More Mango Reflections On CPBA Men’s And Women’s Retreat
The Central Panama Baptist Association, joint Men’s and Women’s Prayer Retreat, took place May 8-10th at Santa Clara. It was a most meaningful experience. My mango reflections went much better than I anticipated. For me, this year’s event was far more restful than last year. This, despite the fact that I gave the opening and closing messages, and held a discussion with the Men’s group.
And then there were the mangoes…
I came back with 31/2 dozen mangoes! I did promise you a photo before I ate them all off. See the photo above taken just for you. And I did share with others who didn’t get to go to the retreat. And yes, I did give away more than just one (with a heavy heart I admit..lol). Still the camp wasn’t just about mangoes. Yes, Really!
There was just about 100 persons present; including 17 from Limon, Costa Rica and 4 from Bocas del Toro, Panama. The Costa Ricans from First Baptist Church, and New Hope Baptist church in Limon travelled some 17 hours by bus to get to Santa Clara to be part of this event. The friends from Bocas took 9 hours. This year’s attendance is a sign that the retreat is certainly increasing in popularity. Also attending with the Costa Ricans were the Simpson’s, a missioner couple from USA serving in a very difficult area in Costa Rica.
It is interesting that all these Baptist churches are part of the Baptist legacy of the mission efforts of the Jamaica Baptist Union. It was Jamaica Baptist pastors of the JBU who began Baptist work in Bocas del Toro and Limon, Costa Rica. These two being neighbours, made advancing Baptist work in these parts much easier at the time. The predominantly Afro-Jamaican retentions left me totally amazed at the power of cultural memory.
A common bond could be seen among the women who reflected on the theme ‘ Embrace God’s Design For Your Life’ and among the men who focused on ‘Men Recommitted To Service’. There were the usual presentations from visiting speakers, morning aerobics, prayer at dawn, and prayer on the beach at Santa Clara.
At the Caribbean Night Banquet on Saturday, from the Caribbean dresses, the language, the food, the treks down memory lane it was clear that although we all came from different places – Caribbean people a Caribbean people! There was always a joke or proverb popping up ‘dat mi Modda or Granny use to seh’. I was right at home.
Certainly the highlight of the Banquet was the “Nickel Rally”. Each year the men and women compete to raise funds for the CPBA Camp Site at Salud, Costa Abajo. Every year, except one, the women have won this competition. Each year, there is a major showdown leading up to the camp where everyone is boosting collections to take to the camp. This year the competition was no less fierce. And again, the women won; doubling the amount the men contributed. It won’t be so easy next year though. The Costa Rican men who came for the first time this year have vowed to make sure the women are well silenced next year. We shall see…
Counting the women’s abundant rolls of nickels. This photo is here solely for the purpose of refreshing the minds of my male readers from Panama 
So until next year when we meet again at Santa Clara we continue to work together for the Glory of God.
Peace,
Marvia
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May 19th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Very good Rev, Santa Clara is surely a place to recover and refresh.
Hope our friends from Jamaica will join us one day here.
May 19th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Sis. Esther,
It is always a joy to go to Santa Clara. But I’m not so sure about having all those mango-loving Jamaicans at the retreat at all. Imagine the serious mango war along with the Nickel Rally!!
Anyway, we’ll see
Marvia