Sterling College Panama Team

2009-05-26T16:17:00.001-07:00

More pictures from Tuesday...

2009-05-26T14:55:00.000-07:00

We're nearing the end. We started out the day with a little tourism...a boat ride down the Panama Canal (pictures to follow tonight). We saw crocodiles (Coach even got to hold a baby croc the guide scooped out of the water), a green iguanna, a couple of sloths, and coolest of all, the monkeys. Everyone got to have a wild monkey take a bananna from their hand as they lept from the trees to our boat. We then headed to the Artesan Mall for a little souvenir shopping.

Today was also our last clinic, another elementary school in San Miguelito. We ran out of beads for our wordless book bracelets...we gave 1500 away at our clinics. The kids were great and our team had a hard time wrapping up...they kept signing autographs and you could see the emotion as they got in the van for the last time after a clinic. We then went to the first school we did a clinic at and repainted the lines on their gymnasium floor. The team has done an amazing job with the kids at the clinics...they played with them, hugged them, let them hang all over them, and even with the heat and tiredness never lost their enthusiasm or compassion.

Tonight we're going to the Miresflores Locks for a team dinner. Tomorrow is ocean, shopping, and our final Crossfire. It's hard to believe the trip is almost over. Our team is so close and having to much fun. God has been powerful and nobody wants it to end.

The video is the team singing after our last game...the audio is really bad, but the video is fun...

2009-05-25T21:48:00.000-07:00

Monday started our second week here in Panama and it was another busy day. 2 more clinics, a high school in Panama City (our toughest clinic to date) and a junior high clinic (in a tropical rain storm) in San Miguelito. The team worked very hard, and pushed through a lot of weariness to give a great effort with some kids who weren't as willing to participate at first. Ashley K and Erica did a great job sharing their testimonies, and many more kids responded to our invititation and prayed to receive Christ.

After a couple hours of R&R at Diego's (badly needed) we headed off to play the Panamanians 1 more time. Down both bigs (both Slim and Diego fouled out with 9 minutes to go in the game) the team battled hard down the stretch, missing a 3 pointer to tie the game with 9 seconds left. With weary legs the team played as hard as they could. It was really fun, however, to see the relationships our guys have built with the Panamanian players. We gathered together after the game, prayed and sang together, savoring the competitive experience we had shared together. (We also received an invitation to Costa Rica next year if we want to go!).

Tomorrow is our last clinic (the players are sad) and then we paint a gym floor in a school in San Miguelito. Keep praying for us...we're almost done.

God is Good/All the TIme

2009-05-25T07:30:00.001-07:00

We been here over a week and everything has been wonderful. Things have been a little rough with the sun, but the man upstairs has giving us enough water, and energy to share basketball and his gospel day in and out. The clinics get better everyday, you never know what your going to get with the kids which is always they best part. They are full of energy and love to dance. I wish we could stay another week and continue to worship with these kids because they are so amazing and believe just like we do. Well we have three days left, so pray for us; that we can reach out to more kids/children with these last 3 day :). God Bless

ZaK

i'm sitting by both ashleys right now!

2009-05-25T07:29:00.000-07:00

Hola! Como estas? Estoy en Panama y tengo tiempo bueno. El equipo estan fenomenal y ...eeekkkk.......

Ok ok i don't really know spanish so lets go back to english. or as zach likes to call it inglo.
The past few days have been wonderful. The highlight for me was Friday night. We had a big fundraiser game for a family from the CBC Church we are working with for their upcoming move to Guinea, West Africa to be missionaries. The games we a blast but we raised a lot of money for them. KC made a half court shot which earned them 1000 dollars on the spot! Then yesterday at church we prayed for them and commissioned them. That is one of the many great things that has happened here.

Well, everyone else has lots to say so read up! Keep praying for us that we would finish strong here as we are all getting pretty tired from the heat and long days.

And it's ADAM'S BIRTHDAY!!! FELIZ CUMPLEANOS A ADAM!

