Panama Campaign to the Pearl Islands
Wanda Crews and her sisters flew out of Dallas-Fort
Worth Airport at 6:05 in the morning of Apr 8th headed for Panama City
by the way of Miami, Florida. While waiting in Panama City for the of their
team from Ozark, Missouri to arrive they helped Jack Father to buy groceries
and all the supplies they would need for their trip. Their team was made
up of 26 Americans and 8 translators.The whole team boarded the ship Independancia
for the trip to the islands, which would also serve a sleeping quarters.
The cooks fed not only the campaign team but also the crew on the ship.
After breakfast, there was a short worship service and then everyone going
to the island climbed over the side of the ship and down a rope ladder
to a small motor boat that took them ashore.
The kitchen crew took lunch to the team on the island each day and
then returned to the ship to fix supper.
The first island was San Mignel and the doctors saw 131 patients,
while the pharmacy gave out 424 prescriptions. The dentist extracted 17
teeth while seeing 18 patients. There were 9 Bible studies conducted with
two baptisms and one restoration.
The second island was Esmeralda and the doctors saw 317 patients,
while the phamumy gave out 930 prescriptions. The dentist saw 79 patients
and extracted 17 teeth. There were 9 Bible studies with 17 people which
resulted in 5 restorations and no baptisms.
The third island was Pedro Gonzalez and there the doctors saw 230 patients,
while the pharmacy gave out 671 prescriptions. There the dentist saw 34
patients and extracted 42 teeth. On this island there were 13 Bible studies
with 22 people which resulted in one restoration and one baptism.
The fourth island was Saboga and the doctors saw 221 patients, while
the pharmacy gave out 540 prescriptions. The dentist saw 55 patients and
extracted 42 teeth. There were 11 Bible studies with 20 people which resultod
in one restoration and 3 baptisms.
The fifth island was Taboga and the doctors saw 260 patients, while
the pharmacy gave out 560 prescriptions. The dentist saw 49 patients and
extracted 42 teeth. Titere were 9 Bible studies with 22 people which resulted
in no restorations or baptisms at that time.
When the clinic closed each day everything had to be packed up and taken
back to the ship before evening services. Big Sarge did the preaching and
there was a good turnout every night even in this predominately Catholic
and Pentecostal area. After services, while the team took showers and slept
on deck because of the heat, the ship sailed to the next island. Then,
each morning all the supplies the team would need for that day's clinic
would he taken ashore and the clinic set up. Fidel Munoz is preaching at
each small congregation on these islands, but there is a great need for
another man, and to that end there is a need to raise $425.00 a month for
two years to train someone at the School of the America's for this work.
Pictures are below. See Wanda for more details about this trip!
At the Dock at Taboga, Pearl Islands, the youngsters
"drummed" the missionaries and workers to the school, where the medical
team would set up. |
Class of 6 year olds at the school house in Saboga, Pearl
Islands. The group always went to the school house upon arriving
at an island. |
Morning devotional. |
Betty and Wanda with island preacher, Fidel Munoz and
Jose Rodriguez. |
Bible study, Julio Cruz. |
Pharmacy crew. |
Big Sarge baptizing a believer. |
Joyfully, a new Christian arises from the water. |
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