Most Ministries at Our Redeemer
Most Ministries is an affiliate organization of the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod that recruits, trains, and leads congregational members in short-term ministries, both in the US and abroad. For the past three years, members of Our Redeemer have been involved in mission opportunities in Nicaragua and Mexico.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Panama Eyeglass Mission Trip
Day 1
After a long day of travel that started at 3am in Milwaukee, we arrived in Panama City at about 1pm. The Panama Canal was visible from the plane, with a lot of ships lined up to enter. The time is the same here as in Milaukee. We thank the Lord for a safe flight. Darcy Zent led us through customs without incident, Rachel Christian led us in a devotion at the airport and gave us each a homemade necklace with beads and a cross to start our mission into Panama. We were picked up at the airport by Milton, our host, who is the administrator of the Lutheran congregation who is hosting us. We loaded all of our luggage and ourselves into two vans and a Honda Civic and made our way. We settled in and then Senor Milton took us to a local restaurant to eat. After that we met together to go over our plan to start the eyeglass mission on Saturday. We were all pretty tired after little sleep and a long flight so we all turned in early. Tired, but excited for this wonderful opportunity to meet and help the people of Panama who seem very friendly from our initial impression. We thank the Lord for this opportunity to distribute eyeglasses and witness our faith in Chist. We also thank our congregation for the support you have given us. Panama appears to be a pretty country, very green and mountainous. We look forward to seeing more.
In Christ,
Jeff Willer
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Panama Trip - Day 2
Early morning start in Panama on our first day of mission. We traveled to Iglesia Cristiana Luterana Mission Church in Lomacova to do our first eyeglass clinic. Pastor Jorge shared that this neighborhood church ad been an overgrown, abandoned mission years back. Now the first generation of children are grown and are "the fruit" of the church.
He spoke of Joseph and Potiphar's wife. Joseph resisted her advances, and when her anger turned to false accusations against Joseph, he didn't cause conflict with accusations or claims of innocense. He served the consequences without complaint because he loved his master. That's what we're here on earth to do....to serve without complaint.
We served over 130 people today with one or two pairs of new glasses. One woman came with very poor vision - she couldn't even see Chris' face 3 feet away. God blessed her with one of the strongest pairs of glasses we had with us. When she put them on, she exclaimed to Chris, "Your face is beautiful!". What a blessing to serve here.
Many of the people we helped here came from the Kuna tribe, who have their own language. The women were dressed in colorful dresses and head coverings and wore beautiful, finely beaded "cuffs" on their wrists and calves. The women earn income from sewing, and some brought their needles and thread to test if they could guide thread through the fine eye of their needles. Some of them required quite strong lenses - these glasses may have enabled them to work once again.
We attended an evening worship service at the church and communed with the people. The music was beautiful - we sang Kuna and Spanish songs, some of which were set to familiar melodies. The people were warm and welcoming.
We finished the day at Pizzaria Italia and had the most delicious pizza I've ever tasted - who knew?
God's blessings,
Sandy
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Panama Trip - Day 3
Dear Family and Friends,
We began our day early once again! The bus left at 7:00 to take us north towards the village of Rio Rita. We started our day in worship with another congregation and then headed to a community center where the women made a traditional Panamanian breakfast, yucca and hotdogs! It was actually quite filling and tasted good.
Our clinic was held outside today next to a playground and soccer field. A lack of tables made the work of dispensing a bit difficult onour backs however, God provided the energy for us to provide 189 people new reading, distance and sunglasses. Among our visitors were a number of the national police force!
God moments of the day included new and wonderful interpreters that we were not expecting, authentic chicken soup for lunch and the many smiles of people able to read clearly for the first time. On our way home, we traveled through a national park - simply amazing.
Tonight on a whim, we are grilling. We all miss our Weber grills, we will not be eating for quite awhile. We are grateful for the food though and the companionship of our team members!
Thank you for your continued prayers, we look forward to new adventures tomorrow!