Bye...
Erin

Welcome to Panama with Adam Brown

2009-05-25T07:28:00.001-07:00

Sooo today is my BIRTHDAY!!! I am 19 and ready for another exciting day with the Panamanians!!!! The last couple days have been A M A Z I N G ! ! ! ! Just playing with the kids and dancing and being silly with them is great. I am actually learning songs in spanish now. The kids love singing and dancing with us its just sooo much fun!! Today we have our last game of the trip and maybe we can redeem ourselves this game. Stay tuned for more of Welcome to Panama with Adam Brown.

Hello to everyone back home... from K.C. ...

2009-05-25T07:28:00.000-07:00

Hello to everyone from back home :-) It is hard to believe that we have been in Panama for over a week! It is amazing to see how much we have all grown and become closer in the last 8 days! It has been a wonderful experience and has gone so quickly. Everyday has been filled with one activity after another, and the people here have been wonderful.

This trip has far exceeded any expectations I had. It has truly been life-changing! To be able to combine basketball with ministry work has been a blessing. We have three very busy days coming up. We are actually going to be able to do some sight-seeing and touristy type things Tuesday and Wednesday, which everyone is excited about. It will be a good way to wrap up the trip.

I thank all of you for all of the thoughts and prayers you have sent our way. We appreciate them and ask that you continue to do what you are doing. I cannot wait to get back and share with everyone about what an awesome experience this has been. There are lots of great pictures to show as well ;-) Have a great week!!

K.C.

Panama es muy bueno with Mark Swiontek Dos

2009-05-25T07:27:00.004-07:00

HELLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! LA LA LA!!! Panama is amazing!!! The last couple of days have been so much fun and exhausting. The last couple of clinics have been in Curundu and Arehan. Also yesterday we spent the day just relaxing and attending church services at the Crossroads church and in Curundu. The kids were very happy to see us again. My favorite part of the trip so far has to be when we attended the church service in Arehan. There we sung ¨Lord I lift your name on High¨ in 3 different languages:english, spanish, and kuna. It reminded me the time in Acts when everbody heard the gospel in there own language. Today we get to do more clinics, fallowed by another funfilled day at Diego´s house, and then another bball game. Keep all of us in your prayers. Oh, and HAPPY BRTHDAY A.B.!!!!!!!!

2009-05-25T07:27:00.003-07:00

Well, a week has gone by and I can't believe how much we have done since we have been here! I would like to say that I'm getting a lot better at speaking spanish . . . but I'm really not. It was a lot of fun to go back to Curundu yesterday for their service and see how the children responded to us; they treated us like we were old friends. The CBC missions service we went to was great as well. Last night Erin and I ate at a Japenese steakhouse for dinner with our host family. It was really neat to watch the chef cook our meal right in front of us (we even got to crack our own eggs by tossing them in the air and using a spatula to break them)! Having a day with no clinics and nothing to do but worship was really refreshing, but man did I eat way too much. We are off to do two more clinics today. Thanks for all your prayers - Ashley

I can't believe we've been here over a week

2009-05-25T07:27:00.002-07:00

Buenas! I hope everyone back home is having as much fun as we all are. Were taking a second to post a blog before we head out to San Miguilito to do more clinics. Last night was a free night to just hang with our host families and so we all were able to relax and get some rest. Tomorrow we will go on a boat to see the panama canal and then do our last clinics. The clinics are a lot of fun even though it's mass chaos a lot of the time. We pretty much just run around and ''try'' to steal the ball from a kid or lift them up to dunk it. Wednesday we get to go to the beach for a while and then go shopping. Wednesday night we will finish up our trip with an awesome worship session with the jr. high and high school youth group. God has definitely been working through us and it is fun to see. It's amazing what God can do with willing people. Coach is telling us we need to go so bye bye for now. Trent

