I am thankful for my camera....REALLY.
That I have it, and that I have been able to use it to express myself and do what I love...
That God can use it and the skill He has equipped me with to bring Him glory and to capture His love in His beautiful creation.
I am thankful..
That my Dad got me a beautiful new lens for it a few months ago.
For so many things
It works fine, but it doesn't exactly do what I need it to do.
I am trying hard to be thankful and not worry about it and be okay with what I have...
but secretly I am praying
that I could possibly
SOMEHOW
get a new one.
A full frame.
Preferably Nikon...or even Canon.
The thing is that I am very limited by my current camera. Sure it takes photos, and the skill primarily comes from the photographer...but I do feel that I could better express myself on a better quality camera.
Olympus has a lot of problems, like manually focusing, and sharpness. Its enough to drive me mad.
I know I have managed to get good photos with my camera, but the photos I take are never QUITE what i was going for (particularly cuz my camera isnt full frame)
If I have learned one thing from my recent adventure to Panama, its that God cares about the little things (well of course I learned a LOT more about him too) :)
He wants to take care of me.
So I am praying that a new camera will somehow come my way.
That is all,
would you pray for me?
Thank you!
I have this week off and then begin track!!
Thank you for your continuous support and prayers!
Love,
Cambria
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
South Africa update
Hello everyone!!
How are you?
I'm good, thanks!!
WHERE are you?
South Africa!
What are you doing there?
I'm at a University of the Nations conference this week in Worcester
and then next week I will be at debrief is Paarl.
Debrief?
Yes DTS is wrapping up! Can you believe it?
No! I hardly can!
Yep! Then I start track mid September! I will be living in Muizenberg, SA until December
Neat!
I know, right? I cannot wait to see how God uses my track team here in Africa!! Please continue to pray for my team and I!
Okay, I'm done having a conversation with myself.
For all your information, I got to South Africa safely on saturday.
Our team was exhausted after about 48 hours of traveling and we headed to the
hostel where team South Africa was staying. We bunked down for the next two nights
and the headed to Worcester for the U of N conference monday.
The conference is made of people from all over the world that are part of YWAM. There are 50 nations represented here in SA, and we are video conferencing with locations in Kiev, Ukraine, Cairo, Egypt, and somewhere in Switzerland!
It is really cool!
God is very alive in this place in this time!
Unfortunately I am still jet-lagging really bad (the worst of my life)
and I am having a hard time focusing during the "workshops."
But otherwise I feel I have gotten some good things out of them thus far.
On sunday we will depart and head to Paarl for debrief.
Internet is scarce, I will try to update as often as I can to let you all know where I am at.
With the help of my wonderful father I have sent out a newsletter!
It was mailed out yesterday, so you should all be getting in the mail very soon!
If you arent on my mailing list and would like to be let me know!!
Please keep me in your prayers. I need finances by the end of the month, that is the biggest prayer request.
Also pray I will get over this gnarly jet lag and be able to focus on what God wants to teach me in this time.
Thank you!!
Love, Cambria
P.S. I LOVE SOUTH AFRICA.
How are you?
I'm good, thanks!!
WHERE are you?
South Africa!
What are you doing there?
I'm at a University of the Nations conference this week in Worcester
and then next week I will be at debrief is Paarl.
Debrief?
Yes DTS is wrapping up! Can you believe it?
No! I hardly can!
Yep! Then I start track mid September! I will be living in Muizenberg, SA until December
Neat!
I know, right? I cannot wait to see how God uses my track team here in Africa!! Please continue to pray for my team and I!
Okay, I'm done having a conversation with myself.
For all your information, I got to South Africa safely on saturday.
Our team was exhausted after about 48 hours of traveling and we headed to the
hostel where team South Africa was staying. We bunked down for the next two nights
and the headed to Worcester for the U of N conference monday.
The conference is made of people from all over the world that are part of YWAM. There are 50 nations represented here in SA, and we are video conferencing with locations in Kiev, Ukraine, Cairo, Egypt, and somewhere in Switzerland!
It is really cool!
God is very alive in this place in this time!
Unfortunately I am still jet-lagging really bad (the worst of my life)
and I am having a hard time focusing during the "workshops."
But otherwise I feel I have gotten some good things out of them thus far.
On sunday we will depart and head to Paarl for debrief.
Internet is scarce, I will try to update as often as I can to let you all know where I am at.
