Sunday Worship -- El Valle Style

As seems to happen quite a lot in El Valle, Tom and I had a fortunate meeting this Saturday while having coffee at the local cafe. We were blessed to meet Aaron, a native of Dallas, Texas, and his adorable daughter, Avalyn.

Aaron told us that he, his wife Janet, 7 year old son Mylon, and Avalyn (aged 4), had come to Panama a year ago to live. As the son of Christian missionaries who had lived in Africa and other far flung locales, Aaron wanted to give his own children the same exposure to cultures other than their own.  It was excellent timing that we got to meet Aaron on this day, as he explained that the family would be leaving Panama in a month to return to Texas.

After some conversation about El Valle, Panama in general and where the best restaurants are, it came up that Aaron and Janet were helping to lead a church that met in El Valle. He invited us to attend a worship gathering of about 40 other Christians, including other expats, Panamanians and Kuna Yala people.

We immediately accepted the invitation, along with the offer of a ride to the El Valle Bread Club. The El Valle Bread Club is run by a German family, and Charles makes some of the most delicious bread and croissants that we have ever tasted.  Each week, families place their orders via email, and on Saturday mornings, they show up at Charles' home to pick up the bread. With everyone showing up at about the same time, it turns into quite the social event, with Charles' wife putting out samples of bread, her delectable herb butter, hummus and fruit spread. It was here that we met Janet, Aaron's wife, along with Mylon, their son. (Aaron, upon arriving at the Bread Club and seeing the amazing spread, knew that he would be in trouble if he didn't run home to fetch Janet!)

Before Tom and I left with our motherlode of baguettes, croissants and assorted artisan breads, we firmed up the plans to ride to church with Aaron and his family in the morning. We then scurried home to savor those croissants!

Best buddies! (Aaron and Janet in the background.)

We arrived at the home of David and Lisa, 2 mission workers from the US who were back in the States for the week. David and Lisa rent a lovely home and grounds which used to house a candy factory, and the large shed at the rear of the property was more than ample for the worship gathering. We quickly set up the simple space with chairs, handed out song books, and in short order the people began to arrive.

Walking to church.

The worship gathering takes place in this old candy factory.

We were introduced to every man, woman and child who arrived, and given a brief run down as to who was related to whom. The families all sat down in the circle, and Janet led everyone in song; old favorites such as "Holy, Holy, Holy" were sung in Spanish, and then sometimes in English, and even in Kuna Yala! It was quite an experience to be singing Christian songs in Spanish, let alone Kuna. Cleo, a church member who is Kuna, did the translations for the songbook. Such a gifted young man; fluent in English, Spanish and Kuna, as well as being a father of 5.

Communion.

The message for the day came from 1Corinthians 12, which talks about how we are all members of the same body - the Body of Christ - though we are each individual members. And Aaron broke the news that he and the family would be leaving El Valle and returning to Texas. His eloquent, heartfelt expressions of appreciation for each and every person there (he called them all out by name, and gave thanks for them) put tears of melancholy, and yet joy, in almost every eye, including ours.

Getting ready to sing more songs after communion.

When the worship gathering concluded, it was time for the children to have their Sunday School lesson. I was reminded of my Sunday School kids back in Tennessee, and how sweet and bright they were. Hat's off to Janet for being able to conduct just one class for kids ranging in age from 4 years through 14!

Aaron and Janet's adorable children, Avalyn and Mylon, with a pal.

Tom and I feel amazingly blessed to have been invited to share this special worship time with our new friends, and that we were able to meet Aaron and Janet and their wonderful kids before they left El Valle. We wish them  many great blessings as they start a new chapter in their own adventure!

After church, it's off to the mercado for shaved ice!