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Chiriqui Libre April 15 2009 Edition.By David Dell. There are two ways to look at giving. First the donation directly helps someone in need and secondly it also benefits the person giving the donation. A good case in point is the quilt currently on display in the window of the Don Bosco Pharmacy in Volcan. This 30 panel, “sampler” quilt measures about 8 feet by 6 feet and proceeds of the raffle will help women’s health issues in the Volcan area. For the quilters, Nina, Maryanne, Lynn, Wendy, Janet, Nancy, Olivia, Carmen, Rachel, Dalys, Dana and Rocio it has been a one-year labor-of-love. Marianne Brown with Friend Nina Stephens founded the group in February 2008. There were several reasons: they wanted to learn something new, there was the obvious wish for companionship and finally they wanted their hobby to benefit women less fortunate than themselves. The group meets once a week and I am sure new members would be warmly welcomed. The quilt’ s many panels have been individually sewn and assembled by the group. They estimate that a quilt of this size and complexity would have a value of around $800 to $1,000. Marianne Brown tells me that some quilts can fetch up to $8,000. The group is an even mix of both Panamanian and North Americans. Fortunately for the linguistically challenged ex-pats their Panamanian women friends have a good grasp of the English language.
On the day I arrived it was obvious that this was something that everyone enjoyed. As I climbed the stairs to the loft area that serves as their workroom I was greeted by peals of laughter. The sense of humor of these women is reflected in their unofficial title of, “The Chiriqui Sew and Sews.” I didn’t dare to ask if the name might be spelled “So-and-So’s” as there were too many women there with sharp objects in their hands. The quilt is being raffled on May 10th and tickets can be purchased from any member for $1.00. The final quilt will come with 1 accompanying pillow. The extra blocks not used in the quilt were made into quilted pillows and will be awarded at the raffle. All the materials for this quilt were donated by the group and currently the “Sew and Sews” are working on a new charity quilt. Although Panama has an adequate social medicine system, many women in the indigenous population lack education and resources particularly in the reproductive field. If the proceeds of this quilt can bring an equal amount of joy into some unfortunate women’s life, as went into the making of it, then I feel our local community will be well blessed. Please give generously. Tickets are also on sale at Daly’s Restaurant at the southern entrance to Volcan and at other businesses in town. 
THE MYSTERIOUS CAVE OF PORTON.
By David Dell. It seemed like an opportunity I couldn’t miss. There were caves near Volcan that had Stalagmites (grow upwards) and Stalactites (grow downwards) and there were ancient cave paintings. “Wow” I thought could this be Chiriqui’s version of France’s famous Lascaux caves with drawings of bison, deer and other creatures. I enlisted the aid of my good friend Wally Ewen (actually it was Wally who first heard of this so I was obliged to bring him.) Our fearless leader was local explorer Juan Esquivel. Juan has walked throughout Chiriqui through miles of jungle and mountain trails in search of the fabled “Lost Estrella Gold Mine.” We didn’t expect that we would find gold at Porton (we didn’t) our only hope was that we could come away with some stunning pictures of the reported large cathedral type caverns there. Juan had told us the only safe time to explore the caves was in the dry season. The cave could be flooded in the wet season and a mixture of bat droppings and wet weather can cause a fatal condition known as Cryptospirosis. I had heard a story about two men who had taken refuge from a rainstorm in a cave near Boquete. One died that night and his companion died two days later. With this rather disturbing knowledge tucked away in my head, we set out.
THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE
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| The Witnesses are quick to point out that their leader is Jesus Christ who they say is the only son of God, and not part of a trinity of gods. Their version of the Holy Bible is called the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. God’s personal name is written in the Bible nearly 7,000 times, yet some religious groups have felt it necessary to remove it from their translations of the Holy Book. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe this would be equal to someone compiling the complete works of William Shakespeare but removing Shakespeare’s name and inserting the title: “Great Author.” Jehovah’s Witnesses believe the greatest author of all-time should be honored and named in his book – the Bible. |
Each month they print and distribute over 146 million copies of the Watchtower and Awake magazine. This worldwide distribution is done non-commercially. The Watchower Society has been a world leader in the distribution of religious books and pamphlets for more than a hundred years, so much so that they are even listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Visitors to their meeting place, which they call a Kingdom Hall, may be surprised by the absence of crosses or religious symbols and they will never see statues of any saints, Jesus or the Virgin Mary. During their meetings no collection plate is ever passed although there are voluntary collection boxes at the rear of the hall, to cover lighting, maintenance and construction costs.
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If you are English-speaking or an English-speaking Panamanian, and live in the Volcan, Boquete or David areas and would like to receive more information or a free home Bible study please contact Jehovah’s Witnesses at: 6410-8792 |
REIKI: The Ancient Healing Art.
Reiki is one of the healing art forms. It generally translates to "Universal" life force energy. It can be called the bodies energy field or subtle energy. The energy field that surrounds the entire body is called electromagnetic energy. It has been used for centuries in countries such as India, Japan, China, Egypt, Greece and Rome. Unfortunately this knowledge and healing was kept from the masses for centuries and preserved by holy people such as priests and spiritual leaders. The mystery schools were also instrumental in preserving the knowledge. Not until the turn of the century was it brought back and used for the masses. Once a person takes first level of Reiki their channels are opened and healing energy starts to come through one's hands. Reiki is a holistic practice that brings homeostasis or balance to the body. This is on a emotion, physical and psychological level. The practitioner is the channeler for the energy to pass to the body. The body in turn will take that energy and use it where it is needed. This tells us that the bodies inherent wisdom is much more than most of us realize. In doing a session it leaves the practitioner strengthened and balanced also. No particular religious faith or belief is needed as it has nothing to do with spiritualism or the occult. Anyone from any faith, religion, walk of life or free thinking can become a practitioner or use the energy. Even those with different philosophies and ideologies benefit from Reiki.
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How It Works...
Each person is different with different reactions to a session. From seeing colors to experiencing heat radiating from the practitioners hands. Others experience nothing but a sense of unconditional love. The practitioner will move their hands over and around the body following the chakra system which is another way of saying the major energy centers of the body. They will feel tingling, heat, coolness and in some cases be directed towards the area that needs healing the most. Every person will feel something or not, different from the last but the effects are always the same within the mind, body and spirit. Body illnesses are only an outward manifestation that the patient has somehow on an inner level become unbalanced-that the order of the body mind and spirit has lost it's connection with everything around him/her. |
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Some Reiki effects are: allows the body to heal itself, connects body and spirit, opens one to mental well being
balances energies, opens blocked energy channels, cleanses the body, works with animals, plants and food.
The five ethical principals of Rieki:
1-Just for today do not worry. 2-Just for today do not anger. 3-Honor your parents, teachers and elders. 4-Earn your living honestly. 5-Show gratitude to everything. |
For more information contact Jeanie at 6446-8962