With the help of my wonderful father I have sent out a newsletter!
It was mailed out yesterday, so you should all be getting in the mail very soon!
If you arent on my mailing list and would like to be let me know!!
Please keep me in your prayers. I need finances by the end of the month, that is the biggest prayer request.
Also pray I will get over this gnarly jet lag and be able to focus on what God wants to teach me in this time.
Thank you!!
Love, Cambria
P.S. I LOVE SOUTH AFRICA.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The Orphans.
It all comes down to them...
My whole time here in Panama.
I've been asked what has been the best part of being in Panama.
Or the worst.
All of it has to do with them. The children.
Maybe I had a more spiritual encounter in the Ngobe, or it was the hardest thing...
but really..
All of my efforts have come down to the orphans.
Yesterday we went and said goodbye to the kids that we spent the most time with.
It was the hardest thing I have ever done.
I mean like....emotionally.
I dont think it has even really hit me yet.
It wasnt necessarily just the fact I had to part with these beautiful kids for a long time...probably forever...
It was the symbol of that action that got me.
We care for these kids so much and they dont even know it. I wish they could.
I think what really bothers is me is the hope we may have given these kids.
We visited enough to where they remembered us...
And then we left.
Yeah we are doing things to help the bigger picture, but it doesnt feel like it at the moment.
I really REALLY pray this book does some good.
That is gets approved.
That the government funds it...that God uses it to speak to hearts....and people start caring about the orphans.
Please Lord
There were a few things that struck me yesterday at the orphanage.
One, there was a girl who seemed to be American that came and they all were very excited and she played with them. It was like she comes a lot, which excites me. I pray that more people like this come into the lives of the orphans...consistent people...to care.
Two, I went into the baby room. There was a little girl sitting on the floor, probably six months old. I found out she is the sister of three of the other kids we spent a lot of time. All four of them were abandoned by their prostitute mother. These children are particularly beautiful. I cant imagine how someone could just give them up.
When I went over to this beautiful little girl, she smiled really big. I scooped her into my arms and she clasped onto me, obviously taking comfort in the arms of a mother-like figure. It broke my heart. She was so adorable. She doesnt get the attention she deserves. I had to put her back into her crib because we were leaving. Prying those tiny hands off of me and putting her into that lonely crib with no toys or blankets or anything...just a white sheet...it killed me. I mean dread filled my body, I wanted to collapse and cry. I am tearing up writing this right now.
I just wanted to stay and love these children...
Some of the other babies showed symptoms of institutionalization that we had been told about. They didn't respond to physical touch, or the sound of our voices. Their heads had actually become flat and bald on the back from laying all day without being picked up. These babies learn at an early age that crying isnt something that gets attention. Its weird being a room of babies for a long time without hearing one cry.
Its nothing against the "tia's" or care moms...they do all they can, its just too much to handle...all of these children.
This particular orphanage doesnt appear to have abuse going on, but there are many that do.
Another thing that struck me, I was leaving and there was one baby in his crib standing up looking at me. I couldnt help but go say hi to him. I walked over and leaned over the edge to give him a little kiss, and he was immediately taken by that thing dangling from my neck. What baby doesnt take interest in necklaces, right? It was at this moment I thought about how this little beautiful child is like any other baby. So innocent, so fragile, so impressionable, so eager to learn. The only difference is the lack of a parent. And because of this he will not grow up and act like a well loved child acts. This cute perfect baby will not be loved like he needs and so he will act out when he grows up. Its a proven fact. Unless someone can give him the attention and care he needs.
I went back downstairs to say goodbye to all the other little children. The 2-5 year olds. The did not want us to go. One little girl, clung to me and literally would not let go. I had to tickle her to make her let go of my neck. None of us speak spanish so we couldnt explain to the children that we were leaving for good, but that we loved them and we didnt want to go. So all I could say was "Te amamo." which means "we love you."
Walking away from the orphanage my stomach turned flips and I felt like I was going to lose my lunch. How could I just be walking away from these kids forever?
But how can i possibly love and care for all the orphans in this world? How can I really change things?
Dear orphans of Panama. I love you.
On the way home I was sitting across the aisle in the bus from a mother, napping, holding her daughter on her lap who was also napping. The girl must have been 2 years old. Her mom was cradling her, and every once in a while the girls head would roll back and her mom would wake up and readjust for her daughter. It kept happening, and it was kinda humorous. Then the bus stopped and another mother lead her little boy to the front of the bus, paid, and then picked him up and went out of the bus and on her way.
