Missions Blog @ Covenant UMC, Dothan

Joan Collins (73): Joan is a retired accountant and is joining the mission to Panama for the fifth time. She is fluent in Spanish, and her love of the people of Panama started when she lived in Panama for four years. Joan’s contribution to

the pharmacy crew is invaluable. Because she is fluent in Spanish, she interprets prescriptions from English into Spanish so that, further, a Ngobe interpreter can instruct the patients in the Ngobere language.

Joan, sharing her love of the Ngobe people with tears in her eyes, says, “They are beautiful people. After several years of coming to this location, they are like family. And we have formed a special bond over the years.” Joan, who is in her 70′s, is not intimidated by the idea of traveling to a foreign country for mission work.  She says, “Its better to wear out than rust out!” She thanks all of those who have contributed material items to pass out to the Ngobe people, who greatly appreciate the work of our missionaries. Joan, a long-time member of Covenant UMC in Dothan, encourages other retirees to come and help with caring for these wonderful people.

Susan McCarroll (24): Susan is a graduate student, studying in the area of management of non-profits, is joining the

mission to Panama for the fifth time. Susan admits that she receives as many blessings by serving the Ngobe people as do the Ngobe people themselves. She says, “I always have a great time, and I feel that I am doing something good for humanity.” One of the greatest blessings that she receives, coming to Panama year after year, is seeing the same kids grow from year-to-year. She acknowledges that many people have the tendency to focus on themselves, and serving on a mission of this type helps her to realize what is most important in life.

As Susan recalled her years of mission work, she remembered how terrified her mother was when she first raised the idea of going to Panama. But she is grateful that she has been able to come and make a difference in the lives of the Ngobe people. She says, “My faith has grown through the years” as a result of these mission experiences. Further, Susan, who is a member of First UMC in Dothan, says that working with the Ngobe has opened her eyes to needs, not only in Panama, but similar needs even closer to home.

Terry Ingram (49): Terry is joining the Panama mission for the third time. “The reason that I enjoy coming to

Panama,” he says, “is that I get to do something that is totally out of my normal element.” An industrial engineer by trade, Terry enjoys assisting the medical mission in any way that he can.

Terry shares that the mission to Panama, and his mission experiences in Brazil, has really helped him to develop a love for the world as God does. He notes, “This is what Christianity is all about. The people are just as important to God as the needy right in Dothan.” Through his international mission experiences, Terry says that he has come to understand more fully the message of Jesus, who lived for the purpose of serving others to the glory of God.

Terry encourages others to experience a mission trip if they have not yet served in this way. More people are needed in the Panama mission. Terry, a member of First UMC in Dothan, loves this country, not only because of the wonderful people here, but also because this is the place that he became engaged to his beautiful wife!

Annie Sawyer (12): This year is Annie’s first visit to Panama, and her first visit to a foreign country (besides Canada).

She loves her experience so far, although she said that it is difficult to adjust to the heat. So far, she is enjoying learning about people with such a different culture. Annie, whose father is working as a doctor in the clinic, is helping at the Photo Station, and wherever else she can be of assistance. Annie is a member of First UMC in Enterprise, and she encourages others to go on a mission trip to try something new and widen their experiences!

Tags: Annie Sawyer, dothan, Joan Collins, medical, mission, Panama Mission 2009, Susan McCarroll, Terry Ingram

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