Pictures taken on Mother's day

Mom, my sister in law Claireth and my brother Tito

My other sister in law Edi, my niece and my oldest brother

My nephew, myself and my grandma

Dad and mom (with Abi in the background)

These pictures were taken on Mother's Day last year, which here is celebrated on December the 8th.

A good man is gone from this earth

I am talking about a man I am really grateful to. Because of him and his love and commitment to God I came to know Jesus. He was not the one who personally shared the message with me, but he was the one who shared it with the person who then told me and my family about Jesus. So he must be rejoicing in heaven, he had completed the task God had for him here on this earth. He was a great man, a man of character and principles. He was born in Colombia in 1942. He came to Panama when he was very young because he wanted to share God's love, and indeed he did. He was pastor for many years of the First Baptist Church here in Panama. He also founded Campus Crusade for Christ here in Panama, and was the director for many years. I knew him since I was like 10 years old. He was always such a patient man and always showed care when talking to me, even though I was merely a child. There are people who I believe touch you forever because of the way they behave when they are around you and how they treat you. He was such a man in my life.

He passed away on September 11th. This is not one of my favorite dates. I still have the memories of watching 9/11/01 and now with him, two people that I knew have died on this date. One good thing...one of my nieces was also born on September 11th. As the Bible says there is a season for everything: a time to be born, and a time to die (Ecc. 3:1-2). His memorial service was last friday the 15th. I thank God because He arranged the circumstances so that I would be able to go. I was not going to be able to make it because I had to work, but a co-worker did a swap with me and I worked his shift and he worked mine. It's incredible how God arranges everything. I wasn't even thinking about doing a swap with him, because he works the graveyard shift. I was thinking someone from the day shift but that would mean someone who did not work friday's but worked saturday's. So, I would have friday off and then I would have to come work saturday, which wasn't what I wanted but if it meant having the opportunity of going to the service I would do it. But then on thursday he asks me if I am ok, that I looked like if I am deep in my thoughts, and then joking he asks...has someone died, your dog maybe? I think I turned sharply to look at him and then explained the situation. And then he said that he was available for the swap if I wanted one. That would mean working from 12:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. I did it and then by friday afternoon I had a pounding headache, I believe because of lack of sleep, lack of food and also a few tears at the service.

But I am glad. Glad that he is now asleep waiting for Jesus return. So I did a little bit of grieving, I think that is only human, but I have hope that he, who died in Christ, will rise.

Thanks Mr. Osman...glory be to God for your life and testimony. You were of great blessing to generations of Christians in Panama and Latin America.

One of his favorite verses:

Luke 10:27 - "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."

Trump Ocean Club

I have to admit that I was a little surprised when I heard that Donald Trump was interested in investing in Panama. But it's true.

Check it out...

The Trump Ocean Club

Panama...

...the path less traveled

Check it out!

I am amazed at the beautiful beaches we have here, I am not bragging or anything but they are beautiful.

More pics...visit from Miami relatives

These pictures were taken on April 13th. My relatives from Miami took a cruise around Central America and the Caribbean and they stopped for a few hours here in Panama. I believe it was Miami - out at sea - Panama - Costa Rica - Sea - Belize - Sea - Miami. It gave me the opportunity to meet (personally) my very beautiful niece. She is just great...well maybe I am little biased because I think that of all my nieces and my nephew. She is beautiful!!! and of course seeing my cousin again, she is like a sister to me. She is an only child and we are her only cousins, so we were always like really close. We used to see each other every year, specially when we were children and then in high school. Either she came or I went over there for vacations, but I haven't had the opportunity of traveling back to Miami since 2000 I believe, when I went for her marriage and was a bridesmaid at her wedding.

Well I'll stop babbling and let's go to the pictures.

In the front: my cousin (Melissa), niece (Alexa), grandma and me.

In the back: Mr. Santiago (Melissa's father in law), my uncle (mom's brother), Joe (Melissa's husband), mom and dad.

