The following testimony was written by one of CCI America Latina's new and upcoming writers, Zuri Quintero who is from Panama....

Beside Streams of Running Water 

"While walking with my friends, I could feel the peacefulness of the place, I could hear the sound of the water running and the singing of the little birds. When we arrived, I was surprised to see the roots that, although they were visible, could support a huge tree,” said Sara Victoria Ibarra, 8 years old. 

Teacher Mónica Erfilda Peñaloza de Quintero wanted to teach her class in a different way, breaking with the usual teaching paradigms. Having the children within four walls and talking about trees planted next to streams, with a beautiful river, would be a waste of such a great natural resource that God has given us. 

On Sunday, March 26, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., the elementary class (boys and girls ages 5 to 8) stepped out of their comfort zone and began to walk, enjoying the journey. As they did so, they listened to the birds singing, the flowing water and the relaxing atmosphere.  

The explorers crossed two streams and climbed up the roots that would lead them to the path that would take them to the big tree. On one side of the trail were dry and dusty bushes, while on the other side everything was green, a totally contrasting environment.  

Arriving at the site, they gathered dry branches to build “a tree,” sat down next to the roots and had their class.   

When they returned, they went down another path, crossed the first stream that took them to the little island in the middle of the stream. There they could observe many trees with huge roots and trees with fruits. In the last stream, the children decided to play with the water. All one could hear was laughter and joy in the atmosphere. 

This is what they said about this experience:  

"I liked the day, the place was very nice,” indicated Mathías Aguilar Peñaloza.

“I would like to come back to this river always!" The six-year-old enjoyed the excursion by the river. 

"I liked everything about everything," said Samuel Isaac Peñaloza Fuentes, seven years old, when asked about his experience exploring nature. 

"I had always read Jeremiah 17:7,8 and seen the strong green trees by the river. However, when I was preparing the lesson, I discovered the place where I would take the children. I saw this passage vividly. On one side of the road, the vegetation away from the river was dead and dusty; and the vegetation by the waters was strong and vigorous. There I understood the value of the roots extending into the streams to keep the tree healthy and robust. The important thing about the roots is that although we do not see them, they are sustaining and nourishing the tree in times of drought or storm. Our trust must be firm in God. He will take care and keep us firm.” (Monica Erfilda de Quintero, 58 years old).

You should have seen the faces of the children when they returned from their Bible study using God’s creation! The children were wet and had happy faces as their parents waited for them at the doors of the church.

This adventure was carried out in the South Cocle River, one of the most important tributaries of the province of Cocle, Panama. It passes behind the Baptist Church La Roca de Getsemani, in the community of La Agustina. 

I, Zuri, a writer with New Pathways asked for help from Monica, who is an elementary Sunday school teacher. I needed help to test the activities we were creating to explore God’s creation. It’s part of a huge digital collection we will be officially launching when we get to Pittsburgh in July 2024. It will be available online in Spanish and English!