A Sunday Service in Penonome, Panama

The Penonome Chinese Community Church

Sunday is a very busy day at the Penonome church.

Since we are working with an ethnic immigrant population in Panama and most of them do own and operate businesses, the local church caters to their needs and hours, therefore, the weekly service is held in the afternoon at 5:3p.m. instead of the traditional morning hours.




Kids having fun on a trampoline in the church backyard

We started getting things ready at around 2 p.m. While we got things set up for the kids, Pastor Monica  went around mopping the floor and cleaning the sinks in the washrooms. What a humble servant of God!

Young families with kids started arriving early. We welcome the children who climbed up eagerly onto the trampoline in the church backyard before the service started.

Pastor Monica sharing a message 

The service started shortly after 5p.m. It was good to see some people who had not attended for some time.

When we were here two years ago, the church was just started and our Short Term Mission Team members conducted the entire service. This time it was great to see the local church members chairing the service and another one leading the worship songs!

Children\s program at the church

While the adults attending the Sunday service,
Helena and I were responsible for the children's program. We had fifteen kids ranged from 3- 14 years old. Some of the kids were a handful and it was a challenge for some kids to sit and follow the programs but we did manage it with another mother's help.

The Spanish songs my husband helped me downloaded went over really well with the children. They enjoyed them and sang them with gusto!!!

Church dinner after the Sunday service

It is the tradition of this church to have a church supper after the weekly service, followed by having desserts and fellowship among the members.

Helena sharing her testimony at the church dinner

There were some sharing at the dinner. Helena and I were glad to have this opportunity to share with the congregation of the Penonome church.

Our second Sunday children's program



Bringing families together - Playing Games & Having Fun

Occasionally, there will be special events and programs. The last time we were here we did some Family Night programs and they were very well received.

This Sunday we did a completely different program so that the parents could have fun with their children.

I love seeing the smiles on kids' faces! This time we were able to get the parents involved and we put smiles on their faces too. It felt great helping the parents and their children having fun and spending some quality time together! Praise God!

R.T. Nov. 17, 2013
Penonome, Panama