Isn't she beautiful? How cute! And she is one of those child's that just smiles and smiles.


The cruise ship


When they were leaving


That same day at night with my other beautiful niece.

The Passion of The Christ

I saw it last night for the first time, could you believe it?, like 2 years after it was released. There were parts I liked, parts I didn't. I thought he gave too much importance in the movie to son and mother relationship and I can't help but think about the importance catholics give to Mary, sometimes even more than the savior himself. These were parts of the movie that struck me as weird as they are not mentioned at all in the Bible, I guess they are the director's imagination of how he thinks things might have happened...the part when Jesus is being flogged and the devil is holding a baby (old face) I didn't understand the purpose of that scene, the part when Mary bows and puts her ear to the floor and directly below her it's Jesus (weird), the part when Simon of Cyrene asks the soldiers to stop beating and flogging Jesus (where is that in the Bible?), the part when the woman comes and hands Jesus like a cloth for him to wipe his face (where is that?), the part where Mary and Mary Magdalene clean Jesus blood (where?), at the end once Jesus is already dead that they get his body down from the cross and they put him in Mary's arms...that was really weird for me to see as the Bible says the women were there but watching from a distance and in Luke 23 it says that Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for Jesus body and that he took it down from the cross, so Mary was only watching from a distance. So it gives so much importance to Mary through all of it that I can stop myself from thinking, there they go again. I don't know if there were more scenes but these are the ones I remember right now, I'll have to see it again as my niece wouldn't let me concentrate completely on the movie. A part I didn't see and would have like to see it's when the centurion says "Surely this man was the Son of God"; also when the rooster crowed immediately after Peter denied knowing Jesus three times (I didn't hear a rooster at least, I don't know because at the time my niece was with me and getting my attention); also a little bit of the resurrection, although I know it was only the passion of Christ they wanted, but it would have been nice seeing the angels telling the women:"Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again. There were other parts I liked that were more biblical and reminding me once more how he gave his precious blood for my sins.

I thank you Jesus for dying on that cross for my sins, I thank you because you humbled yourself for me even though you are the King of kings and Lord of Lords, I thank you because you purchased me and the prize you paid is too high to repay...your blood and your life. I thank you because of what you went through during that time you were separated from your father that you cried out in agony..."My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"...was all for me. I thank you because I am free, I am saved, I am forgiven, I have victory in my life because of what you did on the cross. Your grace is the best gift I have received. Thank you Jesus. My life is so much better with you in it, without you there wouldn't be any real meaning, any real purpose. I love you and I am waiting for you. And if I die before you return again, then I'll meet you in heaven.

GOD'S AMAZING GRACE: THE TESTIMONY OF STEPHEN BENNETT

You can read it here. It's the testimony of an ex-homosexual and how you can be set free, because God's love is so much greater than your sin.

Interesting

FALWELL CONFIDENTIAL

Insider weekly newsletter to The Moral Majority Coalition and The Liberty Alliance

Date: April 14, 2006
From: Jerry Falwell



THE IGNORED AND DISCOUNTED

I would like to tell you about some people who are often treated as if they do not exist. While they flourish as citizens and are active in our churches across the nation, it is as if they lack reality as far as the so-called mainstream media are concerned.

These people are former homosexuals, sometimes known as ex gays, who have prevailed over their previous existence.

I imagine they are the most politically-incorrect people in our nation.

They do exist, though, and there are untold thousands of them.

But when former homosexuals are depicted on the networks, they are typically unhappy or anxious to return to their former lives. On NBC’s “Law and Order: SVU,” an ex-gay man returns to his former lifestyles but murders another gay man to hide his backslide. On NBC’s “Will & Grace,” a meeting of former homosexuals ends with everyone present running off with a same-sex member of the group.

So you see, when these individuals are not being completely ignored, they are being demeaned and put down by those who argue that one cannot overcome homosexuality.

Ex-gay ministries attempt to reach homosexuals with the Gospel of Christ so that they can find fulfillment in Him. Former homosexuals learn to overcome their same-sex attractions and often marry and have children.