These are both silly instances, but all at once the emotion hit me. It is little things like this, sleeping in your mothers lap, holding her hand, being held by her...having that attention and care all to yourself. She is yours. Your own Mom.
Now more than ever I pray that God will use this publication to reach people. I pray that people will have a heart for these children and that they will actually adopt children without shame. I pray that this cycle of institutionalization ends. I pray that scuzzy uncles will not be the ones to recieve the kids, but loving families. I pray that the government would NOT settle for these half-hearted family members. That the number of orphans will decrease and diminish. That people will learn what it really means to be a parent. The impact it has on their kids when they abandon them. That every child has purpose, meaning, value. They are loved by God.
All I can hope in is this book. That it does what we...what God purposed for it to do from the moment it was thought up. That through it some of these kids will get the home they deserve from a family who were struck by the reality of the value of these children. That's what this book explains. Their value.
This is the only thing I can hold to in this time as I grieve leaving Panama.
I did all I can do.
I am so thankful for Matt and Misty who have devoted their lives to the orphans of Panama. It is my prayer God will bring more people alongside them to help them. They cant do it alone. We have given this book over to them to help, but they need people to be with the kids in the meantime....as they wait to be adopted....
For me....
I must address other injustices. If God calls me back here at the end of track...then awesome. For now I know I must go see the other things on God's heart...
AHH it all just kills me.
I dont want to leave.
And then last night I was going to bed and the couple with the two year old sleep a door away from me and I could hear him crying. I thought about what this child cries about vs. what the other kids cry about. It overwhelmed me and led me into a restless night of sleep.
So i sit here and write this just overwhelmed with thoughts. Obviously. I just needed to get my feelings out.
<3
:)
Thank you for reading.
Love,
Cambria
My whole time here in Panama.
I've been asked what has been the best part of being in Panama.
Or the worst.
All of it has to do with them. The children.
Maybe I had a more spiritual encounter in the Ngobe, or it was the hardest thing...
but really..
All of my efforts have come down to the orphans.
Yesterday we went and said goodbye to the kids that we spent the most time with.
It was the hardest thing I have ever done.
I mean like....emotionally.
I dont think it has even really hit me yet.
It wasnt necessarily just the fact I had to part with these beautiful kids for a long time...probably forever...
It was the symbol of that action that got me.
We care for these kids so much and they dont even know it. I wish they could.
I think what really bothers is me is the hope we may have given these kids.
We visited enough to where they remembered us...
And then we left.
Yeah we are doing things to help the bigger picture, but it doesnt feel like it at the moment.
I really REALLY pray this book does some good.
That is gets approved.
That the government funds it...that God uses it to speak to hearts....and people start caring about the orphans.
Please Lord
There were a few things that struck me yesterday at the orphanage.
One, there was a girl who seemed to be American that came and they all were very excited and she played with them. It was like she comes a lot, which excites me. I pray that more people like this come into the lives of the orphans...consistent people...to care.
Two, I went into the baby room. There was a little girl sitting on the floor, probably six months old. I found out she is the sister of three of the other kids we spent a lot of time. All four of them were abandoned by their prostitute mother. These children are particularly beautiful. I cant imagine how someone could just give them up.
When I went over to this beautiful little girl, she smiled really big. I scooped her into my arms and she clasped onto me, obviously taking comfort in the arms of a mother-like figure. It broke my heart. She was so adorable. She doesnt get the attention she deserves. I had to put her back into her crib because we were leaving. Prying those tiny hands off of me and putting her into that lonely crib with no toys or blankets or anything...just a white sheet...it killed me. I mean dread filled my body, I wanted to collapse and cry. I am tearing up writing this right now.
I just wanted to stay and love these children...
Some of the other babies showed symptoms of institutionalization that we had been told about. They didn't respond to physical touch, or the sound of our voices. Their heads had actually become flat and bald on the back from laying all day without being picked up. These babies learn at an early age that crying isnt something that gets attention. Its weird being a room of babies for a long time without hearing one cry.
Its nothing against the "tia's" or care moms...they do all they can, its just too much to handle...all of these children.
This particular orphanage doesnt appear to have abuse going on, but there are many that do.
