayers, your support and for sending us here.
