Category: Uncaged Adventures

Thursday we got to visit a young women's jail. It was sweet to share dancing stories, encouragement, and journaling with each other over pizza. Then we taught in the evening again. 

Friday we were tourists and visited the new set of locks on the canal after class with the National Ballet. 

Saturday we took a boat (and fed monkeys on the way :-D) to an island and did a little cultural exchange with an indigenous tribe. We showed them some of our dances and they showed us their village and shared a little bit about what life was like for them. It was really cool to see how we were all brothers and sisters in Christ yet serving Him in different ways and with different giftings. That afternoon, we visited the Quinteros then headed to the Gordon's house for dinner (Rebekah made the patacones :-D) before flying home at 2am. 

It was an amazing trip. We are constantly amazed at how dance can communicate things past a language barrier to touch the soul. Panama, you shine brightly and your people are beautiful. May you continue to be small but steadfast, eager and humble, courageous and loving. *more photos here

 A few thank yous need to be made to our Panamanian friends who really made this trip possible. 

Our host studios and their directors: Ballet Adorad, Escuelas de Danzas Teresa Mann, and Studio 9–Paola, Genesis, Myriam, and Ana Carolina, it is an honor to train the next generation of dance artists with you. Thanks for inviting into your school

Our drivers and translators (and all around awesome friends): Lucyann, Icela, Kevin, Benji, Aileen, Jose, Carlos– y'all are amazing and a beautiful example of community. Thanks for loving us and others so well. 

Ana Gabriela and Heart's Cry Children's Ministry — for setting up the orphanage visits and persevering in the fight to bring families to those who have none. Friends, check them out and give them your support.

John and Aimee Gordon with Sports and Cultural Exchange International— for setting up the visits to the tribe and jail. You are such and encouragement, may Jesus continue to use you to share His love. 

Until next time Panama, hasta luego!

Sunday we went to Vida Nueva for worship then returned back to the hostel to get ready for our performance at Cinta Costera. This was the third year we've performed in the "skate park" and I think it was our biggest crowd yet. You never know how these performances are received but trusting hope was spoken over Ciudad de Panama through our dance offering. 

Photo: Kevin Saavedra

Monday, Maggie and Rebekah took class with the National Ballet. Then we had a photo shoot with Kevin and hung out with Benji, Aileen, and Icela in Casco Viejo (Panama friends, shameless plug for Snapshoots Photography — you should use them for your portraits :-D) After the photo shoot, Icela took us to Salsipuedes (which means "get out, if you can") for a little shopping. 

Tuesday was a little bit of a rest day in that all we had to do was teach in the evening. It was nice to slow down a little bit and soak everything in. Wednesday we visited Metro Amigo orphanage (no pics allowed again). It was cool but also sad to see some of the same kids from last year. We talked about telling stories with our bodies and then danced our stories of hope while they looked for answers to specific questions. It was really fun. That evening, we saw Swan Lake with the National Ballet of Russia which was on tour. 

Part three coming soon! Don't forget to check out ALL of our photos here.

We're back in the USA processing and savoring our beautifully rich days in Panama. Thank you so much for cheering us on and praying for us. We're trusting God to water and grow the seeds that were planted. Here's a little recap of what happened (if it can even be condensed to photos and captions)

We flew through the night and got in around 3am (thanks Icela, Carlos, and Lucyann for picking us up from the airport!:-) so on Thursday we slept in, got settled, then taught at Ballet Adorad and Escuela de Danzas Teresa Mann. 

Friday we visited Malambo orphanage (but weren't allowed to take pics). We talked about telling stories with our bodies and shared a few dances + danced together. In the evening, we spent time with the young ladies at Centro Biblico Morada Santa.

Saturday we taught 2 workshops. One with Studio 9 which is directed by our friend, Ana Carolina. The other was with the dance ministry at Vida Nueva Church. It was really fun to share technique tools and encourage each other through the common language of dance. 

Stay tuned for Part dos!! 

PS- ALL of our photos are here :-) 

Hola from Panama! Thank you so much for your prayers, the work of Jesus is evident and we are humbled + honored to be on this adventure. Here's what's coming up for the remainder of the trip. Don't forget to follow the #uncagedadventure hashtag for more updates. 

June 21
teach at Ballet Adorad
teach at Teresa Mann 

June 22
class with National Ballet
visit Metro Amigo orphanage
see Swan Lake performance with Russian National Ballet and National Ballet of Panama

June 23
visit juvenile girls jail 
teach at Ballet Adorad
teach at Teresa Mann 

June 24
TBD

June 25 

beach day??? 

June 26
fly out at 2pm arrive in Atlanta around 10am

Prayer Point{e}s

• continued strength and stamina for the team
• gratitude for the opportunities presented us
• That mutual encouragement would happen in every interaction. 
• travel logistics. 

Hello friends,

After a week of choreographing (we've got 6 new pieces to premiere!!) and team building we're taking the red eye to Panama City tonight. Know that this would not be possible without you guys. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support, prayers, encouragement, those that provided meals and lake days — we are so grateful. 

Here's what's on the schedule for the next few days. Be sure to follow the #uncagedadventure hashtag on social media to get a behind-the-scenes peek. 

June 16
settle in and go grocery shopping
teach at Ballet Adorad
teach at Escuela de Danzas Teresa Mann 

June 17
class at National Ballet 
Visit Malambo Orphanage  
Visit Icela’s Church 

June 18
Workshop at Studio 9 in Brisas del Golf 
Workshop at Pro Dance in Clayton 
Workshop at Vida Nueva near via Espana

June 19
church
TBD

June 20
class with national ballet
photo shoot in Casco Viejo
explore
see contemporary performance by Danza Laberinto 

Prayer Point{e}s:

• This year our choreography theme is H O P E– may it be evident that Jesus is Hope
• Pray for the friendships we are continuing in Panama and the new ones we may begin
• Pray for each student we interact with
• May the team have soft hearts, attentive ears, eager minds, and strong bodies
• logistics 

Hasta luego,
the Bluebird Uncaged team