Languages, music, worship, laughter, coffee, mosquitoes... are just some of the words I would use to describe our recent trip to Panama. But before I go into any great detail let me give you the basic premise of the trip. We were going to Panama to go visit an indigenous tribe called the Emberá. Through an amazing series of God-connections there was a song writing seminar held in October 2007 where the first worship songs were composed in the Emberá language and musical style. We were traveling to Panama to use our recording equipment (another God provision) to record their songs to make them a CD. Also we were to be part of an American/Emberá wedding. (the first ever Christian wedding in the tribe)

I had a hard time imagining what it would be like to live in a tribe for a whole week, and I had an even harder time packing for it. But when we finally arrived there, after being stopped by the national police and having to write down our passport numbers, I discovered that it was really nothing like I had imagined. There were huts on stilts all around and green grass with the mountains as a backdrop. The sun was warm, almost hot, and the only downside was the occasional buzz of a mosquito. The pace of life there was so slow, nothing like our American DO! DO! DO! culture, and I had become so immersed in it I actually felt uncomfortable when I had nothing to do. I know it sounds crazy but some of those times when I was sitting there doing nothing I had to remind myself that the Lord had me here and it was ok to have nothing to do.

Although there were down times, we actually did do things. One of those was to have another songwriting workshop with the people of the village. The cool thing was that because of the wedding, that was happening a few days later, there were people there from some of the other Emberá tribes in the Darien Jungle who were able to participate in that workshop as well. I wasn’t in the rooms as they were composing, but I heard the results. It was so cool! In each of the groups there was a mixing of generations and that is always so exciting for me to see.

Then came the time for me to do something… RECORD!!! We were able to get all the equipment set up for the most part without a hitch. There was a slight software issue, but through the Lord’s grace I was able to resolve it. After that the recording went so smoothly. We were able to record the three songs that they had composed in the workshop earlier that day, and we finished so quickly that we were able to record some of their songs that they sing that had been translated from Spanish. We all had a really good time. The people in the tribe enjoyed so much that they wanted to do some more songs. So a night or two later we recorded some more of their translated songs. It was cool to see during the earlier recording session one of the older women sing an old folksong from which they had based one of their worship songs. It was neat to hear how they bridged the gap from something deep in their culture to worshiping God. Later that week I was able mix the CD and make them some copies. They were excited about the potential for ministry that these CDs had, and couldn’t wait to hear them.

Then it was time for the wedding. There was going to be three different languages brought together; Spanish, Emberá, and English. Kali (American) met Edyl (Youth Pastor in the village) during the time that she spent in there in the Peace Corps. Many people pitched in to get everything ready for the wedding. Missionary groups had built a church building out of concrete (we were staying there) where the wedding would take place. Everyone learned how to weave palm leaves together, and a tarp was hung to protect from the sun. On the day of the wedding the flowers were placed and everything was ready. There was a retired missionary who did the service in all three languages, it was amazing!!

As our time came to leave the village it was bittersweet. I was glad to leave the mosquitoes, but sad to leave the cool people that I had met. Our last day in Panama we were able to see some sights such as the Panama Canal, and we were able to lead worship at a local church. One of things that most impacted me during this trip was Romans 8:28,  “and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  I saw this verse many times throughout the trip… I am not sure exactly what the Lord wants to say to me but I am waiting and listening for Him…