Happy Easter!

This video was shown in church today and it was a powerful reminder that we have been rescued!
When there seemed there was no way out, Jesus made a way!

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Then, Jesus defeated sin and death by rising from the dead on the third day after he was crucified and put in a tomb. We have victory in Him alone.

Matthew 28:5-6a
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said."

Hallelujah!

"Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He's coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day"
(Casting Crowns, based on an older hymn written by L. Wilbur Chapman)

Psalm 40:2
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg-wqM8Q0ds

Portobelo

Over Friday-Saturday during Semana Santa, my friend Shelly and I headed over to Portobelo. I've been wanting to go to this historic town ever since I arrived to Panama, so I was excited to make my dream a reality!

 The Royal Customs House (now restored and a museum)

We kept picturing Pirates of the Caribbean happening here.

I learned that the Spanish forts of Portobelo ("Beautiful Port" named by Colombus in 1502) were attacked by pirates and buccaneers not just once, but several times. Granted, several shiploads of Inca gold were passing through the town on their way to Spain.

Inside the museum was the robe that they have the "Black Christ" wear during a religious ceremony that happens in Portobelo every October.

 San Jeronimo

We tried to lift some of the cannon balls that were inside the museum, and they were probably around 45 pounds each! Can you imagine loading all those cannons?

The view of the harbor, surrounded by land on both sides.

To Sum Up in a few sentences:

Spain thought they had a prime location, tucked into a natural harbor in the Caribbean Sea, but after William Parker (1602), Sir Henry Morgan (1671), and many other English pirates or members of the Royal Navy attacked, the Spanish had to reevaluate their defense strategy. 

1739--The town of Portobelo was completely destroyed and burned to the ground by Admiral Edward Vernon. Spanish rebuilt it about a decade later, but a lot of it fell into ruin and some parts were even used to build the canal.

 Fort Santiago

They even used pieces of coral in building the fort!

We saw this crazy set of dirt stairs leading up and, curious, we set off on a 287-step journey to the top.
It was so worth it! Check out this view of the harbor and the forts below:



There was a small castle at the top (used to store ammunition and serve as a look out), surrounded by a moat (dry right now-but I can imagine it'd be pretty full in rainy season!). Now I felt like I was in the middle of medieval Europe.

 We took several scenic drives during our stay. The Caribbean side of Panama is absolutely gorgeous!

 We also drove up and into the Parque Nacional de Portobelo.

Driving up and over several mountains, this verse came to mind: 

Psalm 121

¹ I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

³ He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

⁷ The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
⁸ the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

Earlier in the day, we had seen a series of posters on Faith inside Iglesia San Felipe, taken from the passage of Jesus healing the demon-possessed boy (Mark 9:23-24). What an encouragement: 

Jesus has the power to heal and to save. Why do we worry? Why do we doubt Him? Especially considering He showed clear victory over sin and death when he rose from the grave three days after being brutally crucified on the cross. Do we live in light of the fact that HE IS RISEN?

Why I love my job

Because of opportunities like THIS:

(this article was written by one of my 8th graders)

READ MORE HERE. Definitely a huge highlight of my year.

In addition to all this, I get to share Christ with my students daily. This includes having discussions about world history and religion, how God has worked in fulfilling His plans and how God is continuing to work in bringing people to know Him.

These responses brought me such joy as I reflected on our school theme this year: Digging deeper to reach further. These 6th grade students made incredible connections between what they had learned and how to apply it in sharing their faith.

Translation:  "I would tell them that elders are certainly wise and they are there to guide us but they were given that authority by the true God. I would tell them a bureaucracy is not bad, just so long as on top of of the government system is God."

 I think what the student means is that you shouldn't keep living in sin. Awesome points, class!!

Playing Tour Guide

This past Sunday, my former teaching colleague/upstairs housemate from Honduras, came down with a friend to visit Panama! It was so fun to see her again and show her the new place I'm calling home.

Here are some highlights:

 We drove to the top of Ancon Hill and admired the view.

(above: Casco Viejo)

Giant Panama flag atop Ancon Hill; a landmark you can see for miles around the city.

The famous Torrijos-Carter Treaties (1977): basically an agreement that 1) the U.S. had the right to defend the Panama canal from any threats (still applies today), 2) Panama would get control of the canal and Canal Zone again at noon on January 1, 2000.

I remember visiting Panama when there was a huge countdown in front of the Panama Canal administration building, counting down the hours and minutes until Panama would have control over the Canal.

She wrote a poem about Ancon Hill.

 View of the City Skyline (Paitilla); can you spot the F & F tower?

 Traditional Molas made by the people of Kuna Yala.

The vendor explained that the traditional colors are red, orange, black and brown, but the Kuna noticed the different colors of tourist's clothing and in modern molas, they incorporate a variety of other colors.

Geometric molas are older and each symbolize something important to their people (ie: strength, protection), and the ones with animals are made more recently. 

The patterns are meant to be worn as a part of Kuna dress.

Learn more HERE.

 The view of my side of the mountain: "Circle of Death" (a giant round-about circle with taxis and Diablo Rojo buses hurtling through it to get to the Albrook terminal) right below; down the street is the church/school

 George Washington Goethals was the Chief Engineer of the Panama Canal. This monument was built to honor him, and shows water from the three canal locks flowing into each other.

 We visited the Miraflores Locks (complete with visitor center).

 A little bit under construction (as are most projects in Panama-a sign of its good economy)

 And then we watched several ships go through!

We also visited my favorite place in all of Panama City: the Amador Causeway, ate dinner out there under the bohios, watched the sunset and even some Semana Santa fireworks.

Come visit me in Panama and I'll show you these places and more!