I was finally able to visit the new LACC school in Duíma that we promoted during itineration. I have preached and talked about it so much that when I finally got to see what has been done and the possibilities for more work, I was pleasantly overwhelmed.
We climbed the path for over an hour. Upon arriving on the mountain top, we first met Cesar Rivera, the pastor of the new church, who also serves as director of the school. He was one of the brothers who went with me and our Panamanian missionary to the Guaymí on our investigation trip over two years ago. His face appeared in our presentation in all the churches we visited in the US.
When we saw him, his wife was down the mountain in David waiting to have their first child. Pastor Cesar was on top of the mountain, listening to the Christian radio station all day long while he works. He was waiting for the news of his wife and child. I'm not sure if the baby is born. We don't know any details at this time.
[update: Ana Sarai was born June 2 1997. Her Daddy was on his way down the mountain on that day. We learned this June 6 from the teachers at Duíma. At that time they didn't know any details. We are trusting that mother and baby are well, and that father is enjoying his new child.]
There are also two dedicated teachers, Professor Vielka Acosta and Bellaliz Rivera (sister to Cesar) that we will introduce another time. Friends, these saints deserve special merit, honor, and prayer. If they were in the military, they would be getting "war pay" bonuses. They certainly deserve it.
What impacted me the most was the faces of beautiful Guaymí children receiving education, a hot meal, and more than anything else, the love of a Christian teacher. It's very real, and very beautiful to see. For pictures of them, visit our Newsletter section.
God bless you for caring about the children of Panamá, and especially the LACC school in Duíma with the Guaymí children.
Kirk Antonio Jones