Another Trip to Panama

Dear family, friends, and friends of friends,
We all remember the bible story of Jesus walking on water, but the rest of the story says much to us as disciples of Christ.

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on this water.” 

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

                                                      Matthew 14:27-29

I have been given the opportunity to participate in Aldersgate's mission trip to Panama on June 17-24, 2011. My decision to go came after much prayerful consideration. I truly believe Christ as invited me to embark on a journey of discipleship. He has asked me literally and figuratively to take the first step. I have done this and I am committed to going. Our church has built a lasting relationship with the people of Panama after several years of mission work- and now I finally get to join!
On this trip, I will be working small rural villages, about an hour drive north of Santiago, Panama. The villages are very isolated, poor, have no electricity, and inadequate purified water. We will be helping to meet the physical needs of those residents by building a cafeteria and working on rice paddies, fish ponds, chicken coops, and planting fruit trees. Most importantly, we will be serving the Panamanians spiritually by providing Vacation Bible School to the kids and nightly worship opportunities for the adults. In all of these endeavors, we will partner with a group from a Methodist church in Coral Gables, Florida and a youth group from a local church out of Santiago, Panama. As I write this, I am filled with excitement and sense purpose found only in following Christ's call to discipleship.

With this letter I would like to ask you to partner with me in this project in two ways. The first and definitely most important is that I ask you to pray for me and the team as a whole as we share our faith and work in a culture quite different from our own. Pray that we serve God in all that we do and that He is with us in the preparation, the time we spend there and our return trip home. Pray that we will have willing and loving hearts towards our teammates and others that we meet.


“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

                                                      Philippians 4:6

Second, along with your prayers, I ask that you consider partnering with me financially. Each person is responsible for $1,000 to $1200 to fund the cost of transportation and boarding for the trip. I am asking for donations to help fund my trip as well as donations to the team to help fund building materials.

If you would like to donate, you can use the PayPal button below...

Or you can make a check out to Aldersgate United Methodist Church (designating me as the team member you are sponsoring) and mail it to me at

April Wade

216 W. Silverleaf St.

Greer, SC 29650

I know, I know you probably see things like this all the time and think "Really?!". To be honest with you I am not asking much. Every $1 counts. Just think if you gave up you McDonalds Sweet Tea for one week or just one day you decide to skip on that Venti Decaf Starbucks Frap you could be giving $5 dollars a community that doesn't even know what McDonalds and Starbucks is.

If you just can't I do ask you to pray! Please pray for our travels and the time we spent there, that God's love shows through.

Funds are due June 10th! Can't wait to see what God is going to do!