2009 Mission Trip

Reflections on the Mission to Panama

  June 2009

Dear friends at Church of Our Saviour,

      It is with a great sense of accomplishment and joy that I write the following reflection on the week I spent on the outskirts of Panama City with the parish of San Mateo. The lingering happiness of making new friends, trying new things, and sharing Christ’s love have yet to wear off—in fact, I hope they never do. Although I had expected our third and perhaps final trip to Panama to be tinged with the bitterness of parting, I found that it was an experience filled instead with the contentment one derives from a good deed. I couldn’t wait to share that contentment with everyone here in Charlottesville.

      As the youngest member of this year’s mission team, it would be easy to attribute the great impression the mission experience has made on me to my tender years. But it is my hypothesis that our trip to San Mateo made an equally impressive impact on the elderly congregation we visited. On the first of many mornings spent at the church, I could already observe the signs of preceding COOS visits. A brand new awning constructed with mission funds now protects the church’s entrance from the furies of the rainy season. A new bathroom stands completed in the rear of the parish hall, similarly funded by our mission team. Even more importantly, the bilingual Books of Common Prayer stamped with images of our own rock chapel appear much loved and are used very frequently. As the week wore on, I was to see more subtle effects of our three-year partnership with San Mateo.

      One of the most touching aspects of the visit was the open-armed welcome we received. The people of Saint Matthew’s Church put their own lives on hold simply to spend time with us! Frederico, our trusty driver and good friend, is an excellent example; he uncomplainingly consented to ferry us to whatever destination we chose. From 8:45 in the morning to at least 7:00pm, Frederico was our willing chauffeur and companion. Padre Carlos and his wife Shirley were the essence of hospitality. I felt as accepted and loved in their presence as I do in my own home. I could name at least a dozen others who embraced me that way, without hesitation or shyness.

       In between exciting sallies into Panama City traffic, the team spent pleasant hours in Eucharist, in mission work at the local girl’s orphanage and HIV refuge, and in conversation with the talkative members of the congregation. Even though we often talked about seemingly idle subjects, such as food, grandchildren, and dangerous taxi drivers, I know that the Holy Spirit was working through us to form a magnificent Christian bond. I hope to maintain a lively correspondence with many of those I talked with. But most of the time the grown-ups spent talking I spent playing with a small troupe of mischievous children who come to San Mateo mostly (I suspect) for the food. Simply because I look so unusual to them, I was immediately and unquestioningly adored. Needless to say, I was flattered, but I hope that my brief time with these children will be something they remember and recognize it (as I do) as a gift from God.

      Thank you so much, Church of Our Saviour, for your generous and openhearted support of the mission team. I know it has made a difference, both on my life and the lives of those I was privileged to touch.

          Sincerely,

                   Claudia Elzey