Another thing that struck me, I was leaving and there was one baby in his crib standing up looking at me. I couldnt help but go say hi to him. I walked over and leaned over the edge to give him a little kiss, and he was immediately taken by that thing dangling from my neck. What baby doesnt take interest in necklaces, right? It was at this moment I thought about how this little beautiful child is like any other baby. So innocent, so fragile, so impressionable, so eager to learn. The only difference is the lack of a parent. And because of this he will not grow up and act like a well loved child acts. This cute perfect baby will not be loved like he needs and so he will act out when he grows up. Its a proven fact. Unless someone can give him the attention and care he needs.
I went back downstairs to say goodbye to all the other little children. The 2-5 year olds. The did not want us to go. One little girl, clung to me and literally would not let go. I had to tickle her to make her let go of my neck. None of us speak spanish so we couldnt explain to the children that we were leaving for good, but that we loved them and we didnt want to go. So all I could say was "Te amamo." which means "we love you."
Walking away from the orphanage my stomach turned flips and I felt like I was going to lose my lunch. How could I just be walking away from these kids forever?
But how can i possibly love and care for all the orphans in this world? How can I really change things?
Dear orphans of Panama. I love you.
On the way home I was sitting across the aisle in the bus from a mother, napping, holding her daughter on her lap who was also napping. The girl must have been 2 years old. Her mom was cradling her, and every once in a while the girls head would roll back and her mom would wake up and readjust for her daughter. It kept happening, and it was kinda humorous. Then the bus stopped and another mother lead her little boy to the front of the bus, paid, and then picked him up and went out of the bus and on her way.
These are both silly instances, but all at once the emotion hit me. It is little things like this, sleeping in your mothers lap, holding her hand, being held by her...having that attention and care all to yourself. She is yours. Your own Mom.
Now more than ever I pray that God will use this publication to reach people. I pray that people will have a heart for these children and that they will actually adopt children without shame. I pray that this cycle of institutionalization ends. I pray that scuzzy uncles will not be the ones to recieve the kids, but loving families. I pray that the government would NOT settle for these half-hearted family members. That the number of orphans will decrease and diminish. That people will learn what it really means to be a parent. The impact it has on their kids when they abandon them. That every child has purpose, meaning, value. They are loved by God.
All I can hope in is this book. That it does what we...what God purposed for it to do from the moment it was thought up. That through it some of these kids will get the home they deserve from a family who were struck by the reality of the value of these children. That's what this book explains. Their value.
This is the only thing I can hold to in this time as I grieve leaving Panama.
I did all I can do.
I am so thankful for Matt and Misty who have devoted their lives to the orphans of Panama. It is my prayer God will bring more people alongside them to help them. They cant do it alone. We have given this book over to them to help, but they need people to be with the kids in the meantime....as they wait to be adopted....
For me....
I must address other injustices. If God calls me back here at the end of track...then awesome. For now I know I must go see the other things on God's heart...
AHH it all just kills me.
I dont want to leave.
And then last night I was going to bed and the couple with the two year old sleep a door away from me and I could hear him crying. I thought about what this child cries about vs. what the other kids cry about. It overwhelmed me and led me into a restless night of sleep.
So i sit here and write this just overwhelmed with thoughts. Obviously. I just needed to get my feelings out.
<3
:)
Thank you for reading.
Love,
Cambria
Sunday, August 30, 2009
semi/very urgent prayer request.
I was going to write this as a prayer request in the prayer letter I am about to send out....but I realized this is something that needs to be addressed sooner than people will get my letter! So if anyone reads this in the next few days please pray!!!
The book Dear Panama that we have been working really hard on is done, which is such a huge blessing and answer to prayer!! We have hard copies and we couldnt be happier (or prouder). They really express the beauty and struggle of the orphans in Panama. We really feel that God is pleased with the message of the books!
However there are two big things standing in the way of the story of Dear Panama being told in this beautiful country. One, we need the funds. We hope to get the funds by being sponsored by the government and getting the books published, which brings me to big-thing-standing-in-the-way-#2. The government doesnt allow photos of orphans to be published anywhere, and so for this book to be an exception would require the book to really speak to the heart of whatever government official it needs to speak to. If this happens, the book has a good chance of doing what we have prayed it would do...change things in Panama. Raise awareness so that these beautiful orphans have a chance at having a safe home, a LOVING family.
