YASC Lenten Reflections

Wow two post in one day!!! I am writing to let you know that our YASC group decided to write our own Lenten reflections. It already has a post of pictures of Ash Wednesday from around the globe and also has a post from Heidi Galagan (in Tanzania).

Here is the link: http://yasclenten.blogspot.com/

Received my ashes at St. Luke's Cathedral in Panama City, Panama 

94th Convention

I'm sure I sound like a broken record, but I am sorry for not having a post every month. I am not the type person who can capture everything in words, but I try my best. Febuary 20th - 23rd marked the 94th convention for the Iglesia Episcopal de Panamá. The theme was "Dios de Vida enséñame tu palabra y afirma mis pasos" or "God of life, teach me your word and affirm my steps." This theme was taken from psalm 119:133, which has a special meaning to me. From the start of this mission, I really felt that I was on a spiritual journey that was going to find a better path, a new path, of knowing where I was going. It has been at least 6 months and I am still where God is teaching me his words and affirming my steps. I feel the more that I am in Panama, the louder of a calling I hear from God. The fact that my faith has grown these past six months is remarkable. I can't imagine what my next calling from God is, and I can't wait to find out. Here are some pictures of the 94th convention.

The Bishop giving his message.

Most of the group.

Holy Eucharist in the church San Antonio in Cañafistulo

Being presented at the ECW meeting




A big shout out to a friend, Victor. He is the one who provided all the photos and is the Communication Director for the Episcopal Church of Panamá.

A Month of Community Service

It is already going to be February, which will mark 6 months on this wonderful experience. This past month has been a wonderful experience, which reminded me why God has given a path for each individual. For three weeks I had the pleasure of supervising two groups that had to do community service. I was accompanied by a wonderful teacher who teaches Spanish. After the three weeks, I accompanied a mission group from Trinity Wall Street based from New York.

Let me start off with the amazing experience I had supervising the two groups. I was a little nervous because I was going to be working with 12th graders, especially because I have only worked with 8th and 9th graders. I initially thought the two groups were not going to want to do anything — but I was proven wrong. We went off to the Fundacion hogar de ninas de la Capital. The girls home is an institution of the Episcopal Church in Panama, which offers a short or long term home for girls in at-risk situations. The home is responsible for the education, training, health, nutrition and spiritual guidance for the girls. We painted most of the place. I enjoyed helping out because it’s a wonderful program needed in Panama. It also needs help with funding, so being able to help out was a blessing. The home also reminded of me working for Good Sam. Good Sam will always be a part of me and it felt good hearing about the non-profit in Panama.

The teacher that was with me was a Spanish teacher and has worked with this community service site for about ten years. I was a little scared because my Spanish is not the best, but I can get by. The teacher only knows Spanish (most of the teachers at St. Christopher’s are bilingual). Well, I’m proud to say I had not one, but a lot of conversations with her and she said that my Spanish has been really good from the first day I got Panama. I also found out that she has a sister that lives in McAllen, TX. Here are some pictures on what we did.

After the three weeks, I was greeted by a group from Trinity Wall Street. They have had a partnership with Panama for about 5 years. I did not go with them for two days because I had a duty for the school but on Saturday and Sunday I was able to join them. On Saturday we went to a rural community that the Episcopal church has a presence in. It was the community of Tres Hermanas in Capira. The program from the Episcopal church is a agriculture project that helps the community to show how agriculture can help the family and the community. Below are some pictures.

It was in the middle of nowhere.

They were talking about the program.

We walked for about 20 min to get where they plant crops.

One member for Trinity working to harvest.

Surrounded by the forest.

Walking back to the car.

This was most of the group

Panama and Trinity at the Bishops house.

Panama Group

Yes I helped.

This month has been a great month and I am so blessed to have witness the community service that the children do and the relationship that the Anglican and Episcopal church has in the world.  I want to leave you with a prayer that was given to me when I was taking an online class from Bishop Michael Curry from North Carolina. I believe this sums up what I pray for everyday. Thank you for reading and God Bless.