In His Service,
Laura & Chris
Monday, August 10, 2009
Panama Trip - Day 4
Today we were in Los Nubes (the clouds), which was a very small community center. We were all concerned on how we would be able to set up 6 stations, but by the grace of God it all ran smoothly. In the community there are alot of Kuna women who make mola's which is alot of stitchery. When the women were getting tested for their glasses they would bring their stitching to make sure the could see what they were stitching.
A woman came into the clinic that (in the US) would be considered legally blind. When her sight was tested she actually needed a prescription that could help her see better. The smile on her face was priceless! The Lord has been working in our lives as well as the people we have been able to serve.
God's Blessings
Amy & Dawn
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Panama Trip - Day 5
Our team drove an hour and a half to a small city to conduct an eyeglass clicnic at a Lutheran preschool. We set our clinic up on an outdoor covered concrete patio. When we arrived only seven people were present. Immediately we felt a sense of dissappointment as we distributed glasses to the initial group within a half hour. However, we were going to be at the site for another six hours. Yet God provided and many people were drawn into the clinic. As we talked with the people we realized that the sun does a great deal of damage to unprotected eyes, the medical care is not readily available due to cost, and people are not educated on how to protect and care for their eyes.
God always has a plan. At the end of the day we felt so blessed to have seen 242 people and distributed over 300 pairs of prescription glasses and sunglasses. This evening at team devotions Pastor Ruben shared that he had the opportunity to tell all the people coming in about the only way to Heaven. Our host Milton shared that Pastor had been invited into three families' homes so they could learn more about our Savior.
God has blessed our team and kept us in His care. Daily we continue to feel that we are making a physical and spiritual impact. Thank you for your support and prayers.
In Christ's Service,
Lori Gatewood and Kirsten Willer
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Panama Trip - Day 6
Today we were afforded a slightly later start as our journey was a bit shorter to our clinic site. We started the day at 8:30am and headed to a public elementary school across the street from Pastor Ruben's Church, Gloria Dei. The church and school are located in the northern end of Panama City in an area called Los Angeles. While we found no Dodgers present, there were plenty of residents in need of glasses. We were given a small classroom that afforded some of us an opportunity to have "some" airconditioning during the clinic. With Pastor Ruben and our guide Milton present, we had a tag along friend (a young woman named Diana, who is from Chicago and visiting friends who are here from the states as Lutheran missionaires). Unlike yesterday, the lines immediately filled up and stayed that way. We were graced by our largest group of visitors - 300 strong. Our Most group once again pulled through with flying colors, today facing shortages on selections on many of the prescriptions (a good thing since it provides evidence we have been successul in our mission). The middle of the afternoon was broken up by a large rain storm that provided some of us an opportunity to reach out into the rain from under the covered walkway and cool ourselves.
We worked a little bit later today because of the large crowd. There was a great sense of pride in our eyeglass mission work being completed. We've been blessed to touch many lives and have been graced by loving people who are open, friendly and very appreciative. After we cleaned up we were able to go to Pastor Ruben's church for a short visit and photos.
We feel blessed to have been given this opportunity to share God's love and Christ's message with the people of Panama. Tomorrow we are looking forward to a day of site seeing.
Sending blessings and love to the OR Congregation for their support of our mission group.
Respectfully submitted, In Christ,
Jim Bohl and Jon Simons, OR Most Mission Team
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Panama Trip - Day 7
Today we witnessed God's beautiful creation! We climbed Ancon Hill which overlooks Panama City and it's beautiful skyline, the Panama Can, Panama Bay and Casco Viejo. In the afternoon we saw huge container ships pass through the Panama Canal at Mira Flores Locks. It's an amazing sight to see these ocean going vessels pass through within inches on each side as they pay over $200,000 per ship depending on the value and size.
We loved to learn and review the history of the Panama Canal, but to see it was impressive. We have made many life long friends here in Panama on our Eyeglass Mission Trip. Our two countries have had a very unique history.
It is hard to describe what it's like to go on a mission trip unless you get the amazing opportunity to experience it first hand. God has truly blessled each and every one of us with this incredible opportunity to reach out to the people of Panama.
