The missions work in Panama is focused on the Nogbe Bugle Indians and the poor Latinos in Panama.  They have little food, contaminated water supplies, a very high infant mortality rate, few work opportunities, illiteracy, and little access to education.  They have been a closed society for many years, fearing exploitation from outsiders. 

They are being evangelized by Juan Rodriguez, who has been working successfully in Panama for about 20 years.  Juan first became involved with these people after venturing out to one of the villages and noticing that their tribal graveyard was full of babies.  Their infant mortality rate is so high that they customarily do not name their babies until they are one to two years old and are expected to survive.  Needless to say, Juan’s heart was broken and his life direction changed.  Juan has focused his work on meeting their basic needs: shelter, healthcare, clean water, and education. 

Partnering with American short term missions teams and the Panamanian government has allowed Juan to enter previously closed villages to build schools, homes, water systems, or medical clinics.  The mission gains entry into a village, builds a school or clinic, then pays a teacher or clinic worker until the government assumes responsibility for the site.

Juan has been welcomed to Indian villages in the mountain areas and the coastal regions for years because he has been able to deliver on his promises.  Juan unconditionally loves them, helps meet their most basic needs, and introduces them to Christianity. 

The medical work has been an integral part of the work as this is one of their greatest needs.  Providing this service has opened many communities to further work.  Being geographically isolated and poor, they have no real access to healthcare other than through the mission.  Infection with parasites is ubiquitous.  Their water sources many times are muddy holes full of parasites and bacteria.  The parasites cause them to be malnourished, robbing them of the few calories they can find.  They experience constant hunger, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fatigue.  Many complain that “worms are biting my insides,” “The worms are moving in my body,” or that they cough up or pass live worms.  Needless to say, they are miserable for lack of good hygiene in clean water, something most of us take for granted. 

The infant mortality rate is high due to no access to prenatal care, malnutrition, and lack of basic well child care.  With the construction of four remote medical clinics and staffing of each, many of the villagers now have access to basic prenatal care, vaccines, and well child care.  The site of the first medical clinic, in a village called Guaviera, now has seen a first for the area – some kids with obesity!

This work has been extremely successful in meeting the educational needs, healthcare needs, nutritional needs, and spiritual needs of the Indians.  The American medical and construction teams have been blessed immensely by the opportunity to serve God and advance the gospel.  Teams have had participants travel from Noblesville, Stroh, Fort Wayne, Auburn, Angola, Kalamazoo, and Denver.

An excellent resource for understanding the problem of worms and parasites is a website called the Worm Project.    

These trips have blessed me with the ability to participate actively in God’s work, help relieve the tremendous suffering these people endure, and fall in love with these beautiful people.  I have been amazed by the impact basic health care services can have on the people we see and their openness to the gospel.  I have also greatly enjoyed seeing my teams grow in their faith and experience the amazing joy of selfless service of others for God. 

Jim Ingram M.D.