YWAM Base
The YWAM base north of Panama City is nice. The water out of the tap is drinkable quality. And although there is no "hot" or "cold" only "on" or "off, it is refreshing to shower given the humidity of the air. With ice, it tastes good when drank. We had to forego a shower the first day because the water was gone, but we were able to "shower" in the rain when it came (and when it came, it came and came).

The upstairs of this is Alex and Jennifer's house that they share with some of the girls.

The kids at the base range in age from junior high to high school age. They are here because there is no public education for rural kids after 6th grade. These two girls were studying when I snapped this photo.

The base has several buildings interconnected by concrete paths and stairways.

Shown above on the left is the dining hall, and on the right is the flag of Panama outside the dining area taken from an outdoor classroom. This same classroom is where the students gather in the morning for roll call (below right).
The kids take their studies seriously. These indiginous kids have to prove themselves academically and professionally or they may not get good jobs in the future.

Many of these kids will go on to take the discipleship training through the YWAM school. In fact, we met two brothers who had graduated from the discipleship program. They came to YWAM having escaped from Haite seeking a better life in Panama after their parents died.

Not everything is so serious though here at the base. The kids get to do fun stuff too. Here they performed a traditional national dance for us. They left momentarily to change into their traditional tribal clothing and returned to dance a traditional Embera dance.
After watching this, some Christian kids from Pennsylvania who were staying at the base joined in the fun. Everyone was having a great time learning to dance the Embera dance.

The YWAM base operates for the good of the students and the missionaries families who are living or staying in Panama. The outreach to the indigenous peoples is working and going on all the time.

There are alot of new things to see in nature while at the base...

...even for the little ones to learn about.

This fellow decided to climb one of the many fruit trees and throw down some of its treats. This tree is a mango tree, and he ended up many meters into it before sending down the fruits.
There was time at the end of the day to relax, check email, and make plans. Here at Alex and Jennifer's home, we're finalizing plans to travel to Bocas del Toro and the Isle Bastimentos.

The week at the YWAM base for us was a good experience. Our hosts were generous and pleasant. The scenery was new and exciting for each of us Dave, Andrew and I. I hope to return here again someday with a team to come, play, and do good works for the sake of Christ and his kingdom.