O God, let something happen to me,

something more than interesting or entertaining or thoughtful. 

O God, let something essential happen to me, something awesome, something real. 

Speak to my condition O Lord, and change me somewhere inside where it matters, 

a change that will burn and tremble and heal, and explode me into tears 

or laughter, or love that throbs or screams, or keeps a terrible cleansing silence, 

and dares the dangerous deeds. 

Let something happen in me which is my real self, O God. 

(Ted Loder)

Run You Clever Boy, and Rembember...

Five months have gone by, and let me tell you, it has really been one big eye opener. First, it started by getting ready to attend graduation for the first time-- as a teacher. Then, I attended a Christmas concert hosted by two choir groups. I also attended two parties, one for the bishop and the other for the diocese office. I had an opportunity to chaperon prom for my students as well, and then ended it by having mass on Christmas Eve and spending Christmas with Patricia and her family.

Let me start off by saying I commend all teachers and staff that work with a school district. It was a tough job getting all the grades in and knowing that you will have students at the last moment wanting to make up a grade. I know these past five months have been eye opening and I now know how difficult it is being a teacher. On December 17th,  there were two graduations, one for 9th grade and one for 12th grade. I taught 9th grade so I really felt proud seeing these students walk across the stage receiving their diploma. In 9th grade you graduate from primary and figure out what bachelor you want (Science, tourism, or commercials). Below are some pics from that day.

On the 15th of December, Cantus Panama and Coro Musica Viva held a concert benefiting the Cathedral of St. Lucas. It was filled with many Christmas and native songs. I did not take many pictures because my tablet was acting up and I have not bought batteries for my camera.

On the 19th of December I attended a party for the bishop that was hosted in my apartment (I did not know that would be the location at the time). It was just a good time to get to know the staff and just celebrate the bishops birthday. That same night, I went with Rachel to chaperon the 9th grade prom. It was a fun and the kids saw me dance salsa for the first time. On the 23th of December there was a party for the diocese staff.  There was a lot of turkey, ham, ceviche, and music. It was the first time that I really got to meet the staff and it was a fun. All the music and dancing made me realize that you don’t have to be afraid of what you look like or if you can dance, as long as you want to have a good time, you are always welcomed.  

On Christmas Eve, there was a night service at the cathedral. It was strange how much it felt like my church back home, with the whole lighting the candle and singing “Holy Night,” blessing of the nativity, and singing “O Come O Come Emanuel” for the offertory hymn. On Christmas day I woke up early and headed of to Villa Lucre where Patricia and Rachel live. They said breakfast starts at 9 and it was a 30 min drive so I headed out about 8:30. However, in Panama nothing starts on time, but thinking it was Christmas, I thought it had to start on time. Well I was wrong. We did not eat “breakfast” till about 11 but it was worth the wait. What really got me was that Patricia said that breakfast was only for family and to know that I am part of her family was a true Christmas gift. I also got to meet Rachel’s mom who gave me a stocking full of candy and Time magazine.

I was truly blessed these holidays, getting to spend it with people that I love and finding a place in my heart was a true blessing from God. I know a new year is coming and I feel the presence of god is stronger than ever and I know that my faith has been guiding me through difficult and good times. I Hope you all have a wonderful new years and a prosperous one. My journey is just beginning and I know what that journey is.

Long November

Wow, it has been a long time since I’ve updated, and I am sorry for that. Many things have happened to me this month -- and it all started off with me going to Costa Rica.  As soon as I got back, my students were preparing for an activity they do every year. I also had to prepare final exams for the ninth grade students because they graduate that year in Panama.