2009-05-25T07:27:00.001-07:00

whats up guys..this your boy Cecil checking in with you all... well this is day 8..and we are still going hard for JC....i tell you what, iif it wasnt for God, i dont know how we would be able to last in this heat...but God is are air conditioner if you may say...well the other night we had church and we all sang a lord i lift your name on high in three different languages..which was awesome...God is teaching me some things as well, just its not about pleasing other man, but going 100 for God, and really not caring about what people are saying about you.... It feels like we been here forever, the relationships that we are building with these people is insane..in a good way though..its going to be hard to leave, The best part about this trip by far is, when the other teammates share their testimonies and to see God working in their lives is crazy, i mean for some of the guys this is new, they are out of there comfort zone, but yet they are expressing there self bigtime..and you can see the light of Christ shine off of them...We are not finish yet though..we still have to put in work for Jesus Christ though.....continue to pray for us and our strength....love ya Cecil

Panamá es impresionante y tiene un lugar en mi corazón (panama is awesome and holds a spot in my heart)

2009-05-25T07:27:00.000-07:00

HElllllOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! la la la! Well were up early again. Yesterday was a fun day we went to 2 church services and there were both awesome (but the first one was outside and of course it would be very hot day). This has been an awesome trip and as out days get closer to the end I can't help but feel sadness come over me. I feel that I have a calling to be here and continue to do things out here to benefit the church and the children. Not to mention the food is awesome and me being a fatty that calls me to stay 2 lol. The group of people we brought down here is amazing the girls are awesome and the guys are good dudes. You can tell we are all getting closer to each other and will kinda of hard to leave for the summer.

Stay tuned for the next episode of All my Panama! ?
EL SLIMO!!

The Panaman Reporting

2009-05-25T07:26:00.000-07:00

Well hellooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooouuuuuuuuuuu...
The Panaman here reporting for everyone that needs some input on how this trip is going back in my hometown haha...It's been going really well so far, we've been impacting a lot of people's lives and it's so fun to be an example for kids and to play with them and share the word of God. It has also been fun to play against all the guys I grew up with playing basketball and having them call me a cheater because I'm in the American team hahaha...I have no regrets of this trip and I guarantee I'll be sad whenever everyone leaves because I'll have to wait until August to share again with these awesome group of people!...I'll continue next time, saying goodbye right now is the Panaman from Panama lol talk to everyone later!

Diego

2009-05-25T07:25:00.001-07:00

Hola...

As this trip is wrapping up and everyone has been working hard, I´ve continued to see God work. I feel a lot closer with him than I did from the beginning of this trip. The weekend went by pretty fast. After going to a church service on Saturday night we turned around and went to two on Sunday. It was very relaxing day for most. We got to spend more time with our host family which was very nice. G (Ashley Gasper) and I went to eat at a Greek restaurant where we tried some new kinds of food. Then we went to get ice cream at this Cause Way. It was just really nice to spend some quality time with our families and get to know everyone better. We have three more clinics so keep us in our prayers as we continue to spread the word of God!
Have a wonderful day everyone :)

Erica, Ed, E

Hola!!

2009-05-25T07:25:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone...its definitely still hot here!!

The weekend was great! We had clinics and a lot of church services. Its so amazing how God has been working in all of our lives. We are having the greatest time down here. The services that we attended were great. Dancing with the kids, worshiping to the Lord, becoming closer with one another.
Then we finally got our chance to spend a night with our families. Me and Erica had a great time with them. We ate at a Greek restaurant called Panos and then went to the causeway and we got to pick out our own private yacht...well i wish we could have it!! Then we got ice cream and of course that was yummo! It was nice and relaxing but of course we were tired so we went to bed somewhat early!
Well today is going to be another long and fun day. I can't wait to see what the Lord has planned for us today and for the rest of the days that we will be here. Adios everyone!!

Love G

2009-05-24T20:09:00.000-07:00

Sunday was a day of rest...no basketball, just the missions service at Crossroads and a youth service in Curundu. The missions service was outside, with the commissioning of our team, a children's team to the Embaro people, a youth team to Peru, and the family going to Africa.

The Curundu service was another great experience. The Crossfire band provided the worship, and our group has officially decided that "From the Inside Out" in Spanish may be their favorite worship song of the trip. Pastor David preached and was translated into English for us. Our players served hotdogs afterwards.

The evening was relaxing as each player went with their host family for a fun night.