I am proud to know several former homosexuals. It is thrilling to see them joyously living out their lives. I have actually had the privilege of working with a few individuals who have turned their backs on homosexuality so that they can live fully in Christ.

I actually addressed a rally of ex-gays last year and can tell you that they are living out their faith as fearlessly as any group of people I have seen in quite some time. It is a great pleasure to see people discover true peace, true purpose in Christ.

This isn’t a popular notion, by any means. But it is imperative that the Church of Jesus Christ boldly confront the issues of homosexuality and the power of Christ to enable change.

As Stephen Bennett says, “Jesus never tolerated sin. He confronted it – in love.”

Stephen lived the homosexual lifestyle until he was 28. And then he gave his life to Jesus Christ. Today, 16 years later, he is happily married, the father of two, and one of the nation’s most courageous spokesmen on overcoming homosexuality through Christ.


NEW EDUCATION EFFORT

This week, the Orlando, Fla.-based Liberty Counsel and Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX) kicked off their “Change is Possible Campaign.” Liberty Counsel, an affiliate ministry of Liberty University, is a national public interest law firm with offices in Florida and Virginia and hundreds of affiliate attorneys in all 50 states. PFOX is a national organization that supports families touched by homosexuality, advocates for the ex-gay community and educates the public on sexual orientation.

Mat Staver, founder and president of Liberty Counsel, says that in the past several years, as “tolerance” and “diversity” have become popular buzzwords, there has been a corresponding increase in discrimination and intolerance toward those who have made the decision to leave homosexuality. He says that former homosexuals have lost their jobs and been physically assaulted because they dared to tell others that people can and do overcome same-sex attractions.

The two groups are targeting our nation’s public schools, many of which have become sectors for promoting homosexual teachings. Mr. Staver says that in many public schools, staff display “Safe-Zone” stickers with pink triangles, and schools hold diversity days to present the message that people are “born gay,” but schools consistently exclude the message that people can, and have chosen, to change.

In a recent case, a “diversity day” was actually cancelled instead of allowing former homosexuals to attend the school event. That’s how adamant many school officials are about homosexuality.

Mr. Staver said, “We are confident that this project will help root out intolerance that exists under the guise of tolerance and diversity. There is an ongoing battle over the hearts and minds of our youth. We have an obligation to protect them from the harmful message that people are ‘born gay’ and cannot choose to change.”

In the face of incredible opposition, former homosexuals are declaring to the world that there is hope for change. They are living proof of it, even though, as I earlier noted, they are often treated as if they do not exist. I encourage pastors across this nation to invite people like Stephen Bennett to their churches to confront this modern-day cultural phenomenon. We must address this issue head-on and educate people that there change is possible and real.

Friendship (II Part)

This continues my March 30th post.


When Daniel interpreted the dream to king Nebuchadnezzar this is what the King said to Daniel in Daniel 2:47-49 - "Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery."
Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. Moreover, at Daniel's request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.

The king placed him in a high position and Daniel did not forget about his friends. He spoke to the king and was able to appoint his friends as administrators. A friend never forgets a friend or what that person has done for you. A friend shares the blessing. You might have shared times of hardship, of tears, of fasting together but there will come a time in which God above will lift you and your friend up.

Every friendship is going to be tested. Where there are true friends, the test or the trial will strengthen the relationship instead of weakening it. They were united in one spirit. Beware of gossip, don't let that damage your friendship. Don't allow a word of correction given in love to destroy a friendship.

Not everybody is going to be happy about your success. Going back to Daniel 3 and the image the King built. We can read in Daniel 3:8-12 the following:

At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever! You have issued a decree, O king, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon -Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego- who pay no attention to you, O king. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up."

They told the king because they were full of envy. They knew these young men were not going to fall down and worship this image. Friendships will have to overcome envy, bribery, lies, misunderstandings, intrigues. You have to keep your identity and what will keep a friendship alive is your spiritual life. If it's not convenient for you, God will remove it from your life. Friends, through their spiritual lives, share values.

