We're back!

This is Panama. (Actually the Central Offices of the Evangelical Methodist Church of Panama.)

This is where we stayed for the first night we were there, as well as the last two nights. The in between days, when we were working with the Ngobe Indians, we stayed in a hotel in David. Overall, the lodging conditions were much better than expected, especially in David. The only drawback to staying at a hotel was that it made it that much harder going back to the central offices and sharing a bunk with Bishop Willimon rather than Laura.

I had a great time on the trip. We just tried to do too much in too short of a time. We weren't able to fully complete our intended project of painting a multi-use building on the Indian reservation, but we were able to do a lot for the children and the families that the building served.

Because this was a multi-purpose trip, trying to blog straight through the trip would be next to impossible, and very unreadable. So, my plan is to do a summary in segments, addressing different topics and aspects of the trip. It's about the only way I know how to make sense of all that we did, and will help me to properly reflect theologically on what we were able to do and see. Plus, it will allow me to post more pictures.

Expected topics will include: Purposes, Mission and People, Team building and bonding, Sight-Seeing and Customs, Food, Final thoughts. Of course, these ideas may change. Also, any specific questions concerning our trip will help in making the summary more coherent.

Yes, this is a picture of a "Hello Kitty" pinata dressed as Bishop Willimon burning and filled with firecrackers. (More on this in the customs section.) The sign says, "8 Districts or Bust!"