Dios te bendiga (God Bless You)
Neil and Rachel Christian
Most Ministries at Our Redeemer
Most Ministries is an affiliate organization of the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod that recruits, trains, and leads congregational members in short-term ministries, both in the US and abroad. For the past three years, members of Our Redeemer have been involved in mission opportunities in Nicaragua and Mexico.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Panama Eyeglass Mission Trip
Day 1
After a long day of travel that started at 3am in Milwaukee, we arrived in Panama City at about 1pm. The Panama Canal was visible from the plane, with a lot of ships lined up to enter. The time is the same here as in Milaukee. We thank the Lord for a safe flight. Darcy Zent led us through customs without incident, Rachel Christian led us in a devotion at the airport and gave us each a homemade necklace with beads and a cross to start our mission into Panama. We were picked up at the airport by Milton, our host, who is the administrator of the Lutheran congregation who is hosting us. We loaded all of our luggage and ourselves into two vans and a Honda Civic and made our way. We settled in and then Senor Milton took us to a local restaurant to eat. After that we met together to go over our plan to start the eyeglass mission on Saturday. We were all pretty tired after little sleep and a long flight so we all turned in early. Tired, but excited for this wonderful opportunity to meet and help the people of Panama who seem very friendly from our initial impression. We thank the Lord for this opportunity to distribute eyeglasses and witness our faith in Chist. We also thank our congregation for the support you have given us. Panama appears to be a pretty country, very green and mountainous. We look forward to seeing more.
In Christ,
Jeff Willer
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Panama Trip - Day 2
Early morning start in Panama on our first day of mission. We traveled to Iglesia Cristiana Luterana Mission Church in Lomacova to do our first eyeglass clinic. Pastor Jorge shared that this neighborhood church ad been an overgrown, abandoned mission years back. Now the first generation of children are grown and are "the fruit" of the church.
He spoke of Joseph and Potiphar's wife. Joseph resisted her advances, and when her anger turned to false accusations against Joseph, he didn't cause conflict with accusations or claims of innocense. He served the consequences without complaint because he loved his master. That's what we're here on earth to do....to serve without complaint.
We served over 130 people today with one or two pairs of new glasses. One woman came with very poor vision - she couldn't even see Chris' face 3 feet away. God blessed her with one of the strongest pairs of glasses we had with us. When she put them on, she exclaimed to Chris, "Your face is beautiful!". What a blessing to serve here.
Many of the people we helped here came from the Kuna tribe, who have their own language. The women were dressed in colorful dresses and head coverings and wore beautiful, finely beaded "cuffs" on their wrists and calves. The women earn income from sewing, and some brought their needles and thread to test if they could guide thread through the fine eye of their needles. Some of them required quite strong lenses - these glasses may have enabled them to work once again.
We attended an evening worship service at the church and communed with the people. The music was beautiful - we sang Kuna and Spanish songs, some of which were set to familiar melodies. The people were warm and welcoming.
We finished the day at Pizzaria Italia and had the most delicious pizza I've ever tasted - who knew?
God's blessings,
Sandy
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Panama Trip - Day 3
Dear Family and Friends,
We began our day early once again! The bus left at 7:00 to take us north towards the village of Rio Rita. We started our day in worship with another congregation and then headed to a community center where the women made a traditional Panamanian breakfast, yucca and hotdogs! It was actually quite filling and tasted good.
Our clinic was held outside today next to a playground and soccer field. A lack of tables made the work of dispensing a bit difficult onour backs however, God provided the energy for us to provide 189 people new reading, distance and sunglasses. Among our visitors were a number of the national police force!
God moments of the day included new and wonderful interpreters that we were not expecting, authentic chicken soup for lunch and the many smiles of people able to read clearly for the first time. On our way home, we traveled through a national park - simply amazing.
Tonight on a whim, we are grilling. We all miss our Weber grills, we will not be eating for quite awhile. We are grateful for the food though and the companionship of our team members!
Thank you for your continued prayers, we look forward to new adventures tomorrow!
