Panama February 2025
A Week of Faith and Fellowship in Panama
The journey began as Debi and I drove to the airport on our way to Panama, filled with anticipation for the week ahead. Even before the wheels of the plane left the tarmac, we had opportunities to share the gospel. A young Panamanian man at the gate, then a woman from Uruguay on the flight—each conversation was a chance to plant seeds of faith. Gospel tracts, carefully packed for the trip, were already finding their way into eager hands.
Upon landing, the opportunities continued. As we made our way through customs, we shared our faith with the agent, handing him a Spanish tract. From there, it was a long and bumpy hour-and-a-half drive to Coronado, where both our condo and the church we’d be serving at were located. The roads, especially the final stretch, were a challenge—dusty, full of potholes, and forcing our driver, Eric, to crawl along at 20 miles per hour. By the time we reached the condo, it was 12:30 AM, and exhaustion had set in. To make things tougher, the air conditioning in Debi’s and my room wasn’t working. Running on just a few hours of sleep, we knew the week ahead would be demanding—but we were ready.
The condo itself was a beautiful place to retreat, with a serene pool area where I spent my mornings in devotion. Tuesday began with a trip to the church to help decorate for Vacation Bible School. That evening, Pastor Ricky welcomed us into his home for Taco Tuesday, a tradition we were more than happy to take part in. From the very first moment, the Panamanian people embraced us like family. Warm greetings consisting of a kiss on the cheek and a hug, laughter, and genuine joy filled every interaction. It wasn’t just locals either—Panama is a melting pot. Throughout the week, we met believers from the UK, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela, all brought together by their shared love for Christ.
On Wednesday, the real work began—VBS was in full swing. Debi took on the role of registering the kids and teaching Bible classes for the English-speaking students. Watching her in action filled me with pride. Debi’s Spanish-speaking skills were a huge blessing on our mission trip, allowing us to connect more deeply with the people we served and share God’s love in a meaningful way. Debi, Connie and Elaine worked registration each morning. Connie and Elaine also assisted in the kitchen making meals for over 300 each morning. Tom, Bill and Camden worked in Rally, which was the games and recreation rotation working outside in the Panamá heat. Daphne jumped in to help in the kitchen and in crafts. Drew and Blaire along with all of the team helped early each morning with set up and at each days end cleaning and mopping getting ready for the next day. The team has such a sense of unity working together no matter the task.
That first day, 190 children filled the church. By the last, the number had grown to 240 children. I took on the role of timekeeper, making sure every class knew when to transition and to keep the program running smoothly. That evening, we took a break from the busy day and visited Panama’s breathtaking black sand beaches. As we stood there, gazing at the mountains in the distance, I couldn’t help but marvel at God’s handiwork.
Each morning, someone from our team led a devotional on the drive to the church, preparing our hearts for the day’s work. After VBS, we would often eat at local restaurants, discovering the richness of Panamanian cuisine. On Thursday night, we found ourselves back at Pastor Ricky’s, where he treated us to American-style bacon cheeseburgers. Over dinner, he told us about his “four ducks”—or rather, his four dogs. The way he pronounced “dogs” in his accent made it sound like “ducks,” which sent all of us into laughter.
One of the most memorable moments of the trip came on Friday. While the children attended VBS, many of their parents stayed nearby, sitting under the shade of a large tree where we set up chairs, snacks, and meals. Pastor Ricky shared a message with them earlier in the week, but on Friday, it was my turn. With Eric, our bus driver, interpreting, I shared my testimony with the group. When I finished, I handed out gospel tracts, and something remarkable happened—Eric, without hesitation, took the next thirty minutes to go through the entire tract with them, asking questions and engaging them in discussion. It was powerful to witness.
That evening, we returned to Pastor Ricky’s once more for a Panamanian stir-fry called Paella. Afterward, they asked me to share my testimony again, this time with the church group. I was honored.
Saturday marked the grand finale of VBS. The children gathered in the sanctuary as the gospel message was presented. Each child received a gift box from Samaritan’s Purse, and as they left, Debi and I—along with some of our teammates—handed out balloon swords and hearts, bringing smiles to their faces one last time.
Sunday morning came quickly. We packed our bags and prepared to leave the condo, but not before one last breakfast, prepared by our teammate Tom. At church, we attended Sunday school, and Pastor Ricky preached a powerful sermon on Revelation and the return of Christ. Goodbyes were difficult—the bonds formed over just a few days ran deep. But it was time to move on.
In Panama City, we checked into a Best Western, had dinner, and explored the vibrant streets. Monday brought one final adventure—a visit to the Panama Canal. Watching a massive tanker make its way through the locks was an incredible sight, and an IMAX film on the history of the canal added depth to the experience. That evening, we reunited with Pastor Ricky and his family one last time for ice cream and fellowship. To our surprise, they brought us gifts—one final gesture of their love and kindness.
It was a great week in Panama. We got to pour into the lives of the children at VBS and their parents. Throughout the trip, we were intentional about spreading the Gospel to a variety of people—travelers, restaurant workers, locals, security personnel, and even fellow passengers.
We passed out over 100 gospel tracts! God moved in incredible ways, strengthening our faith and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. It was one of my best and favorite mission trips I’ve ever been on.
-Michael
Trip participant