Please pray for the team...the heat has taken its toll on us, and we've been going so hard we have sore knees, feet, etc. We want to finish strong (3 clinics in the next 2 days, plus a game and painting a gym floor).

We'll get more pictures and video tomorrow...

2009-05-24T20:06:00.000-07:00

More pictures from Saturday...

2009-05-23T23:59:00.000-07:00

We're finally back after an incredibly taxing and rewarding day. After finally getting all our transportation squared away, we arrived in Arehan, a Kuna Indian community outside of Panama City. Today's clinic was outside in a big field on a concrete court. It was sunny and hot! We worked with kids from Crossfire, the youth group at the church, so players and students simply paired up and walked the town, inviting children, youth, and adults to come to the clinic. The clinic is sponsored by a local church and their minister, Pastor Frederico. It was fun to see lots of kids and adults from the past who we've built a relationship with. KC shared a powerful testimony and again, hearing the prayers of the children touched everyone's hearts.

As soon as the clinic was over we packed up, and headed to a large mall just across from the gym for our game for lunch. Air conditioning and food...just what the doctor ordered. After an hour we went to the gym, just beating a torrential downpour that postponed the game 30 minutes. Our guys played well, coming back from 14 down to take a 6 point lead early the 4th quarter, but their tired legs just couldn't hold it. Zach played a great game, and then was able to share his testimony with the players from the other team and then we all sang together. It is fun seeing the relationships that are being formed between the two teams.

After the game, the guys showered in some interesting showers, then a quick dinner back at the mall, then back to Arehan for a great night. It started with some challenges....pushing a car up a 45 degree hill to a ramp made of a board and rock to get it back on a road with a 16" dropoff was not the ideal way to get ready. Oh yeah...the worship band got lost, so everything was a little crazy. We paired up with the youth worship band from Crossfire, and Coach Jaderston preached with Johnny interpreting. We then worshipped some more, including a powerful "Lord We Lift Your Name on High" sung in 3 languages, English, Spanish, and Kuna, with motions taught by Julie. It was an incredible worship experience that we'll never forget. We celebrated with some ice cream with the youth group, then finally headed home.

Look for pictures tomorrow...we're having a hard time keeping our eyes open. Thanks for your prayers...and please keep them coming! We depend on them.

2009-05-22T23:38:00.000-07:00

It's almost midnight, and we're all excited and exhausted after today. We spent the morning and afternoon in Curundu, probably the poorest area in all of Panama City. We got off to a late start after taking the van to a place where we were hoping we could get the window fixed (in a day, not usually Panamanian process), then rent another one, and then get everyone picked up from their host families. It was a long morning, but praise God, everything fell into place (even the van window...we picked it up at 11:00 tonight!)

At Curundu we worked with the Crossroads church plant and school there. We actually held theh clinic in the multipurpose room of the church (they are transforming an old bakery). It was a lot of fun, and the kids responded very well.

Then came probably the hardest part of the day. With an armed escort, Pastor David took us on a walk through the fringes of the shantytown that makes up much of Curundu. (We weren't allowed to take any cameras, so we don't have any pictures. It was too dangerous to go any deeper, but our hearts were broken as we saw the poverty and darkness many people live in. It opened our eyes to a lost and hurting world, and listening to our players comment on what they had seen.

We then prepared for our second clinic outside after lunch. Several men showed up and our guys played them some 5-5 for a while, then we started the clinic. Ashley G and Adam did a great job sharing their testimony, and many kids responded.

We drove to Mark and Kelli's and did absolutely nothing for two hours except shower, rest and eat. It was so good. The team is tired (both emotionally and physically...please pray for us) and it felt good to be together with nothing to do.

At 6:30 we left for our games tonight. The women the boy's high school team, and the then our combined team is played the men of the church for a fundraiser for a family who is heading to the mission field. The team won convincingly, but it was a fun game. Slim had several crowd-pleasing dunks, but K.C. was the MVP of the night. Not only did she hit 3 3's against the boys, leading the women to victory, but at halftime she buried a half-court shot on her first try that won the family $1.000! The gym went absolutely crazy. It was fun to relax and play for fun, especially after our sobering time in Curundu.

