Day 10 (10/20/24)

We had a short overnight at the Grand Hyatt (within the Dallas airport; same hotel as where we stayed on the way to Panama), meeting in the hotel lobby at 7:50 AM. Seasoned group travelers  that we are by now, we had our plan down pretty quickly. Those riding in wheelchairs or helping push wheelchairs went in the handicap TSA line,  those of us with TSA Precheck went in that line, and the rest of us (Rhonda and I ) went in the regular TSA line. Our flight was from gate B6, so we were in the TSA line that would go to  the B gates. Just as Rhonda spots the wishbone (how appropriate to place a wishbone sculpture right by the TSA line as we all wish to get through the TSA line faster!), 






a TSA official decided there were too many people in that line (ok, I can agree with that - there are always too many people in the TSA regular line!), and so he closes off the line up a few people ahead of us and tells everyone to follow him to the other TSA line that goes in by the D gates (thereby causing us to loose our place in line as it becomes a mass scramble at that point)....

So we follow him to the other TSA line and wait in line again there...Finally we make it through, and we take our picture riding in style on the Skylink back to the B gates (all smiles of course!) 


 


The view out the Skylink window is bright and sunny.



We get breakfast - avacado toast with "everything bagel' topping for  Kara. Looks interesting....




Then Micah does his devotion, which is a skit that he and Kara read about a kind of modern day version of the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). They did a great job, with the message being that God put us on earth to do His work. It is a privilege to be entrusted with talents, resources, and opportunities to work towards God's purposes in this world. When we use our talents wisely, we are being faithful trustworthy servants, no matter how big or small our accomplishments may seem to us.



We had a special guest join us at the airport for devotions. He saw we were a group from Iowa, came over to talk with us, supported what we were doing in Panama, and sat in on the devotions (Dan Gable was the head wrestling coach at University of Iowa from 1976 to 1997. He coached 152 All-Americans, 45 national champions, 106 Big Ten champions, and 12 Olympians, including 8 Olympic medalists.)




After landing in Iowa, we took one final group photo - with a Herkey - we ARE back in Iowa after all.



Then we drove back to church and unloaded the extra eyeglasses out of our suitcases into boxes to ship back to MOST Ministries Headquarters in Michigan, to be used on future Eyeglass Clinic mission trips.


The trip is over, but the work goes on. We continue to pray for the congregations and communities  we served in Panama. For we are united as ONE church family through the FORO - 

Balboa

Loma Cova

Iowa City



Los Andes





and Sorah




But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. Any you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere - in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)


Lord,  We thank you for the opportunity You gave us to participate in this Eyeglass Clinic mission trip. When You were on earth You cared about the physical needs of those around You, healing the sick and giving sight to the blind. Lord, may the eyeglasses we gave out improve vision for those who received them. May they see their world more clearly and may these glasses be a blessing for them. Lord, when You were on earth, you also cared about the spiritual needs of those around You.  We pray for the Lutheran Church of Panama. Bless Your people in Balboa, Loma Cova, Los Andes, and Sorah, and may You use the work done on this mission trip to open the hearts of people to hear Your word, as taught by Your faithful  servants in these churches. As we return home, may we keep these people in our prayers. Send us Your Holy Spirit that we may continue to look diligently for ways to serve You -  here at home in Iowa City, throughout Iowa, in other parts of the US, in Panama, and to the ends of the earth. 


Bendigamos al Senor.   

Gracias a Dios!

(Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God!)

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