In His Service,
Laura & Chris
Monday, August 10, 2009
Panama Trip - Day 4
Today we were in Los Nubes (the clouds), which was a very small community center. We were all concerned on how we would be able to set up 6 stations, but by the grace of God it all ran smoothly. In the community there are alot of Kuna women who make mola's which is alot of stitchery. When the women were getting tested for their glasses they would bring their stitching to make sure the could see what they were stitching.
A woman came into the clinic that (in the US) would be considered legally blind. When her sight was tested she actually needed a prescription that could help her see better. The smile on her face was priceless! The Lord has been working in our lives as well as the people we have been able to serve.
God's Blessings
Amy & Dawn
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Panama Trip - Day 5
Our team drove an hour and a half to a small city to conduct an eyeglass clicnic at a Lutheran preschool. We set our clinic up on an outdoor covered concrete patio. When we arrived only seven people were present. Immediately we felt a sense of dissappointment as we distributed glasses to the initial group within a half hour. However, we were going to be at the site for another six hours. Yet God provided and many people were drawn into the clinic. As we talked with the people we realized that the sun does a great deal of damage to unprotected eyes, the medical care is not readily available due to cost, and people are not educated on how to protect and care for their eyes.
God always has a plan. At the end of the day we felt so blessed to have seen 242 people and distributed over 300 pairs of prescription glasses and sunglasses. This evening at team devotions Pastor Ruben shared that he had the opportunity to tell all the people coming in about the only way to Heaven. Our host Milton shared that Pastor had been invited into three families' homes so they could learn more about our Savior.
God has blessed our team and kept us in His care. Daily we continue to feel that we are making a physical and spiritual impact. Thank you for your support and prayers.
In Christ's Service,
Lori Gatewood and Kirsten Willer
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Panama Trip - Day 6
Today we were afforded a slightly later start as our journey was a bit shorter to our clinic site. We started the day at 8:30am and headed to a public elementary school across the street from Pastor Ruben's Church, Gloria Dei. The church and school are located in the northern end of Panama City in an area called Los Angeles. While we found no Dodgers present, there were plenty of residents in need of glasses. We were given a small classroom that afforded some of us an opportunity to have "some" airconditioning during the clinic. With Pastor Ruben and our guide Milton present, we had a tag along friend (a young woman named Diana, who is from Chicago and visiting friends who are here from the states as Lutheran missionaires). Unlike yesterday, the lines immediately filled up and stayed that way. We were graced by our largest group of visitors - 300 strong. Our Most group once again pulled through with flying colors, today facing shortages on selections on many of the prescriptions (a good thing since it provides evidence we have been successul in our mission). The middle of the afternoon was broken up by a large rain storm that provided some of us an opportunity to reach out into the rain from under the covered walkway and cool ourselves.
We worked a little bit later today because of the large crowd. There was a great sense of pride in our eyeglass mission work being completed. We've been blessed to touch many lives and have been graced by loving people who are open, friendly and very appreciative. After we cleaned up we were able to go to Pastor Ruben's church for a short visit and photos.
We feel blessed to have been given this opportunity to share God's love and Christ's message with the people of Panama. Tomorrow we are looking forward to a day of site seeing.
Sending blessings and love to the OR Congregation for their support of our mission group.
Respectfully submitted, In Christ,
Jim Bohl and Jon Simons, OR Most Mission Team
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Panama Trip - Day 7
Today we witnessed God's beautiful creation! We climbed Ancon Hill which overlooks Panama City and it's beautiful skyline, the Panama Can, Panama Bay and Casco Viejo. In the afternoon we saw huge container ships pass through the Panama Canal at Mira Flores Locks. It's an amazing sight to see these ocean going vessels pass through within inches on each side as they pay over $200,000 per ship depending on the value and size.
We loved to learn and review the history of the Panama Canal, but to see it was impressive. We have made many life long friends here in Panama on our Eyeglass Mission Trip. Our two countries have had a very unique history.
It is hard to describe what it's like to go on a mission trip unless you get the amazing opportunity to experience it first hand. God has truly blessled each and every one of us with this incredible opportunity to reach out to the people of Panama.
Dios te bendiga (God Bless You)
Neil and Rachel Christian