As you may know, a few months ago my team and I got an email about a route change that said we would no longer be serving in Guatemala, instead we would be serving in Panama! After receiving this email my heart swelled with joy and peace. I had never experienced that kind of peace before. If you don’t know this about me, my dream has always been to live abroad and teach, and I wasn’t sure if I was going to find a country on my route that brought so much peace to that decision, and then Panama was announced. And I am not about to make the claim that Panama is where God is calling me to, but I do want to share that little tidbit so you can be praying for me and my future in missions while my team and I are in Panama as well as the people of Panama, I am incredibly excited to meet them! Also, one of my favorite SALTs dad is from Panama so that is super cool! 🙂
Map:
Flag:
Language: Spanish, but there are many indigenous tribes that live in the Panamanian rainforests that speak an indigenous language.
Religion: About 75% of people identify as Roman Catholics, about 20% are Protestants, and the last 5% of the population include Mormons and indigenous religions.
Population: As of 2017, about 4.1 million people live in Panama.
Unique Animals: Sloths, anteaters, monkeys, and a large variety of birds!
Special Foods: Ceviche, plantains, empanadas, and fried yucca fruit.
Cool Geography: The tidal range is huge compared to areas in the US. Between high tide and low tide, the water in the Pacific can rise or lower up to 22 feet. This also causes the Pacific Ocean to be at a higher level than the Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico, so this is why the Panama Canal is necessary. In order to cross from one side to the other, boats have to be raised or lowered in the canal lock system.
Fun things to do: The Panama Canal! At the canal they have a museum and a place to sit and watch a boat go through the canal locks! Ships may have to wait four days in the Atlantic or Pacific to get a turn through the canal, since only one ship can go through it at a time.
Also, don’t forget about historical sites, such as old ruins or little towns still using historical infrastructure.
Prayer:
I pray that the people in Panama will learn (or be reminded) that salvation comes by grace alone through faith alone, not through works or earthly requirements. I pray Panama’s economic prosperity (a result of the Canal) is not a hindrance to the Gospel or a disguise of the also present poverty. Because of the Panama Canal, this country has one of the leading economies in Central America, which leads to drug trafficking. I pray God will set free those who feel trapped by drugs, whether because of their involvement in buying and selling drugs or because of a drug addiction. Also, I pray for the refugees who have fled to Panama from Colombia and Venezuela. Bring them peace and comfort as they search for a new home.
While I don’t know much about Panama beyond what my teammate wrote or that it has a large canal, maybe you know someone or have been. Please share your experiences about Panama in the comments, I would love to read them! <3 KJ
