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!

Cayuco Race

Last Saturday, we went to the famous Cayuco Races of Panama. Teams of 3-4 compete in a dug-out canoe race along the Chagres River. It was very impressive to watch! These teams coming in had been rowing for 3.5+ hours, on their Ocean-to-Ocean race. Based on my brief ocean kayaking experiences , I knew I could never last that long. So I was super amazed by everyone who competed!

 Ultimate Most (4 girls, 2 of which we knew from Crossfire youthgroup!)

 Tina (student teacher staying with us), me and Esther

 Super honored to know these girls in green! All their training paid off.

Moments after the canoes arrived to shore, someone over the loudspeaker started telling all the racers to get out of the water. They had just spotted an alligator!!

Talk about an exciting finish to the race!

Wedding Bells

 I had the privilege of flying home for a weekend to see my younger brother get married!!
I cannot tell you how proud I was as a bridesmaid, just beaming with joy at getting to share in his special day as I've been a witness of how Chelsey and Stephen's love for each other has matured and grown over the years. Each moment of their wedding was a reflection of God's character and faithfulness. Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Diaz!

Watch the entire wedding here (filmed on someone's iPad): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eTylSnTlHA

See professional photos here: Shannon Rosan Photography

Video to come!!
Also check out Stephen and Chelsey's videography/photography business they started Jan 2012: 
www.trecreative.com

Little Encouragements

After returning from Carnaval week, we had some rough days in the middle school, and I needed a lot of discernment and wisdom in how to deal with certain situations. I love knowing God is my peace and strength.

Other teachers and I were on the same page, and when I met to pray with the school chaplain about everything going on, this tension, this spiritual attack, he mentioned an idea that had been on his heart recently: Praying as a school.

Monday-Friday; March 11-15th was designated as prayer week.

All secondary students were invited to participate in a student-led prayer time during lunch. I was only able to come to Monday's prayer session, but it was a huge encouragement to me.

Fifteen or so students and a few teachers gathered in a circle next to the cross we have outside of our school and prayed fervently for spiritual protection and wisdom.

We read verses about repentance, about being distinct and ambassadors for Christ as we strive to reflect him in all we do and say, and students shared with the Lord their heart struggles and interceded for the students who had been pushing God away.

Again, I teach at a Christian school, but not every student is a professing believer in Jesus Christ as their Savior. So I have the great opportunity to not only pour into the lives of young believers, helping them get rooted and established in the Word, but also to witness to non-believing students, as I'm sharing the overlap between history and the Bible.

These verses came to my mind during that prayer week.

We would love your prayer:

For our students who don't know Christ:

James 4:7-10 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

For our students who know Christ and are striving to live for Him in a culture which does not advocate an absolute truth: Romans 12:2 (Expanded Bible)
² Do not be ·shaped by [conformed to; pressed into a mold by] this ·world [age]; instead be ·changed within [transformed] by ·a new way of thinking [or changing the way you think; ^[the renewing of your mind]. Then you will be able to ·decide [discern; test and approve] what ·God wants for you [is God’s will]; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect. 
 
For our faculty and staff:John 17:20-22 (Jesus' prayer)
 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—  I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."

Tracing Our Journey in the Sand

 We praised God for a blessed week traveling through the Azuero Peninsula and experiencing the traditions of these small towns in celebrating these national holidays.


From Panama City..

 To El Valle (hiking, the frog rock, sea turtles!)

 To La Arena.. (pottery, artistan town)

To Chitre (traditional festivals)..

 To Los Santos (where we got caught in a parade and had a homestay with a sweet family)..

 To Pedasi (beach time, last parades and celebrations)..


















..Through Aguadulce and back to Panama City again!
The Lord kept us safe, taught us many daily lessons in relying on Him, and gave us the experience of a lifetime learning more about Panamanian culture and traditions.