Deygedi!! (Hello in Kuna) Last Sunday afternoon the team left the 'jungle' of the National bus terminal in Panama City to the real jungle of la Comarca de Kuna Madungandi (A special territory governed by the Kuna people of Panama that lies between the provinces of Panama and Darien). We went down with Todd and Marielena, as well as 3 Kuna missionary/pastors who have been reaching out to their people for years and were our way of being accepted by the community. Arriving in Bayano, we loaded our stuff onto a dugout canoe (motorized) and took off on a one hour boat ride along the lake to the community of Icandi (pop. 700-800) to spend 4 days working alongside the Kuna missionaries ministering to the people.
The village as we approached at dusk
We were greeted at first by one or two extremely shy kids, but soon after it was a flurry of people coming down to see (read stare at) us and help us take our equipment to our thatched hut that would be home for the next few days. After the people set up our hammocks, Lindsey and I went off to cook dinner over an open fire. We wrapped up the evening with a bit of an overview, some worship and prayer and then off to 'bed'.
Lindsey and I cooking dinner
Over the next two days we would get up at 5:30 to begin the day. After breakfast and quiet time our group would divide up, each heading out with one of the Kuna missionaries who would act as our guides and translators. We spent a good part of each day visiting families, helping them with chores, learning about their lives and sharing about ours. Over the couple days we had a few opportunities to direct these conversations to spiritual matters. One thing that was always a constant was the kids who would follow us and cling (literally) to us wherever we went.
With the kids walking around
Each day during the day the men would be out fishing, harvesting or hunting leaving the children behind with the women. The pastors/missionaries had arranged each day to have a woman's Bible study. While they did that it was up to us to keep the children busy. We told Bible stories, taught them songs and played games.
Women's Bible study
The third night there we had the chance to show Magdelena (a version of the Jesus film as viewed by Mary Magdelene). After realizing our portable generator wasn't starting we were fortunate to find that someone in the village had one and lent it to us in exchange for the gas we had brought. About 150 men, women and children came out to see the film, some dramas and testimonies from the Stinters and hear a short Gospel message at the end.
Juan sharing his testimony before the Jesus film
Wednesday morning came and we packed up and headed back to 'civilization'. Reflecting back, it was an amazing experience to be accepted and be able to live with this community that really hasn't changed much in the past couple of hundred years. Probably the highlight was the fact that the local Kuna missionaries were able to use our presence to ask permission from the Silah (chief) to build a church in the community. Construction is set for March 15th! As well the kids impressed me. It was obvious that in their culture kids are not highly valued and they were starving for love and affection from us. Constantly wanting to hold our hands, put their arm around us etc... and of course have their photo taken!
3 little Kuna girls
Please continue to pray for Icandi, as well as Pastors Lino, Artemio and Lazaro as they continue to reach out to Icandi and many other Kuna communities across Panama.
Until next time,
Steve
Texi and I, she adopted me as her Baba (Dad) while we were there
The village
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