Day 9 (10/19/24)

Today when we woke up, we knew it would be a day of good-byes. Good-bye to the land and the people of Panama (until next time!) Knowing this, we soaked in and appreciated the view from our hotel balcony one last time - the view of the pool

and of the palm trees and the ocean beyond, 

and the boats that have been there to greet us each morning

Michelle and I marveled at how every day this week without fail the hair dryer in our room would not work when Michelle tried to use it after she showered, (indeed it would not work for me before I showered either) but it would work fine for me after I showered. She would always shower first, and I would  shower immediately after her. Sometimes it would be very early in the morning (like the day we went to Sora), and sometimes it would  be considerably later in the morning - it didn't matter - the hair dryer would only work after I had showered....We still do not have an explanation for this!!!)

After breakfast today, I looked out the hotel room balcony once more and at first it seemed the same as what we had seen every day - a few sailboats, a motor boat, an occasional container ship heading over toward the Panama Canal, just a typical day.... But look carefully-

There is a new addition,  an old rusty submarine stealthily sneaking by, adding a layer of intrigue...

We all met in the hotel lobby at 9:30. The Hartwigs and the Rickmans gathered together for a joint  family photo.

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Then Craig said a heartfelt good-bye and thank you from all of us to Nury, Ramiro, and Griselda. We cannot thank them enough for all they did for us on this trip.

Griselda presented Pastor, Nury, and Craig with very special molas.

Then we boarded the bus one last time headed for the airport, leaving Panama. What we have seen and felt here will never leave our hearts. 

We snap some last pictures out the bus window, trying not to strangle one another in the process....

As the tree roots spread and grow and support the tree , 

so we pray that the Word of God will spread and grow and support the Church in this place and throughout the world. 

The traffic was definitely with us on our way out to the airport, but so was the cross of Christ that was hanging in the front of the bus. Every time I looked out at the traffic, I saw the cross hanging there on the mirror and it changed my perspective on the traffic. The cross of Christ, which brings peace in every situation - may we remember to see it in every situation, and may we respond to every situation only after considering the situation through the lens of the cross of Christ.

We pass through the downtown one last time - colorful Panama

Americanized Panama 

modern Panama

Panama city with its muddy low tide

And so much more....

We arrive to the airport

and unload the bus

Going inside we get to The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie store (and of course buy chocolate chip cookies!) 

Several of us also visit MINISO, where Kara and the cashier strike up a lively conversation, with talking, laughing, gesturing, etc. 

I am outside MINISO on the main walkway when all of a sudden there is a very loud continuous noise. It is rain on the skylight roof. A heavy, drenching rain, beating on the roof and windows. We had experienced rain earlier on our trip (more days than not), but we had not experienced this kind of storm. It was good to be in the airport, and not in an open-air type building for this one!

Kara and Denise pose by the window displaying one of Kara's many new acquisitions from MINISO - a pineapple that zips open to reveal a baby penguin...very cute (meanwhile the rain continues to beat against the window)

We also had lunch there. Personally I went for the empanadas, knowing that I will not be able to easily get them in the states. There were several options for buying empanadas at the airport. These were from The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Place, and I have to say they make very tasty empanadas as well!

And the workers were very nice and appreciative!

Meanwhile, our plane is pulling in as the rain continues to pour down. 

However the weather does not affect our flight  time. In fact all of our flights coming home went right as scheduled. Here we are after boarding, all smiles, one big happy family.

 We take off, looking out over Panama from the sky - first Panama City

then rural Panama

then before we know it we are flying over Florida, approaching Miami

We land in Miami, go through Customs, get our checked luggage, go through TSA and board our plane for Dallas, landing there at around midnight. 

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

Lord, We thank You for the experiences that we have had on this mission trip, for the people we encountered, for the connections we made with each other, with the interpreters and other local volunteers, with the pastors and deaconesses of these churches, and with those in the communities who came to the eyeglass clinics. We see only a part of what we did - our view through our eyes here on earth, but just as the view of Dallas looks different on the street than it does from  the  airplane, so we know that You see the bigger picture of what happened this week, the hearts that were changed, the hearts that will be changed in the future because of a connection that was made, because of a kind word or smile. Our view is limited - We talked, laughed, encouraged and gave out eyeglasses. We leave the rest to You, praying that Your will may be accomplished through what we said and did here.