So please pray that when Matt and Misty take the book to be approved, God would move the hearts of the people reading it and it would funded and passed out all over Panama (and maybe even America!) so that God can do His work through the book.
How cool would it be if in the states people started having a heart for adopting Panamanian orphans? They are beautiful special children that Jesus loves! I think it could happen!
All we can do now is pray!!
Thanks!
In Him,
Cambria
The book Dear Panama that we have been working really hard on is done, which is such a huge blessing and answer to prayer!! We have hard copies and we couldnt be happier (or prouder). They really express the beauty and struggle of the orphans in Panama. We really feel that God is pleased with the message of the books!
However there are two big things standing in the way of the story of Dear Panama being told in this beautiful country. One, we need the funds. We hope to get the funds by being sponsored by the government and getting the books published, which brings me to big-thing-standing-in-the-way-#2. The government doesnt allow photos of orphans to be published anywhere, and so for this book to be an exception would require the book to really speak to the heart of whatever government official it needs to speak to. If this happens, the book has a good chance of doing what we have prayed it would do...change things in Panama. Raise awareness so that these beautiful orphans have a chance at having a safe home, a LOVING family.
So please pray that when Matt and Misty take the book to be approved, God would move the hearts of the people reading it and it would funded and passed out all over Panama (and maybe even America!) so that God can do His work through the book.
How cool would it be if in the states people started having a heart for adopting Panamanian orphans? They are beautiful special children that Jesus loves! I think it could happen!
All we can do now is pray!!
Thanks!
In Him,
Cambria
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Photos!
Here are some of my favorite photos from life in Panama.
Unfortunately, I cannot upload photos of any of the orphans faces or write their real names...until further notice. (The government has some rules for the protection of the kids...which is good, but a bummer for me) :)
We stayed at an orphange for 3 days...it was such an amazing time to get to know these kids and show them the love of Christ that they are so in need of.
Though the basic needs of the children are met, they lack the special care and love that comes from a real family. They are neglected and often suffer abuse. They suffer symptoms of institutionalization and if they are never adopted they will most likely end up abandoning their own children. It is a cycle in Panama that we are trying to break by coming alongside Matt and Misty (directors of Hearts Cry Children's Ministry) and helping raise awareness of the orphan problem and promoting adoption and foster care.
Most Panamanians dont know there are orphans here. There are VERY little adoptions that take place. As things are now, the odds are against any of these kids ever having a family.
Since orphans are looked down on...the chances of these kids ever having a normal life is slim unless they one day find a real family.
These are the things the publication we are making addresses.
He is 2. I especially loved him and I like to think he liked me too :)He has three siblings in the orphanage with him, and we found out their mother is a prostitute.
By Panama's definition he is not an orphan because his mom is still alive...
We saw a sloth at the orphanage. It was cool to see, but my favorite part was how the kids reacted to it! They were fascinated. Almost as much as me.
She is the oldest in the orphanage, and everyone knows it :)
....she is the sister of the boy before...and the oldest of the clan. She was quite the personality, but when we took the cameras out she got very shy
We made paper cut out masks for them, they loved it!
Now for some city photography....
Casco Viejo. Or something similar to that name. I am never really sure :)
Casco Viejo. Or something similar to that name. I am never really sure :)
not to go totally off topic or anything....
I just really love shooting in the city...
Thanks for reading...
Love,
Cambria
truth :)
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
Monday, August 17, 2009
while im at it.
I'm blog happy today!!!
But I just remembered that I was gonna post a blog about the most important reason I am here in Panama. DUR!
Although I do believe God has really used my team to impact people in the Ngobe and beyond, I feel that the thing God is really doing through us is sharing his heart for the orphans of Panama.
Here in DTS we talk in seasons.
This is a good season.
Starting today.
I made a willing decision last night that I am going to be happy. I said "God, I trust you with my life. And only you will bring me joy. So I will rely on you fully."
Got a problem with that Satan? bite me.
Sorry.....
I am just really in a great mood today...could you tell by my productivity?
So I am going to try to make this brief. Seriously. I hope.
From week one God put orphans on our hearts.
We were introduced to a couple who only in the past few years started a ministry out here in Panama for orphans. They dropped everything in their comfortable lives in North Carolina to move here after God clearly called them to do so. You see, they had been looking to adopt, and they were brought to Panama in the process. They soon found out that adoption is RARE here...and international adoption impossible. So they came here and started Hearts Cry Children Ministry(check em out- heartscrychildren.com).