Tomorrow is a big day...please pray for us. We start out with a clinic for the Kuna Indian community (outside, no roof, concrete court). We then pack up, get a quick bite to eat, and head to the guy's next game (they're down 0-1 in a best of 3 series...can't afford a loss now). Then we head back to the Kuna community to do a church service with them. Coach Jaderston is preaching with Johnny translating. Please pray for energy, endurance, and most of all God's power!

Need some sleep...will write more tomorrow...

2009-05-21T21:18:00.000-07:00

Another eventful day...where to begin? 6 clinics (yes, 6) at Crossroads Christian Academy, then a quick shower, then pickup again for our first game. A hard-fought game, a vandalized window, and a train blocking our dropoff tested our patience, but our team really showed some flexibility and adaptablility in tough situations.

The clinics went really well. The players have really gone above in beyond, reaching out to kids, and making everyone feel significant.

The guys played well in the game, but lost 62-71. It was a good game, although our shooting touch wasn't what it was a couple of months ago. Ironically, both Slim and Diego fouled out. The Panama team is a very good team...several U.S. college players, and some veteran national team players provided all the Warriors could handle as they learned to play in the heat and humidity (and occasional stray dog). They will play this team 2 more times in a best of 3 series, with a trophy on the line.

Tomorrow, after the clinics in Curundu, the team (both men and women) will play the men of the church. The women will also scrimmage the high school boys team (who has been talking a lot of smack). It should be a lot of fun...

from el grupo numero uno

2009-05-21T11:08:00.000-07:00

It's gettin' hotta!

This post is written by {drum roll please!}
trent "we're not in kansas anymore" stutzman
zach "i think i'm panamanian" goodrich
k.c. "i just made 3 half court shots in a row! no big deal!" bassett
and erin "they forgot me so i learned how to bellydance" thiessen

we just wanted to write a little something and tell you all about our time in panama. we just got done with a clinic and we are on a break in the WONDERFUL air conditioning! we are all loving it down here and think we might just stay with diego for an extra week. it's completely exceeded our expectations. so we decided as a group that we want to give you a top ten list of what has happened so far....

10. kids running around in underwear
9. making up spanish words
8. cecil... nuff said
7. johnny our bus driver forgetting to pick erin up
6. the girls trying to dunk ... oh yeah! coach kruse watch out!
5. village dancing! with some wonderful tribal families. cecil can tell you about it later.
4. getting to swim and eat tons of food at diego's AMAZING home!
3. the food!
2. canoeing down the river with alligators!!
1. all the people! we love the people!

that's a little bit from us. miss you all and love you! keep praying for us and the people here in panama. God is so good and is doing so much through each and everyone of us. we see his faithfulness daily.

estamos ir mucho divertida en panama!
adios!

tzke

2009-05-21T10:22:00.000-07:00

Hola! I can't even describe how much of an amazing experience this trip has already been in such a short while. We have an entire week to go, jam packed with many more clinics, games and testimonies. This is a tremendous opportunity for me to build these great relationships with my teammates and with the host family I am staying with . . . they are great! I am so happy that I made the decision to come on this trip, completely outside of my comfort zone, because seeing God work in peoples' lives is one of the greatest gifts that you could ever receive. Until next time . . . Adios! - Ashley

what it do from panama!!!

2009-05-21T10:17:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone things out here are going amazing. Coming back for a second time was a great idea. its so great to be here again and see old and new faces. Oh yeah not to mention spending all the time i can with the kids we are working with. Being able to see God work in my life and my teammates is an awesome experience and having a second chance to see this happen to a great group again is a true blessing. Well were off for more basketball and a lot more sweat! Wish us luck as we get ready for our first game tonight. Thank you. This is Slim giving a shout out!

Holla Back lol :-)

Publish Post

2009-05-21T10:10:00.000-07:00

Whats up Guys..this is Cecil,I dont have the words to describe this trip..its amazing!!! To see God at work here in Panama is crazy. Yesterday we went to this island called Perarara peru, and it was very native, and out of my comfort zone. Mainly because they are not conservative in the least bit, if you know what i mean..lol, but they were awesome... IThis is by far the best mission trip i have been on by far..well i gotta go now..Please keep us in your prayers, love all...Cecil

it´s getting hottt--a!

