Felipe’s Daughter, Evelyn holding Marisol

    

 In Hosea 4:6, God says “my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”  Nowhere is this more evident than in the jungles of Panama.  The Kunas live in a world of stick huts, open fires, and ancient superstitions, yet they are well aware that they are surrounded by the modern world.  A world that seems to be governed by money and power.  In the villages, there is a spirit of lack and of poverty, where families try to sell whatever they can to pay for simple medicines or school supplies for their children, often forced to choose between the two.  Selling fish, bananas or their prized molas may only yield a few dollars, so families usually have very little.  Felipe lives on the shores of Lago Bayano, and every morning he gets up before the sun rises (between five and six o’clock) and gets into his little boat and heads out looking for whatever work he can find.  Sometimes its fishing, sometimes, if he’s lucky enough, he might lead a group of tourists through the rain forest for five or ten dollars.  He can speak English reasonably well so he is a perfect candidate for leading groups on “Eco Tours.”  By evening he is extremely exhausted, yet somehow finds the energy to play a short game of baseball before heading back to work, this time, running the general store by the main road.  He works here well into the night before retiring to bed around eleven o’clock.  It’s the same routine day in and day out seven days a week.  There are no holidays either.  No days off.  No sick time. 

Meanwhile, in another more remote village on the other side of Lago Bayano, Marinelia holds her little boy as she works away peeling plantains, chopping up fish and pulling up yucca.  Her husband is away hunting and gathering bananas to sell.  She wonders if all the bananas he collects will be enough to pay for the medicine her son needs as he has developed a bad cough and is now running a fever.  She shudders as she remembers holding her newborn daughter in her arms a year ago and watching her fevered body breathe her last breath while she sat there helpless.  It is an hour ride by dugout canoe to get to anyone with any kind of medical background.  And there was simply not enough money to buy a simple bottle of children’s Motrin.  (not available at the general store either)  Deaths like these are so common in the jungle that many children are not even given a name until two years of age.

Now for the point of this story.  You see, Felipe learned to speak English and to read and write from a missionary who happened to be working in the jungle.  Over the years, he passed this simple education onto his daughter, Evelyn, who is now preparing for an education at the University in the city.  She wants to be a doctor and operate a clinic at the main road on the shores of Lago Bayano.  She grew up there and knows all too well the poverty, and the heartbreak of watching her beloved cousin Marinelia lose her baby girl.  Felipe works from sunup to sundown to pay for her tuition and uniforms, but that is all he can afford as he has a wife and two other children to provide for as well.  Her books are often purchased by missionaries or other people who are aware of the plight of her people.  There are schools in the jungle, however without funding, and with parents who cannot afford uniforms, books, and fees, few children can take advantage of the education that at best gives them the U.S equivalent of a sixth grade education by the time they are adults. 

One of the things Suzy and I will be doing with YWAM is to give children the opportunity for an education that enables them to have have the skills necessary to compete for a University education and give them the abilities to provide for their families in meaningful ways.  Who knows, maybe there is another child who dreams of being a doctor.  Or maybe someone wants to become a pastor of a church in a remote village.  The possibilities are endless, but only if we as the body of Christ stand together and do something about it.  Evelyn is doing very well in her studies, and visits her family often.  Suzy and I have even spoken with her recently and her English is improving!  She is a shining star, and we’re so proud of her!!  Praise God!!!!!!!