This is a picture I took while leaving Mulatupu for the last time. It is a beautiful place and I look forward to going back in the Spring and Summer of 2005. 

Here is a young man who caught a turtle. I am sure it was supper for the family. 

Here are some more examples of the beautiful Molas the Kuna women made. 

This is a woman who honored me by giving me a Mola. The Kuna Indians are famous for their beautiful and colorful Molas. Also notice her traditional Kuna Dress.

This is a picture of the first time he had ever used a rod and reel. He caught a fish that day - and was hooked for a lifetime. I left two rods and reels with him along with all the lures, line and hooks I brought with me. He was one proud man. 

This was my fishing buddy while I was in the islands. That is his homemade lure - a hook wrapped with white material. Fishing is not recreational for them - it is a way to eat. They handline as they go from island to island. And yes - he outfished me with his homemade lure. (grin) 

This is a picture of some of the Pastors we were honored to work with. One of the gifts we gave were basketballs (and pumps). These are just a few of the children on Mulatupu. 

This is a picture of one of the Chiefs of Mulatupu and I after I had spoken at the session.

These are the Chiefs on the Island of Mulatupu. The Kuna Indians style of government is that each island is governed by 3 to 5 chiefs. They settle disputes, issue decrees and are the law of the land on each island. This evening, I was given the priviledge to speak while they were holding council. I was able to speak how the God of all Creation loved the Kuna people and died on a cross for them. It was a rare honor to be able to speak during thier session.

While there on Tubalah, several volunteers held Bible Classes for the children. There were about 200 kids at each session. At best, it was organized chaos - but the children learned a little more about Jesus. These ladies also helped with small medical issues that were prevelant on all the islands we visited.

This is Sam clowning around with a basket used by the women to carry rock and sand. They would go up the river by Kyuka - bring back gravel and sand - then carry it in buckets and baskets to the construction site. Notice the traditional Kuna clothes on the women. Very bright and festive. 

This is the pastor of the church on Tubalah and his wife. In the background is Sam Craig - one of the leaders of the trip. Also - all of the children and women who helped bring the sand and rock for the cement. 

This is me preaching one night in the church at Mulatupu. The church ran generators for light from 6 - 11 pm each night. 

This is the inside of the church at Mulatupu. While there I was able to spend time with 9 area pastors. They were from Mulatupu, Tubala, Navi Grandi, Mansucum, Cuba and Ilapino. We spent time studing the Bible, learning how to better prepare sermons and looking at the Pastor's Integrity and Stewardship.

This is a typical scene on the island. 

While there is water pumped in from the river - this is a typical bathroom on the island. Twas fun to go potty and watch fish all at the same time!

This is me in my comfortable hammock inside the hut. Other than the heat and humidity - it was quite comfortable. There were 8 of us inside the hut.

This was home for the several days we stayed at Mulatupu. It is a grass hut adjacent to the church. During our time there it rained and stormed but the hut stayed sturdy and dry.

This is the port of Mulatupu. Notice the Columbian Trade boat on the left. 

This is the first view of Mulatupu. It has about 2000 inhabitants. The only electricity is from small generators. Most of the people survive on small gardens from up the river, fishing and bartering with Columbian Trade Boats which provide goods for the islands.

We then traveled by boat to Mulatupu. There were two main kyukas we traveled on. One was about 16' with a 15 horsepower outboard and the other was 24' with a 25 horsepower outboard. These were the mode of transportation from island to island for the days we were there. The motors were a luxury - for most of the Kuna Indians travel by paddling their own 7' to 9' kyukas. 

Believe it or not, this is the Airport Terminal. 

We arrived by plane on a small island adjacent to Mulatupu. This is the Airport Sign. 

In August of 2004, I had the honor of visiting the Island of Mulatupu - part of the San Blas Island complex off of the coast of Panama. There are about 355 islands in the San Blas complex with 55 of them being inhabited. This is a picture of the Baptist Church on Mulatupu.