From Amanda: Today we went to a large orphanage run by Catholic Sisters. The really sad thing is all of these sisters love these children and work so hard but they do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior. Therefore, none of these children will hear about Jesus. This is something we prayed about the whole time we were there.
When we first got there an adorable little boy came running up to me with his arms out and a big smile on his face and immediately proceeded to throw his arms around me. It was so precious! All the kids were so excited to see us.
A little boy names Ernesto became my big buddy. He had some special needs and was so sweet. All he wanted was for me to hold him. It was great to give attention to kids who need it so much.
To end our day we went to the top of Ancon Hill and saw a beautiful view of the city. It was amazing. Then, to top things off we got to feed wild monkeys bananas! It was so great! The monkey took a banana right out of my hand! This trip has been amazing. I came to bless other people and I am the one who is coming away blessed.
From Jami: Today we ministered to children in an orphanage in Panama City. The children at the orphanage range in age from birth to 17 or 18. They live in different houses on the campus depending on their age group. The children that we worked with were the babies and toddlers. Some of the adults worked in the baby house – feeding, holding, and loving on these precious children while others of us worked with children in the toddler house. While there, we witnessed a brand new, premature infant as she was brought to the orphanage and surrendered by her mother. This vision alone made us very, very aware of how blessed we are. It also tugged on the heartstrings of those of us with passion for adoption. If only we could have taken a few of those precious souls away with us…..
We were also able to minister to the orphanage by donating a large number of developmentally appropriate toys to the infant and toddler houses. The children were so excited to receive the new things! They played with them in a variety of ways – some appropriate, and some just plain fun! Our children played with the toddlers and a few preschoolers. They jumped on a trampoline, pushed them in riding toys, and kicked balls around – whatever the children wanted to do. We were so proud of the way our children ministered to the orphans. These children are starved for attention, and we felt blessed to be the hands and feet of Jesus today with some of the precious children of Panama. The nuns who care for the children love them very much. This was obvious. But there were only two nuns to care for over 20 infants. They just need more hands on deck, and today we were privileged to be able to provide the help they desperately need.
Please pray for adoption in general in Panama. Until last year, there was no such thing as adoption at all here. Laws are finally in place, and children are beginning to find their forever families – but this is a very new thing for Panamanians. The children here are beautiful, smart, and very deserving of loving homes. Pray for adoption worldwide. All children deserve loving homes. Jesus himself ordained that we minister to orphans and widows. Adoption is very near to the heart of God – I believe this with all of my heart.
Thanks to First Baptist Church of Thomasville for sending this team here. God put this team together, in order to get His work done through us. Praise Him!!!
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