Tag! You're It!!

Tuesday was amazing! We spent the day with Jenny Jack, a lawyer from the States who is now the principal of Academia Cristiano Doulos, a pre-K through 4th grade school in Chillibre. Chillibre is a small, poor town outside of Panama City, with children who had no other access to education before this school was founded 4 years ago. Driving to the town itself, I was struck by the stark differences between the modern, wealthy Panama City, and the forgotten poverty of this town. We spent our day with different classes, acting as teacher aides, helping the children with math and their letters, and of course playing great games at recess! They loved the swings and the monkey bars, and most of all LOVED to be chased!! We definitely got our work out in! It was so great to see those kids excited about learning and having so much fun in their classes.



We also took a trip to Metro Amigo orphanage, the place where unwanted children end up. We were not able to go inside, but just seeing the property and hearing the stories of what goes on in that place were enough. The orphanage shares a kitchen space with the jail, the children don't go to school, they are considered the lowest of the low and would have to fight just to find a way out of that system and those circumstances. My heart was breaking for those kids, and I hope that with this new orphanage, at least some of those children will find a way out of that darkness and be able to create a new life for themselves.

(We took a quick stop to take some BANNER pictues!!)


Tuesday evening we had dinner with the Fultons, this AMAZING family originally from Chicago. Don is a pilot for Copa Airlines, and lived in Ireland before moving with his family here to Panama City. We met in such a God-way that we all knew it was part of the grand plan. They made us a DELICIOUS chicken barbecue dinner, with papaya, potato salad, coconut, and smoothies, plus pineapple cake from Rio de Janeiro for dessert! The best part was spending so much time talking with them, laughing, and making some great new friends. He also called over one of their friends, Karen Bivven, who is a PT here in Panama. We love making new friends, and here in Panama we have met some of the most amazing people on the planet. We are so incredibly blessed to be here and to have this experience!

(Our beautiful hairstyles by 5-year-old Aofie :)


Love, Jordan