But there will also be times in which God will take away a friend. We don't know exactly what happened but when the King made the image only Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were thrown into the furnace...where was Daniel? Maybe he was sent somewhere else as an ambassador for the kingdom but what we do know is that he wasn't there and he could not make a request to the king or speak on their behalf. The influence of a friendship remains even if your friend is not there with you physically. Daniel was not there, he could not speak to the king on their behalf, but I'm sure that wherever he was, he was praying to the One that can do all things.

There is something else that needs to be in the middle of a friendship...faith.

Hebrews 11:33-34 - who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Faith will always tell the truth. Faith can't work with lies or excuses. Faith is trusting God even though you do not know the result.

These young men said in Daniel 3:17-18 - If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." When there are friends, they strengthen each other they don't back up. They did not know there was a fourth man. It is easy to act and go forward when you know the result. Faith is a determination, a going forward. The friendship they built kept them together and allowed them to find the fourth man.

Daniel 3:19-21 - He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace.

They were thrown in, but they were not taken out. Daniel 3:26 - So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire. They came out by themselves. The devil will want to put you into a test or trial but you will come out of it. The only thing that will be burned is the rope with which he tied you up, the bondage that the devil used to bound you.

Daniel 3:26-30 - Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way." Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

Their friendship stood the trial and passed the test and so will yours. I hope this message will help you and it is my prayer that you'll be blessed by what you have read. I pray the word of God throughout this post will become as it says in Hebrews 4:12 - living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. If there is anything that is not properly explained I ask your forgiveness and know that total responsibility falls upon me and not my pastors message, as there might have been something lost in translation... God bless!... :-)

At the beach

These were pictures taken at the beach...I went with my family and some friends for carnivals here in Panama. I had a really great time. This place is called "Isla Grande" which means "Big Island". Every year for carnivals my brother rents a house to go to Isla Grande, he practices windsurfing so it gives him a chance, since it's summer here in Panama, to windsurf. The tide was high and the sea wasn't as calm, the sun came out for a while and then it was cloudy for a while and that is the way it was all days, but all in all it was great just to get away from the city and from your normal activities for a few days.

In this first picture it's my mom, my two sisters in law, my niece and myself.

Mom, me and Claireth. Because of the sun you won't be able to see us very well. But look at the beautiful background, God is indeed the best artist there is. I love the sea.

The following set of pictures are of myself, my mom and Claireth.

Here we are at a small pier that it's abandoned. It seems the property belonged to a french man who was remodeling everything for tourism and he died suddenly, I don't know exactly from what. Now everything is abandoned, what he worked so hard to build...pity.

A look at the beach

Me and my niece.

I do not know what my sister in law was trying to capture here in this picture...what she did manage to do was to behead me...what's up with that??? Not very nice of her :-(

At nights we played several games like Scrabble, Double Dominos and this one that you'll see in the next couple of pictures it's called Spoon. It was great, it was the first time I played it but it's definitely a keeper. After we all learned how to play it then everyone wanted to play it the following night again.















It is a game in which after a few seconds of playing it your heart starts racing so fast you think it's going to come out. It was fuuunnn!! The lady next to me and the man next to her are the directors of Campus Crusade for Christ here in Panama, Lionzo and Mary Diaz. Wonderful people of God.

They were the ones that taught us the game. We played two nights and I am proud to say that I was the winner on the first night. I beat none other than my brother...and let me tell you something...he hates loosing...hehehe. So it was all guys and only two girls and I won...it felt good. Sadly on the second night I did not win, my dad beat me....ggrrr. Maybe someday I'll write here how it is played.















A look at the house we stayed in. It belongs to an american and his panamanian wife. They were staying upstairs while we were staying downstairs. Another friend...Farit.




Going back. To get to the island you have to cross on a small motor boat and viceversa when you are going back to the mainland. Here I had already left since I had to work so I left a day before.





Arriving at the other side. You can see the island we were staying at, in the back.







The sun setting down.