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June 23 

Read Romans 15:5-13

    How can we “be of the same mind toward one another” and “accept one another as Christ” did? 

     How have you experienced God’s perseverance and encouragement?  

v. 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

 

Jesus, thank you for fulfilling your promises to us and inviting us into your story. Unify our team with servants’ hearts motivated by your perseverance and encouragement as your love overflows onto those around us. We ask you to prepare the hearts of those we will interact with in Panama, that they might glimpse you and your freedom in a new way. 

 

 

June 27

Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 

    What are some reasons we might “sow sparingly?” 

     What has God “purposed in your heart” for this trip? 

 

Be encouraged!

God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it, ‘He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out. ~2 Cor. 9:8,9 MSG 

 

Thank you Jesus for your astonishing blessings and preparing us for anything and everything. We trust you to equip us to sow abundantly and courageously. We pray for clarity in communication among our team and with those we meet in Panama. You are big enough to transcend any language barriers. Make your name famous!    

 

June 28

Read 2 Corinthians 9:10-15

    Do you always trust Him to provide/equip you for the job He calls you to?

     Are you always aware that your obedience to God affects the worship and prayers of others? 

 

This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God. Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God. This relief offering is a prod to live at your very best, showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone. Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they’ll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for whatever you need. Thank God for this gift, his gift. No language can praise it enough! ~2 Cor. 9:10-15 MSG 

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lord for your generous gifts. Thank you for the Church and how we reinforce/inspire each other. May we be aware of your extravagance and and let it motivate our actions as we are courageously obedient. We pray for the students we will be teaching in Panama; raise up a generation of artists creating relevant and redemptive art for the glory of your name. Spark dreams. Reinforce confidence. Inspire creativity.  

 

June 29

Read John 4:34-38

     Do you think you are a sower or a reaper?

     vers 35: “Look” –do we miss the fields that are ripe for harvest sometimes?

 Jesus, thank you for those who have gone before us and prepared what you have called us to harvest. May we be alert to discern the opportunities you’ve called us to step into. We pray specifically for the leadership of Ballet Adorad, Alas de Angel, and La Escuela de Danza Teresa Mann: Paola, Genesis, Maricela, and Myriam. Thank you for their vision and pioneering. Continue to be their strength; as we come alongside them, may we encourage each other. 

 

June 30

Read 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 

        verse 36 death is required for life–discuss in light of Romans 8:13

        verse 43–How can something be sown/planted one way but blossom/harvested another? 

 

Prayer points: thanksgiving for the redeeming power of Christ, we stand firm and remember our work is not in vain, our performances: that Christ’s redemption will be manifest and hearts brought to life

 

July 1

Read Ephesians 6:19-20 and Colossians 4:2-6 

 

What does it mean to pray at all times? How do we stay alert?

 

Why does it take so much courage to share the gospel? 

 

Prayer points: fearlessness, grace{full} conversations, alertness, safe travels, trusting Jesus to go before us

 

 

 

July 3

Read Isaiah 42:6-9 

 

What sticks out to you?

 

 

Do you believe that God wants to use you to bring others into His Kingdom? Why?

 

 

How can we apply this scripture practically in everyday life as well as in Panama? 

 

Prayer points: choosing to stand in the Truth of our calling as we have the courage and discernment to speak Light to the darkness, Instituto Comercial and Panama Christian Academy

 

 

 

July 7

debrief about our time in Chiriqui, share Jesus stories and takeaways

 

Prayer points: trusting Jesus to water the seeds planted and seal the work He performed in hearts, that the students would continue to work on what they learned and be encouraged in the confidence of their identities. 

 

 

July 8 (with Ballet Adorad girls)

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-25

 

How can we apply verses 14-22?

 

 

How have you seen verse 24 manifest in your life?  

 

 

Prayer points: thanksgiving for those who “labor among us” and for His faithfulness, Ballet Adorad  

 

 

July 11

Someone share a scripture that’s been on your heart.

 

Prayer points: the workshop and performances tomorrow. 

 

 

July 14 

debrief from whole trip, share Jesus stories and takeaways.

 

Prayer points: Jesus would seal all that He’s done in our hearts as well as those of the Panamanians we interacted with. 

Uncaged Adventures, uncaged: Live, white umbrella, workshops

1 week + take class & studio showing with the Panama team

ONE WEEK left on the indiegogo campaign! Help us tell the story of bondage to redemption in the language of dance. Remember, any funds exceeding our goal will be donated to Wellsping Living. Make your contribution today. CLICK HERE

 


Photo: Micah Green

TAKE CLASS with our Panama team. Three lovely young ladies (meet them on the blog) will be in town next week and we've added some mini-workshops with the 4 of us to the schedule.