But first, I’ll start off with my little vacation to Costa Rica. In order for me to stay in Panama for a year with my tourist visa, I must leave the country every 90 days. I flew out on Friday November 8th. I was kind of nervous because I did not know who was going to pick me up. As I walked out of the airport, I saw a giant sign that said: JOSEPH YASC. I was hoping the sign was for me, and not for another Joseph. When I first got out of the airport, I looked at all the surroundings and felt a little at ease because I was not in a big city anymore. I arrived at the Costa Rica diocesan center and was greeted warmly. I started to unpack and was told the bishop wanted to see me. I started to talk to him and found out that he just got back for my home diocese in Texas. He talked with Marthe Curry and said that they want to have a partnership with them. I thought that was a true sign that God was there guiding my way. I spent most of my time relaxing and going off downtown and soaked up all the restored building and just wondered off to who knows where. I was only there for the weekend so I did not have time to see the volcanoes, but I am definitely going back. Here are some pictures of my weekend:

When I got back home, I went straight back to teaching science. I am still wrapping my head around the idea of me being a teacher. The one thing I said I would never do was be a teacher -- yet here I am and here is where God has sent me. The students were practicing for an event called Coronación y desfiles de tunas, which is basically a parade in which traditional Panamanian clothing is worn, as well as loads of singing and dancing. Each classroom in the entire school represented a separate region in Panama, and therefore wore the clothing that was traditionally worn in that region. Here are some pictures of what unfolded that day:

This was also a very different Thanksgiving for me. The week was full of being thankful. Rachel asked if I wanted to go to a thanksgiving dinner that she was invited to from her church. It was on a Wednesday night and it had all kinds of side dishes and turkey. I was really glad that I was able to spend a thanksgiving with a bunch of strangers. It helped me realize that god has always been giving me a reason for me to be thankful.

I am truly sorry for not updating enough, but November is probably the most insane month in Panama. I just want to say how grateful I am to continue doing this journey. Sometimes I feel do miss home but that is erased when I remember that I have great people that I am surrounded by in Panama. I hope I can update on a regular not because November is gone and December is going to be quick…I hope. 

Long Weekend

It was a weekend that changed my whole perspective. Sunday marked Panama's 110 year of becoming separated from Colombia. The tradition literally started at dawn, from the sound of a firework that makes you feel like a gunshot is going off, to a parade that lasts all day. These are some of the traditions that hold true that Panama is a living spectrum of God's calling.

All the festivities started with the Dia de los Ninos. For half of the day, 12th grade students took over the teachers' classes. The day ended with a teacher versus student volleyball match. I was thrilled at some degree for the students taking over my class but still had a gut feeling that I had to go check up on them. In Mathew 19:14 Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." That is what I saw that day, for these children respected the continuity of what a teacher is and we as teachers put faith in their hands.

Then on Sunday a parade was held that started at 8 a.m. and ended around 10 p.m. All the schools and different organizations came together to show what it meant to be a country. Back in the states, we celebrate independence day by popping fireworks and having town parades, but not by bringing the whole state together. Panama came together and showed what it meant to be a country as a whole.

This made me realize that no matter what religion or affiliation you come or belong to, we all have one thing that brings us together - which is our belief in what we hold strong to. Jesus said to love one another, and what I witnessed in Panama was a true sighting of loving one another. People that did not know any children marching would come up to some child and hand them water or a towel to wipe their sweat. It was a day that changed my perspective in what it meant to be a beautiful human.

Today was flag day, and again there was a parade, but the schools and organizations would only march within their community. Cars and businesses were covered in the Panamanian flag and pride was shown. 110 years of being separated showed that even though there is still need of improvement, there is one thing that is for certain. God can really give you a sign without you realizing that it was right in front of you the whole time. 

Next week, I will travel to Costa Rica for a weekend. It will get my visa renewed, and I will stay at the Diocese of Costa Rica - which I know that I will have a story to tell.

I want to say thank you for giving me all the love back home and also being part of my journey.  

Update

I know that I have been absent in updating, but a lot has gone on and more is about to go on. I really wanted to wait till this weekend to give a good blog because it is one of Panama's Independents Day. Well here is an update.

School has been tough because the students just finished their midterms and are getting ready for November 3rd.

I met some great missionaries from the St. Luke's Cathedral. We had dinner and talked about great things in the coming future.

This is a small update, but promise to give you a great blog after this hectic weekend.

I want to thank you for staying with me in my journey. Thank-you and God Bless.