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Springs, Pa.
Panama missionaries host short-term mission team


Jacob and Marlene Tice, tentmaker missionaries in Panama and mission associates with MBMS International, led a team of 12 people from Springs (Pa.) Mennonite Church, ranging in age from eight to 84, Jan. 12-26 for a week of service and cross-cultural experience.

The Tice family

The team worked with two churches in Panama: the Iglesia Evangelica Unida (IEU) and a local Baptist church. The IEU is the Mennonite Brethren churches of the Embera and Wounan Indians from the Darien province. For the IEU, the team painted the Juan Diaz Student Centre in Panama City.

During the team’s stay at the Centre, they watched local craftspeople create baskets and carvings. The IEU church members cooked a traditional Indian meal of chicken stew and boiled plantain for the team. On the second night, a robber tried to break into the compound, but several men locked him inside and called police.

Members of the IEU shared with the team the history of their church and culture, complete with two traditional dances and skin painting. Four members of the team participated by having their arms decorated with a natural dye. After some sightseeing the next day, the team worshipped together with the IEU members at the Centre.

The team then worked with the Baptist church in Chirqui. The church was in process of enlarging its sanctuary. The team’s main job was to put the roof back on the enlarged building. The team knocked down walls, cleaned the ceiling tile and hauled rubble away.

The team also poured a cement floor at the site of the Baptist church’s mission church among the Guaymi Indians in Huigueron. The team worked with two members of the Baptist church and the men from the community, in temperatures close to 100° F.

To finish the day there, the team sang a few songs in Guaymi, Spanish and English, and several people led in prayers of thanksgiving and dedication. They enjoyed a cooked meal of chicken, beans and rice together in a large pila (basin) set on three stones over an open fire.

Sunday, the team joined the morning worship service at the Baptist church, singing songs and sharing testimonies. In the evening, the building addition was dedicated. The church presented each team member with a small gift.

Monday, the team visited a coffee farm and coffee processing plant. Tuesday, the team said farewell to the church and travelled back to Panama City.

During that trip through the mountains in Veraguas, the right rear wheel of their van flew off, but the van stopped safely at the side of the road. No one was injured. The team made it to the airport the next morning without incident.

Back in Pennsylvania, reports from the team members are positive. Some phrases include “a life-changing experience”, “I was humbled to find out how much I had and how much I could do without” and “We have new perspectives, appreciation for simple comforts and desire to serve needs the Lord will put before us”.

 – Marlene Tice

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Last modified May 5, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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