When we arrived we met with them and decided we would work alongside them to raise awareness about the orphan problem. They told us there are roughly 50,000 orphans in Panama. This is not widely recognized because when they count orphans they only count children whose parents are both dead...not children who are abandoned. Plus no one really bothers counting. As a result many people dont even know there is an orphan problem at all. (we spoke at a church and no one had ANY IDEA there was an orphan problem!!)
What is more there is a cycle that continues because of institutionalization. The kids are raised in much less than ideal living situations (there is often abuse from care-takers and other children, the kids often experiment sexually with each other, and there is always some form of neglect), homes are never found for them (because of the lack of adoption and foster programs), so they grow up not receiving the care they need and end up in crime and eventually they abandon their own children. It is a cycle that is visibly getting worse.
I am not going to go into extreme depth about the orphan problem here for one reason.
We are putting out a publication!!
That is what this blog is about!
I need prayer in this time because my team is working day and night to finish a book we are making before we leave in a couple weeks.
It is my prayer that the book is effective. Without God it is nothing. We have been praying since we knew we were going to be making a publication God's hand would guide us because through Him this book could make a difference!!
So. We have visited various orphanages and conducted interviews learning stories and spending time with the orphans and caretakers of Panama. Now we are putting these stories together into a book with PHOTOS we have taken that will be published in spanish (dont worry ill have an english version in PDF for you all to see!). Every page in the book is a photo, all photos taken by my team! More importantly, the stories. We have personal journal entries from our experiences, journal entries from kid's perspectives, and from people who have been adopted. It is so exciting to see it coming together. When it is finished it will be handed out to people all over Panama to start raising awareness about the orphan problem!
We hope to pass out the majority of the publications in churches in Panama because we believe the church can raise up in Panama and make a huge difference.
Praise report: Matt and misty wrote a proposal to the government. It essentially outlines the problem and presents a solution (basically enforcing the laws that are in place and making new laws) so that proper homes can be found for these children. Misty was a lawyer in the States, and so as you can imagine the legal knowledge helped tremendously and they were able to produce an AMAZING proposal. Well, the week we arrived here in Panama a new president was elected into office. His name is Martinelli. The last president didnt care about orphans, and the system became very inefficient as a result. All orphanages are owned by the government, and government officials try to find family members to take kids once they are orphaned. There is a law in place that says within 6 months if a relative doesnt claim the orphan then they are not eligible to have the kid. But they ignore this law and try for years to get the kid out of orphanges (to get the ugly numbers down), even if this means putting the kid into a totally unsafe environment. Anyhow, the new president. What an amazing time for him to come into office. It just so happens that Martinelli's sister has a heart for orphans and is doing work of her own with them. Matt and Misty had already met her not knowing she was related to someone who would run for office. She totally loves Matt and Misty too. All of this to say that there was a great platform for Matt and Misty to start with. Anyway, last week they had the long awaited meeting at the government building to propose their...well...proposal? hehe....anyway...IT WENT AMAZINGLY. Not only did they totally support all of their ideas, they MADE OFFICE SPACE for them!! They started today!! We havent had a report back yet on their first day..but HOW COOL HUH?
All of this goes to show that God really did have a purpose for me and my team here in Panama. I mean, what a perfect time for us to come. During all of this proposal stuff. Now that they have approval to get adoption and foster programs running they can finally start seeing their visions for Panama's children come true. And to help them let people know they will have our publication to hand out. The thing is is that no one really adopts because there are negative connotations with orphan insinuating that they could never be suitable for a middle class family..its like they are like animals. People would be embarrassed to be seen with them! So sad. So our book makes it clear that these kids are beautiful and wonderful and LOVED and yeah. ITS ALL JUST SO EXCITING.
That is all for now.
I will put pictures up from my visits to orphanages soon.
Questions?
Please ask.
Blessings!
Cambria.
But I just remembered that I was gonna post a blog about the most important reason I am here in Panama. DUR!
Although I do believe God has really used my team to impact people in the Ngobe and beyond, I feel that the thing God is really doing through us is sharing his heart for the orphans of Panama.
Here in DTS we talk in seasons.
This is a good season.
Starting today.
I made a willing decision last night that I am going to be happy. I said "God, I trust you with my life. And only you will bring me joy. So I will rely on you fully."
Got a problem with that Satan? bite me.
Sorry.....
