officially migrated.

(This is my "official" identification here in Panama, our visas got extended yesterday and this gives us 30 more days to get on the paperwork for our missionary visas. I feel like I belong!!)

Interesting Panama Factoids:

Population: 3,232,000
Capital: Panama City; 813,097 (2005 estimate)
Area: 75,517 square kilometers (29,157 square miles)
Panama means: "abundance of fish and butterflies" in one of the country’s s indigenous languages.
Average Life Expectancy: 74 yrs.
Average Literacy: 93%.

• Nunez de Balboa, a Spanish explorer, was the first European to see the Pacific Ocean from Panama (1513) Balboa is a word used for dollar, but most people just say “un dollar.” I thought my friend Laura was joking when she told me how to say quarter in English because it sounds like “quwada”…so similar! U.S currency is used interchangeably and the US Mint makes Panama’s coins.
• Panama Hats come from Ecuador not Panama. Sorry bro...I'll do my best to find you one!
• In most stores, there’s a sales clerk that follows you around. I was confused at first cause I thought they might be suspicious of me for shoplifting? But that’s just their job to follow you…its kind of annoying but I’m getting used to it!
• Almost everyone that I introduce myself to calls me Patty after they hear me say Patricia. Sometimes I say, "Solo(only) Tricia" or "Patricia sin(without) Pat"..ahah...they either laugh at me or continue to call me Patty. This has GOT to be stopped!! :)
• There has been general hostility between Panamanians and Columbians since Panama gained independence in 1903. The same year, the U.S bought the rights to build the Panama Canal and gained sovereignty of the Canal Zone and land either side of the it.
• But in 1977 General Torrijos negotiated a Treaty that led to the handover of the Canal, to Panama, at the end of 1999. That same year, Mireya Moscoso became the first female president of Panama. In general, women here seem to be mostly educated, strong and successful at what they do.
• The Netherlands, and the whole of Netherlands Antilles are major trading partners with Panama. GO DUTCH!! (I was pleased to see an abundance of “Maggi” products…made in Panama nevertheless but the Dutch name remains)
• There are seven indigenous people groups in Panama: Embera, Wounaan, Guaymi, Bugle, Kuna, Naso and Bribi. Walking around the city, I spot mostly Kuna women because of their distinct colourful clothes. The men and women are all extrodinarily short!
• The city is always really noisy, from my appartment there is a consistent layer of sound that I now find comforting. Drivers love to honk their horns for little or no reason, and there is no “saftey check” needed to drive a vehicle...mmm…large clouds of exhaust fumes.
• On campus, it costs roughly un dollar for lunch, give or take a few cents...rice, plantains, beans and some sort of meat. A popular dish here is called, "Mondongo" which is the cleaned intestines and stomach of a cow...I've tried it but I think I'll pass from now on! :S
• The climate is hot, humid, and cloudy with a prolonged rainy season from May to January, short dry season from January to May. School is out for holidays around December for the summer. What a strange Christmas it will be, a hot one seems quite appealing though..
• I have joined a bible study/cell group that meets every thursday night...I'm really excited about this opportunity to lead some worship there aswell as help out in any other way needed. I meet with people from the church I attend called, "Casa De Oración" and I'm pumped!

Anyways hope this has been informative and entertaining. I thank God every morning for this amazing opportunity to be on campus full time, talking with students, ministering to the needs, planning classroom talks and informing students about the community on campus...tommorow I'm leading worship at the weekly meeting. Such fun! Your prayers and support are still so encouraging, thanks for walking alongside me as this adventure in changing the campus continues...May God continue to be glorified as I am humbled by His sovereignty.

¡Que viva Panamá!