Panamaniacs....

From the end of January to the first of March 2007 we were in the Republic of Panama with Vida Ministries. Dennis and Jeanne Cook were our hosts. They graciously put us up in their home for our trip. They have been missionaries there for twenty five years. They minister to the Choco Indians.

The area we were in is the Darien Provence bordering on Columbia. This is known as the Darien Gap. The Pan American highway runs all the way to the Gap and then is cut off by the rain forest. The people you hear saying that the rain forest is diminishing are telling you the truth. We literally watched it being driven out on trucks every day.

While we were there a group from Meadowbrook church came from Ocala to finish the church that they started last June. Here is a picture of where the project was left off in June.

Here is where the building was when the group arrived to start work on the project. You can see the old church next to the one being constructed.

Since the walls were up the team got to work fast getting the roof on.

As the roof started moving forward the team started working on the windows and floor.

This is the Pastor of the church working right alongside all the guys. He was so appreciative of everything and worked really hard.

How's this for teamwork. Travis, Troy and Joe. The three amigos. This looks like a joke, but it was for real. Travis needed to reach the area out beyond his ability to stay up out of the wet cement. Perhaps there is a tiny bit of dramatic flare added.

This was messy work to say the least.

Here is where things were where the time ran out for the team.

Dennis and Troy were able to go back into the village and finish the floor and what was needed to finish the roof.

Last I heard, the rainy season is still in full force and the finishing touches have not been done. Once the weather breaks they will be able to cement over the block and do all the finish work.

The back of the building is an area for the Pastor. He will have his home right there at the back of the church. This is where it was when the team left, but I believe it is further along now as well.

This was all done in less than three weeks total. The team was here for a week in June, then a week in February. The floor and roof were finished up in a couple days after the team left. They all worked long and hard. It was really a great team and they managed to have a great time while doing a great thing.