The conversation was lively at the dinner tables on Thursday evening as district superintendents and their spouses shared their discoveries with one another from a tourism day at the Albrook Mall and at the Miraflores Museum and Observatory of the Panama Canal.
Some had determined to return to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort after the Mall so that they could enjoy the natural beauty of this area of Panama. Those who spent time fellowshipping in the swimming pool in the afternoon were blessed with visits from local parrots and a pair of large toucans watching them from nearby trees.
That evening, the group from southern Mexico sang a special with which the entire group could sing along. The words were projected on a large screen and Hiram Galvez played the keyboard making it sound like Mexican guitars. The entire group was clapping along and enjoying the lively Mexican sound of praise.
Dr. Nina Gunter preached another Spirit-anointed message and Wendy Lopez translated into Spanish while Pierre Antoine Jacques translated into Creole. She said that everyone needed a vision or they would perish. She described five vision imperatives that we all must consider when forming a vision: 1. We must love God. 2. We must love people. 3. We must love the Church. 4. We must love our families. 5. We must love life. Without these five imperatives, our vision will be out of focus.
After the message, while singing praise songs of love to God and to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, many once again went to the front of the ballroom where the services are being held and knelt on the floor to offer to God their praise and worship.
Dr. Carlos Saenz requested special prayer for Rev. Ulises Espinoza and his wife as he has been hospitalized throughout the entire retreat and will be facing immediate surgery. The district superintendents and their spouses responded in love and a love offering was taken up to be given to Rev. Espinoza to help him with his medical costs.
The Gamboa Rainforest Resort provided an excellent selection of snacks after the service and many people stayed around to talk and to meet in small groups to discuss strategies, problems and to encourage one another.
Everyone was very tired by the end of the day, but there were smiles and expressions of blessing on one another as yet another day ended at the “Walking Together” District Superintendents and Spouses Retreat for the Mesoamerica Region.
Information provided by : Rhonda Slingerland, missionary With the Church of the Nazarene
