The Bandido Debacle

Day 14 or Day 1 - Who Knows?   
August 7th
From El Valle de Anton, Panama

I am sitting on a covered patio in a wicker chair looking out at giant pine trees, green grass, colorful flowers and a rain-soaked earth.  We are at Chuck house with part of his family and some other guests, resting while Aminta, a local girl, is cooking dinner for all of us.  The smells wafting from the open windows make me hope that dinner is not too long in coming.  Our arrival here was not this pleasant.

Chuck met us at the top of the valley - at the Mirador - the lookout.  I got in the car with him and he described the area as we drove in.  We had already been amazed by the beauty as we drove up the mountain...and it was breathtaking!  But now - wow!  Just wow!  The temps cooled as we were coming into the valley - so refreshing.

We got to Chuck's house...drove back into where the house is nestled in the trees....got out to look around.  Brisa and Bahia jumped out to go explore and we got Bandido out on the leash.  All was fine...we picked him up so he'd be more comfortable.  Their dogs came out - one of whom is a large block dog - and though he is gentle, he let out a WOOF and Bandido freaked.  Bob had him at the moment and he proceeded to claw his way out of Bob's arms and up over his head, drawing blood all the way and putting a 3" tear in his shirt right on his stomach.  I tried to help and ended up with heavy scratches on my arm - Bandido was hanging by his halter, but clawing with a vengeance.  Chuck grabbed him by the back of the neck and Bandido bit him.  All of this happened within a matter of seconds until Bob threw him in the car.  Blood was pouring down Bob's face off of his head - forehead, ear, eyebrow, nose - off my arm and off of Chuck's hand.  We raced Bob to the bathroom to clean off his face - clean rags to wipe up his bloody mess.  It looked worse than it was, but was still pretty bad.  We have NEVER seen Bandido react like this to anything/anyone!  The poor guy must have had just quite enough of this traveling stuff.  He is currently in our room - locked in - and hiding in a corner.

Now - what happened to the house we were gonna live in?  Well - things have been delayed for Chuck and Connie on their purchase, so it isn't a done deal yet.  SO....for tonight at least, we will stay with the Holtons - not a bad deal.  We looked at a couple of places this afternoon - at the outside.  The one that they recommended won't be available until the end of the month - so we may rent another place (higher rent) for a month until that one comes up.  We're going to go see them in the next few days to see what they look like inside....The one that will come available is just a short walk from the mercado - but has a huge, beautiful yard that is quite inviting.

It's still rather hard to believe that this is the beginning of a new life here.  As we drove this morning, heading for El Valle, it seemed as if Panama was a combination of the other countries we'd seen.  Lush and green....beautiful.   As we drove up to El Valle, it was almost as if we were heading towards a surprise that God had waiting for us.  After the cat debacle, we headed to the waterfalls - only a mile or so away from their home.  It's kind of like living in a National Park.  Absolute, breathtaking beauty. The temps are 70's, low 80's. The air is cool because most everything is shaded by huge trees.  

Welcome to El Valle.  Throughout this entire thing, we have felt the hand of God as He has opened doors, directed our paths.  Jeremiah 29:11 speaks to this whole thing.  "

For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

He continues to show Himself faithful - through this entire trip.  I will try to get some pictures posted now that I have internet at Chucks house.  Thank you for traveling with us.