Panama Mission Trips

Generic, used glasses very needed in PANAMA

Hi DLC,
It's been hectically busy down here lately, getting ready for -- and carrying out -- the visit of 18 people
They're nice folks, but admit they have an "out of sight- out of mind" approach. They come, they have a good time, they work--then go home and forget us. Not like DLC! You guys are far and away our biggest encouragement.
Yes, the end of June would be great for you to come down. That works fine. There's so much to do, and Ken has carried a lot of it on his shoulders. I'm sure he'll catch up on his emails once this group leaves. No problem with the eye clinic being delayed. Generic, used glasses are very needed here. And we have a source for glasses that can be self-adjusted in Guaymi villages. The foundation that makes them offered 30 pairs to test glasses we hope to order soon. Their website is : http://www.focus-on-vision.org/index_en.php
Simon -- the owner of Casa Rosada is starting up a Lion's club in the Bocas area and asked me to come to speak to them about our safe drinking water campaign for indigenous children. So it would be great, uplifting news to know you could send a group in June. Anytime June or July works for us. Choose whatever time is best for you. Businessmen like Simon do give us important discounts. Thank you and all the folks of DLC for your support and prayers. You all mean a lot to us.
--Joe

Decorah Lutheran Church Panama Project wishes to express profound thanks to Pizza Ranch for their continued support of Operation Safe Drinking Water in the Bocas del Toro region of Panama. They have greatly assisted Decorah Lutheran by providing Pizza Ranch coupons for use as a fundraiser. This effort resulted in approximately $1600 for the January 2010 trips. Assistance was also given in 2008 and 2009 amounting to several thousand dollars.
Pictured below are Keith Johnson, Glen Barth, McKinley Eide, MaryJo Finholt, Pastor Bryan Robertson and Jennifer Numedahl. In the foreground is Dave Wagner, representative from Pizza Ranch.
THANK YOU Pizza Ranch!

From Panama People

Way to go !!!!!

McKinley Eide
and
Olivia Munkel

We are very proud of you!
We received this note from Joe Bass, Executive Director, Operation Safe Drinking Water.

I want to thank you for the help you’ve given the indigenous peoples in the island off the coast of Panama.

I especially want to thank you for sending Olivia and McKinley with the last group. They were a blessing to the indigenous children, with whom they immediately bonded in all the remote island settlements we went to.

In my years here I have never seen indigenous kids respond as warmly and enthusiastically as they did to McKinley and Olivia. The dropped their customary shyness, came out of the shells and laughed and worked alongside the two young visitors.

Even the parents were amazed at how their kids bonded with McKinley and Olivia. They’re still talking about it.

Thanks to your help, we not only left behind rain-catchment systems to bring safe drinking water to schools, but left behind energized, happy indigenous children whose lives were touched—even if ever so briefly—by Olivia and McKinley.

Please send us more like them. Joe Bass www.opwater.org

From Panama People

Glen and John

Many of you have donated to John’s advanced
schooling needs. Your donations have been very helpful. John must travel 3 hours by canoe to attend class and then 3 hours to return home after classes.
With your help John could be the first one to break out of this cycle of poverty these children face.