2009-05-21T08:47:00.000-07:00

hey all! wait wait... let´s try that again...

HOLA! (yeah our spanish is legit!)

So yesterday was amazing. We went to an indigenous tribe, Parara Peru, it was something we have never experienced. We nailed the goal up to a tree and got as many of the kids and adults involved as we could. We played on a dirt court and with only one goal we made it work. We got involved with the kids and they enjoyed the different drills. We got to see the women and men dance and Ashley even got up and danced with them!! It was fun!! What we have done so far is great and we can't wait to see what the Lord has planned for us in the days to come.

Being here has changed my outlook on life. I never thought I could touch a child's heart like I have done here. My eyes have been open to so many things and I thank God for this opportunity. He has allowed me to use my gifts and talents in a way that I enjoy by playing basketball and also interacting with the kids. Also being at Crossfire on Wednesday night, which is a worship service for the students, was amazing!! I have never worshiped like what we did. The feeling of having all the students around and opening their hearts up was amazing and it allowed me to feel more open with the Lord. The bible studies we good being able to interact with just a few students and discussing our topic for the night which was are you being pretenders or are you contenders. It was a great topic and discussion group. This has absolutely been an amazing experience and I am so grateful for this trip and the people who are here with me. This team is amazing and we have become so close and can connect on many levels.

Love, G

2009-05-21T07:23:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone it's Erica. I just wanted to give a short update....

Things down here have been amazing so far! Besides the heat and smelling bad all the time, I'm having a lot of fun. Everyday it's been great to see what God has in store. So far this trip I've done things that I would have never imagined myself doing like staying with a family who speak spanish or better yet leaving the country! As uncomfortable as I am I know that God has brought me here for a reason. I feel like I'm getting closer to him everyday.. it's great! Continue to keep all of us over here in your prayers!

Panama es muy Bueno with Mark Swiontek

2009-05-21T07:18:00.000-07:00

We are on the 5th day in Panama now and it has been crazy, amazing, exciting, eye opening, and in some ways life changing. Our bball clinics have been sooooooo much fun. The kids are great and are so ecstatic to see us. I can always feel God's presence at our clinics and in our message at the end of each one. I have never felt anything like this before! He is soo much more real to me! Today we play our first competitive game against 1 of Panama's 21 age and under team. Be prayin for us. Until next time, this is Mark Swiontek signing off. :)

Welcome to Panama with Adam Brown

2009-05-21T07:16:00.000-07:00

It is now day cinco (5) in Panama and everyday has been A M A Z I N G!!! I have really enjoyed playing with the kids and going to different areas of Panama and spreading God's word. Also, I have really enjoyed spending time and bonding with my teammates. My host family is awesome!!! I love the kids and the parents are great!! Today is our first game and I am really excited about that. Stay tuned for more of Welcome to Panama with Adam Brown!!!!

2009-05-20T21:35:00.000-07:00

We made it!

2009-05-18T07:34:00.000-07:00

Leaving from 6 different airports, the team all made it Atlanta and then Panama City last night safefly and with our luggage! We met Mark and Johnnny, loaded everything up and headed out. Diego and his parents were there and it was fun to see the excitement for everyone. A midnight trip to Nico's (a 24 hour cafeteria...everyone was hungry after the travel) and swim for some at the hotel finished the day.

Today we'll get acclimated to the weather, practice, meet our prayer partners and our host famlies, and get ready for a very full week.

Prayer requests: Please pray that our team builds cohesion and unity, and that our relationships with our host families and student prayer partners grow deep and meaningful.

2009-05-14T08:06:00.000-07:00

The Sterling College Panama team will be leaving Sunday morning, May 17 from various airports, meeting in Atlanta, and finally arriving in Panama around 9:00 at night. Pray for all the members for health, friendly airline connections, and that God would be preparing us for something extraordinary!

We'll be posting regularly so check back each day!