Service Trips to
Word of Life
Panama
Volunteers from the Bible Chapel.
UPDATE: Lina and I went back to Panama to serve in Jan ‘25. Click here to see those detail.
Service Trip Summary
PANAMA - On January 14th 2024 a team of 12 volunteers from the Bible Chapel, located in McMurray Pennsylvania, traveled to serve under privileged youth at the Word of Life’s Panamanian campus for their summer camps.
The first of seven camps was offered to kids from local impoverished areas, such as Curundú & Veracruz. Theses children received scholarships from generous monetary donors, awarding them camp admission free of charge. At camp the children were fed three meals a day, given clothing to take home, and most importantly introduced to the hope and freedom offered via the “light of Jesus.”
During the week, 83 of the 160 children verbally accepted Jesus as their Lord and committed themselves to a new mindset, way of life, and eternal trajectory.
Details about the camper’s depravity
Regarding the living conditions of the children who were selected for scholarship: “Many of these campers do not have fathers present within their homes and are eating at most one meal a day” says Traci Cotton the camp’s director. She went on to insinuate many of the camper’s mothers are often suffering from addiction and or making their wage via selling themselves. A recent news article also cites the camper’s living conditions “unbearable“ & “unspeakable.”
Photo of Curundú; from “www.newsroompanama.com” article which claims “Panama third in Latin America inequality gap”
Details about the mission
The mission to “Brilla la luz de Jesus” which translates to “Shine the light of Jesus” was demonstrated through Bible lessons, musicals, and small group meetings.
Campers were bussed in free of charge. Camp staff welcomed the kids by creating a tunnel while playing worship music.
Each camper was assigned a cabin & camp counselor. Camp counselors are either local volunteers, Word of Life enrollees, or missionaries.
I got to serve these guys.
To support the camp’s mission, the Bible Chapel volunteers cleaned, cooked, painted, and were camp counselors.
Campers attended skits which presented the Gospel. Pictured above, the Bible verse Romans 12:16 “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” The kids were receptive to a new way of life and the hope offered in Jesus Christ.
All children eagerly participated in worship.
The camp counselors reinforced the message during small group meetings. The campers were asked tough questions such as “What troubles your life?” to which most cited “family” related pain. The counselors, many of which previously attended on scholarship week, pointed to their hope found in Jesus.
That hope was evident at the camp. Below are pictures of the fun activities aimed to provide an outlet for the kids.
An inflatable obstacle course and foam pit, just for fun!
Lots of smiles.
A friendly soccer match.
Campers enjoying the competition between red vs blue teams.
After day of games, the camp counselors performed skits. The crowd of kids could not stop dancing to the worship music. The presentation of the Gospel was electric.
Following a night of worship music, campers were given sticks to throw into a large fire, symbolizing the purification process when letting go of one’s past pain and following Jesus.
A carnival during the final night of the week. Gracious clothing donations from Upper Saint Clair & South Fayette School districts were given as carnival prizes.
Adael from Veracruz.
Campers went home with full bellies and wearing brand new jerseys. They were encouraged to continue to shine the light of Jesus.
And those who served went home with full spirits. John 12:26 “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be….”
Details about the camp
Word of Life Panama, located 1.5 hours drive from Panama City’s airport, was founded in 1992 by Mirko & Traci Delibasich. One of the highlights of the Word of Life ministry is the summer camp which attracts as many as 1,500 youth each year. Throughout the year the ministry also includes Bible Clubs, drama presentations, and Children's Shows as well as sports marathons, and other evangelistic outreaches. They also minister to orphanages and indigenous tribes.
The campus is located in the foothills of Mt Chame and the landscape could not be more picturesque.
A large pool provides much needed relief from the heat.
The facility can accommodate large events.
Smiles!
The facility includes housing for 200+ and includes large covered multi purpose building + kitchen, swimming pool, gymnasium, zip-line and other amenities suitable for large gatherings. Opportunities to rent the grounds are available. Proceeds from rentals go towards the Word of Life missions. If interested, please call +1-518-494-6329.
Please donate to the camp
The scholarship week needs donors. The camp needs repairs. The missionaries need support. No donation is too small :)
Personal reflections:
A little bit goes a long way: At one point I gave a boy a quarter to buy a soda. He started crying. It was evident he didn't have much and was extremely grateful. Introspectively, it really wasn't just the the quarter. It didn't take that much of me to go out of my way to serve. It didn't require that much to give my time and effort. But I saw first hand how far a little went. This is the power of the holy spirit. When things are done with pure, holy and right intentions, in the name of Jesus, we are merely conduits channeling power from an eager, divine source. The impact is compounding.
On two separate occasions boys came to me and asked me to be their dad. Overwhelmed I knelt down, hugged them and struggled to find the words. All I could do was mention we are brothers in Christ with one father who is far more than I could ever be. Felt both the right thing to say and not enough.
There is healing power in the presence of Jesus: When so many people call out his name, the energy is different, because he and his spirit are present. Being around it is contagious. Healing properties are the worship, community, mindset, hope, and so much more, of which conjure a spirit. The fruits of this spirit heal anxiety, depression, fatigue, materialism, lack of purpose, mania, and egocentricity. For who has time to dwell in these imperfections when so much growth is right in front of you. You can't not walk away a better person as you are an average of the company you keep. For example, when two boys in my cabin, Francico and Eyden first met they instantaneously started fist fighting and did so for the first 3 days. By the time they left they were hugging and best friends.
If you are interested in volunteering, I highly recommend it. Took my daughter and plan to take my other children. They need this perspective. It does something unexplainable. It will pay dividends on the back end. Here additional pictures to help articulate.
On our way back to the airport we drove through Curundú. Past the police check points, which gladly welcomed the vans with Word of Life logo, pass the trash heap and street casinos, we saw Bradley rock’in a USC jersey.
Service Trip Summary
PANAMA - On January 12th 2025 a team of 13 volunteers from the Bible Chapel, located in McMurray Pennsylvania, traveled to serve under privileged youth at the Word of Life’s Panamanian campus for their summer camps.
Many of the same emotions from the prior year listed above remained consistent. However, for this trip, this is what was new:
The kids came to camp still wearing the same gear we gifted them the prior year! WOW
The kids seemed hungrier then last year. Perhaps thats because I now had seen Curundú before camp vs last year having had seen it on the way out. Regardless they were grateful for every bite.
Of the 164 kids in attendance this week, over 81 of them accepted Christ into their hearts to be their Lord. In the following week, the same occurred!
The camp has been under the same core leadership for 30 years. Their vision continues to grow and expansion is inevitable. Opportunities to donate can be found at: https://give.wol.org/location/panama
Considering how cherished last year’s jerseys were, passing them out this year was an absolute joy.