I am just really in a great mood today...could you tell by my productivity?
So I am going to try to make this brief. Seriously. I hope.
From week one God put orphans on our hearts.
We were introduced to a couple who only in the past few years started a ministry out here in Panama for orphans. They dropped everything in their comfortable lives in North Carolina to move here after God clearly called them to do so. You see, they had been looking to adopt, and they were brought to Panama in the process. They soon found out that adoption is RARE here...and international adoption impossible. So they came here and started Hearts Cry Children Ministry(check em out- heartscrychildren.com).
When we arrived we met with them and decided we would work alongside them to raise awareness about the orphan problem. They told us there are roughly 50,000 orphans in Panama. This is not widely recognized because when they count orphans they only count children whose parents are both dead...not children who are abandoned. Plus no one really bothers counting. As a result many people dont even know there is an orphan problem at all. (we spoke at a church and no one had ANY IDEA there was an orphan problem!!)
What is more there is a cycle that continues because of institutionalization. The kids are raised in much less than ideal living situations (there is often abuse from care-takers and other children, the kids often experiment sexually with each other, and there is always some form of neglect), homes are never found for them (because of the lack of adoption and foster programs), so they grow up not receiving the care they need and end up in crime and eventually they abandon their own children. It is a cycle that is visibly getting worse.
I am not going to go into extreme depth about the orphan problem here for one reason.
We are putting out a publication!!
That is what this blog is about!
I need prayer in this time because my team is working day and night to finish a book we are making before we leave in a couple weeks.
It is my prayer that the book is effective. Without God it is nothing. We have been praying since we knew we were going to be making a publication God's hand would guide us because through Him this book could make a difference!!
So. We have visited various orphanages and conducted interviews learning stories and spending time with the orphans and caretakers of Panama. Now we are putting these stories together into a book with PHOTOS we have taken that will be published in spanish (dont worry ill have an english version in PDF for you all to see!). Every page in the book is a photo, all photos taken by my team! More importantly, the stories. We have personal journal entries from our experiences, journal entries from kid's perspectives, and from people who have been adopted. It is so exciting to see it coming together. When it is finished it will be handed out to people all over Panama to start raising awareness about the orphan problem!
We hope to pass out the majority of the publications in churches in Panama because we believe the church can raise up in Panama and make a huge difference.
Praise report: Matt and misty wrote a proposal to the government. It essentially outlines the problem and presents a solution (basically enforcing the laws that are in place and making new laws) so that proper homes can be found for these children. Misty was a lawyer in the States, and so as you can imagine the legal knowledge helped tremendously and they were able to produce an AMAZING proposal. Well, the week we arrived here in Panama a new president was elected into office. His name is Martinelli. The last president didnt care about orphans, and the system became very inefficient as a result. All orphanages are owned by the government, and government officials try to find family members to take kids once they are orphaned. There is a law in place that says within 6 months if a relative doesnt claim the orphan then they are not eligible to have the kid. But they ignore this law and try for years to get the kid out of orphanges (to get the ugly numbers down), even if this means putting the kid into a totally unsafe environment. Anyhow, the new president. What an amazing time for him to come into office. It just so happens that Martinelli's sister has a heart for orphans and is doing work of her own with them. Matt and Misty had already met her not knowing she was related to someone who would run for office. She totally loves Matt and Misty too. All of this to say that there was a great platform for Matt and Misty to start with. Anyway, last week they had the long awaited meeting at the government building to propose their...well...proposal? hehe....anyway...IT WENT AMAZINGLY. Not only did they totally support all of their ideas, they MADE OFFICE SPACE for them!! They started today!! We havent had a report back yet on their first day..but HOW COOL HUH?
All of this goes to show that God really did have a purpose for me and my team here in Panama. I mean, what a perfect time for us to come. During all of this proposal stuff. Now that they have approval to get adoption and foster programs running they can finally start seeing their visions for Panama's children come true. And to help them let people know they will have our publication to hand out. The thing is is that no one really adopts because there are negative connotations with orphan insinuating that they could never be suitable for a middle class family..its like they are like animals. People would be embarrassed to be seen with them! So sad. So our book makes it clear that these kids are beautiful and wonderful and LOVED and yeah. ITS ALL JUST SO EXCITING.
That is all for now.
I will put pictures up from my visits to orphanages soon.
Questions?
Please ask.
Blessings!
Cambria.
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