June 24 // 10-11:30am // ballet^
June 25 // 10-11:30am // modern^
June 27 // 10-11:30am // ballet ^
^these classes are $12 each and will be held at Sawnee School of Ballet
 

Speaking of Uncaged: adventures, we joyfully invite you to join us for an informal studio showing and send off party Saturday, June 28 // 5pm at Still Pointe Studios. Would love to see you there. 

Uncaged Adventures

Meet the 2014 Panama team: Louisa Chapman

Originally from Midland, Texas, Louisa currently dances with (and recently choreographed on) Festival Ballet Providence. Her favorite color is blue and this is her first Bluebird: uncaged experience. We're super excited to have her sweet spirit and creativity join the team. Check out a video interview with Louisa here.

  Dance photo 2-1

 Q. Why do you dance? 

A. I dance because it is my passion. I grew up in a very musical house. My dad was a musician and played everything from Mozart, to the Beatles, to Pink Floyd. Whenever he turned on music, I danced around the whole house and eventually my parents put me in ballet classes. I danced until I was thirteen when I quit for a year to pursue theater instead. This was one of the best things I ever did because I was absolutely miserable in theater and it made me realize how much I loved dance. It strengthened my resolve and having to catch up that year of lost technique gave me the drive to pursue dance as my career.

 

Q. If you were a super hero, what would your power be?

A. Even though it is cliche, I would want to fly. Just imagine flying above all of the beautiful places on this earth. I might need a super warm suit for flying over mountain tops and glaciers.

 

Dance photo 3-1

 Q. what has been your favorite role so far?

A. My favorite role was the role of the conductor in Viktor Plotnikov’s Sharps and Flats this past spring. I was a crazy conductor and had to change emotions and the texture of my steps constantly as things kept falling apart in my orchestra. Viktor really trusted me and gave me lots of freedom for improvisation. I had the responsibility to play around in the studio until I was convinced by my choices. It was so freeing to focus on the textures of my movement on stage: gooey one moment, snap to pedestrian, suddenly balletic, sharp, disassembled, and so forth. I didn’t have room or reason to be nervous. Plus, since the ballet was comical, it was a joy to interact with a real audience who reacted differently each show!

 

Q. What's your favorite DQ blizzard flavor?

A. Brownie Blast. So.much.chocolate.

 

Dance photo 1

Q. what advice do you have for younger dancers?

A. Never stop enjoying dance and don’t be afraid to let that joy shine through. When it is the end of rehearsal and you are exhausted what good will it do to shlop through a run of a piece just to get through it? In an audition when you are nervous, what will be gained by you holding back and dancing timidly, without feeling or emotion behind it? You are practicing to perform, so why not perform while you practice? You have to dance it, so why not enjoy it?  You have to constantly make choices about the way you will perform each step, they may be the wrong choices, but it is better to have made one then none at all. Keep exploring, making those decisions, and you will eventually come to the right one. The teacher, master, or audience will see this and appreciate it. Why not choose joy?

 

dancers, Uncaged Adventures

Meet the 2014 Panama team: Rachael Hulse

Rachael Hulse is a recent graduate of University of Missouri, Kansas City and is headed to Austin TX next year to join Verge Dance Company. She danced with us in the Passion 2014 opener and her teeny tiny bit of fluency in Spanish saved us more than once on last year's adventure. Rachael's strong but go-with-the-flow countenance balances the team out. visit Rachael's website and follow her on instagram @rth123.
 
UMKCRH2-59
 
Q. Why do you dance?
A. I love to dance, and that has grown and matured over time, but so has the connection I discovered between my faith and dance.  One can survive without the other, but then dance would not have a purpose for me, and my faith would not be something I lived out and fought for everyday. 

Q. If you were a super hero, what would your power be?
A. Underwater breathing!

Panama Photo 3
 
Q. What has been your favorite role to dance?
A. Scar from the Lion King. Playing the evil lion is always fun 🙂
 
Q. What's your favorite Dairy Queen blizzard flavor? 
A.  Mint ice cream with Oreos and brownies!
 
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Q. What advice do you have for younger dancers?
A. keep yourselves healthy. Always strive to do things correctly so that you can protect your body for the long run.  The results you want to achieve will be reached if you practice them correctly, and while it might take a little longer, your body will be able to maintain it, and it will thank you for it. 
 
"…[this trip] is the epitome of my faith and my passion coming together as one."