News from Mike and the Mission Team

Wow # 3 From Mike Crowley

Our time in Panama is drawing to a close.  We are already experiencing a little separation anxiety.  It is amazing the kind of friendships that are forged when you spend invaluable time together each day struggling to communicate the timeless Gospel message.  We continue to be amazed at how readily the Panamanians we meet here are ready to open their hearts to us.  Jack and I are staying with Norberto Lasso and his family.  They were eager to give us the master bedroom, complete with two beds for us to rest comfortably.  After a few days we realized that Norberto, his mother, his niece, and two nephews are staying the remaining two rooms.  I am confident that Norberto and the boys are not sleeping on any beds so we can be more comfortable. 

We discovered the ultimate car freshener during our stay.  A few days ago we bought some fresh fruit at the outdoor market, and then hurried to the school to begin our teaching routine.  Thus a fresh watermelon, three pineapples, a mango, bananas, cantaloupe, and a papaya stayed out in our black car in the tropical heat in direct sunlight for the entire afternoon.  The car smelled fabulous when we got in it that night!

We had a running debate that was finally settled last night.  We have been reading Matthew chapter three and talking about how John the Baptist ate locusts and wild honey.  For some reason, my readers in the late afternoon starting telling me that locusts were creatures that lived underwater.  I had to work to get them to understand that a locust was more like a really big grasshopper.  Why were my last few readers suddenly thinking that a locust lived underwater?  After a bit of research I discovered that Jack was “helping” my readers in the lobby before they were coming into my classroom!  Well…we definitely had words!  After much laughter and teasing, we discovered that in Panama the same Spanish word is used for locust and lobster!  So… I had to apologize to Jack for all the harsh things I said ;-)  Actually, the team has been doing a great job of “smelling like Christ” so we could be helpful attracting others to Christ.

Jack has a reader that works for the Panama Canal Commission.  He has been having a great time engaging in some pretty serious conversations about life and spirituality.  Veronica has been reading with Janice, Juan Carlos’ wife, and leaving energized about the things they share together, in spite of the fact they are meeting from 9:30 to 11pm!

So now we all have new Panamanian nicknames.  Edwin calls Jack, “Panama Jack!”  He likes to call me “Captain Jack Sparrow,” Christine is “Tinkerbell” because she is so friendly and energetic.  Edwin has nicknamed Andrea “Little Lynn” because she has a mountain of basic readers like Lynn had last time, and Veronica is known simply as “Vanna.”  Now we call Jack, “Jack Potter,” I’ll have to explain that one to you later; it has to do with a newly discovered superpower and a new beauty mark…

Christine has an amazing gift.  She has a brilliant smile and a charming personality.  We have used her gracious spirit to assist our efforts in many ways.  She greets everyone in the lobby as they come in, making them feel relaxed and comfortable.  To demonstrate how gifted she is, let me give you this one simple example.  We have been back to the car rental place a time or two due to difficulties with our vehicle.  Our RAV4 is a little cramped so I asked for an upgrade to a slightly larger vehicle, like a seven-passenger Nissan Pathfinder.  I was told the first time that I could only have the small upgrade for fee.  After the battery died in our RAV4, we took it back to the airport.  They insisted that I fill it up first, then bring it in and they gave me another RAV4, this one black and more prone to heat during the day!  I thought my plight would surely get me a free upgrade.  NOPE !  We went back last Friday to see about renting a 7 passenger minivan so Edwin could be our tour guide.  This time I brought Vanna and Tink with me.  While I was asking one agent about the problem I was having with the internet registration for the minivan, Christine was looking into Carlos’ eyes and smiling, often.  While my agent could not find my registration in the system, couldn’t find any record of my name at all, Christine’s new friend gave us a free upgrade to a diesel powered twelve-passenger van for slightly more than our RAv4 was in the first place!  When I returned the van late Saturday night, I was recognized immediately as Mr. Crowley, the one with the two girls!  Ugh….

Next we went to the fruit stand to get fresh fruit.  After Vanna and Tink starting asking for help (I was standing off to the side only grunting occasionally and holding my wallet.) the owner starting digging fruit out from under the table, from his “private stock.”  Needless to say we got really good fruit and a great price and even had it carried to our car…  Double Ugh…  I’m thinking I’ve got to start working on my smile ?!

We had the opportunity to watch God protect and rescue one of our precious readers, I’ll have to tell you that one next time…