From Cherokee Bend to Panama

Just before spring break, Melinda Curtis’ second-grade students at Cherokee Bend Elementary delivered a special surprise. Knowing their teacher was getting ready to leave on a trip to Panama with her husband, Randall, their three children and 27 other Canterbury United Methodist Church members, the students donated money to purchase rice and beans to feed lunch to children in Panama during her visit. 

The donation allowed the Canterbury group to serve more than 200 meals that day at the Methodist Mission site, with many having second and third helpings. The students also made a card with the help of Rachel Estes, director of outreach at Canterbury.

Curtis said each year her family looks forward to traveling to Cienaguita, Panama, because they always return with 

their hearts full and their spirits moved from spending time spreading God’s word and His love within this Panamanian community. After a seven-hour journey into the rural mountains of the Chiriqui region, the group worked with Reverend Rhett Thompson on homes, with children in school, and connecting with the Ngobe, who live on a “reservation” set aside by the Panamanian government. 

When Curtis returned, she shared stories and photos with the class so they could see the impact their gift of rice and beans had on the children of Panama. Fina, one of the Panamanian ladies in the community, hand-made bracelets for each one of Curtis’ students so they could understand how much their gift meant to her.