So much has happened this past month! My team and I, along with 2 other teams, spent three weeks living on a YWAM base outside of Boquete, Panama. This base has Discipleship Training School, Discipleship Bible School, and provides education for indigenous people in the Ngäbe community.
There were about 30-40 teenagers from the Ngäbe community living on the base so we were able to spend time getting to know them and building relationships with them.
Each week our ministry looked like partnering with men and women who are bringing Kingdom in such incredible ways. Here is a brief description of the work we took part in:
Several days we spent working at Global Food Providers. This was a plot of land with a massive green house growing all sorts of vegetables. Outside the greenhouse was a chicken coop and feeding center being built. We spent the days stringing spinach, pulling weeds, shucking okra, and more. This farm takes the produce and dehydrates it into a superfood powder which is then distributed to locals and indigenous communities who do not have the access or the knowledge to grow food themselves. While this ministry meets the physical need for food they are also sharing the Gospel and satisfying the Spiritual need. This ministry looks at the long term need for sustainable farming and is preparing for when food is even more scares than it is right now. Seeing the vision and reality of this ministry is incredible and inspiring.
We worked at a coffee farm as well. Many of the coffee farm employees are indigenous people, they are provided with housing on the property. We sifted through coffee beans, sanded/stained benches, painted the housing, and loved on the kids of the workers.
We worked on George’s property. He has a vision of creating a place where he can train up missionaries and equip them to go and spread the Gospel. We spent lots of time clearing this property so that one day soon they will be able to start building! We raked lots and lots of leaves, cut down trees, and dug up tree roots. While many of us were doing the physical labor, a few people had to chance to evangelize to the neighbors.
We also worked on Carol and Barringtons property. This couple bought a beautiful piece of land on the river for an investment but the Lord had different plans. He gave them both a dream that the land would be a Safe Haven for children. So now they’re preparing to build an orphanage and place of safety for those in need. We helped clear the land for building by weed whacking, picking up sticks, and gardened.
On the days we stayed on the YWAM base for ministry we would do a variety of things! Yard work, dig holes for compost piles, cook, clean, teach English, and pour into those who live there.
The past few weeks of ministry was amazing!!!! I was able to see ministry in a new light. We came across so many incredible men and women of God who are boldly walking out the passions and visions God has placed on their heart. The Lord has showed me that ministry really is life and life is ministry. We met so many people who work a “normal job” like farming or in mechanic shop (yes we worked in a mechanic shop) and put the Lord at the very center of it.
Tomorrow we are headed to an Island called Bocas Del Toro. We will be living on a YWAM base again but this time for 6 weeks (the rest of the race)! It’s so exciting but also scary. Thank you all for the prayers and love thus far. Prayer for endurance, walking in freedom, and team unity would be greatly appreciate as I enter this next season.
The Lord is SO GOOD!!!
Bree Patt
